Description
Pennsylvania Coal Region Barbecue is a nostalgic, hearty loose-meat sandwich with savory ground beef cooked in a sweet-and-tangy tomato sauce. Perfect for gatherings or quick weeknight dinners, this regional favorite is served on soft hamburger buns and enjoyed by generations throughout Pennsylvania’s anthracite coal country.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Sauce
- 1 can (10.75 ounces) condensed tomato soup
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
For Serving
- 6 to 8 hamburger buns
- Pickles or potato chips (optional, for garnish/serving)
Instructions
- Brown the Meat – In a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat, heat the vegetable oil. Add the ground beef and chopped onion, cooking and crumbling the meat with a spoon until browned and the onions are soft, about 7-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Make the Sauce – In a small bowl, whisk together the tomato soup, ketchup, brown sugar, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and apple cider vinegar until smooth.
- Simmer Together – Pour the sauce over the browned meat. Stir well to combine. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is thickened and flavors meld.
- Assemble the Sandwiches – Spoon the beef mixture generously onto split hamburger buns. Serve hot, optionally topped with pickles or alongside potato chips for crunch.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- Adjust sweetness and tanginess by tweaking the brown sugar or vinegar.
- Leftover barbecue can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated on the stovetop.
- These sandwiches are perfect for potlucks and large gatherings—simply keep the meat mixture warm in a slow cooker.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich (about 1 cup meat mixture plus bun)
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
