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    Juicy Buffalo Burgers – The Ultimate How To Guide

    January 4, 2010 By Lea Ann Brown 77 Comments

    Buffalo burger with sliced onions, special sauce, served with french fries.

    These Buffalo Burgers will elevate your burger game. Rich, lean bison meat meets sizzling caramelization for the ultimate gourmet burger. A great lineup of seasonings and a homemade secret sauce, this recipe proves that buffalo burgers aren't just a healthier alternative, they're a serious burger upgrade.

    bison burger topped with sauce and onion rings, served with fries

    Table of contents

    • Why Choose Bison Meat For Burgers
      • Flavor and Texture
      • Bison Nutritional Profile, Is Ground Bison Healthier?
      • Where To Find It?
    • How To Guarantee Buffalo Burgers That Are Juicy and Tender
    • Ingredients You’ll Need
      • What Are The Best Buns and Toasting Method For Buffalo (bison) Burgers?
    • Ingredients To Make The Burger Sauce
    • How To Make Juicy Buffalo Burger Patties
    • Tips For Success:
    • How To Cook Buffalo Burgers On The Stove – Preferred Method
      • Equipment Needed
    • Buffalo Burger Toppings – Build That Burger
    • Beer and Wine Pairing
    • Grilling Buffalo Burgers
    • How To Cook Bison, General Rules
    • Make Ahead, Storage, Reheating
    • FAQ’s
    • What To Serve Them With
    • Perfect Buffalo Burgers (Bison Burgers)
      • More Bison Recipes

    Why Choose Bison Meat For Burgers

    Simply stated, bison meat offers a leaner and healthier alternative to traditional beef, making it an excellent choice for a flavorful burger. So, if you’ve been curious about cooking with bison, this Buffalo Burger recipe is a great place to start.

    Flavor and Texture

    • What does bison taste like? Bison is slightly sweeter and richer than beef. And has a more dense texture due to being lower in fat.
    • Ground Bison is lean, which is why bison burgers never seem greasy. They offer a leaner, richer alternative to beef, and is celebrated for its robust flavor and nutritional benefits.

    Bison Nutritional Profile, Is Ground Bison Healthier?

    Bison graze in open grasslands and are not typically raised in cattle type pens. And because Bison are primarily range fed and eat grass, their meat has a lower fat content than beef.

    • Is Bison healthy to eat? Bison meat is lower in fat and cholesterol. Bison is high in protein and iron and rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Source: National Bison Association. Bison meat has fewer calories and less saturated fat than beef, and a relative proportion of unsaturated to saturated fats is better for health, especially heart health. source: Webmd
    • Is Bison Meat Good For Burgers? The most important thing you need to keep in mind is that with bison's lower fat content, it will require less cooking time. Use a digital meat thermometer to make sure your buffalo burgers are cooked to medium. Which is an internal temperature of 160 degrees.

    Where To Find It?

    Where can you buy bison meat? Bison meat can be found in many grocery stores, warehouse retailers, natural food stores and local butcher shops. The National Bison Association encourages consumers to use the to use the BuySomeBison Mobile-App or their online Bison Buyer's Guide to discover bison ranchers and retailers close to you!

    How To Guarantee Buffalo Burgers That Are Juicy and Tender

    You can substitute ground bison for any recipe calling for ground beef and with just a slight adjustment to the cooking time end up with a decent burger. But with bison being a leaner option, I’m going to add fat and binder (using an egg) and some savory seasonings to elevate the flavor. A bit of brown sugar will boost those warm savory flavors.

    Topped with my secret burger sauce, the end result is a buffalo burger like none other you’ve never had.

    Ingredients You’ll Need

    Ingredients to make buffalo burgers.
    • Ground Bison Meat can readily be found in the meat case at your local grocer.
    • 1 Egg: I’m using an egg to add fat, moisture and as a binder for the spices.
    • Neutral Oil: Because of Bison’s lean nature, we’ll add a little oil to the pan to insure we create that highly sought after crusty sear that we all love on burgers. Which in chef’s terms, Maillard Reaction.
    • Seasonings To Enhance Juiciness: Freshly ground black pepper, Rosemary, Thyme, Kosher Salt, Worcestershire Sauce.
    • Hamburger Buns

    What Are The Best Buns and Toasting Method For Buffalo (bison) Burgers?

    • Choose a regular hamburger bun that’s soft, sturdy and flavorful. No need to go gourmet here. Tip: I discourage the use of Brioche buns simply because they are too soft, too sweet, and that high butter and sugar content can lead to a soggy bun that will fall apart under the weight of a juicy burger.
    • Best Way To Toast A Hamburger Bun: Just smear the inside of each bun with a little butter, margarine, or even a thin smear of mayonnaise (preferred). Place each bun half, oiled side down in the fry pan or on the grill until they’re starting to toast. No need to scrape out the skillet to toast buns, those tiny bits of left over meat will add flavor.

    Ingredients To Make The Burger Sauce

    Ingredients to make special sauce for Buffalo burgers.
    Secret Sauce for Buffalo Burgers.
    1. This bbq based sauce is so very simple. An equal amount (¼ cup each) of your favorite Barbecue Sauce, Mayonnaise and Ketchup. Just whisk it together and let it sit while you make the burger patties.

    How To Make Juicy Buffalo Burger Patties

    Mixing spices with ground bison meat to make Buffalo Burgers.
    Four uncooked Buffalo Burger patties.
    1. Step 1: Sautee chopped onion in a small amount of oil in a small skillet until tender, about 5 minutes. In a large bowl, combine egg, rosemary, thyme, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, salt and pepper. Mix in cooked, cooled cooked onion.
    2. Step 2: Add buffalo meat (bison) and shape mixture into four ½ inch thick burger patties. The patties will be loose, so chill up to 6 hours or in the freezer for 20 minutes.

    Tips For Success:

    • Don’t over-handle the meat: Use your hands to mix the seasonings and bison meat together. Just like you would when mixing good Old Fashioned Meatloaf. Just don’t over mix, which may cause the burgers to be tough. Mix just enough so patties hold their shape.
    • Don’t Skip Chilling The Prepared Burger Patties: Once the patties are formed, they will benefit from a rest in the refrigerator, or a quick trip to the freezer. This will keep them nice and firm once you start cooking.
    • Practice Your Knife Skills: Cut those onions in as small of pieces that you can. Too large of onion chunks may cause the burgers to fall apart.
    • Don’t skip cooking the onions before making patties. Sauteeing onions imparts a sweeter flavor and will result in a smoother texture. Hard raw onions may cause the burgers to fall apart.
    • Use your digital read thermometer to gauge internal temperature of buffalo burgers while cooking.

