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Wimpies
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- #54351
These wimpies are anything but. Wimpies are sloppy Joes common in the Pennsylvania area. Call them whatever you like, they are still some good home-cooked comfort food.
serves/makes:
ready in:
30-60 minutes
30-60 minutes
4 reviews
ingredients
2 pounds ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
2 tablespoons vinegar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
4 tablespoons lemon juice
1 cup ketchup
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon prepared mustard
1/2 cup water
1 cup chopped celery
8 hamburger buns
directions
Brown the ground beef, onion, and bell pepper in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Drain off any excess grease.
Add the vinegar, brown sugar, lemon juice, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, water, and celery and bring to a simmer. Let cook for 30 minutes.
Serve the ground beef Wimpies on buns with any desired toppings.
recipe tips
To make sure the Wimpies mixture thickens properly, simmer it uncovered so excess liquid can evaporate.
Taste the mixture before serving and adjust the seasonings if necessary, adding more salt, pepper, or Worcestershire sauce if needed.
For a healthier version, you can use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef. Keep in mind that poultry is leaner, so you may need to add a little olive oil to the skillet when browning the meat.
Adding a tablespoon of tomato paste along with the ketchup can enhance the flavor of the sauce.
Serve the Wimpies with pickles, cheese slices, or additional chopped onions on the side for guests to customize their sandwiches.
common recipe questions
Can I make these Wimpies in a slow cooker?
Yes, Wimpies are perfect for slow cooking. After browning the ground beef, onion, and bell pepper and draining the excess grease, transfer the mixture to a slow cooker. Add the vinegar, brown sugar, lemon juice, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, water, and celery. Cover and cook on low for 2-3 hours or on high for 1-2 hours, until the flavors are well blended and the celery is tender.
Is there a vegetarian version of this recipe?
For a vegetarian version, substitute the ground beef with a plant-based ground meat alternative or cooked lentils. You may need to adjust the cooking time slightly, as plant-based alternatives and lentils don't require as much cooking time as beef. Just make sure that the mixture is heated through and the flavors have blended.
Can I freeze the leftover Wimpies mixture?
Yes, the Wimpies mixture freezes well. Cool the mixture completely, then transfer it to freezer-safe bags or containers. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, and reheat in a saucepan over medium heat, adding a little water if necessary to thin the sauce.
How can I make this recipe spicier?
To make the Wimpies spicier, add a diced jalapeno when browning the beef, onion, and bell pepper. You can also include a dash of cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the mixture before simmering.
Can I use a different type of vinegar?
Yes, you can use a different type of vinegar such as apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar in place of plain white vinegar. Each type will add a slightly different flavor to the Wimpies. You can also use red wine in place of it for a slightly different flavor.
Is there a substitute for brown sugar?
If you don't have brown sugar, you can substitute it with the same amount of white sugar. For a similar flavor, you can add a tablespoon of molasses along with the white sugar.
nutrition data
Nutritional data has not been calculated yet.
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reviews & comments
July 2, 2020
It was an awesome wimpie Very goodThank you for sharing Great o fort food
June 27, 2019
Man is this good !
May 21, 2019
Very good sloppy joes, I live in PA. Wasn't too sure about the lemon juice, but oh boy was this very good.
May 19, 2019
We loved this. My wife is a Sloppy Joe Junkie and she said that this recipe is the best. Thank you for sharing this.