The Mega Murphwich

The Mega Murphwich is our answer to that famous sandwich sauce in a can: just as quick, but with a sweet, tangy, slightly spicy homemade sauce and a lot more flavor. Brown the beef, stir in the sauce, pile it onto soft rolls, and BAM, dinner is handled.

I have never been a big fan of the flavor of the canned version, but I have always loved the idea behind it. Michelle and I wanted a super quick meal for busy nights, so we set out to create our own. It is not an exact replica, but it has the same weeknight convenience with the flavor turned all the way up.

It took us plenty of attempts to balance all the ingredients, but the final sauce hits every note we wanted: a little sweet, a little tangy, a little spicy, and deeply savory. It is unbelievably delicious and one of those meals I could eat almost every night. If you like this flavor combination, try our Cheesy BBQ Chicken Sandwich, which uses the same sauce.

This meal is perfect for hectic nights when you do not know what to cook. Serve it with fries, tots, a simple salad, or whatever easy side works for your family.

Why Add Baking Soda to Ground Beef?

Mixing baking soda and water into ground beef before cooking helps the beef retain moisture and brown more effectively. The key is to distribute it evenly and give it time to work while you prepare the sauce. It is a simple trick that keeps the beef tender instead of dry and crumbly.

For the complete explanation and step-by-step process, read Should I Use Baking Soda in My Ground Beef?.

What Type of Roll Should I Use?

You can use any roll you like, but the softer and squishier, the better. I like Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse Hearty Buns because they are large enough for a mega sandwich while still being soft, slightly sweet, and sturdy enough to hold the filling. Soft potato rolls, brioche buns, or regular hamburger buns all work.

Why Rice Vinegar, Mirin, and Coconut Sugar?

These ingredients may be less familiar, but each one has a purpose. Rice vinegar adds clean acidity that balances the sweetness. Mirin adds mild sweetness and depth. Coconut sugar brings a darker, caramel-like flavor, although light brown sugar works if that is what you have. The amounts are small, but together they make the sauce taste more balanced and complete.

To learn more about these ingredients and how I use them, read 5 Uncommon Must-Have Ingredients for Your Kitchen.

Want to Bring It to Life Even More?

The Mega Murphwich is great as written, but diced onion and red bell pepper are easy additions that bring even more flavor, color, and texture to the filling. Cook them in the skillet before adding the beef so they have time to soften and sweeten. The sandwich is still delicious without them, so treat this as an optional upgrade.

OK, Let’s Get Cooking!

A Few Helpful Hints!

• Start with 1 tablespoon of Sriracha. You can always add more at the end if you want extra heat.
• Have the sauce completely mixed before the beef goes into the skillet. Once cooking begins, this recipe moves quickly.
• If you are using the optional onion and red bell pepper, dice them before you begin cooking.
• If you are serving fries or tots, start them before cooking the beef so everything finishes at about the same time.

✅ Quick Tips: Read the recipe in its entirety before you start cooking. This will help you understand the ingredients, steps, and timing involved, and allow you to prepare any necessary equipment or ingredients beforehand.

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Comfort Food

The Mega Murphwich

Author: Jeff Murphy Cooking Method: One Pan, Sauteing, Simmering Cuisine: Americana Courses: Dinner, Lunch Recipe Keys: Cheesy High Protein Quick Meals Spicy

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 15 mins Cook Time 10 mins Total Time 25 mins

Servings: 4

Best Season: Suitable throughout the year

Description

The Mega Murphwich is a fast homemade sloppy joe sandwich made with tender ground beef and a sweet, tangy, slightly spicy sauce piled onto a soft roll. Add optional diced onion and red bell pepper for extra flavor and texture.

Ingredients

Cook Mode Cooking Mode Disabled

Scale

1/2x 1x 2x 3x

Mega Murphwich Sauce

• ³⁄₄ Cup Heinz Ketchup (There is NO OTHER Ketchup!)