    How To Cook Buffalo Burgers On The Stove – Preferred Method

    Equipment Needed

    • Pan sear buffalo burgers in a cast iron skillet or a carbon steel pan. Both of these pans generate a good amount of well distributed heat to get that perfect crunchy quick sear we all love about a burger.
    • A good sturdy wide spatula specifically made for cast iron skillets or griddles.
    • A quality instant read digital meat thermometer.
    • Want to make these a thinner “smash burger” type patty? Purchasing a round burger press will produce a more evenly flattened burger patty.
    Pan frying four buffalo patties in a cast iron skillet.
    1. Step 3: Heat a cast iron skillet stove top over medium high heat. Once the skillet is hot, add the oil and swirl it around top coat the bottom of the pan. Once the oil is shimmering add the buffalo burger patties. Turn the heat down and don’t turn the burgers until there’s a good crust on the first side, about 5 minutes. Turn the burgers and cook until internal temperature reaches 160 degrees.

    Buffalo Burger Toppings – Build That Burger

    Think “All American” when choosing toppings for this burger. A slice of tomato, a crisp leaf of lettuce, and perhaps a couple rings of sliced onion are all that’s needed to build this burger. The seasonings and the special sauce removes the need for mustard and ketchup.

    Beer and Wine Pairing

    • Beer Pairing:  Lightly malted Colorado Golden Ale. 
    • Wine Pairing:  Malbec from Argentina would have the red and black fruits and the body to go well with a Bison burger.

    Grilling Buffalo Burgers

    I have strong opinions about how to cook any type of ground meat burger. If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a hundred times, the best burgers come off a flat top grill. Why? The fat and flavor stays with that burger as it cooks, rather than dripping down onto grill grates. Sure, you get some smoky flavor from that process, but your burger will also be drier because of the loss of fat.

    I urge you to recreate that flat-top environment by using a cast iron skillet, or a carbon steel pan, Both of these pans generate a good amount of well distributed heat to get that perfect crunchy quick sear we like on a burger. A grill griddle is also an excellent choice.

    Grilling Bison Burgers: Keep in mind, with confidence, you can throw a simple seasoned ground bison patty on the grill. And with just a slight adjustment to the cooking time, end up with a delicious grilled bison burger. It might just be a little drier in texture than you’re used to;.

    Disclaimer: I am an Amazon Affiliate Member, if you purchase products from any links I’ve provided, I receive a small commission at no extra charge to you.

    How To Cook Bison, General Rules

    Ground bison is so lean you may need to turn your skillet down or spray it with non-stick spray.

    • Lower heat
    • Cook slower
    • Think Pink
    • Don’t overcook

    Make Ahead, Storage, Reheating

    • Make Ahead: These buffalo burgers are perfect candidates for make ahead burgers. Due to the resting time required, and the seasonings involved, make these burger patties a day in advance. This will allow the meat to bind and the flavors to enhance. Just cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to cook.
    • Storage: Individually wrap any left over cooked or uncooked patties and store in the refrigerator for up to three days. Store buns separately.
    • Reheat: To reheat any cooked patties, your microwave’s 50% power feature is your best friend. Unwrap the burger patty and place it on a microwave safe place. Reheat in 30 second increments at 50% power until patties are nice and warm. Add a bun to the patty and heat for about 10 seconds.
    • Freezer: Store any leftover cooked or uncooked burger patties, individually wrapped in plastic wrap, in the freezer for up to 3 months. Be sure to label them with name and date. Thaw overnight and then reheat or cook.

    FAQ’s

    Is Bison Meat More Expensive Than Ground Beef?

    Yes. Bison meat is not as plentiful as beef and therefore carries a higher price tag.

    How Is Bison Meat Labeled?

    When looking to purchase “buffalo” meat, you simply should not see a package of meat labeled “buffalo”. Packaged meat should indicate bison.

    What’s The Difference Between a Bison Burger and Buffalo Burger?

    In North America, the animals we often call "buffalo" are actually American bison-a native species known for their large size and signature shoulder hump. True buffalo live in Asia and Africa. Still, thanks to tradition (and classics like Home on the Range), "buffalo" remains a popular nickname, so feel free to use either term when talking about these burgers.

    Can I Safely Cook Bison Burgers To Medium/Medium Well?

    Straight from the National Bison Association: “Ground bison meat should be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 160°F and the juices should be clear, not red.”

    What To Serve Them With

    Choose traditional burger sides like fries, coleslaw, classic potato salad or one of our favorites, this easy Stove Top Mac and Cheese with White Cheddar.

    Perfect Buffalo Burgers (Bison Burgers)

    Bison burger recipe topped with onions and special bbq sauce.

    Buffalo Burgers are a delicious alternative to beef or turkey burgers. Made with juicy lean ground bison and topped with this delicious secret sauce, you’ll find this burger a favorite, and a regular in your meal plans. So if you’re looking for buffalo burger recipes, I hope you give this one a try … It’s very special.

    Looking for more Bison resources?  Here’s a link to Bison Central: National Bison Association

    More Bison Recipes

    • Bison meatballs in chipotle salsa served with Mexican yellow rice.
      Smoky Chipotle Bison Meatballs
    • Bison chili with black beans.
      Award Winning Bison Chili Recipe with Black Beans and Lime Crema
    • Pan seared bison steak served over mashed potatoes.
      Pan Seared Bison Steak Recipe
    • Bison stew served in a green bowl.
      Stove-top Porter Beer Bison Stew

    If you’re a regular reader on my site, you know that hamburgers are my all time favorite food. If you’re on my team, check out some of my favorites:

    • The Maverick Burger, the ultimate Swiss cheese burger.
    • Silver Spur Ranch Blue Cheese Burgers, Cowboy approved.
    • Hatch Green Chile Cheeseburger, A New Mexico Specialty
    • Jalapeno Steak Sauce Burgers, one of my personal favorites.

    A reader favorite is Bobby Flay’s Texas Style Slaw Burger. Don’t miss that one.

    If you enjoy cooking with bison, don’t miss my Bison Recipes category.

    If you liked this recipe, please leave a star ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating in the recipe card below and leave a comment. I always appreciate your feedback and hearing how everything went.

    And, don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter for more delicious recipes and cooking tips. Make it a delicious day … every day.

