Description
These Best French Onion Beef Sloppy Joes combine the rich, caramelized sweetness of slow-cooked onions with savory ground beef, melted Gruyère cheese, and a flavorful Worcestershire and thyme sauce, all served on buttery toasted brioche buns for a gourmet twist on a classic comfort food.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat & Dairy
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter (plus more for toasting buns)
Produce
- 2 large sweet onions, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Pantry
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 tablespoon fresh)
- Salt, to taste
- 4 brioche buns
Instructions
- Caramelize Onions: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced sweet onions and a pinch of salt. Cook slowly, stirring occasionally, for 20 to 25 minutes until the onions are caramelized and golden brown, developing deep sweetness and rich flavor.
- Brown Ground Beef: Push the caramelized onions to one side of the skillet. Add the ground beef to the empty side and cook for 6 to 8 minutes until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Once browned, stir the onions and beef together to combine flavors.
- Add Seasonings and Broth: Stir in the minced garlic, dried thyme, Worcestershire sauce, and beef broth. Mix everything thoroughly and let the mixture simmer for 5 to 7 minutes until the liquid slightly reduces and the mixture thickens, intensifying the flavors.
- Melt Cheese: Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese and allow it to melt completely into the beef and onion mixture, creating a creamy, cheesy texture.
- Toast Buns: Butter the brioche buns lightly on both sides. Toast them on a skillet or griddle over medium heat until golden brown and crisped, adding a rich buttery flavor and satisfying crunch.
- Assemble and Serve: Spoon the cheesy beef and onion mixture onto the bottom halves of the toasted buns. Place the top halves over the filling. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve immediately for a warm, savory meal.
Notes
- For a deeper onion flavor, caramelize the onions slowly over medium-low heat and avoid stirring too frequently.
- Gruyère cheese is recommended for its nutty taste, but Swiss cheese is a good alternative.
- To make this recipe gluten-free, swap brioche buns with gluten-free buns.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheated on the stovetop or microwave.
- For added heat, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes during the broth simmering step.