Chipotle Chili Sloppy Joes

Name: Chipotle Chili Sloppy Joes
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 6 servings.
Ingredients: 1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean); 1 cup finely chopped sweet onion; 1/2 cup finely chopped green pepper; 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped, optional; 1/2 cup chili sauce; 1/2 cup water; 1 to 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, finely chopped; 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar; 1 teaspoon yellow mustard; 6 kaiser rolls or hamburger buns, split; 2 tablespoons butter, softened; Pickle slices, optional

My husband didn't like sloppy joes until he tried my rendition with its smoky heat. If you need to dial down the fiery zip, cut down on or eliminate the peppers. —Brittany Allyn, Mesa, Arizona

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)
1 cup finely chopped sweet onion
1/2 cup finely chopped green pepper
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped, optional
1/2 cup chili sauce
1/2 cup water
1 to 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, finely chopped
1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon yellow mustard
6 kaiser rolls or hamburger buns, split
2 tablespoons butter, softened
Pickle slices, optional

Directions

Preheat broiler. In a large skillet, cook beef, onion, green pepper and, if desired, jalapeno over medium heat until beef is no longer pink, breaking up beef into crumbles, 5-7 minutes; drain.
Stir in chili sauce, water, chipotle peppers, brown sugar and mustard; bring to a boil. Simmer, uncovered, until slightly thickened, 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Lightly spread cut sides of rolls with butter; arrange on a baking sheet, buttered side up. Broil 3-4 in. from heat until lightly toasted, about 30 seconds. Fill with beef mixture and, if desired, pickles.
Freeze option: Freeze cooled meat mixture in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally and adding a little water if necessary. Prepare sandwiches as directed.

Editor's Note

Wear disposable gloves when cutting hot peppers; the oils can burn skin. Avoid touching your face.

Nutrition Facts

1 sandwich: 313 calories, 12g fat (5g saturated fat), 57mg cholesterol, 615mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 2g fiber), 19g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 2 starch, 2 lean meat, 1 fat.

Originally published as Chipotle Chili Sloppy Joes in Simple & Delicious February/March 2016