Dr Pepper Sloppy Joes

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 1 small green bell pepper, finely diced
• 2 lbs lean ground beef
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
• 1 ½ cups Dr Pepper
• 4 tablespoons ketchup
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon chili powder (or to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 8-10 Sesame seed buns

Preparation

1. Melt butter in large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and bell pepper and cook for 10 minutes. Add beef and cook for 8 minutes, breaking up into small pieces while it cooks. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
2. Pour in tomato sauce, Dr Pepper, ketchup, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, salt, pepper, chili powder, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Increase heat to medium high. Simmer for 10 minutes or until desired consistency is reached. Taste and add more salt, pepper, or chili powder as needed.
3. Toast buns and place a good serving spoon or two onto the bottom of each one and then add the bun tops.