    Buffalo burger with sliced onions, special sauce, served with french fries.
    Print Recipe
    4.91 from 10 votes

    Perfect Buffalo Burgers Recipe (Bison Burgers)

    Rich, lean bison meat meets sizzling caramelization for the ultimate gourmet burger. A great lineup of seasonings and a homemade secret sauce, this recipe proves that buffalo burgers aren't just a healthier alternative, they're a serious burger upgrade.
    Prep Time15 minutes mins
    Cook Time10 minutes mins
    Burger Resting Time Before Cooking20 minutes mins
    Total Time25 minutes mins
    Course: Main Course Beef
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 594kcal
    Author: Lea Ann Brown

    Ingredients

    • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 Cup onion diced, about 1 medium onion
    • 1 large egg beaten
    • 1 teaspoon rosemary dried
    • 1 teaspoon thyme dried
    • 2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
    • 2 teaspoons brown sugar
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 pound ground buffalo meat (bison)
    • 4 hamburger buns toasted
    • For the Buffalo Burger Sauce:
    • ¼ Cup BBQ sauce your favorite brand
    • ¼ Cup ketchup
    • ¼ Cup mayonnaise
    • Buffalo Burger Garnishes
    • Thin sliced raw onion, sliced tomato, crisp lettuce leaves

    Instructions

    • For The Buffalo Burgers:
    • Heat oil in skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté, stirring occasionally for 5 minutes or until almost soft. Set aside to cool.
    • In the meantime, In a large bowl, combine egg, rosemary, thyme, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, salt and pepper. Use a fork to mix the ingredients then add in the cooled minced cooked onion.
    • Add buffalo meat (bison) and use your hands to gently combine all ingredients. Shape mixture into four ½ inch thick patties. The burger patties will be loose, so chill up to 6 hours in the refrigerator or place in freezer for 20 minutes.
    • When ready to cook, in a small bowl, combine bbq sauce, ketchup and mayo. Set aside.
    • Cook patties for about 5-7 minutes per side in a little olive oil in a cast iron skillet (or grill). It is recommended to cook to 160 degrees internal temperature.
    • To build your burger: Spread sauce on toasted buns and serve remaining sauce on the side for dipping. Place patties on bun and garnish with lettuce and tomato and thin sliced onion.
    • Tip: Sautee sliced onions in 2 tablespoons of marsala wine. This will caramelize the onions, adding a sweeter flavor for that onion garnish.

    Notes

    Tips for Success: 
      • Use your hands to mix the seasonings and bison meat together. Just like you would when mixing good Old Fashioned Meatloaf. Just don’t over mix, which may cause the burgers to be tough. Mix just enough so patties hold their shape.
      • Cut those onions in as small of pieces that you can. Too large of onion chunks may cause the burgers to fall apart.
      • Don’t skip cooking the onions before making patties. Sauteeing onions imparts a sweeter flavor and will result in a smoother texture. Also, hard raw chopped onion may cause the burgers to fall apart.
      • Use your digital read thermometer to gauge internal temperature of burgers while cooking.
      • Don’t skip toasting that bun. Just smear the inside of each bun with a little butter, margarine or mayonnaise. Pan sear or grill until toasty.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 594kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 126mg | Sodium: 1038mg | Potassium: 664mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 465IU | Vitamin C: 9.2mg | Calcium: 114mg | Iron: 5.2mg

    Perfect Juicy Buffalo Burgers …It’s What’s For Dinner

    This recipe was originally published January 2010, and updated February 2024 with step by step instructions, and since updates with more detailed instructions.

    Old Fashioned Fudge Recipe With Marshmallow Creme

    December 20, 2009 By Lea Ann Brown 29 Comments

    Award winning homemade chocolate fudge with marshmallow creme.

    This is an Old Fashioned Fudge Recipe. An award winning fudge recipe that’s been in our family for generations. Winning the Division Sweepstakes at the Kansas State Fair, this is a fudge recipe with marshmallow creme and condensed milk. An easy chocolate fudge recipe that will become a Christmas tradition.

    Old fashioned fudge made with marshmallow fluff cut into squares

    Where Did I Learn To Make This Recipe?

    The easy chocolate fudge has been passed down from my great great grandmother, to my grandmother, and to my aunts. Now it’s up to us kids to keep this recipe alive and well. It’s an old fashioned fudge with marshmallow creme and evaporated milk. It’s easy to make and always a crowd pleaser.

    My mother made batch after batch of this homemade chocolate fudge every single Christmas that I can remember. I’ve called it Christmas Fudge my whole life. She made box after box of it for gifts to give to friends, neighbors, school teachers, mail delivery guys, … school bus drivers.

    It’s an easy fudge recipe, it’s an old fashioned fudge recipe with marshmallow creme and evaporated milk.

    Making fudge is easy, as long as you follow the simple directions. Let’s take a look.

    Table of contents

    • Where Did I Learn To Make This Recipe?
    • Ingredients You’ll Need
    • How To Make Old Fashioned Fudge … Step by Step
    • Hard Ball, Soft Ball … What Is Softball Stage When Making Fudge?
      • Candy Temperature Chart
    • Tips For Success – Important
    • Pro-Tip
    • Chocolate Fudge with Marshmallow Creme and Condensed Milk
    • Award Winning Fudge
      • More Holiday Dessert Recipe Ideas

    Ingredients You’ll Need

    Ingredients to make easy chocolate fudge

    The ingredients are simple and the method is quite easy, let’s take a look.

    • Unsalted Butter. Butter brings a creamy buttery flavor to the party. You can use salted butter if you’d like.
    • Sugar: Butter and sugar go hand in hand with almost all baking projects. Granulated is called for in this recipe.
    • Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: This recipe calls for Semi-sweet chocolate chips. The common chocolate chip which is lower in cacao and is sweeter than bittersweet chocolate chips. You could also use bittersweet chocolate chips for this recipe, which are higher in cacao. They are interchangeable with a slightly different flavor profile.
    • Milk Chocolate Chocolate Chips: Milk Chocolate Chips are even sweeter than semi-sweet chocolate chips. Milk chocolate chips bring a creamy texture to this fudge recipe.
    • Fudge With Evaporated Milk: Don’t confuse unsweetened evaporated milk with sweetened condensed milk. Even though both products are condensed, plain evaporated milk in unsweetened. Sweetened Condensed Milk, is very sweet. Using sweetened condensed milk in this recipe would make it too sweet.
    • Fudge with Marshmallow Creme: Or some brand may be labeled Marshmallow Fluff. It’s simply a confectionary spread that tastes like marshmallows, but with a different texture. I’ve used both products with success, however, Marshmallow Creme is easier to manage.
    • Vanilla: Vanilla prices have skyrocketed over the last few years. Use the best quality you can, in your price limit range. I like Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Vanilla Vanilla Paste. It’s a beautiful product that comes with a pretty price.
    • Walnuts: I’ve always used walnuts for this recipe, but you can substitute pecans.

