Sloppy Joes (Carne Guisada Style)

Instructions

1. 1

   Brown the Beef

   • Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
   • Add the ground beef to the hot skillet. Cook for 6-8 minutes, using a wooden spoon or spatula to break it into small crumbles, until it is browned and no longer pink.
   • Carefully tilt the skillet and spoon out any excess grease, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan for flavor.
2. 2

   Sauté Aromatics and Bloom Spices

   • Add the chopped onion and bell pepper to the skillet with the beef. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened and the onion is translucent.
   • Stir in the minced garlic and optional jalapeño. Cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
   • Add the tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir constantly for 1 minute to toast the spices and cook the raw flavor out of the tomato paste. This step is key for a deep, rich flavor.
3. 3

   Simmer the Mixture

   • Pour the beef broth and the undrained can of diced tomatoes into the skillet. Stir well, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
   • Bring the mixture to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat to low to maintain a gentle simmer.
   • Partially cover the skillet and let it simmer for 25-30 minutes, stirring every 5-7 minutes to prevent sticking. The sauce should thicken considerably to a scoopable, 'sloppy' consistency.
4. 4

   Assemble and Serve

   • During the last few minutes of simmering, toast your hamburger buns in a toaster, under the broiler, or in a dry pan until golden brown.
   • Once the meat mixture has thickened, remove it from the heat. Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed.
   • Spoon a generous amount of the Carne Guisada sloppy joe mixture onto the bottom half of each toasted bun. Add your favorite toppings, place the top bun on, and serve immediately.