Sloppy Joe Grilled Burritos Recipe

Juicy Sloppy Joe Grilled Burritos Recipe: A Family Favorite

Sloppy joe grilled burritos combine two beloved comfort foods into one mouthwatering culinary adventure.

These hearty handheld delights convert classic sandwich flavors into a crispy, golden-brown wrap bursting with rich, savory goodness.

Messy yet magnificent, this recipe reimagines traditional ingredients through an unexpected fusion that tingles taste buds and challenges dinner expectations.

The robust filling promises a delightful blend of tangy, meaty sensations wrapped in a perfectly toasted tortilla.

Each bite delivers a satisfying crunch followed by a warm, zesty explosion of flavor that feels both familiar and innovative.

Melted cheese and caramelized edges elevate this dish from simple meal to crave-worthy creation.

Prepare to surprise your dinner companions with a clever twist on familiar favorites that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Tips for Wrapping and Grilling Burritos

  • Beef Browning Mastery: Ensure ground beef is cooked thoroughly and crumbled into small, uniform pieces for even flavor distribution.
  • Sauce Balancing Act: Adjust the ketchup and Worcestershire sauce ratio to create a perfect sweet and tangy sloppy joe mix that complements the beef.
  • Cheese Sauce Smoothness: Melt cheese sauce slowly over low heat, stirring constantly to prevent burning and achieve a silky, creamy texture.
  • Burrito Rolling Technique: Fold tortilla edges inward before rolling to prevent filling from leaking during frying, creating a tight, neat package.
  • Crispy Exterior Trick: Use medium-high heat when frying burritos to achieve a golden-brown, crispy exterior without burning the tortilla.

Store and Reheat Sloppy Joe Burritos Easily

  • Refrigeration: Wrap cooled burritos tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap to maintain freshness. Store in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator, preventing moisture and preserving flavor.
  • Freezing: Place individual burritos in freezer-safe bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for maximum 2 months, labeling with the date to track storage time.
  • Reheating: Warm refrigerated burritos in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, ensuring even heating. For frozen burritos, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Microwave works in a pinch, but oven method keeps the tortilla crispy and maintains the burrito's original texture.

Sides That Pair with Sloppy Joe Burritos

  • Craft a Tangy Sidekick: Pair these crispy sloppy joe burritos with a zesty coleslaw that cuts through the rich, meaty flavors and adds a refreshing crunch to each bite.
  • Pour the Perfect Brew: Grab a cold amber ale or a light lager that complements the bold, sweet-savory notes of the sloppy joe filling and helps cleanse the palate between bites.
  • Create a Cool Contrast: Whip up a quick ranch or southwest-style dipping sauce to provide a creamy, cool counterpoint to the warm, spicy burrito, enhancing the overall taste experience.
  • Fresh Side Kick: Serve with a simple tomato and cucumber salad dressed in a light vinaigrette to bring a bright, acidic element that balances the richness of the cheesy, meaty burrito.

Burrito Variations That Add Even More Flavor

  • Veggie Fusion Burritos: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or black beans for a hearty vegetarian option that maintains robust flavor profiles.
  • Spicy Southwest Wrap: Add diced jalapeños, chipotle powder, and swap ketchup with salsa for a zesty, fire-roasted flavor experience.
  • Breakfast Morning Roll: Incorporate scrambled eggs, crispy bacon bits, and swap brown sugar sauce with a lighter breakfast-style seasoning blend.
  • Mediterranean-Inspired Burrito: Use ground lamb, add Mediterranean spices like oregano and cumin, and include feta cheese instead of cheddar for an international culinary adventure.

Why Sloppy Joe Grilled Burritos Are a Fun Twist

  • Amp Up Classic Comfort: Transform traditional sloppy joes into a crispy, handheld burrito that delivers maximum flavor and fun eating experience with a delightful golden-brown exterior.
  • Quick and Easy Weeknight Wonder: Whip up this recipe in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy families craving a satisfying meal without complicated cooking techniques or lengthy preparation.
  • Flavor-Packed Fusion Delight: Combines the messy, sweet-savory goodness of sloppy joes with the convenient wrap style of burritos, creating a mouthwatering mashup that appeals to both kids and adults.
  • Customizable Crowd-Pleaser: Easily adaptable recipe allows home cooks to adjust spice levels, swap proteins, or add extra vegetables, making it a versatile dinner option that keeps everyone happy.

What Goes in Sloppy Joe Burritos

Meat Base:
  • Ground Beef: Essential protein that forms the hearty base of the sloppy joe filling, preferably lean for less grease.
  • Green Peppers, Red Peppers, Onions: Fresh vegetables that add crunch, flavor, and nutrition to the meat mixture.
Sauce and Seasoning:
  • Ketchup: Classic sweet and tangy base for sloppy joe sauce with rich tomato flavor.
  • Worcestershire Sauce: Adds deep umami and complex flavor to the meat mixture.
  • Onion Powder: Provides concentrated onion taste without adding extra moisture.
  • Brown Sugar: Balances savory flavors with a subtle sweetness.
  • Salt, Pepper: Basic seasonings that enhance overall taste profile.
Cheese and Wrapper:
  • Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Melty, sharp cheese that adds richness and creates a gooey texture.
  • Milk: Helps create smooth cheese sauce with creamy consistency.
  • Butter: Adds richness and helps create smooth cheese sauce.
  • Large Tortillas: Soft wrap that holds the filling and creates crispy exterior when fried.
  • Vegetable Oil: Used for frying burritos to achieve golden, crispy exterior.