    How To Make Old Fashioned Fudge … Step by Step

    Fudge may seem harmless enough, but keep in mind, Fudge is a candy recipe. Meaning that you cook sugar to a “stage”. It’s important to follow these directions closely so the texture of the fudge will be perfectly “fudgy” and creamy.

    butter, sugar and condensed milk in a pan to make easy chocolate fudge
    1. Step 1: Using a good heavy saucepan, add condensed milk, butter and sugar. I use my Le Creuset 6 quart Dutch oven. But any large heavy sauce pan will work.
    Boiling sugar, condensed milk and butter to make old fashioned fudge
    1. Step 2: Set the mixture on the stove top and turn you burner on high heat. Bring the butter, sugar, milk mixture to a rolling boil. Keep the mixture at boiling stage, stirring constantly. It’s important to stir constantly so the mixture won’t burn and stick to the bottom of the pan. Boil until the mixture reaches soft ball stage, or 234 – 240 degrees. A candy thermometer is an inexpensive and useful tool to have here.
    Adding chocolate chips and marshmallow fluff to butter mixture to make Christmas fudge
    1. Step 3: Once the mixture has reached soft ball stage, remove it from the heat and quickly stir in Marshmallow Creme (or Fluff) and Chocolate Chips.
    mixing chocolate chips and marshmallow cream into sugar mixture to make fudge.
    1. Step 4: Stir .. stir .. stir. Working quickly and using your best elbow grease, stir the mixture quickly and vigorously to combine the ingredients into a smooth chocolate mix.
    Easy chocolate fudge spread into a 9 x 13 pan
    1. Step 5: Once the mixture is well mixed, pour the chocolate fudge into a buttered 9 x 13 pan. I like to use the edge of a wooden spoon to make little peaks in the fudge. Let cool and set up for a couple of hours. Cover with plastic wrap until you’re ready to cut.

    Hard Ball, Soft Ball … What Is Softball Stage When Making Fudge?

    I remember watching my mom with intent, with her precision of getting the sugar mixtures at just the right temperatures to make candy recipes work. She’d drop a small teaspoon of the boiling sugar mixture into a glass of cold water. If the sugar formed into just the right ball consistency, the candy was ready to form.

    Cooking sugar for fudge must be cooked to what is called soft ball stage. Meaning that sugar is cooked to a temperature 234 – 240 degrees. If that temperature has been reached, a small dollop of that hot sugar when dropped into a glass of cold water will form a soft ball, or a soft clump. When you remove that clump from the water, it should hold its shape for a short while before flattening.

    Learning this method is a great skill to know, however, owning a candy thermometer is a very valuable tool when it’s time for candy making. And an easier method for precision. Candy thermometers aren’t expensive.

    Most candy thermometers clearly display the temperature stages, but if you have one that doesn’t, here’s a list of temps to help you out.

    Candy Temperature Chart

    • Thread –             230 – 234
    • Soft Ball –           234 – 242
    • Firm Ball –         243 – 249
    • Hard Ball –         250 – 269
    • Soft Crack –        270 – 294
    • Hard Crack –      295 – 319
    • Light Caramel – 320 – 325
    • Dark Caramel – 326 – 350

    FAQ’s and Tips

    How well does fudge freeze?

    Want to get a head start on your holiday baking? Make this fudge ahead and pop it in the freezer. Fudge freezes very well, with possibly just a slight alter in the texture. I like to slice the fudge into squares first. If using a container that you can layer the pieces, use parchment paper or waxed paper between layers. Unthaw fudge in the refrigerator.

    How To Store Fudge?

    How long does fudge last out of the fridge? Store fudge in an airtight container at room temperature. It will last one to two weeks. You can refrigerate fudge, but the cold temps will dry it out.

    Can I Make Fudge Without Nuts?

    Absolutely, the nuts are just for a little fun and crunch. They make no difference in the cooking process.

    Can I Half This Recipe?

    Looking to make a small batch fudge recipe? Yes. This recipe is very easy to cut in half. Just use a 9 x 9 pan rather than a 9 x 13.

    Whats The Best Way To Slice Fudge?

     Let the fudge come to room temperature before cutting into squares. I find that squares just slightly over an 1 ½ is a good measurement for a 9 x 13 pan.

    Tips For Success – Important

    • Tip On Cooking Sugar Mixture For Fudge: I highly recommend using a candy thermometer to make this recipe. They’re inexpensive and they take the worry out of cooking sugar. For instance, if you over cook the sugar to a higher temperature than the 242 degrees (soft-ball stage) there’s no turning back. The texture of the fudge will be compromised and you’ll more than likely have to start over. That’s spoken from experience.
    • About Candy Thermometers: Not all sauce pans are created equal. Different materials will cook the sugar mixture at slightly different times. I’ve seen recipes that say cook for 5 minutes and you magically achieve the proper candy temperature to make fudge. Bad advice! Altitude (I’m at high altitude) and pan types carry too much clout to rely on a simple designated time. I don’t know about you, but I hate throwing out food and starting over. Use a candy thermometer!

    Pro-Tip

    Working quickly while making this fudge recipe is important. Have everything ready to go by emptying the chocolate chips into a bowl, remove the marshmallow creme from the containers into a bowl. I even empty the nuts into a small bowl ahead of time.

    Chocolate Fudge with Marshmallow Creme and Condensed Milk

    Squares of homemade fudge stacked on a plate for an award winning fudge recipe.

    Award Winning Fudge

    My cousin Brooke entered this Christmas Fudge recipe in the Kansas State Fair when she was 11 years old and ended up winning the Junior Division Sweepstakes.

    The recipe was published in “A Century of Good Cooking, Kansas State Fair” cookbook, and she won 30 pounds of sugar. 🙂

    So with all of that said here’s that award-winning homemade fudge recipe with marshmallow creme.

    I hope you give this old fashioned fudge recipe a try. And if you do, please come back and give the recipe a star rating. And leave a comment about your experience.

    Easy Christmas Fudge Recipe

    More Holiday Dessert Recipe Ideas

    • Cream Cheese Cherry Dessert
    • Chocolate Mint Brownies
    • Mexican Chocolate Sauce with Kahlua
    • Sparkling Raspberry Prosecco Chambord Cocktail

    If you liked this recipe, please leave a star ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating in the recipe card below and leave a comment. I always appreciate your feedback and hearing how everything went.

    And, don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter for more delicious recipes and cooking tips. Make it a delicious day … every day.

