Ingredients:

  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 1 medium green bell pepper, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3/4 cup ketchup
  • 1 tbsp yellow mustard
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions:

  1. Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with your spatula. Cook until the meat is browned and no longer pink.
  2. Add the diced onion and bell pepper, sautéing for 5 minutes until the vegetables are translucent and the meat smells nutty and toasted. Stir in the garlic for the final 60 seconds.
  3. Lower the heat to medium. Pour in the ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir in the smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until the beef is coated in the sauce.
  4. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens, looks glossy, and clings to the meat.