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one rice bowl topped with thick sloppy joe beef and a small portion of lightly dressed shredded cabbage-and-carrot slaw beside the meat
Andre Lewis

Sloppy Joe Bowls

A rice bowl gives the filling somewhere to settle without needing a bun, and a little crunchy slaw keeps each spoonful from being all soft beef and starch. Cook the rice separately so it stays fluffy under the sauce instead of absorbing every bit of tomato liquid in the skillet. The slaw is lightly dressed and added only when you assemble the bowls. Keep its portion modest. It should bring crunch and a little vinegar to the meal, not bury the sloppy joe filling under a mound of cold cabbage.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 3/4 cup long-grain white rice rinsed
  • 1 1/2 cups water for rice
  • 1 lb 90% lean ground beef
  • 1/2 medium yellow onion diced
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar for filling
  • 2 tsp packed light brown sugar for filling
  • 1/4 cup water for filling
  • 1/2 tsp fine salt divided
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 2 cups finely shredded green cabbage
  • 1/4 cup grated carrot
  • 2 tbsp mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar for slaw
  • 1 tsp granulated sugar

Method
 

  1. Combine rice and its 1 1/2 cups water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, cover and cook over low heat for 15 to 18 minutes; rest covered for 5 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, brown beef and onion in a skillet over medium-high heat for 7 to 8 minutes until the meat reaches 160°F. Drain excess fat.
  3. Stir in ketchup, tomato paste, Worcestershire, filling vinegar, brown sugar, filling water, 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper. Simmer for 10 to 12 minutes until thick and spoonable.
  4. Whisk mayonnaise, slaw vinegar, granulated sugar and remaining salt in a bowl. Toss with cabbage and carrot just before serving.
  5. Divide rice among four bowls, spoon the hot sloppy joe filling over it and add a small portion of slaw alongside the beef in each bowl.