    Award winning homemade chocolate fudge with marshmallow creme.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 6 votes

    Award Winning Old Fashioned Fudge With Marshmallow Creme

    A Kansas State Fair Award Winning Fudge Recipe.
    Prep Time15 minutes mins
    Cook Time5 minutes mins
    Total Time20 minutes mins
    Course: Appetizer Recipes
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 24
    Calories: 364kcal
    Author: Lea Ann Brown

    Ingredients

    • 8 Tablespoons butter 1 stick
    • 4 ½ cups sugar
    • 12 ounces evaporated milk 1 can
    • 12 ounce semi-sweet chocolate chips
    • 12 ounce milk chocolate chips
    • 14 ounces marshmallow creme 2 small 7 ounce containers.
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla
    • 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

    Instructions

    • Add butter, sugar and evaporated milk in heavy bottom good quality saucepan. I use my 6 quart Le Creuset Dutch Oven.
    • Turn heat on high. Start stirring and continually stir while the mixture comes to a rolling boil.
    • Continue stirring constantly for about 5 minutes or until it gets to a "soft ball" stage. Your candy thermometer should read between 234 – 240 degrees. If you don't have a candy thermometer, after 5 minutes drop a small dollop of the sugar mixture into a glass of cold water. If it forms a soft ball "clump" the sugar mixture is hot enough. If the ball doesn't form, cook for another minute or so.
    • Remove from the pan from the heat; stir in the chocolate chips, and marshmallow creme. After a few stirs, add the vanilla. Mix until well blended then add nuts and stir to combine.
    • Pour into a buttered 9 x 13 inch pan.
    • Let the fudge completely cool at room temperature before cutting into squares.

    Notes

    Mise en place: Working quickly while making this fudge recipe is important. Have everything ready to go by emptying the chocolate chips into a bowl, remove the marshmallow creme from the containers into a bowl. I even empty the nuts into a small bowl ahead of time.
    Stir! Never ever skip the instruction to constantly stir. If you don’t the mixture will stick to the bottom of the pan, reducing the amount of liquid for the creamy texture and you’ll have a mess to clean up.
    Candy Thermometer: I highly recommend using a candy thermometer to make this recipe. They’re inexpensive and they take the worry out of cooking sugar. For instance, if you over cook the sugar to higher than the 242 degrees (soft-ball stage) there’s no turning back. The texture of the fudge will be compromised and you’ll more than likely have to start over. That’s spoken from experience. 
    Pro Tip: Not all sauce pans are created equal. Different materials will cook the sugar mixture at slightly different times. I’ve seen recipes that say cook the sugar mixture for 5 minutes and you’ll magically reach the proper temperature to make fudge. Altitude and pan types carry too much clout to rely on a simple designated cooking time. Bad advice! I don’t know about you, but I hate throwing out food and starting over. Use a candy thermometer please.
    Slicing Fudge: Let the fudge come to room temperature before cutting into squares. I find that squares just slightly over an 1 ½ is a good measurement for a 9 x 13 pan.
    How well does fudge freeze? Want to get a head start on your holiday baking? Make this fudge ahead and pop it in the freezer. Fudge freezes very well, with possibly just a slight alter in the texture. I like to slice the fudge into squares first. If using a container that you can layer the pieces, use parchment paper or waxed paper between layers. Unthaw fudge in the refrigerator.
    Storing Fudge: How long does fudge last out of the fridge? Store fudge in an airtight container at room temperature. It will last one to two weeks. You can refrigerate fudge, but the cold temps will dry it out. 
    Can I half this recipe?  Yes. This recipe is very easy to cut in half. Just use a 9 x 9 pan rather than a 9 x 13.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 364kcal | Carbohydrates: 61g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 50mg | Potassium: 145mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 54g | Vitamin A: 158IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 52mg | Iron: 1mg

    Old Fashioned Fudge with Marshmallow Creme …It’s What’s For Christmas

    Award Winning White Bean Chili Recipe

    November 25, 2009 By Lea Ann Brown 38 Comments

    Award winning white bean chicken chili recipe.

    This Award Winning White Bean Chili Recipe remains one of our favorite and cherished recipes. Combining chicken and Italian Sausage with lots of mouthwatering creamy ingredients, this is a crowd pleaser.

    Award winning white bean chicken chili recipe.

    Update: Winning the Michigan State Chili Championship, this recipe comes from my friend Richard. It’s a delicious white bean chili recipe that wonderful for feeding a crowd. Since I posted this recipe, Richard has passed away. RIP.

    What Makes This Chicken Chili Recipe So Darn Special?

    If you win a Championship, I would feel comfortable calling this one of the best white bean chicken chili recipes around.

    It’s a creamy white bean chicken chili (yes please) and it’s laced with Italian Sausage.

    It brings some heat with jalapeno peppers and a hint of sweet due to the sweet corn.

    And every time I’ve made it, people shower me with compliments. But before we get to the recipe.

    Can I see a show of hands of how many of you watch “Giada At Home” on Food Network??? … Ok, good…a few.

    A couple of weeks ago I unwittingly posted a White Bean Chicken Chili recipe that I watched Giada make on her program. 

    Delicious, so I quickly blogged, and confidently exclaimed that it was the best White Bean Chicken Chili EVER.  Why? Because it’s a great recipe and it’s really really full of flavors that compliment each other.

    Let The smack down begin

    Soon after the post, I  received an email from Buffalo Dick over at “Opinions and Rectums, We All Have One”   saying that he had an Award Winning White Bean Chili recipe. 

    Well it appears that we had a White Bean Chili smack down on our hands. How could I resist a comparison. 

    I promptly began the begging process for his recipe, gained his permission to blog about it and here’s my opinion (see he’s right, we all have one) about his Chili. 

    This just might be the best White Bean Chili recipe EVER!  Folks, my husband and I had a FIT over this recipe, right there at the dining room table – a FIT.  I highly recommend you give this a try because it’s a white chicken chili with Alfredo Sauce.

    In Conclusion

    A great chili recipe for feeding a crowd, perfect for your Super Bowl party, or any excuse you have for gathering y0ur friends around your table. 

    There are some special nuances about this recipe.

    • Toasting cumin seed, love that idea.
    • A combination of orange (or red) sweet bell pepper and green bell pepper
    • 3 – 6 jalapeno peppers – choose your heat level
    • Jarred Alfredo Sauce makes this a creamy white chicken chili. Using jarred makes it easy.
    • The addition of Salsa Verde. You can make your own Homemade Roasted Tomatillo Salsa, it easy. Or use your favorite jarred version.
    • The soup includes both chicken and Italian sausage – love all of that heartiness.
    • Black olives and Parmesan cheese for garnish. Unique and a nod to the Italian sausage.
    • This can also be made in the crockpot – great for making ahead and serving when the hungry crowd arrives.

    Award Winning White Bean Chili Recipe

    Creamy white bean chicken chili with parmesan cheese and chili oil.

    I hope you give this recipe and try and if you do, please leave a comment about your experience. And, please give the recipe a star rating.

    And thanks to “Buff” (Richard) for the inspiration to try another white chili recipe.

    More Chili Recipes

    • Hatch Green Chili with Pork, (Colorado Green Chili)
    • Ground chicken chile with white beans.
      Giada’s Ground Chicken Chili with White Beans
    • Bison chili with black beans.
      Award Winning Bison Chili Recipe with Black Beans and Lime Crema
    • Cowboy chili garnished with grated cheese and jalapeno pepers.
      New Mexico Style Cowboy Chili

    And if you’re looking for more, don’t miss my Soup category. You’ll find a ton of slurp-worthy recipes. Including the most popular chili recipe on my site for Anthony Bourdain’s New Mexico Style Chili.

