Grumpy Joes

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.

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 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

Directions

Step 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.

Step 2

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

Step 3

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

Step 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.

Step 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.

Step 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.

Step 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.

Step 8

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

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1157.6 grams (1157.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1799

Total Fat 109.90g	141%
Saturated Fat 47.70g	239%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 333mg	111%
Sodium 3625mg	158%
Total Carbohydrate 139.30g	51%
Dietary Fiber 60.00g	214%
Total Sugars 56.60g
Protein 135.90g	272%

Vitamin D 7IU	36%
Calcium 209mg	16%
Iron 15mg	83%
Potassium 1445mg	31%

*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: 47.3%

Protein: 26.0%

Carbs: 26.7%