French Onion Beef Sloppy Joes (Printable)
Savory beef and caramelized onions topped with melted cheese on brioche buns for a comforting twist on a classic sandwich.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 lb ground beef, 80/20 ratio preferred
→ Vegetables & Aromatics
02 - 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Dairy
04 - 4 slices provolone cheese
→ Breads
05 - 4 brioche buns or hamburger rolls
→ Liquids
06 - 1/2 cup beef broth, low sodium preferred
07 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
→ Pantry & Spices
08 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
09 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
10 - 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
11 - 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
12 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus additional to taste
13 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, plus additional to taste
# How-To Steps:
01 - Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions with a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until caramelized and golden brown, approximately 12–15 minutes.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and thyme. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
03 - Push onions to the side of the pan. Add ground beef to the skillet and break up with a spatula. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 5–6 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
04 - Sprinkle flour over the beef and onions, stirring well to coat evenly. Cook for 1 minute to remove raw flour taste.
05 - Pour in beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer for 3–4 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
06 - Toast brioche buns under the broiler or in a skillet until golden and crispy, if desired.
07 - Spoon the beef and onion mixture onto the bottom half of each bun. Top with a slice of cheese. Place under the broiler for 1–2 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
08 - Add the top bun and serve immediately while hot and cheese is melted.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The caramelized onions create this incredible sweetness that balances perfectly with the savory beef
- Its the kind of messy, wonderful sandwich that makes everyone silent for the first few bites
- Melting the cheese under the broiler creates that irresistible bubbly, golden crust you get from French onion soup
02 -
- Caramelizing onions takes patience but rushing them means missing that deep sweetness that makes this recipe special
- The flour step is crucial for thickening the sauce just enough so it does not soak through your bun
- Broiling the cheese at the end creates that restaurant style bubbly top that makes these irresistible
03 -
- A splash of sherry or white wine while caramelizing the onions adds incredible depth
- Letting the mixture rest for a few minutes off the heat helps the flavors meld together