    Award winning white bean chicken chili recipe.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 3 votes

    Award Winning White Bean Chili

    Michigan Award Winning White Bean ad Chicken Chili Recipe
    Prep Time45 minutes mins
    Cook Time45 minutes mins
    Total Time1 hour hr 30 minutes mins
    Course: Soup, Stews and Chilis
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 10
    Calories: 782kcal
    Author: Lea Ann Brown

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
    • 3 pounds chicken thighs Boneless, skinless, seasoned with light salt and white pepper, cooked and cubed
    • 1 large onion chopped
    • 1 yellow bell pepper chopped
    • 1 green bell pepper chopped
    • 3-6 Jalapeno peppers seeded and fine chopped
    • 2 cloves garlic peeled and chopped
    • 1 pound sweet Italian sausage crumbled and browned.
    • 2 15-oz cans chicken broth low sodium
    • 30 ounces Great Northern white beans canned, rinsed and drained
    • 2 teaspoons white pepper
    • 2 teaspoon Mexican Oregano
    • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds toasted
    • 15 ounces sweet corn canned, drained
    • 22 ounces Alfredo Sauce jarred. About a jar and a half
    • 1 cup Salsa Verde your favorite brand, I prefer Jardines
    • Grated Parmesan or Romano cheese for garnish
    • Sliced black olives for garnish

    Instructions

    • Cut chicken thighs into bite sized pieces. Set aside. In a large Dutch oven, heat oil. When hot, add onion, and all peppers. Cook, stirring frequently until onion starts to look translucent. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant. Less than 1 minutes.
    • Tear the Italian sausage into pieces and add to vegetable mixture. When fat starts to render, add pieces of chicken. Stir and cook until meat is just undercooked. Drain fat.
    • At this point, if you want, add the ingredients to a slow cooker. Or you can continue with stove top cooking. 
    • Heat a small dry non-stick skillet over medium high heat. Add cumin seeds and cook just until fragrant. Add to soup.
    • Add chicken broth, beans, spices, Alfredo sauce, salsa verde and corn. Heat through until meat is cooked and flavors are well blended. About 40 minutes on medium low. Stirring frequently. 
    • If you’re using a crockpot. After adding meat and vegetable mixture. Add the remaining ingredients to the slow cooker. Cook on low 3 – 4 hours.
    • Garnish when served in bowls with grated Parmesan or Romano cheese, and sliced black olives. Drizzle with chile oil for some color and even more flavor.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 782kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 41g | Fat: 52g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Cholesterol: 209mg | Sodium: 2891mg | Potassium: 1413mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 489IU | Vitamin C: 78mg | Calcium: 129mg | Iron: 6mg

    Award Winning White Bean Chili Recipe … It’s What’s For Dinner

    Nick’s Cafe Minestrone With Pesto

    October 26, 2009 By Lea Ann Brown 29 Comments

    Italian Minestrone soup in an Italian lattice bowl.

    Topping a steaming hot bowl of Italian Minestrone Soup with a dollop of fresh homemade pesto proves to be the secret to a special recipe. This recipe is made famous by Nick’s Italian Cafe in McMinneville, Oregon. Let’s take a look.

    Italian Minestrone soup in an Italian lattice bowl.

    A visit to Nick’s Italian Cafe means a taste of Oregon Wine Country at it’s finest. And a chance to slurp their famous Italian Minestrone Soup topped with pesto.

    Hands down, the best classic minestrone soup we’ve ever had, and perhaps the best in the world.

     Nick’s Italian Cafe is just one of those great restaurant experiences. Just something about good times, good food with good friends make for good memories.  They’ve been feeding Oregon wine country since 1977 and serve up entrees that compliment the state’s signature wines of Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris.   You can check out the menu by clicking  Nick’s website

    A visit to Nicks Italian Cafe and their famous recipe for Minestrone Soup

    We visited Nick’s on our recent trip to Oregon Wine Country and the IPNC Conference.

    We arrived 30 minutes early so that we could enjoy Nick's backroom experience. Saveur Magazine did an article on Nick’s a few years ago, I took this photo of the article proudly framed and displayed on the wall.

    The magazine article is also where I found this recipe for Nick’s Italian Minestrone Soup.

    Nick's Italian Cafe
    Nick’s Italian Cafe Saveur Magazine

    After a toast to celebrate the beginning of this year's Oregon trip, we moved main dining room and began the arduous task of studying the menu and making difficult decisions on what to order.  Incredible menu.

    Everything was interesting, delicious, and adventurous.  I'd have to say we voted our favorites as the Dungeness Crab and Pine Nut Lasagna and the Lamb Three Ways.  Mmmwaaaa - big kiss to Nick's, we love, love, love this restaurant.

    I love this quote from the owner, Nick Peirano, who thinks that simple connections are at the center of everything. “Cooking is a craft, not an art,” he says. “It’s fuel for the body and, hopefully, for the spirit. It’s like the difference between pottery and fine art. Food should always think of itself as pottery. Architectural food drives me nuts. Food has to recognize it’s serving a basic need.”

    Since that article was printed Nick’s daughter, who has been in culinary training in San Francisco, has now taken over the kitchen.  I think she’s gradually sneaking in a little bit of that art 😉

    Authentic Minestrone With Pesto

    A bowl of Nick's Italian Cafe Minestrone Soup.

    This recipe was included in the Saveur article and  I made this classic minestrone soup this weekend. Somewhat of an extravaganza, but well worth the time.

    Serve this Italian Minestrone soup with fresh grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese and a dollop of pesto.

    Here’s the full recipe:

    This soup, a longtime fixture on the prix fixe menu at Nick’s Italian Café in McMinnville, Oregon, is served table side from a tureen and topped with a generous spoonful of fragrant, freshly made pesto. “The heat,” Nick explained, “makes the aroma rise.” After the bowls are filled, the vessel is left on the table so that guests can help themselves to more, if they like.

    More Soup Recipes You Might Like

    • White Wine Chicken Potato Soup
    • Chicken Pasta Soup with Butternut Squash
    • Chicken Soup with Sweet Potatoes

    Looking for even more soup and stew recipes? Don’t miss my Soup Category. You’ll find lots of great recipes, including the most popular on my website for Hatch Green Chile with Pork.

    If you liked this recipe, please leave a star ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating in the recipe card below and leave a comment. I always appreciate your feedback and hearing how everything went.

    And, don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter for more delicious recipes and cooking tips. Make it a delicious day … every day.

