Description
French Onion Sloppy Joes combine rich, thyme-infused caramelized onions with a savory ground beef and tomato paste mixture. This flavorful twist on classic sloppy joes is topped with Swiss cheese and served on soft hamburger buns, making for an irresistible comfort food perfect for gatherings or family dinners.
Ingredients
For the Thyme-Infused Caramelized Onions
- 4 sweet onions, sliced
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons grapeseed oil
- 10 sprigs thyme
- butcher’s twine
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
For the 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
Instructions
- Prepare Thyme-Infused Caramelized Onions: Melt butter and grapeseed oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and stir well to coat.
- Create Thyme Bundle: Wrap the thyme sprigs tightly with butcher’s twine or secure them in cheesecloth to form a bundle.
- Cook Onions with Thyme: Add the thyme bundle to the onions in the skillet. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the onions are deeply caramelized and significantly reduced in volume. Remove the thyme bundle and discard. Season the onions with salt and pepper and stir to combine. Keep warm or refrigerate if using later.
- Brown the Ground Beef and Celery: In a separate large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef and diced celery until the meat is fully cooked and celery is softened.
- Incorporate Tomato Paste: Stir the tomato paste into the beef mixture and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently to combine thoroughly.
- Add Seasonings and Sweeteners: Stir in the brown sugar and apple cider vinegar. Season with salt and pepper. Continue cooking for another 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally to let the flavors meld and ensuring the mixture is hot.
- Assemble the Sloppy Joes: Spoon the hot sloppy joe mixture onto the hamburger buns. Top each with a slice of Swiss cheese and a generous scoop of thyme-infused caramelized onions.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve immediately while warm for the best flavor and texture experience.
Notes
- The caramelized onions can be made up to 4 days in advance and refrigerated to save time on serving day.
- Using grapeseed oil adds a neutral flavor and high smoke point, ideal for caramelizing onions.
- Adjust the amount of sugar and vinegar in the sloppy joe mix to balance sweetness and tang to your taste.
- Swiss cheese melts perfectly and complements the savory and sweet flavors of the sloppy joes.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute hamburger buns with gluten-free bread or buns.
