Bacon Beer and Cheese Sloppy Joes 🍔🥓🧀

Get ready for a flavor-packed twist on the classic Sloppy Joe! This recipe combines crispy bacon, hearty ground beef, and gooey melted cheese, all brought together with a splash of your favorite beer. It's comfort food at its finest, perfect for game day or a laid-back weeknight dinner. Serve these tangy, meaty delights on your favorite rolls, and watch them disappear!

Ingredients

For the Sloppy Joe mixture

• 1 lb ground beef
• 6 strips of bacon, chopped
• 1 medium onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup beer (lager or your choice)
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup ketchup
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste

For serving

• 4-6 hamburger rolls (soft and sturdy)
• Pickles (optional, for topping)
• Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Cook the bacon: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crispy. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the bacon fat in the pan.

2. Sauté the veggies: In the same skillet, add the diced onion and minced garlic to the bacon fat. Sauté until the onion is translucent and fragrant, about 5 minutes.

3. Brown the beef: Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook until browned and cooked through, breaking it up with a spatula as it cooks. Drain any excess fat, if necessary.

4. Combine ingredients: Stir in the cooked bacon, beer, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, and season with salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the mixture to thicken slightly.

5. Add the cheese: Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and well combined.

6. Assemble the Sloppy Joes: Spoon generous amounts of the mixture onto the bottom halves of the hamburger rolls. Top with pickles, if desired, and garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro. Place the top halves of the rolls on each sandwich.

7. Serve and enjoy!: Serve your bacon beer and cheese Sloppy Joes immediately, with a side of chips, fries, or a crisp salad.

🍻 Feel free to get creative with the beer selection! A stout or even a stout-infused sauce will add a rich, deep flavor, while a light lager keeps it bright and refreshing. Give it a taste test and find your favorite pairing!

Variations

• Spicy Kick: Add diced jalapeños or a splash of hot sauce to the beef mixture for a kick of heat! 🌶️
• Beer-Free: Substitute the beer with beef broth or soda (like root beer or cola) for a kid-friendly version that keeps the flavor punchy.
• Cheese Lovers: Experiment with different cheese blends, like Monterey Jack or pepper jack, for a fusion of flavors and a delightful stringy texture.
• Vegetarian: Swap the ground beef for a combination of black beans and quinoa, and use veggie bacon or omit the bacon completely for a delicious plant-based option. Just remember to adjust the seasoning accordingly!

Enjoy your culinary adventure with these savory Bacon Beer and Cheese Sloppy Joes! 😋🍻