Mark's Nearly Famous Sloppy Joes

A nearly-famous concoction with a list of ingredients as long as your arm. I've been tweaking this recipe for years and think it's finally perfected. Like a good chili, it may be even better the second day.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 4 hr
• Total Time: 4 hr 30 mins
• Calories: 439 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 4 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 large onion, chopped
• ½ cup barbecue sauce
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• ½ teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• ½ cup ketchup
• 1 teaspoon liquid smoke flavoring
• 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed chicken gumbo soup
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 ½ pounds ground beef
• ¼ green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 ½ tablespoons yellow mustard
• 6 tablespoons white vinegar

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

In a large heavy skillet, cook ground beef until evenly brown; drain well.

Step 2

In a slow cooker, combine onion, bell pepper, celery, condensed gumbo soup, tomato paste and brown sugar. Stir in lemon juice, mustard, ketchup, barbeque sauce and vinegar. season with Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke, parsley, black pepper and salt. Stir in browned beef.

Step 3

Cover, and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours, stirring occasionally. Skim off excess fat.