Wake the Dead + Zombie Powder Smoky Beef Sloppy Joes

Prep: 10 minutes | Cook: 25 minutes | Servings: 4 to 6

Sloppy Joes already have a reputation for being messy. We're keeping that part and giving the filling some better company.

Wake the Dead brings smoky coffee-and-chile depth. Zombie Powder adds sweetness and warmth, working with the tomato sauce to build a rich sandwich filling that holds its own against crunchy slaw.

Ingredients

Beef filling

• 1 lb ground beef, preferably 90% lean
• 1 tbsp olive oil, if needed
• 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
• 1 small green bell pepper, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1½ tsp Wake the Dead
• 1 tsp Zombie Powder
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 cup plain tomato sauce
• 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• ¼ cup water, plus more as needed

For serving

• 4 to 6 hamburger buns
• 1½ cups shredded cabbage or prepared unsauced coleslaw mix
• 1 tbsp mayonnaise
• 1 tsp lemon juice

Directions

1. Start the vegetables. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add oil if the beef is very lean. Cook the onion and bell pepper for approximately 4 minutes until they begin to soften.
2. Brown the beef. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it into small pieces. Continue until browned and cooked to 160°F. Drain excess fat if necessary.
3. Build the seasoning. Add garlic, Wake the Dead and Zombie Powder. Stir for approximately 20 seconds over moderate heat.
4. Make the sauce. Add tomato paste, tomato sauce, vinegar, Worcestershire and water. Stir well.
5. Simmer. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add a little more water if the sauce becomes too thick.
6. Prepare the slaw. Toss cabbage with mayonnaise and lemon juice. Taste before adding any additional seasoning.
7. Assemble. Toast the buns. Spoon the hot beef filling onto each bottom bun, add slaw and serve immediately.

Practical serving notes

The sauce should be thick enough to sit on the bun but loose enough to remain spoonable.

For meal prep, refrigerate the cooked filling promptly in shallow containers. Reheat leftovers to 165°F before serving.

Keep the slaw separate until serving so it retains its crunch.

Why these blends work together

Wake the Dead contributes roasted depth to the tomato-and-beef base. Zombie Powder brings a little sweetness and chile warmth, helping balance the acidity of the sauce.

This pairing is different from the existing ZSR Chicken Gyros: the blends are used in a saucy ground-beef filling rather than a chicken marinade.

Grillslayer move: Make extra filling for baked potatoes or a rice bowl later in the week.