Ingredients:

  • 1 tbsp neutral oil (avocado or vegetable oil) - add 1 tsp extra oil if using ground turkey
  • 1 large yellow onion, finely diced (approx. 150g)
  • 1 green bell pepper, finely diced (approx. 120g) - a red bell pepper can be substituted for a slightly sweeter flavor
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1.5 lbs ground beef (90/10 lean ratio) OR ground turkey
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 1/2 cup water or chicken stock
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup OR brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tsp yellow mustard
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
  • Salt to taste
  • Black pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Heat the neutral oil in a large 12-inch stainless steel or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. If using ground turkey, add an extra teaspoon of oil.
  2. Add the diced yellow onion and green bell pepper (or red bell pepper) to the skillet. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until the vegetables are softened and translucent.
  3. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
  4. Add the ground beef (or ground turkey) to the skillet. Using a sturdy wooden spoon, break the meat into small, uniform crumbles. Cook until deeply browned, allowing a 'fond' to develop on the bottom of the pan for maximum flavor.
  5. Incorporate the ketchup, water (or chicken stock), tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, maple syrup (or brown sugar), yellow mustard, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes. Stir well to combine and scrape up the browned bits from the pan.
  6. Reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered for 10-15 minutes. This allows the sauce to reduce and emulsify into a velvety coating for the meat.
  7. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve the mixture warm on toasted buns.