All-American Sloppy Joes

Soft, pillowy burger buns are the ideal vehicle for the saucy meat and toppings of this comfort food classic.

Ingredients

3 pound lean ground beef or ground pork
2 cup chopped onions (2 large)
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 ½ cup chopped red sweet peppers
2 cup chopped celery (4 stalks)
1 12 ounce can beer
1 cup ketchup
2 tablespoon molasses
2 tablespoon yellow mustard
4 teaspoon chili powder
2 teaspoon cider vinegar
Dash bottled hot pepper sauce
16 whole grain buns, kaiser rolls, or hamburger buns, split and toasted
Assorted toppers, such as dill pickle slices, and/or pickled peppers (optional)

METHOD

1. In a large skillet cook ground beef, onions, and garlic over medium heat until meat is brown and onions are tender, using a wooden spoon to break up meat as it cooks. Drain off fat.
2. In a 3-1/2- or 4-quart slow cooker combine meat mixture, sweet peppers, celery, beer, ketchup, molasses, mustard, chili powder, vinegar, and hot pepper sauce.
3. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 6 to 8 hours or on high-heat setting for 3 to 4 hours.
4. To serve, use a slotted spoon to spoon meat mixture onto roll bottoms. If desired, add desired toppers. Cover with roll tops.