If you’re craving pure comfort with a punch of steakhouse flair, these Steakhouse Burger Sloppy Joes might just be your new weeknight heroes. Imagine all the juicy, cheesy decadence of a classic burger, cozied up with savory sauce and nestled in a pillowy brioche bun — they’re a cross between your favorite diner burger and those saucy childhood Sloppy Joes, but with a distinctly grown-up twist. Packed with caramelized onions, mushrooms, and a duo of steak sauce and Dijon, this recipe channels everything delicious about steakhouse dining into a quick skillet supper. With Steakhouse Burger Sloppy Joes, dinner is equal parts nostalgic, messy, and totally irresistible.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in these Steakhouse Burger Sloppy Joes plays a crucial role in building up that deep, savory flavor and craveable texture. Simple, thoughtfully chosen pantry staples and fresh elements combine to create a sandwich that’s anything but basic. Here’s what you’ll need and why each one matters:
- Ground Beef: The juicy base of the mixture, bringing all the classic burger vibes and hearty flavor.
- Olive Oil: Adds depth and helps caramelize the onions and mushrooms for savory undertones.
- Onion (finely diced): Essential for aromatic sweetness and a subtle crunch.
- Mushrooms (finely chopped): Bring an earthy, umami-rich dimension that mimics steakhouse sides.
- Garlic (minced): Punches up the savory factor for full-bodied flavor.
- Beef Broth: Lends moisture and emphasizes that deeply meaty foundation.
- Ketchup: Brings tangy sweetness for balance and a glossy finish.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Layers on complexity and bold, umami-packed richness.
- Dijon Mustard: Adds a gentle kick and signature steakhouse zing.
- Steak Sauce (like A.1.): Delivers that classic, assertive steakhouse character.
- Smoked Paprika: Infuses a subtle smokiness that mimics grilled meats.
- Black Pepper: Provides gentle heat and depth.
- Salt: Essential for amplifying every flavor in the pan.
- Heavy Cream: Makes the sauce lush, creamy, and totally luxurious.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Melts into the beef, creating gooey, indulgent bites.
- Brioche Buns (toasted): The ultimate vessel, buttery and slightly sweet for perfect contrast.
- Butter: Used to toast the buns, making them golden and enhancing flavor.
- Optional Toppings (crispy fried onions, pickles, lettuce): For crunch, tang, and fresh contrast.
How to Make Steakhouse Burger Sloppy Joes
Step 1: Sauté Beef, Onions, and Mushrooms
Begin by heating the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Toss in your ground beef, diced onion, and chopped mushrooms all at once. Let everything brown together for 6 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally so it all caramelizes without burning. The onions become sweet, the beef richly browned, and the mushrooms absorb all those savory juices—this forms the backbone of your Steakhouse Burger Sloppy Joes.
Step 2: Add Garlic and Drain Fat
Once the beef mixture is looking golden and the vegetables are soft, add in the minced garlic and cook for just one minute until fragrant. If there’s extra grease at this point, carefully drain it off — you want a rich, meaty filling, not a greasy one!
Step 3: Simmer in Flavors
Now lower the heat to medium and pour in your beef broth, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, steak sauce, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir well and let the sauce bubble gently for 5 to 7 minutes. This step infuses the beef with all those steakhouse-inspired flavors, and also thickens everything to a perfectly spoonable consistency.
Step 4: Make It Creamy and Cheesy
Time for the decadent finishing touch. Stir in the heavy cream and cheddar cheese, letting them melt together into the beef mixture. The result? A creamy, gooey, utterly irresistible Sloppy Joe that’s as much about comfort as it is about bold steakhouse flair.
Step 5: Toast Buns and Assemble
While the filling simmers, split your brioche buns and place them cut-side down in a skillet with a little butter. Toast until the buns are golden and crisp. Heap the Steakhouse Burger Sloppy Joes mixture onto your buns, and if you like, top with crispy onions, pickles, or shredded lettuce for the ultimate finishing touch. Serve piping hot.
How to Serve Steakhouse Burger Sloppy Joes
Garnishes
Crispy fried onions are almost mandatory here, adding a restaurant-worthy crunch. A few tangy pickle slices or a crisp leaf of lettuce also provide just the right contrast, cutting through the richness. Don’t be shy with your toppings — the more texture and zippy flavor, the better your Steakhouse Burger Sloppy Joes will sing!
