Sloppy Joes

Ingredients

For 4 servings

• •1 /2 teaspoon cornstarch
• •1 /2 cup (120 ml) low-sodium beef or low-sodium chicken stock, homemade or store-bought
• •1 /2 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt; for table salt, use half as much by volume
• •1 /4 teaspoon MSG (optional)
• •2 c. à soupe (30 ml) neutral oil, such as vegetable or canola oil, plus more as needed
• •1 lb 80% lean ground beef
• •1 medium yellow onion (8 ounces; 226 g), finely chopped
• •2 medium cloves garlic (10 g), finely chopped
• •1 /2 cup tomato or marinara sauce (5 1/4 ounces; 150 g), such as Rao's
• •1 /4 cup Heinz ketchup (50g)1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• •1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• •1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• •2 c. à soupe brown sugar
• •4 soft burger buns, split and toasted

Method

1. 1.In a small bowl, whisk 1 tablespoon water with cornstarch to combine; set aside. In a separate bowl, combine stock, salt, and MSG, if using. Mix well and set aside.
2. 2.In a large stainless steel, carbon steel, or cast iron skillet, heat oil over high heat until shimmering. Add half of ground beef and cook, using a wooden spoon to stir and scrape pan, until well browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Add remaining meat and cook, breaking up with a wooden spoon, potato masher, or whisk, until reduced to small bits (about the size of panko), about 3 minutes. Reduce heat as necessary to prevent scorching. Add onion and garlic and cook until fragrant and softened, about 3 minutes. Add stock mixture and cook, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid has evaporated, about 5 minutes. Add tomato or marinara sauce, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar, and cook, stirring occasionally to coat beef in sauce mixture, until sauce has darkened slightly, about 3 minutes.
3. 3.Add cornstarch mixture and cook, stirring constantly, until sauce has thickened, about 1 minute. Season to taste with additional salt, pepper, and brown sugar as needed.
4. 4.Using a spoon, place about 1/4 of meat mixture on each bottom half. Place the top buns on, press gently to adhere, and serve immediately.