Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs lean ground beef (90% lean or higher)
  • 1 cup finely diced yellow onion
  • 1 cup finely diced green bell pepper
  • 3 cloves minced garlic
  • 3/4 cup low-sugar ketchup
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp yellow mustard
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 8 whole grain buns
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter

Instructions:

  1. Heat your skillet over medium high heat. Add the lean ground beef, breaking it apart with your spatula. Cook until deeply browned and no longer pink. Note: Let the meat sit for 2-3 minutes without stirring to get a better sear.
  2. Toss in the diced onion and green pepper. Sauté for 5 minutes until the onions are translucent and fragrant.
  3. Stir in the minced garlic. Cook for exactly 60 seconds until you can smell it clearly, but don't let it brown too much or it'll turn bitter.
  4. Turn the heat down to medium. Stir in the ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir until the mixture is bubbling.
  5. Lower the heat to a simmer. Let it cook undisturbed for 8-10 minutes, stirring only occasionally. You're looking for the sauce to become thick, glossy, and mahogany colored.
  6. While the meat simmers, spread butter on the cut side of your buns.
  7. Toast the buns in a separate pan or under a broiler until golden brown and crisp.
  8. Spoon a generous amount of the beef mixture onto each toasted bun.