Zesty Jamaican Joe

Add a tropical twist to your weeknight dinner routine with the vibrant and flavorful "Zesty Jamaican Joe." This bold take on the classic sloppy joe infuses hearty ground beef with the tantalizing warmth of jerk seasoning, fresh lime juice, and a touch of sweet brown sugar for the perfect balance. Sautéed onions, bell peppers, and garlic create a savory base, while a rich blend of tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, and soy sauce delivers a saucy, satisfying filling. Finished with fresh scallions and cilantro for a burst of color and freshness, this dish is served on buttery golden-toasted hamburger buns for the ultimate comfort food experience. Ready in just 40 minutes, this easy recipe packs a spicy-sweet Caribbean flair that will have your family begging for seconds! Perfect for a quick family dinner or a fun twist on game-day eats.

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 medium, diced yellow onion
• 1 medium, diced bell pepper
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tbsp jerk seasoning
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 chopped scallions
• 2 tbsp, chopped cilantro
• 4 hamburger buns
• 2 tbsp butter

Directions

Step 1

In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Add the diced onion and bell pepper, and sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened.

Step 2

Add the minced garlic and sauté for another 1 minute, stirring frequently.

Step 3

Push the vegetables to one side of the skillet and add the ground beef. Cook the beef, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 7-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.

Step 4

Add the tomato paste and jerk seasoning to the skillet. Stir everything together and cook for 2 minutes to toast the seasoning and deepen the flavor.

Step 5

Mix in the brown sugar, lime juice, soy sauce, and canned crushed tomatoes. Reduce the heat to a simmer and let the mixture cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly.

Step 6

While the meat mixture simmers, toast the hamburger buns. Spread a little butter on the cut sides of the buns and toast them in a separate skillet or toaster until golden and crisp.

Step 7

Once the meat mixture is ready, stir in the chopped scallions and cilantro for a burst of fresh flavor.

Step 8

Spoon the Zesty Jamaican Joe mixture generously onto the bottom halves of the toasted buns. Top with the other halves of the buns and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1281 grams (1281.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1779

Total Fat 120.40g	154%
Saturated Fat 53.00g	265%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.80g
Cholesterol 387mg	129%
Sodium 6856mg	298%
Total Carbohydrate 133.60g	49%
Dietary Fiber 65.30g	233%
Total Sugars 58.00g
Protein 142.50g	285%

Vitamin D 5IU	23%
Calcium 278mg	21%
Iron 17mg	94%
Potassium 2806mg	60%

*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: 49.5%

Protein: 26.1%

Carbs: 24.4%