Open Faced Sloppy Joes – Wahlburger Copycat Recipe

Introduction

These Open Faced Sloppy Joes are a delicious twist on a classic comfort food, inspired by the Wahlburger recipe. Topped with crispy onion straws and a tangy burger sauce, this hearty meal is perfect for a satisfying lunch or dinner.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs ground beef
• 1 cup diced onions
• 3/4 cup tomato puree
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1 tsp vinegar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 3/4 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• Salt & pepper, to taste
• Canned cheese sauce
• Texas toast
• Burger Sauce:
• 3/4 cup mayo
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1 tbsp sweet pickle relish
• 1 tbsp vinegar
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• Onion Straws:
• 1 large onion, sliced thin
• 1-2 cups buttermilk
• 2 cups flour
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• Oil for frying

Instructions

1. Step 1: To prepare the onion straws, place the sliced onions in a large bowl and cover with buttermilk. Let them soak for about 30 minutes to soften and develop flavor.
2. Step 2: While the onions soak, heat oil to 350°F in a deep fryer or heavy pot for frying.
3. Step 3: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, paprika, pepper, salt, and garlic powder to create the coating mixture for the onions.
4. Step 4: Remove onions from the buttermilk in small batches, toss them in the flour mixture to coat well, then carefully fry them in the hot oil. Toss occasionally until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels and set aside.
5. Step 5: In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and diced onions over medium heat until the beef is browned and onions are soft. Drain excess fat if needed.
6. Step 6: Stir in tomato puree, ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Simmer on low heat for about 10 minutes until thickened and flavorful.
7. Step 7: Toast the Texas toast slices until lightly browned.
8. Step 8: In a small bowl, mix mayo, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, vinegar, and pepper to make the burger sauce.
9. Step 9: Assemble the open-faced sandwiches by spreading the sloppy joe mixture over the toasted bread, drizzling with canned cheese sauce, topping with onion straws, and finishing with a generous spoonful of burger sauce.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add a dash of smoked paprika or chili powder to the sloppy joe mixture.
• Use sharp cheddar cheese sauce for a richer taste in place of canned cheese sauce.
• Can substitute buttermilk with regular milk plus a teaspoon of lemon juice if needed.
• Try using hoagie rolls instead of Texas toast for a softer sandwich base.

Storage

Store any leftover sloppy joe mixture and burger sauce in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Onion straws are best enjoyed fresh but can be kept in a sealed container for 1 day. Reheat the sloppy joe mixture gently on the stovetop or microwave before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the onion straws ahead of time?

It’s best to fry onion straws just before serving to keep them crispy, but you can soak the onions in buttermilk ahead of time and refrigerate for up to 12 hours.

What can I use instead of canned cheese sauce?

You can melt shredded cheddar cheese with a little milk and butter to create a homemade cheese sauce, or use a cheese spread of your choice.

Open Faced Sloppy Joes – Wahlburger Copycat Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 88 reviews

This recipe recreates Wahlburger’s popular Open Faced Sloppy Joes, featuring a savory ground beef mixture topped with creamy canned cheese sauce and crispy homemade onion straws, all served over toasted Texas toast. It’s a hearty and flavorful dish perfect for a comforting meal.

• Author: Lisa
• Prep Time: 40 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Sandwich
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Sloppy Joes:

• 2 lbs ground beef
• 1 cup diced onions
• 3/4 cup tomato puree
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1 tsp vinegar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 3/4 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• Salt & pepper to taste
• Canned cheese sauce, as needed
• Texas toast, as needed

Burger Sauce:

• 3/4 cup mayo
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1 tbsp sweet pickle relish
• 1 tbsp vinegar
• 1/2 tsp pepper

Onion Straws:

• 1 large onion, sliced thin
• 1–2 cups buttermilk
• 2 cups flour
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• Oil for frying (enough for deep frying)

Instructions

1. Prepare Onion Straws: Place thinly sliced onions in a large bowl and cover them with 1-2 cups of buttermilk. Allow them to soak for about 30 minutes to tenderize and add flavor.
2. Heat Oil: Heat oil in a deep fryer or heavy pot to 350°F (175°C) for frying the onion straws. Ensure the oil is hot enough for proper frying.
3. Coat Onions: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, paprika, pepper, salt, and garlic powder. Working in small batches, remove the soaked onions from the buttermilk, toss them in the flour mixture thoroughly to coat, then carefully place them into hot oil. Toss occasionally to ensure even browning.
4. Drain Onion Straws: Fry until golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the fried onion straws to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Repeat the process with remaining onions and set aside.
5. Cook Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with diced onions until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess fat.
6. Add Sloppy Joe Sauce: Stir in tomato puree, ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, and salt and pepper to the beef mixture. Simmer gently until thickened and flavors meld, about 10-15 minutes.
7. Prepare Burger Sauce: In a small bowl, mix together mayo, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, vinegar, and pepper until combined. Set aside.
8. Toast Bread: Toast Texas toast slices until golden and slightly crispy on the edges. This can be done in a toaster or on a skillet.
9. Assemble Open Faced Sloppy Joes: Place toasted Texas toast on plates. Spoon generous amounts of the sloppy joe beef mixture over the toast slices. Drizzle or dollop canned cheese sauce over the beef.
10. Top with Onion Straws and Sauce: Add a handful of crispy onion straws on top of the cheese sauce, then drizzle some burger sauce over or serve on the side for added flavor.
11. Serve: Serve immediately while warm and enjoy this hearty, flavorful open-faced sandwich.

Notes

• Be sure oil is at proper temperature (350°F) before frying onion straws to ensure crispiness and prevent sogginess.
• You can adjust sweetness and tanginess in the sloppy joe sauce by modifying the amount of brown sugar and vinegar.
• The canned cheese sauce adds a creamy texture, but you can substitute with homemade cheese sauce if preferred.
• Leftover sloppy joe mixture can be refrigerated and reheated later for easy meals.
• For a spicier kick, add a dash of hot sauce or cayenne powder to the sloppy joe mixture or burger sauce.
• These open-faced sloppy joes pair well with a side of coleslaw or a simple green salad.

Keywords: Open Faced Sloppy Joes, Wahlburger copycat, sloppy joe recipe, onion straws, comfort food, American sandwich, ground beef sandwich