Worcestershire sauce is a powerhouse of an ingredient. Savory and funky with a sweetly tangy twist, the condiment can give any boring and bland recipe a revamp. So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that a dash of Worcestershire is our secret weapon when it comes to improving lackluster canned concoctions such as a tried-and-true (albeit uninspired) sloppy Joe sauce.
Nostalgic as canned sloppy Joe sauce may be, it tends to be fairly one-dimensional. Although it does boast hints of umami, some sweetness, and an occasional zestiness, the reality is that these underlying flavors need a helping hand in order to shine — cue, Worcestershire sauce. Given its richly nuanced profile, the condiment can impart layers of depth to an otherwise basic sloppy Joe sauce. Additionally, Worcestershire sauce can enhance the sauce’s tomato-y tang and heighten the savoriness of the ground beef. In fact, the acidity of the condiment can even work to balance fattiness and sweetness, resulting in a more harmonious bite.
Naturally, introducing a splash of Worcestershire sauce into canned sloppy Joe sauce has its practical benefits. For instance, the condiment amplifies flavors both cheaply and easily, as all you need to do is twist the cap and pour. Plus, Worcestershire sauce won’t throw off the texture of the sloppy Joe sauce. Not to mention that since there’s probably a bottle sitting idling in your fridge, whisking Worcestershire into the hearty sauce puts the ingredient to good use.
How to elevate canned sloppy Joe sauce with Worcestershire
Not all Worcestershire sauces are made the same, which is why we recommend choosing the condiment carefully. For example, the right sauce should have a fair bit of gustatory complexity and velvety viscosity that’s neither too thin nor too thick. Likewise, a good sauce should be made with quality ingredients. It also shouldn’t break the bank. Of the many great brands out there, however, Lea & Perrins’ rendition is our go-to option for upgrading canned sloppy Joe sauce.
As for when to work in Worcestershire, it’s best to brown the beef and pour the canned sloppy Joe sauce into a pan before finally whisking in the condiment and letting everything simmer. Unsure how much sauce to use? Remember that a little definitely goes a long way. Ideally, we suggest using no more than a tablespoon. While you could increase the amount, a single spoonful of Worcestershire sauce will keep flavors balanced and ensure that the condiment enhances the other ingredients present in the sauce rather than detract from them.
Fortunately, Worcestershire sauce can be mixed into just about any canned sloppy Joe sauce. But, that isn’t to say that it can’t improve a homemade sauce, as well. Whether you opt to keep things classic or introduce Worcestershire into a bean-based recipe, any rendition will benefit from a splash of the savory and tangy condiment. Trust us, you’ll never simmer another canned sloppy Joe sauce without it!
