Bacon, Beer and Cheese Sloppy Joes Recipe

Juicy Bacon, Beer and Cheese Sloppy Joes Recipe for Dinner Joy

These hearty sloppy joes pack an incredible bacon, beer and cheese flavor that’ll make your taste buds dance with excitement.

Bold ingredients combine to create a mouthwatering twist on the classic comfort food.

The rich blend of smoky bacon, robust beer, and melted cheese takes this sandwich to a whole new level of deliciousness.

Each bite promises a burst of savory goodness that will have everyone at the table asking for seconds.

Weeknight dinners just got a serious upgrade with this irresistible recipe.

The combination of ingredients transforms a simple meal into a flavor-packed experience.

Grab a napkin and get ready to enjoy a seriously satisfying sandwich that’s sure to become a new family favorite.

Why Bacon, Beer, and Cheese Sloppy Joes Stand Out

  • Savor Flavor Explosion: Packed with bold ingredients like beer, bacon, and cheddar cheese, this recipe delivers an incredible taste experience that transforms ordinary sloppy joes into a gourmet meal.
  • Master Cooking Flexibility: The recipe allows creative freedom with meat texture, encouraging cooks to leave raspberry-sized beef chunks for an interesting mouthfeel and sandwich stability.
  • Elevate Comfort Food: This upgraded sloppy joe version takes a classic childhood favorite and turns it into a sophisticated, adult-friendly dish perfect for casual gatherings or weekend meals.
  • Quick Preparation Magic: With simple steps and minimal ingredients, home cooks can whip up this delicious meal quickly, making it an ideal option for busy weeknights or spontaneous dinner plans.

What You Need for Bacon Beer Cheese Sloppy Joes

Meat Base:
  • Ground Beef: A hearty protein that forms the core of the sloppy joe mixture.
  • Bacon: Adds a smoky, crispy texture and rich flavor to the dish.
Sauce and Liquid Ingredients:
  • Ketchup, Tomato Paste: Provide a tangy and sweet base for the sauce.
  • Worcestershire Sauce, Dijon Mustard: Enhance the depth and complexity of flavors.
  • Beer: Adds a rich, malty undertone to the sauce.
  • Beef Broth: Helps create a moist and flavorful sauce.
Aromatics and Cheese:
  • Onions: Bring a sweet and savory base to the dish.
  • Cheddar Cheese: Melts into creamy pockets of cheesy goodness.
Additional Components:
  • Buns: Serve as the foundation for the sloppy joe sandwich.

How to Prepare Sloppy Joes with Bacon and Beer

Step 1: Crisp Up the Bacon

Sizzle bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it’s perfectly crispy but still slightly flexible.

Once done, transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Skillet

Drain excess bacon fat, leaving just two tablespoons in the pan for extra flavor.

Step 3: Sauté the Onions

Toss chopped onions into the skillet and cook until they become soft and translucent, about 4-5 minutes.

Step 4: Brown the Ground Beef

Add ground beef to the onions, reducing heat to medium.

Break the meat into chunks roughly the size of a raspberry, maintaining some texture for a hearty feel.

Step 5: Create the Sloppy Joe Sauce

Pour in the following ingredients:
  • Ketchup
  • Tomato paste
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • Dijon mustard
  • Beer
  • Beef broth

Stir everything together and let the mixture simmer.

Step 6: Reduce the Sauce

Continue cooking until the sauce thickens and becomes beautifully “sloppy”.

The goal is a consistency where spoonfuls hold their shape without spreading too much.

Step 7: Add Cheesy Goodness

Just before serving, sprinkle in:
  • Cheddar cheese chunks
  • Crispy bacon crumbles

Stir gently to create small melted cheese pools throughout the mixture.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Toast the burger buns, heap the sloppy joe mixture on top, and garnish with extra bacon if desired.

Get ready for a flavor explosion!

Pro Tips for Sloppy Joes Perfection

  • Cook bacon until slightly bendable to maintain texture and prevent burning.
  • Break beef into raspberry-sized pieces for better sandwich structure and mouthfeel.
  • Watch sauce thickness carefully, aiming for a spoonable consistency that doesn't spread excessively.
  • Add cheddar chunks and bacon crumbles just before serving to create delicious melted pockets.
  • Toast buns before adding sloppy joe mixture to prevent sogginess and enhance overall sandwich experience.

Variations for Bacon Beer Cheese Sloppy Joes

  • Vegetarian Protein Powerhouse: Replace beef with crumbled plant-based ground meat or firm tofu, maintaining the same spicy and rich flavor profile while offering a meat-free alternative.
  • Gluten-Free Comfort: Swap regular buns with gluten-free rolls or lettuce wraps, using tamari instead of Worcestershire sauce to create a celiac-friendly version.
  • Low-Carb Champion: Eliminate buns completely and serve the sloppy joe mixture over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles for a keto-friendly adaptation that cuts carbohydrates without sacrificing taste.
  • Wine Country Remix: Substitute beer with red wine for a deeper, more sophisticated flavor, using cabernet or merlot to enhance the overall richness of the sauce.

