Description

Mississippi Sloppy Joes are a hearty and flavorful twist on the classic sloppy joe sandwich. Made with lean ground beef, zesty ranch and brown gravy mixes, tangy pepperoncinis, and a rich buttery sauce, this slow-cooked recipe yields tender and savory meat that melts in your mouth. Perfect for an easy weeknight meal or casual gatherings, these sloppy joes serve up comfort and bold flavors on soft brioche buns.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat Mixture

2 pounds lean ground beef
1 envelope ranch dressing mix
1 envelope brown gravy mix
1 cup sliced pepperoncinis
⅓ cup quick cooking oatmeal

Sauce

⅓ cup ketchup
¾ cup water
½ cup pepperoncinis juice
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar

Other

6 tablespoons butter, sliced
Buns (soft brioche buns recommended)

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Instructions

Brown the beef: Place the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook until browned and no longer pink, breaking the meat into crumbles as it cooks. Drain excess fat thoroughly.
Transfer to slow cooker: Add the browned and drained ground beef to the slow cooker.
Add oatmeal: Stir the quick cooking oatmeal into the beef in the slow cooker to help thicken the mixture during cooking.
Prepare sauce mix: In a small bowl, combine ranch dressing mix, brown gravy mix, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, pepperoncinis juice, and water. Stir well to fully combine all ingredients.
Mix sauce and pepperoncinis: Pour the sauce mixture into the slow cooker atop the beef and oatmeal. Add the sliced pepperoncinis and stir everything together until evenly distributed.
Add butter: Slice the butter and place it on top of the meat mixture without stirring it in.
Cook slowly: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on low heat for 4 hours, allowing flavors to meld and the mixture to thicken.
Serve: Spoon the Mississippi Sloppy Joe mixture onto soft brioche buns and serve warm for a delicious sandwich experience.

Notes

Using lean ground beef helps reduce fat but ensures a rich flavor.
Quick cooking oatmeal acts as a thickening agent instead of traditional thickeners.
Adjust the amount of pepperoncinis and juice for desired tanginess and heat level.
Brioche buns provide a soft, slightly sweet complement but any sturdy sandwich bun will work.
Can be prepared a day ahead and reheated for flavors to deepen.