Newfoundland Meal Prep -- Sloppy Joe Sliders & Salad

Sloppy Joe Sliders & Salad

On long driving days when we're focused on getting from Point A to Point B, we aren't usually very hungry at dinner time--probably because we didn't get enough exercise!  Sloppy Joe Sliders & Salad is a perfect small meal that satisfies with a taste of comfort food, but keeps it healthy with a fresh salad.  It's also a great meal for rainy or windy nights since it easily heats up in an RV galley.

This is another recipe that isn't really a recipe.  Everyone has a favorite Sloppy Joe recipe so go ahead and cook up a batch, divide into bags, and pop in the freezer.  When you're on the road, just defrost and heat in a skillet or microwave.

The Sloppy Joe recipe I've been making for decades is from my friend, Sharon.  On rainy days at her lake house, Sharon make a double batch of Sloppy Joes and it's always a hit with her large extended family.

Make Ahead Ingredients

2 lbs lean ground beef (or turkey)
1 onion, peeled and diced
1 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons vinegar
1/4 teaspoon of dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tablespoon of hot sauce (or more to taste)
salt & pepper to taste

In a large preheated skillet, brown diced onion with meat in two batches to not crowd the pan, pour off any grease.  Combine the other ingredients in a small bowl.  Add all the cooked meat mixture back to the skillet and stir in the sauce. Simmer for 15 minutes.  Cool mixture, fill freezer bags removing as much air as possible, and place flat in the freezer.

Notes: Like green peppers, chopped celery, chopped carrot?  Garlic?  Sloppy Joes are a great way to use up veggies in your fridge.  Just chop and add when you add the onions.  Vegetarian?  Use Beyond Meat Crumbles to replace the beef or turkey.

2. Since we make small sliders with this recipe, we fill at least 4 freezer bags with the 2 lbs of beef.  If you want full size Sloppy Joes, just divide among fewer bags.

3. Adding crushed tomatoes to the sauce will make them 'extra' sloppy for easy reheating.

4. Serve on small toasted dinner rolls (those Hawaiian ones are a guilty pleasure) with a side salad.

Rosie's Pet Friendly Tip:  Make sure some of the Sloppy Joes 'accidentally' slide off your plate!