Tavern-Style Sloppy Joes Using Frozen Ground Beef
Learn how to make tavern-style sloppy joes using frozen ground beef—no thawing needed. A savory loose meat sandwich dinner perfect for busy weeknights.
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What’s the Difference Between a Sloppy Joe and a Tavern Sandwich?
Okay okay I admit, I think this is actually a recipe for what most people call sloppy joes.
But, growing up we called this type of sandwich a tavern!
Maybe it’s just the part of Iowa I grew up in, or my family in particular, but I didn’t even hear the word sloppy joe until I got to school. And then I thought it was a really funny name.
But since I made this recipe and started researching more about the history, I found that taverns are something very specific, and usually are not tomatoey and not sweet.
In my mind, these are tavern sandwiches. If you want a true tavern, I think you could get pretty close by omit the ketchup, tomato paste, chili powder and Worcestershire sauce, more like this recipe.
Why You’ll Love These Tavern Sandwiches
This recipe is tomatoey and a little bit sweet, not overwhelmingly so.
When I created this, it was specifically to be a less sweet loose meat sandwich.
It reminds me of what I grew up with.
We also never ate out, so I didn’t really have anything to compare this to until I got to school!
So from here on out, I may use tavern and sloppy joe interchangeably.
This might just be the best mix of them both!
This is definitely a great burger alternative when all you have is frozen hamburger and you need to make it at a different time of day to eat later.
Ingredients for Tavern Sandwiches
- Ground Beef
- Chopped onion
- Brown sugar
- Cider vinegar
- Mustard
- Chili powder
- Worcestershire sauce
- Ketchup
- Tomato paste
- Sea salt
- Garlic powder
- Black pepper
How to Make Tavern Sandwich Meat (Also Known As Loose Meat or Maid-Rite Style)
Instant Pot Slow Cook
It’s so easy! Just add all of the ingredients to your Instant Pot and slow cook on high. Check every couple of hours to break up the meat and ensure it thaws quickly and cooks evenly.
Instant Pot Pressure Cook
If you need this fast, pressure cook the beef to thaw it first. Set it on a trivet inside your Instant Pot. Add 1 cup water, and pressure cook it for 15 minutes. Quick release, break apart, add all other ingredients and pressure cook for 5 more minutes, or saute until thick.
Stovetop
If you don’t have an InstantPot, you can cook it in a skillet! Just place frozen meat over medium/high heat, cover with a lid to help it thaw, and break the meat up with a spatula every few minutes until it’s fully cooked. Then, add the rest of the ingredients and cook until thickened.
Methods for Cooking Tavern Using Frozen Ground Beef
Can you even make sloppy joes with frozen ground beef? This was the question I asked myself the day I had nothing planned for supper, and no meat thawed in the fridge. I grabbed 2 lb of hamburger out of my freezer in the basement, threw it in my Instant Pot and hoped for the best.
And it worked like a dream! What a relief!
I used the slow cook feature on my Instant Pot. It thawed quickly and I mixed it all together to keep it heating evenly after 2-3 hours.
Is It Safe to Cook Ground Meat From Frozen?
Absolutely! As long as it’s cooked fairly quickly and doesn’t sit at unsafe temperatures (41-135 degrees F) for more than 4 hours while it’s cooking.
What’s great is that tavern meat doesn’t need to be browned either, so this freezer to Instant Pot to table method works great.
Tavern-Style Sloppy Joes Using Frozen Ground Beef Recipe
If you try this recipe and love it, I would love if you could come back and give it 5 stars!
Tavern-Style Sloppy Joes Using Frozen Meat
Equipment
- 1 InstantPot
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Ground Beef
- 1 cup Chopped onion
- 1/4 cup Brown sugar
- 1 tbsp Cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp Mustard
- 1 tbsp Chili powder
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 3/4 cup Ketchup
- 1 can Tomato paste 6 oz
- 1/2 tsp Sea salt
- 1/4 tsp Garlic powder
- 1/8 tsp Black pepper
Instructions
Slow Cook On High
- Add all of the ingredients to your InstantPot and slow cook on high. Check every couple of hours to break up the meat and ensure it thaws quickly and cooks evenly.
Pressure Cook
- If you need this fast, pressure cook the beef to thaw it first. Set it on a trivet inside your InstantPot. Add 1 cup water, and pressure cook it for 15 minutes. Quick release, break apart, add all other ingredients and pressure cook for 5 more minutes, or saute until thick.
Stovetop
- If you don’t have an InstantPot, you can cook it in a skillet!Just place frozen meat over medium/high heat, cover with a lid to help it thaw, and break the meat up with a spatula every few minutes until it's fully cooked. Then, add the rest of the ingredients and cook over med-low heat until thickened.
- Serve on hamburger buns or bread.
Nutrition
Pin It For Later: Tavern Using Frozen Ground Beef Recipe
What kind of loose meat sandwich did you grow up with? It seems like everyone has a different family favorite. I hope you try this one and tell me how you like it!