Simple Barbecue Beef Sandwiches
A quick and satisfying meal featuring seasoned ground beef simmered in a tangy and slightly sweet tomato-based sauce. This classic American comfort food is perfect for piling onto soft buns for a casual lunch or dinner.
An original recipe by Forkin
- Total time
- 30 min
- Serves
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Per serving
- 519 kcal
Allergen information: may contain fish, gluten, and sulphites. Always check ingredient packaging if you have an allergy.
Mise en place
Ingredients
- 1 tbspvegetable oil
- 1 pcsyellow onion, finely chopped
- 450 glean ground beef
- 1 cupketchup
- 2 tbspprepared yellow mustard
- 2 tbspworcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsplight brown sugar, packed(optional)
- 0.5 tspgarlic powder(optional)
- 0.5 tspsalt
- 0.25 tspblack pepper, freshly ground
- 4 pcshamburger bun, for serving
Equipment
large skillet · spatula · knife · cutting board
The method
Step by step
- 1
Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat.
About 1 min
- 2
Add the finely chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it begins to soften.
About 4 min
Cook’s note: Cooking the onion first develops a sweeter, less pungent flavor base.
- 3
Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes, using a spatula to break it into small crumbles, until it is fully browned.
About 7 min
- 4
Carefully tilt the skillet and spoon out any excess grease.
About 1 min
Cook’s note: Removing the grease prevents the final sauce from being too oily.
- 5
Return the skillet to medium heat. Stir in the ketchup, prepared yellow mustard, and Worcestershire sauce until the beef is evenly coated.
About 1 min
- 6
Add the salt, black pepper, and optional brown sugar and garlic powder, if using. Stir well to combine.
About 1 min
- 7
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low.
About 1 min
- 8
Cover the skillet and let the mixture simmer for at least 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
About 10 min
Cook’s note: A longer simmer will result in a deeper, richer flavor.
- 9
Spoon the warm barbecue beef mixture onto the hamburger buns to serve.
About 2 min
Cook’s note: For extra flavor, you can lightly toast the buns before serving.
Per serving
Nutrition
- Calories
- 518.8kcal
- Protein
- 32g
- Carbs
- 65.4g
- Fat
- 14.6g
- Fibre
- 3.1g
- Sugar
- 21g
Estimated from the recipe’s ingredient quantities. Values can vary with brands and substitutions.
Keep it good
Store leftover meat mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through.