Ingredients:

  • 1 lb (450g) ground beef
  • 1 small (150g) yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves (15g) garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp (15ml) olive oil
  • 3/4 cup (180ml) ketchup
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tbsp (15ml) Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp (15ml) Dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp (15ml) apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp (5g) smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp (3g) salt
  • 1/4 tsp (1g) black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp (1g) cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion, cooking and breaking the meat apart with a spoon until the beef is browned and onions are translucent.
  2. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant, then drain the excess grease from the pan.
  3. Transfer the browned meat mixture into the slow cooker.
  4. Pour in the ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar.
  5. Sprinkle smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and optional cayenne over the top and stir until the meat is fully enveloped in the sauce.
  6. Cover and cook on Low for 6–8 hours or High for 3–4 hours.
  7. Give the mixture a final stir before serving. If the sauce is too thin, leave the lid off and cook on High for an additional 30 minutes to reduce.