Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Pan-fry the potatoes
- Heat the cast iron skillet over medium-high heat and pan-fry the diced russet potatoes in oil for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and crispy. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then set the potatoes aside.
Cook the sloppy joe beef
- In the same skillet, brown the ground beef with the diced onion and diced green bell pepper over medium-high heat, stirring until the beef is cooked through. Drain excess fat, then add the minced garlic and stir for about 30 seconds.
- Stir in the ketchup, yellow mustard, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and apple cider vinegar, then simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens. Keep the heat steady so the mixture reduces and coats the meat.
Combine and melt cheddar
- Return the crispy potatoes to the skillet and toss until the potatoes are coated with the sloppy joe meat sauce. Spread everything into an even layer for better melting.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top, cover the skillet, and heat for 2 minutes until the cheddar is melted and bubbly. Turn off the heat and let it rest briefly so the sauce clings to the potatoes.
Serve
- Serve hot with dill pickles and diced white onion on top. Add a few extra pickles if you like the tangy-sweet flavor to pop.
Notes
Pro tip: don’t overcrowd the skillet when pan-frying the potatoes—work in batches if needed to keep them crisp. Store leftovers in the refrigerator up to 3 days; reheat in a skillet over medium heat until hot and the potatoes regain some texture. Freezing isn’t recommended because the potatoes can soften noticeably. For a lighter option, use lean ground beef (or ground turkey) so the sauce stays rich with less fat.