• 3 TBS Coconut Palm Sugar (Light Brown Sugar is Fine as Well)

• 1 to 2 TBS Huy Fong Siracha Sauce (Any Brand Will Do Though)

• 3 TBS Real Maple Syrup (You Can Use the Fake Stuff if it's All You Have)

• 2 TBS Soy Sauce

• 1 Tsp Rice Vinegar

• 1 Tsp Mirin Wine

• ¹⁄₂ Tsp Garlic Powder

• ¹⁄₂ Tsp Pepper

• ¹⁄₄ Tsp Oregano

Other Ingredients

• 1 Lb 85/15 or 90/10 Ground Beef

• ¹⁄₄ Cup Shredded Mexican Cheese

• 2 TBS Beef Tallow (Or Other High Smoke Point Oil)

• 1 TBS Water

• ¹⁄₂ Tsp Baking Soda

• 4 Ea Soft Hamburger Rolls

• ¹⁄₂ Ea Medium Onion (Diced, (Optional))
• ¹⁄₂ Ea Red Bell Pepper (Diced, (Optional))

Instructions

Prep Time!

1. Prepare the Ground Beef

   Place the ground beef in a large bowl. Combine the baking soda and water, pour the mixture evenly over the beef, and gently mix it with your hands until it is distributed. Let the beef rest for 15 minutes while you prepare the sauce.

2. Prepare the Mega Murphwich Sauce

   Combine all the Mega Murphwich sauce ingredients in a medium bowl and stir until thoroughly mixed. Set the sauce aside.

3. Other Prep

   If you are using the optional onion and red bell pepper, dice them now. Preheat a large skillet over medium heat. If you are serving fries or tots, start them according to their package directions.

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the Beef

   Add 2 tablespoons of beef tallow or another high smoke point oil to the preheated skillet. If you are using the optional onion and red bell pepper, add them to the skillet and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent.

   Add the beef and spread it into an even layer. Let it cook undisturbed until browned on the bottom. Flip the beef in sections, then break it into small crumbles and continue cooking until no pink remains and the internal temperature reaches 160°F. Drain any excess liquid if necessary.

   Reduce the heat to medium low and pour in the sauce. Cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce is hot and thick enough to coat the beef. Turn off the heat, add 1/4 cup shredded Mexican cheese, and fold until the cheese is melted and evenly combined.

Serving Recommendations

1. Serving

   Divide the filling evenly among four soft hamburger rolls and serve immediately with your favorite side.

Equipment

• 

  Lodge 12 Inch Cast Iron Skillet Buy Now

• 

  Genuine Fred Wooden Spatula/Spoon Set Buy Now

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Nutrition Facts

Servings 4

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Amount Per Serving

Calories 434.69kcal

% Daily Value *

Total Fat 24.29g38%

Saturated Fat 9.3g47%

Cholesterol 85.76mg29%

Sodium 1267.12mg53%

Potassium 520.86mg15%

Total Carbohydrate 32.39g11%

Dietary Fiber 0.38g2%

Sugars 25.21g

Protein 22.3g45%

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Vitamin A 239.4 IU

Vitamin C 4.3 mg

Calcium 50.57 mg

Iron 2.85 mg

Vitamin D 0.12 mcg

Vitamin E 1.18 mg

Vitamin K 4.72 mcg

Thiamin 0.08 mg

Riboflavin 0.46 mg

Niacin 6.15 mg

Vitamin B6 0.49 mg

Folate 15.1 mcg

Vitamin B12 2.59 mcg

Pantothenic Acid 0.67 mg

Phosphorus 217.26 mg

Magnesium 34.44 mg

Zinc 5.29 mg

Selenium 18.69 mcg

Copper 0.13 mg

Manganese 0.49 mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Keywords: homemade sloppy joes, sloppy joe sandwich, ground beef sandwich, easy ground beef recipe, quick dinner, family dinner, weeknight meal

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