Pilgrim's Guild Beef Bar-B-Cue is a classic American loose meat sandwich filling that became especially popular during the mid-20th century. Before modern bottled barbecue sauces were common, home cooks often created their own tangy, slightly sweet mixtures using pantry staples like ketchup, vinegar, mustard, and sugar. This hearty recipe combines browned ground beef with onions, celery, and green pepper before simmering everything together until the flavors meld into a rich, savory filling. Served on hamburger buns or sandwich rolls, it was an affordable favorite for family dinners, potlucks, school events, and casual gatherings. The long simmer develops a comforting homemade flavor that remains just as satisfying today as it was decades ago.
Ingredients
- 2 lb ground beef
- 1 cup celery (diced )
- 2 onions (diced)
- 1 green bell pepper (diced)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup vinegar
- 1 ½ cups ketchup
- 2 tsp dry mustard
- salt (to taste)
- black pepper (to taste)
- Worcestershire sauce (to taste, optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Brown the Beef
- Brown the ground beef in a large skillet or Dutch oven.
- Drain excess grease if desired.
Step 2: Add the Vegetables
- Stir in the diced celery, onions, and green pepper.
Step 3: Add the Sauce Ingredients
- Add the sugar, vinegar, ketchup, dry mustard, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce if using.
Step 4: Mix Thoroughly
- Stir everything together until the ingredients are evenly combined.
Step 5: Simmer
- Reduce the heat to low.
- Cover loosely and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
Step 6: Serve
- Serve hot on hamburger buns or sandwich rolls.
Tips
- Serve on toasted hamburger buns for added texture.
- Add a dash of smoked paprika for a smoky flavor.
- Use lean ground beef to reduce grease.
- Substitute ground turkey for a lighter version.
- Add a pinch of cayenne for extra heat.
- Stir in a little barbecue sauce for a sweeter finish.
- Make it a day ahead, the flavor improves overnight.
- Freeze leftovers for quick weeknight meals.
- Serve over baked potatoes instead of buns.
- Top sandwiches with sliced pickles or coleslaw.
Nutrition
Calories: 348kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 24gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 82mgSodium: 640mgPotassium: 650mgFiber: 1gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 520IUVitamin C: 18mgCalcium: 45mgIron: 3.3mg