    Italian Minestrone soup in an Italian lattice bowl.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 1 vote

    Nick’s Cafe Minestrone with Pesto

    Nick's Italian Cafe Famous Minestrone with Pesto
    Prep Time1 hour hr
    Cook Time3 hours hrs
    Total Time4 hours hrs
    Course: Soup, Stews and Chilis
    Cuisine: Italian
    Diet: Gluten Free
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 422kcal
    Author: Lea Ann Brown

    Ingredients

    • FOR THE SOUP:
    • 3 carrots peeled and trimmed
    • 1 medium yellow onion peeled and coarsely chopped
    • 1 rib celery coarsely chopped
    • ½ green bell pepper cored, seeded, coarsely chopped
    • 6 cloves garlic peeled and coarsely chopped
    • ¼ bunch parsley chopped
    • ½ pound salt pork lean, or a ham hock
    • 1 14 ½- ounce diced tomatoes canned, undrained
    • ½ cup tomato paste
    • ¼ cup beef stock base
    • ¼ cup dried basil
    • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
    • Freshly ground black pepper
    • ½ pound string beans trimmed and cut into 1" pieces, or canned green beans
    • 1 ¼ cups frozen peas
    • Salt
    • FOR THE PESTO:
    • ½ bunch fresh basil
    • ½ bunch parsley
    • ¼ cup parmigiano-reggiano grated
    • ¼ cup pecorino romano grated
    • 1 teaspoon pine nuts
    • 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
    • Salt and freshly ground black pepper

    Instructions

    • For the soup: Coarsely chop 1 of the carrots and put into a food processor. Add onions, celery, peppers, and garlic, pulse until vegetables are finely chopped, then transfer to a large heavy-bottomed pot. Add parsley, salt pork, and 3 quarts water and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, for 6 hours.
    • Using a slotted spoon, transfer salt pork to a food processor, then process until fat liquefies and meat turns into a paste, about 30 seconds. Pass salt pork through a sieve back into pot, using a rubber spatula to press as much paste through the sieve as possible. Skim off and discard fat from broth. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, beef stock base, basil, and oregano to pot. Season to taste with 1 tsp. pepper and simmer over medium-low heat, covered, for 2 hours.
    • Add 4 cups water to pot, increase heat to medium-high, and bring to a boil. Meanwhile, thinly slice remaining carrots crosswise, then add to pot. Add green beans and peas, reduce heat to medium, and simmer soup, partially covered, until carrots, beans, and peas are soft, about 30 minutes more. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
    • For the pesto: Put basil, parsley, parmigiano-reggiano, pecorino romano, pine nuts, and oil into a food processor and process until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
    • Put soup into a warm tureen, if you like, and spoon pesto into soup. Serve soup in warm bowls garnished with some freshly grated parmigiano-reggiano and pecorino romano, if you like.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 422kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 1367mg | Potassium: 767mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 6758IU | Vitamin C: 50mg | Calcium: 184mg | Iron: 3mg

    Nick’s Cafe Minestrone with Pesto  …It’s What’s For Dinner

    Church Supper Sloppy Joes For a Crowd, Serves 60

    October 5, 2009 By Lea Ann Brown 45 Comments

    Sloppy joes for a crowd. A sloppy joe served on a plate with potato chips.

    Sloppy Joes for a crowd. This is a recipe from our old Church cookbook for Sloppy Joes to serve a large group. This recipe from the book is titled Sloppy Joes for 60. So if you’re looking for a recipe for Sloppy Joes for a crowd for your next party, this will fit that bill. Let’s take a look.

    Sloppy Joes on a bun with potato chips on the side.

    Where did this Sloppy Joe Recipe Come From?

    This old fashioned sloppy joe recipe is from my church cookbook.  The church that I attended when I was growing up in the middle of Kansas.  

    You’ll find Sloppy Joes for 60 along with Baptist Punch for 100, which is an odd combination of ginger ale, Kool-Aid, Hawaiian Punch and 7-Up.  I was surprised to see they didn’t add five cups of sugar, I wonder if it’s sweet enough.  Do they even make Hawaiian Punch anymore?  

    Church ladies often published these types of recipes serving large groups because of Church socials or Church suppers. And most of these church dinner ideas are cheap recipes for large groups.

    This is a great recipe to keep on hand in case you’ve invited 58 friends over for dinner, or if you’re the Osmonds and have 58 of your great grandchildren over for lunch  (hey, I–am–not–making–that–up,  it was on Oprah on Friday). 

    Or if you’re empty nesters like us it will yield you 30 Sloppy Joes each. 🙂

    For tonight’s dinner we weren’t all that hungry, so I decided to scale the recipe down from 60 servings to 2. 😉  

    But below you’ll find the original recipe. 

    The flavor of this recipe is perfect sloppy joe flavor in our books. Sweet tangy and savory. 

    Ingredients to Make Sloppy Joes for A Crowd

    Ingredients to make sloppy joes for a large crowd
    • Hamburger Buns: Not all hamburger are created equal. There are some very large buns available for sale. Choose the smaller 3 ½ inch buns for this recipe to accommodate the number of servings.
    • Apple Cider Vinegar
    • Brown Sugar: Dark or light brown sugar will work for this recipe.
    • Mustard: Plain ol’ yellow mustard. Keep in simple with good old fashioned flavor.
    • Ketchup
    • Onion: Chopped sweet or yellow onion is best for this recipe. A red onion will add too strong of flavor and may compromise the overall flavor.
    • Celery: Chopped
    • Ground Beef: Save the 80/20 blend of ground beef for those burgers on the grill. Buy lean or extra lean ground beef for this recipe, 90% lean is a good guideline. You can use 80-20 but you’ll need to drain the grease before adding ingredients and the yield of final beef amount will lessen.
    • Flour: We’re adding just a little all-purpose flour to the mix to thicken the consistency. If you need to make gluten-free Sloppy Joes, omit the flour.

    How many pounds of hamburger do I need for 50 Sloppy Joes? 7 – 8 pounds of hamburger is am ample amount for 50 – 60 Sloppy Joes, depending on the bun size. The celery, onion, and liquid ingredients bulk up the hamburger weight to make enough fill a smaller burger bun.

    How To Make Sloppy Joes for 60

    Once you’re done chopping the onions and celery, this recipe is very easy to throw together.

    Browning ground beef for sloppy joes to serve 60.
    • Step 1: Brown the ground beef. Find the largest fry pan you can and brown hamburger meat in three batches. Once the first batch is about half way browned, add ⅓ of the onion, ⅓ of the celery and ⅓ of the flour. Once the meat is browned, move the mixture to a big soup pot and repeat with two more batches.
    Cooking ground beef for sloppy joes for 60
    • Step 2: Use an 8 quart soup pot. I have used a 6 quart, it works but a little tight on space.
    Sloppy joes for a large crowd cooking in a big soup pot
    • Step 3: Once all of the ingredients are in the big soup pot, add remainder of the ingredients and simmer for at least 30 minutes. If the mixture seems dry, or needs a little punch of flavor, I add a little bit of your favorite bottled bbq sauce.

