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Cajun Sloppy Joes

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on March 28, 2013

Time

30 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Cajun Sloppy Joes

Ingredients

2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 onion, chopped fineSalt and pepper 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 pound 85 percent lean ground beef 1 cup tomato puree ¼ cup ketchup 4 hamburger buns

Instructions

  1. Heat oil in 12-inch skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add onion and ½ teaspoon salt, cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is soft, about 5 minutes. Add Cajun seasoning and cayenne and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add meat and cook, breaking up pieces with spoon, until just pink, about 3 minutes.
  2. Stir in tomato puree, ketchup, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Simmer until sauce is slightly thicker than ketchup, 8 to 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Spoon meat onto hamburger buns and serve.
Cajun Sloppy Joes

Cajun Sloppy Joes

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By America's Test Kitchen
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Time

30 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Ingredients

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 onion, chopped fine
Salt and pepper
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 pound 85 percent lean ground beef
1 cup tomato puree
¼ cup ketchup
4 hamburger buns

Ingredients

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 onion, chopped fine
Salt and pepper
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 pound 85 percent lean ground beef
1 cup tomato puree
¼ cup ketchup
4 hamburger buns

Ingredients

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 onion, chopped fine
Salt and pepper
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 pound 85 percent lean ground beef
1 cup tomato puree
¼ cup ketchup
4 hamburger buns

Why This Recipe Works

Blooming the Cajun seasoning with the onions enhanced its bold flavor, while a dash of cayenne pepper added an additional layer of heat to our Cajun Sloppy Joes. A combination of tomato puree and ketchup provided a traditional base for this untraditional variation.

Instructions

  1. Heat oil in 12-inch skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add onion and ½ teaspoon salt, cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is soft, about 5 minutes. Add Cajun seasoning and cayenne and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add meat and cook, breaking up pieces with spoon, until just pink, about 3 minutes.
  2. Stir in tomato puree, ketchup, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Simmer until sauce is slightly thicker than ketchup, 8 to 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Spoon meat onto hamburger buns and serve.

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