• Login
  • topnav-mobile
  • topnav-instagram
  • Follow Me on Pinterest

Enjoy this story from our archive, originally sent to TT members on .

Get Sloppy

An all-ages childhood favorite

Apple juice adds sweetness to these sloppy Joes.

The sloppy Joe has long been a key player in family dinners across the country, so it’s apropos that chef Trevor Higgins has served them at many a staff meal. The messy meat sandwich became such a favorite that Higgins moved it to his front-of-the-house menu at Roost in Greenville, South Carolina. His recipe includes many of the classic trappings, with one notable addition: apple juice. The juice adds sweetness and prompts the ground beef to caramelize while cooking, adding a surprising depth to this weeknight staple. Grab a stack of napkins--it’s about to get sloppy.

Sloppy Joes

Recipe adapted from Trevor Higgins, Roost, Greenville, SC

Yield: 4 sloppy Joes


Cook Time: 50 minutes

  • INGREDIENTS
  • 1 pound 80/20 ground beef

    ¾ cup ketchup

    ¼ cup light brown sugar

    1½ tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

    ¾ teaspoon Dijon mustard

    1 cup apple juice

    1 teaspoon kosher salt

    ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

    2 brioche buns, halved crosswise

    Potato chips, for serving

DIRECTIONS

1. In a medium saucepan set over medium heat, add the beef and cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned and cooked through, about 10 minutes. Drain off and discard any excess fat and return the pan to the heat.

2. Stir in the ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire and mustard, reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes. Pour in the apple juice and stir to combine. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquid is reduced by half, about 20 minutes. Season with the salt and pepper.

3. To serve, add a bun half, cut side up, to each plate. Top each bun with the sloppy Joe mixture and serve, open-faced, with potato chips.

askourcook-graphical

Need help with this week’s recipe?
Get advice and tips from our Tasting Table Test Kitchen about this week’s recipe.

askourcook-gethelp

About The Chef

Trevor Higgins worked at The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island in Charleston, South Carolina, and Caffé Arti in Reggio Emilia, Italy, before opening Roost in Greenville, South Carolina, in 2013.

Roost, 220 N. Main St., Greenville, SC; 864-298-2424 or roostrestaurant.com

Get More Sandwich Recipes
Download Our Winter Cookbook!

Get Tasting Table Chefs’ Recipes Edition for exclusive recipes each week from top chefs and hot restaurants—adapted for you to cook at home.

join-button