Description
These French Onion Sloppy Joes combine savory ground beef with thyme-infused caramelized onions and melted Swiss cheese, all piled onto soft hamburger buns. This easy and budget-friendly recipe offers a flavorful twist on traditional sloppy joes, perfect for a comforting dinner or game day meal.
Ingredients
Thyme-Infused Caramelized Onions
- 4 sweet onions, thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 10 sprigs fresh thyme
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Homemade Sloppy Joes
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 cup celery, diced
- 6 ounces tomato paste
- ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 10 slices Swiss cheese
- 10 hamburger buns
- 2 tablespoons grapeseed oil (avocado oil also works)
Instructions
- Prepare the Thyme-Infused Caramelized Onions: Melt the butter and grapeseed oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and stir well to coat them evenly with the fats. Create a thyme bundle by wrapping the sprigs of fresh thyme in butcher’s twine or cheesecloth, then add it to the skillet. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the onions are deeply caramelized and reduced in volume, about 25-30 minutes. Remove and discard the thyme bundle, then season the caramelized onions with salt and pepper. Keep warm or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days if preparing ahead.
- Make the Homemade Sloppy Joes: In another large skillet, heat the remaining grapeseed oil over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and diced celery, cooking until the beef is browned and the celery softens. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Next, add the brown sugar and apple cider vinegar, then season with salt and pepper. Continue to cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing the flavors to combine and the mixture to heat through thoroughly.
- Assemble the Sandwiches: Spoon the sloppy joe mixture onto each hamburger bun. Top each with a slice of Swiss cheese and a generous helping of thyme-infused caramelized onions. The heat from the meat will gently melt the cheese. Serve immediately, either open-faced or closed, according to your preference.
Notes
- The thyme-infused caramelized onions can be made up to 4 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat before serving.
- Serving these sandwiches open-faced makes them easier to eat, but feel free to serve them closed.
- The sloppy joe mixture can be frozen (without buns) for up to 3 months. Use an airtight freezer container or freezer bag, labeled with the date. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- The caramelized onions can also be frozen for up to 2 months. Store in an airtight freezer container or bag, labeled with the date. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.