    Important Note: Please make sure to check the notes in the recipe card below, depending how the amount served per bun, this recipe can be a recipe for Sloppy Joes for 50, if using ½ cup servings per bun, or ⅓ cup servings will give you a Sloppy Joes Recipe for 60. And then there’s always that Sloppy Joe Sliders equasion.

    The History of Sloppy Joes

    When I decided to prepare this recipe, I wondered about the origin of the name “Sloppy Joe”, so I Googled “Where did the name Sloppy Joe come from”  sure enough I was rewarded with answers:

    One web site claims:   The Original Sloppy Joe Sandwich was invented at Sloppy Joe’s Bar in Key West. The original is still available and consists of ground beef in a sweet rich tomato sauce, with onions, peppers and spices.

    Hence the sandwich was named for the establishment, not the consistency, as suggested by the Manwich recipe people.

    (Ok now this really bothers me, what’s up with those Manwich “people” starting ugly rumors?)

    Another web site suggests that it was named after a Green Bay Packer team member Joe Krzrwinski … aka “Sloppy”, a nickname given to him for his inconsistent play on the field. The first creation was made with ground sausage during 1930.

    According to another story, the sandwich was named after the Sloppy Joe’s Bar in Havana, Cuba which was the first to serve a sandwich of this variety.

    So depending on if you’re a Cheese Head, or a Parrot Head you’ve got your answer.

    Even James Beard, the 20th Century Godfather of American cooking wrote about Sloppy Joes: “This is a product of the modern age, and though it is not a palate-tingling delight it has a large public.”

    Perhaps Beard’s generous use of a ¼ cup of Worcestershire sauce in his version of Sloppy Joes had something to do with his unenthusiastic view.  Plus I think it’s a slap in the face to white-trash food.  Just who does he think he is???  (Oh, that’s right, he’s the 20th century godfather of American Cooking.)

    Sloppy Joes for large group gatherings are an easy way to feed that crowd. 

    Sloppy Joe Recipe For Large Crowd

    A sloppy joe sandwich recipe to feed 60 people.

    These Sloppy Joes are a super easy way to serve a main course to a large group.

    I made these for a block party a few years ago, and I can’t tell you how many times I was asked for the recipe.

    I hope you give this Sloppy Joe Recipe a try next time you’re hosting a large group. And if you do, please come back and give the recipe a star rating and leave a message about your experience with the recipe.

    And if you have a recipe for feeding a large group, let me know, I’d love to give it a try. I host our yearly block party and am always looking for recipe ideas.

    What Side Dishes Go With Sloppy Joes?

    Looking for side dish recipes to serve a crowd with these Sloppy Joes? Just double or triple these recipes. Pioneer Woman’s Best Pasta Salad, Classic Potato Salad, or a big pot of Calico Beans.

    More Recipes To Feed A Crowd

    If you’re looking for cheap recipes for large groups take a look at these. You’ll need to double or triple these recipes, depending on the size of the crowd.

    • Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders
    • Brine for Pork Butt, Makes Great Pulled Pork Sandwiches
    • Large Batch Skirt Steak Fajitas
    • Hatch Green Chili, Colorado Style

    And if you’re in the sandwich mood, don’t miss my Sandwich Category. You’ll find lots of fun ideas. Including the most popular sandwich recipe on my site for my Party Sub Club Sandwich. A party sandwich that’s big on flavor and popularity.

    If you liked this recipe, please leave a star ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating in the recipe card below and leave a comment. I always appreciate your feedback and hearing how everything went.

    And, don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter for more delicious recipes and cooking tips. Make it a delicious day … every day.

    Sloppy joes for a crowd. A sloppy joe served on a plate with potato chips.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 36 votes

    Church Supper Sloppy Joes for 60

    Sloppy Joe Recipe For Large Crowd, Church Cookbook Recipe.
    Prep Time30 minutes mins
    Cook Time30 minutes mins
    Course: Main Course Beef
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 60
    Calories: 263kcal
    Author: Lea Ann Brown

    Ingredients

    • 8 pounds ground beef extra lean
    • ⅓ cup flour
    • 2 ½ cups celery diced
    • 2 ½ cups onion diced, about 2 medium onions
    • ½ cup mustard or more to taste
    • ½ cup vinegar
    • ½ cup brown sugar light brown, or dark brown
    • 28 ounces catsup 3 ½ cups
    • 2 cups water
    • 60 Hamburger buns small ones, but not slider buns

    Instructions

    • In a very large fry pan, brown hamburger meat in three batches. Once the first batch is about half way browned, add ⅓ of the onion, ⅓ of the celery and ⅓ of the flour. Once the meat is browned, move the mixture to a big soup pot and repeat with two more batches.
    • Use an 8 quart soup pot. I have used a 6 quart, it works but a little tight on space.
    • Once all of the ingredients are in the big soup pot, add remainder of the ingredients and simmer for at least 30 minutes. If the mixture seems dry, or needs a little punch of flavor, I add a little bit of your favorite bottled bbq sauce.
    • Adjust seasonings to taste and serve on hamburger buns.

    Notes

    Important Note: if using ½ cup serving of sloppy joe mix per bun, this will make 50 Sloppy Joes. ½ cup makes an ample serving per bun with a little spillage off the sides of the bun. Like we all expect a sloppy joe to look.
    Using ⅓ cup serving per bun will yield 60 Sloppy Joes with a smaller about of meat per bun.
    If you’d like to Sloppy Joes using slider buns, this should yield about 80 – 100 Sloppy Joe Sliders.
    Hamburger Buns: Not all hamburger buns are created equal. There are some very large buns available for sale. Choose the smaller 3 ½ inch buns for this recipe to accommodate the number of servings.
    Make Ahead:
    Make these sloppy joes ahead of time and freeze. Use gallon zip lock bags. Just push the air out of the bags, once you put meat in and they'll lay flat in the freezer for easy storage. Let them thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat when ready.
     
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 263kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 32mg | Sodium: 393mg | Potassium: 241mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 84IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 90mg | Iron: 2mg

    Sloppy Joes for a Crowd …It’s What’s For Dinner

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    I'm Lea Ann

    Welcome to my Colorado kitchen. If you're a fan of rustic homestyle cuisine, you've come to the right place. I'm a Culinary School Grad with a passion to inspire you to cook as often as you can. I offer reliable, approachable and easy to follow recipes. So grab that skillet and let's cook.

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