Grumpy Joes

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Get ready to elevate your weeknight comfort food game with Grumpy Joes, a smoky, tangy twist on the classic sloppy joe! This irresistible recipe combines tender ground beef with a flavorful blend of ketchup, yellow mustard, brown sugar, and aromatic spices like smoked paprika and cumin. A splash of cayenne pepper adds optional heat, making this dish fully customizable. The rich, saucy mixture is served on golden, butter-toasted hamburger buns, creating the perfect balance of savory and sweet in every bite. Quick and easy to prepare in just 30 minutes, Grumpy Joes are ideal for family dinners or casual get-togethers. Serve with pickles, coleslaw, or your favorite crunchy potato chips for a satisfying, crowd-pleasing meal.

Recipe Information

• Prep Time: 10 min
• Cook Time: 20 min
• Total Time: 30 min
• Servings: 4 servings
• Difficulty: Medium

🥘 Ingredients

14 items

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin
• 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.25 cup water
• 4 hamburger buns
• 1 tablespoon butter, for toasting buns

📝 Instructions

8 steps

1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until browned and fully cooked, about 6-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat if needed.

2. Reduce the heat to medium and add the finely chopped onion to the skillet. Cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute, until fragrant.

4. Add the ketchup, yellow mustard, brown sugar, smoked paprika, ground cumin, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir well to combine.

5. Pour in the water and stir again. Simmer the mixture for 5-7 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together and the sauce to thicken slightly.

6. While the mixture simmers, heat a griddle or another skillet over medium heat. Spread the butter on the cut sides of the hamburger buns and toast them, cut side down, until golden brown, about 1-2 minutes.

7. Spoon the Grumpy Joe mixture onto the bottom half of each toasted bun. Top with the other half of the bun and serve immediately.

8. Optional: Serve with pickles, coleslaw, or potato chips on the side for a complete meal.

Nutrition Facts

1 serving (290.2g)

Calories		490
% Daily Value*
Total Fat		30.5 g	39%
	Saturated Fat	13.1 g	65%
	Polyunsaturated Fat	0.0 g
Cholesterol		84 mg	28%
Sodium		855 mg	37%
Total Carbohydrate		35.4 g	13%
	Dietary Fiber	15.1 g	54%
	Total Sugars	15.1 g
Protein		34.0 g	68%
Vitamin D		0.2 mcg	1%
Calcium		61 mg	5%
Iron		4.4 mg	24%
Potassium		307 mg	7%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 1098 cal (49.7%%)

Protein: 543 cal (24.6%%)

Carbs: 566 cal (25.7%%)