How to Make Grilled Sloppy Joe Burritos

Step 1: Prepare Sloppy Joe Filling

  • Brown ground beef in a skillet
  • Add ingredients
  • Chopped green peppers
  • Chopped red peppers
  • Onions
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Drain excess fat from the pan.

Step 2: Create Flavor Sauce

In a small bowl, mix together:
  • Ketchup
  • Worcestershire Sauce
  • Onion powder
  • Brown sugar

Stir until well combined.

Step 3: Combine Sauce With Beef

Pour sauce into the skillet with ground beef and mix thoroughly.

Step 4: Make Cheese Sauce

In a saucepan, melt together over low heat:
  • Shredded cheese
  • Milk
  • Butter

Step 5: Assemble Burritos

  • Lay out large tortillas
  • Place 1 large spoon of sloppy joe mix in the center
  • Add 1 spoonful of cheese sauce on top of beef mix
  • Roll tortilla into a burrito

Step 6: Fry Burritos

  • Add oil to a clean skillet
  • Heat skillet to medium
  • Fry each burrito for 1 to 2 minutes per side
  • Remove from skillet
  • Place on paper towel-covered plate to drain

Step 7: Garnish And Serve

Sprinkle additional shredded Cheddar cheese on top of burritos.

Print
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Sloppy Joe Grilled Burritos Recipe

Sloppy Joe Grilled Burritos Recipe


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4.7 from 30 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Sloppy Joe Grilled Burritos merge classic American comfort with Mexican-inspired street food flair. Hearty ground beef, zesty sauce, and melted cheese wrap together in a crispy tortilla, creating an irresistible handheld meal perfect for casual gatherings or quick dinner solutions.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 pounds (907 grams) lean ground beef
  • 2 cups (226 grams) Cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup (113 grams) Cheddar cheese, additional for sprinkling

Sauce and Seasoning Ingredients:

  • ½ cup (120 milliliters) ketchup
  • 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 teaspoons light brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Vegetable and Dairy Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons chopped onion
  • 2 tablespoons red bell pepper, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons green bell peppers, chopped
  • ⅓ cup (80 milliliters) milk
  • 1 tablespoon butter

Instructions

  1. In a large skillet, thoroughly cook ground beef over medium-high heat until no pink remains, breaking meat into small crumbles.
  2. Incorporate finely diced green bell peppers, red bell peppers, and onions into the beef. Season with salt and black pepper. Carefully drain excess fat from the pan.
  3. Create a flavor-enhancing sauce by whisking together ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, and brown sugar in a separate mixing bowl.
  4. Pour the prepared sauce into the beef mixture, stirring continuously to ensure even coating and deep flavor integration.
  5. Prepare the cheese sauce by gently melting shredded cheddar cheese, whole milk, and unsalted butter in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring until smooth and creamy.
  6. Warm of cooking oil in a clean skillet over medium heat.
  7. Position large flour tortillas on a clean surface and generously spoon the sloppy joe mixture into the center of each tortilla.
  8. Drizzle a hearty portion of melted cheese sauce directly over the beef mixture.
  9. Carefully fold and roll each tortilla into a compact burrito, ensuring edges are tucked to prevent filling from escaping.
  10. Carefully place the assembled burritos into the heated skillet, cooking for 1 to 2 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy.
  11. Transfer the fried burritos to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil.
  12. Garnish with additional shredded cheddar cheese before serving hot.

Notes

  • Customize the heat level by adjusting the amount of peppers or adding hot sauce for extra kick.
  • Prep ingredients beforehand to streamline the cooking process and reduce kitchen stress.
  • Use high-quality tortillas that are large and flexible to prevent tearing during rolling and frying.
  • Drain ground beef thoroughly to prevent soggy burritos and reduce excess grease.
  • Melt cheese sauce slowly to achieve smooth, creamy consistency without burning.
  • Serve immediately after frying to enjoy crispy exterior and melted cheese at peak deliciousness.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 450 kcal
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 650 mg
  • Fat: 28 g
  • Saturated Fat: 15 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 35 g
  • Cholesterol: 120 mg
Lucas Bennett

Lucas Bennett

Founder & Recipe Creator

Expertise

Simple Everyday Recipes, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Creative Meal Planning, Recipe Testing and Improvement

Education

Fox Valley Technical College, Appleton, Wisconsin

  • Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Practical culinary training, fundamental cooking techniques, meal planning, and using fresh, local ingredients.

Lake Superior College, Duluth, Minnesota

  • Program: Certificate in Sustainable Food Systems
  • Focus: Cooking methods that promote sustainability, farm-to-table practices, and eco-friendly meal creation.

Lucas Bennett’s cooking journey started in his parents’ kitchen, where he learned to prepare tasty, no-fuss meals from scratch. His culinary passion led him to Fox Valley Technical College, where he gained practical cooking skills.
He then expanded his focus on sustainability at Lake Superior College. Today, Lucas shares easy, approachable recipes designed to make cooking enjoyable and stress-free for everyone.

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