Korean Beef Sloppy Joes

 

At our house, we love Asian flavors and I'm always game for a fusion - combining two different styles into one food. These Korean Beef Sloppy Joes are just the ticket! Similar to a regular sloppy joe in substance, but with a much tangier, kickier flavor.(Kickier is not technically a word, however it is a great descriptor here, so I'm going to go with it.) 

I also liked that these sloppy joes were not as, well, sloppy, as the traditional recipe that I make. And let's be clear, I love sloppy joes. They are often my request at our family birthday dinner! But this year, these Korean Beef Sloppy Joes won the day. And everyone at the party agreed that they are fantastic.

We enjoyed these at home with sweet potato fries and roasted broccoli, and at the birthday party the Asian Coleslaw (or try this one with mangoes!) was the perfect accompaniment. Followed by cake, of course!

So whether you're having a party, or it's just a regular day, these Korean Beef Sloppy Joes are sure to be a hit. I hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

Korean Beef Sloppy Joes

1 1/2 pounds ground beef

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 tsp. sesame oil

1/2 cup ketchup

1/2 cup hoisin sauce

1/4 cup water

2 Tbsp. soy sauce

1 Tbsp. rice vinegar

1 tsp. chili garlic sauce

2 green onions, thinly sliced

6 hamburger buns, lightly toasted

In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it up slightly with a spoon or spatula. Be sure to leave some larger chunks of meat, so don't break it up entirely. Drain any fat.

Add the garlic, sesame oil, ketchup, hoisin sauce, water, soy sauce, vinegar and chili garlic sauce. Stir well to combine, then bring to a light simmer and let simmer for 5 minutes to combine the flavors. If it's not sloppy enough, add up to 1/4 cup more water. 

Spoon the meat mixture onto the bottom half of the buns, and then garnish with green onions. Top with the other half of the buns.  Serves 6.