Side Dishes
The classic partner for these Sloppy Joes is a pile of golden fries, but they also pair marvelously with coleslaw, potato salad, or even a bright green salad if you want to lighten things up. Thick-cut potato chips work great for scooping up any of that saucy filling that tumbles out, and roasted broccoli makes a hearty, fresh side.
Creative Ways to Present
Try making mini sliders for a party tray — just use smaller dinner rolls or slider buns and heap each one with the Steakhouse Burger Sloppy Joes filling. Or go open-faced: spoon the mixture over the toasted halves and broil with extra cheese for a melt. You can even serve it over baked potatoes or pasta for a steakhouse-meets-comfort-food twist!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cool, transfer any leftover Sloppy Joe mixture to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to three days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making it a fantastic leftover lunch the next day! Reheat thoroughly before assembling new sandwiches.
Freezing
Your Steakhouse Burger Sloppy Joes filling freezes beautifully. Let it cool completely, then portion into freezer-safe bags or containers. Freeze for up to 2 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating gently on the stovetop. Note: For best texture, freeze the filling separately and toast fresh buns when serving.
Reheating
To reheat, place the mixture in a skillet over low heat and add a splash of beef broth or cream to help loosen the sauce if needed. Stir occasionally until heated through. You can also microwave individual servings for a quick fix, though stovetop yields the best texture.
FAQs
Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef?
Absolutely! While classic Steakhouse Burger Sloppy Joes use ground beef for maximum flavor, ground turkey or chicken work well as substitutes—you’ll just get a slightly lighter taste. If you use leaner meats, add an extra splash of olive oil for richness.
What can I use instead of mushrooms?
If you’re not a mushroom fan, simply leave them out, or try subbing with finely diced red bell peppers for sweetness and color. The dish will still be plenty robust without them!
Can I make these Steakhouse Burger Sloppy Joes dairy-free?
To make this recipe dairy-free, skip the heavy cream and use your favorite plant-based cream instead, and swap out the cheddar cheese for a good melting plant-based cheese. The flavor will stay deliciously savory and rich.
What’s the best way to keep the buns from getting soggy?
Toast your buns well—the buttery, crisp exterior acts as a barrier and helps keep the Sloppy Joe mixture from soaking through too quickly. Serving immediately after assembling also keeps everything texturally perfect.
Can I double this recipe for a crowd?
Definitely! These Steakhouse Burger Sloppy Joes are a real crowd-pleaser. Simply double all ingredients and use a bigger skillet or cook in two batches. They’re fantastic for casual parties and family nights alike.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to visit a fancy steakhouse to enjoy a burger-inspired feast: with these Steakhouse Burger Sloppy Joes, the magic unfolds right on your stovetop (and in just 30 minutes!). They’re pure comfort, a little bit messy, and absolutely packed with flavor. Whether you’re feeding a weeknight family dinner or a hungry weekend crowd, don’t wait to bring these into your rotation — your taste buds will thank you!
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Steakhouse Burger Sloppy Joes Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with these Steakhouse Burger Sloppy Joes. This gourmet twist on the classic sloppy joe features a rich and creamy beef filling topped with melted cheddar cheese, all sandwiched between buttery toasted brioche buns. Perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner or a fun weekend meal!
Ingredients
Main Sloppy Joe Mix:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion finely diced
- 1/2 cup mushrooms finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon steak sauce (such as A.1.)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Additional Ingredients:
- 4 brioche buns toasted
- 2 tablespoons butter
- toppings such as crispy fried onions, pickles, or lettuce (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Sloppy Joe Mix: Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Add ground beef, onion, and mushrooms. Cook until beef is browned and vegetables are tender. Add garlic and cook.
- Simmer: Stir in beef broth, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, steak sauce, paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer until slightly thickened.
- Add Cream and Cheese: Stir in heavy cream and cheddar cheese until melted and creamy.
- Toast Buns: Toast brioche buns with butter until golden.
- Assemble: Spoon sloppy joe mix onto buns. Top with desired toppings.
- Serve: Enjoy hot!
Notes
- For a smoky twist, add cooked bacon crumbles to the filling.
- Pepper jack cheese can replace cheddar for extra spice.
- Smaller buns work great for sliders.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Sandwich
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
