Betty's Cajun Gumbo Sloppy Joes ~ topped with Coleslaw

My sister-in-law, Betty, makes the best Cajun Gumbo Sloppy Joes around & has a special way of making her recipe.  First, she uses a can of Campbell's Chicken Gumbo Condensed Soup as the base for her sauce & then she doctors it up from there.  But, what makes this recipe extra special, is that she serves her Sloppy Joes topped with a tangy, sweet & creamy, crunchy coleslaw  & that's what makes her recipe so out-of-this-world good!  I was so impressed the first time she made them for me, that this became my standard for Sloppy Joes.  I'd never had them that way before & I became hooked, so did Roy!  I always serve them this way now & as far as I'm concerned, a Sloppy Joe is not a Sloppy Joe without the gumbo soup & the coleslaw. 

Betty cooks like I do & doesn't always have recipes written down, (I'm getting better now that I have this food blog) so here is her basic recipe with a little extra that I threw in as I was cooking.  We live far apart & had to do the recipe/ingredients by phone, but I think I got it just right. 

Thanks for sharing your family recipe for ~ Cajun Gumbo Sloppy Joes!  They are awesome, Betty!

Betty's Cajun Gumbo Sloppy Joes ~ It looks so good... Don't you just want to take a bite?  I know I do!

Betty's Cajun Gumbo Sloppy Joes ~ topped with Coleslaw

serves 6~8

Making the meat mixture...

• 1 lb lean ground hamburger
• 1/3 cup finely chopped onion
• 1 can condensed Campbell's Chicken Gumbo Soup
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 5 tbsp tomato paste
• 3 tbsp BBQ sauce
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp chili powder ~ or more, to taste (I always use Gebhardt's, just like Grandma Bunni did)
• salt & pepper, to taste

When you're ready to assemble...

• 1 lb deli coleslaw or homemade (or more, if you really like coleslaw)
• package of sliced hamburger buns (the basic, cheapie, soft, $1, white bread hamburger buns are our favorite for this meal ~ we don't like the bread to compete with the meat ~ but choose whatever you like best)
• Louisiana Hot Sauce, or your favorite ~ to taste, optional

In a large skillet, cook ground hamburger & chopped onion, together, until hamburger is no longer pink & is cooked through.  Drain meat/onion mixture & return to skillet.

Betty's secret ingredients...  :)

Add the can of Condensed Chicken Gumbo Soup (DO NOT ADD ANY WATER TO THE SOUP) & all the remaining Sloppy Joe ingredients, combine thoroughly & let simmer for 10 minutes ~ so the flavors can develop.  Taste & add salt/pepper, to taste. Adjust seasonings if needed. Add a little water, if necessary, a tablespoon at a time.

When you're ready to assemble ~ Spoon the Cajun Gumbo Sloppy Joe mixture over the bottom of the hamburger bun, top with a big spoonful of coleslaw & then crown the whole thing with the top of the bun.  If you're like me & you like your Sloppy Joes with a bit of a kick, add some of your favorite hot sauce before you put the lid on it.  :)

Serve with your favorite sides.  Some I like are ~ Kosher dill pickles, Lay's Potato Chips, baked beans, Frito's or more coleslaw.

Enjoy!

 P.S.~ I think this Sloppy Joe meat mixture would make a dynamite filling for Stuffed Bell Peppers ~ just add some rice to the Sloppy Joe filling, stuff the peppers & bake.  Next time bell peppers go on sale, I'll have to try this!
P.P.S ~ I bet you could make this using ground turkey breast, too, & would come up with a winning combo ~ for either the Sloppy Joes or the Stuffed Bell Peppers...just thinkin' out loud.   :)