1. Cook the Bacon & Onions
In a large skillet, cook the chopped bacon until crispy. Remove and set aside, leaving the drippings in the pan.
In the same pan, sauté the onion until golden and caramelized (about 5 min). Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
2. Brown the Beef
Add the ground beef, breaking it up as it cooks.
Once browned, stir in Worcestershire sauce, steak sauce, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Simmer the Sauce
Pour in the beef broth, ketchup, brown sugar, Dijon, and vinegar. Stir well.
Let it simmer for 10-15 minutes until thickened (like a burger sauce consistency).
Stir the crispy bacon back in.
4. Melt the Cheese (Optional but Essential!)
For the ultimate steakhouse experience, place a slice of cheese on each serving and let it melt under the broiler for 1-2 minutes.
5. Serve & Get Messy!
Pile the mixture onto toasted buns and top with:
Extra cheese
Pickles
Crispy fried onions
A drizzle of steak sauce
Pro Tips for the Best Steakhouse Sloppy Joes
🍞 Bun Choice Matters – Brioche, pretzel, or potato buns hold up best.
🧅 Caramelize Like a Pro – Low and slow for the sweetest onions.
🥓 Bacon Upgrade – Use peppered bacon or maple-glazed for extra flavor.
🔥 Spice It Up – Add a dash of hot sauce or chipotle powder for heat.
🍷 Deglaze with Red Wine – Swap ¼ cup broth for red wine for a deeper sauce.
