Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Place a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium high heat and add your oil. Let it warm until it shimmers. Add the chopped onion and green bell pepper. Sauté them for about 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they soften and the onion becomes translucent. Now, toss in the minced garlic and cook for just another minute until you can smell its gorgeous, fragrant perfume. Don't let it burn.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet. Use your spoon to break it apart. Cook the beef until it's browned all over, about 5-7 minutes. There should be no pink left. If you're using a higher fat beef, this is your moment to carefully drain off any excess grease. You're creating a clean, rich canvas for our sauce.
- Reduce the heat to low. Pour in the ketchup and water. Add the brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, and mustard. Sprinkle in the salt and pepper. Stir it all together until everything is beautifully combined. The color will deepen into a rich, rusty red, and the aroma will fill your kitchen.
- Allow the mixture to bubble gently for at least 10 minutes, uncovered, stirring every so often. This is where the flavors meld, deepen, and get to know each other. The sauce will thicken into a perfect, glossy consistency, clinging to every piece of meat.
- While the mixture simmers, toast your hamburger buns. Spoon a generous amount onto each bottom bun. Place the top bun on, take a deep breath, and serve immediately.
Nutrition
Calories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 20gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 420mgPotassium: 300mgFiber: 2gSugar: 22gVitamin A: 150IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 200mgIron: 2.5mg
Notes
A Note on Substitutions: Don't have ground beef? Ground turkey or chicken works beautifully. For a vegetarian version, use a pound of crumbled plant based meat or even lentils. No brown sugar? A drizzle of maple syrup or honey will lend that necessary sweetness.
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