Serving Ideas for Sloppy Joes

Scalloped Sweet Potato Preparation Instructions
  • Hearty Game Day Delight: Perfect for sports viewing parties, these sloppy joes pack a punch of flavor that'll have guests cheering.
  • Picnic Perfect Sandwich: Pack these in a sealed container for outdoor gatherings, ensuring a delicious meal that travels well and impresses everyone.
  • Comfort Food Upgrade: Transform classic sloppy joes into a gourmet experience by adding crispy bacon bits and melted cheese that elevates the traditional recipe.
  • Leftover Magic Maker: Reheat the beef mixture the next day for quick lunches or dinner, with the flavors becoming even more rich and developed overnight.

How to Store Bacon, Beer, and Cheese Sloppy Joes

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator, ensuring the mixture is completely cooled before sealing.
  • Transfer sloppy joe mixture to freezer-safe containers, removing excess air, and freeze for up to 2-3 months for later enjoyment.
  • Place portion in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming.
  • Warm the mixture in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of beef broth or beer to restore moisture and prevent drying out.

FAQs

  • What type of beer works best for this recipe?

A robust, malty beer like amber ale or brown ale adds deeper flavor and complements the beef and bacon perfectly.

  • Can I substitute ground beef with another meat?

Ground turkey or ground pork can work well, but they’ll change the traditional flavor profile slightly.

  • How do I prevent the mixture from becoming too watery?

Cook the sauce longer and let it reduce, stirring occasionally until it reaches a thick, clingy consistency that holds its shape on the bun.

  • Is this recipe spicy or kid-friendly?

The recipe is mild with no added heat, making it great for families and can be easily enjoyed by children.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Bacon, Beer and Cheese Sloppy Joes Recipe

Bacon, Beer and Cheese Sloppy Joes Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 31 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Hearty Bacon, Beer and Cheese Sloppy Joes promise a flavor explosion that delights taste buds with rich, tangy goodness. Comfort meets gourmet in this irresistible sandwich you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Protein:

  • 1 1/2 pounds (680 grams) ground beef
  • 8 slices bacon, chopped

Cheese and Base Ingredients:

  • 2 cups (226 grams) sharp cheddar, cubed
  • 6 brioche buns
  • 1/2 yellow onion, chopped

Sauce and Liquid Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (240 milliliters) beer (Guinness)
  • 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) beef broth
  • 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) ketchup
  • 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

Instructions

  1. Crisp bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes until slightly bendable but golden brown.
  2. Remove bacon, reserving two tablespoons of rendered fat in the pan.
  3. Sauté onions in the bacon fat for 4-5 minutes until translucent and softened.
  4. Introduce ground beef to the skillet, reducing heat to medium, and cook while maintaining raspberry-sized meat chunks for textural integrity.
  5. Brown beef thoroughly for 5-6 minutes, then incorporate ketchup, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, beer, and beef broth.
  6. Simmer mixture, stirring occasionally, allowing sauce to reduce and thicken for 5-6 minutes until achieving a cohesive, spoonable consistency.
  7. Verify sauce reduction by ensuring spoonfuls maintain minimal spread when stacked.
  8. Fold in cheddar cheese chunks and crumbled bacon during the final minute of cooking, creating melted cheese pockets.
  9. Toast buns until golden, then generously ladle the beef mixture over bread and garnish with additional crispy bacon if desired.

Notes

  • Ensure bacon remains slightly bendable to maintain texture and prevent burning during the cooking process.
  • Break beef into chunks resembling raspberries or small grapes for structural integrity and better mouthfeel in the sandwich.
  • Watch carefully as the mixture reduces, aiming for a consistency where spoonfuls maintain shape without spreading excessively.
  • Add cheddar chunks and bacon crumbles just before serving, creating delightful melted pockets throughout the sloppy joe mixture.
  • Prep Time: 7 minutes
  • Cook Time: 18 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 719
  • Sugar: 9 g
  • Sodium: 911 mg
  • Fat: 47 g
  • Saturated Fat: 22 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 23 g
  • Trans Fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 34 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 38 g
  • Cholesterol: 138 mg
Natalie Brooks

Natalie Brooks

Co-Founder & Content Strategist

Expertise

  • Vegan and plant-based recipe creation
  • Meal planning and nutritional analysis
  • Storytelling through blog content, video, and social media

Education

eCornell

  • Program: Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate
  • Focus: Whole-food, plant-based cooking, with a foundation in nutritional science and sustainable eating habits.

Natalie brings the vibrant, plant-powered side to Culinary Duo. After earning her Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate from eCornell, she combined her love for fresh ingredients with a passion for storytelling, aiming to make healthy cooking simple and satisfying.
Her kitchen motto: good food doesn’t need a fancy label, it just needs fresh ideas and a little creativity. Outside of writing and recipe testing, Natalie’s happiest in her garden, exploring farmers’ markets, or mixing global flavors into new kitchen experiments.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star