Sloppy Joes aren’t a regional thing — they’re loved allllll across these great United States — but in Minnesota, sometimes, a Sloppy Joe is done a little differently. You’ve got your bun, you’ve got your saucy loose ground beef, sure, but that sauce is not only sweet and tangy, it’s also creamy… and the toppings bring some extra crunch, some extra salt, and some extra tang! Read on to see how it’s done in the land of 10,000 lakes.

What Ingredients are in Minnesota Sloppy Joes?

• Ground beef, of course.
• Yellow onion.
• Ketchup.
• Yellow mustard.
• And…. sour cream? Yes. But some recipes use cream of mushroom soup instead!

And to top them off?
Well, dill pickles and potato chips, of course!

I know, I know, it might seem a little out there, but this is a combo that’s greater than the sum of its parts, I promise. The creaminess in the sauce brings some added comfort and rounds out the sweet/tangy balance, and the toppings take it to the next level. I think most of us have had pickles on a sandwich or a burger, but if you haven’t had chips on one yet, it’s high time you try it. They add some crunchy flair that’s just not the same as having them on the side!

How Do You Make Minnesota Sloppy Joes?

It’s easy! You just want to brown up the beef and onion in a skillet, and then stir in the ketchup and mustard and let things simmer for about ten minutes or so. If the sauce is too thick, go ahead and loosen it up by adding some water. When things have caramelized a bit and are feeling cohesive, lower the heat and stir in the sour cream. All that’s left to do is serve.

And the only way to do that, is to pile a generous portion of that loose meat mixture onto a hamburger bun and top it with a few potato chips and a few pickle slices. It might seem a little out there, but is it good? You betcha!