Sweet, tangy, rich sloppy joes with real Coca-Cola flavor
Fresh from the skillet — new cookin' straight from the holler!
You HAVE to try these Coca-Cola Sloppy Joes! The cola gives the sauce a sweet, caramelized depth that regular sloppy joes just don’t have. It’s cheap, quick, and the whole family goes crazy for ’em.
1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20 or ground chuck)
1 medium onion, diced
3–4 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup regular Coca-Cola
¾ cup ketchup
2 Tbsp yellow mustard
2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 Tbsp brown sugar (adjust to taste)
1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
Salt & black pepper to taste
1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it up well. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic. Drain excess grease if needed, but leave a little for flavor.
2. Add diced onion and cook 4–5 minutes until softened.
3. Stir in the Coca-Cola, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire, brown sugar, vinegar, and smoked paprika. Bring to a simmer.
4. Reduce heat to medium-low and let it bubble gently for 15–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens up nice and glossy.
5. Taste and adjust seasoning. Pile high on toasted buns. Add pickles or cheese if you want.
Use regular Coca-Cola — diet won’t give you that sticky caramelized flavor.
Let it simmer long enough for the sauce to thicken up real good.
Make a double batch — leftovers taste even better the next day.
Serve on toasted buns so they don’t get soggy.
Shop the cast iron skillet Cletus uses on Amazon
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Got a tweak or your own sloppy joe secret? Drop it in the comments or holler at me! I read every one.
