1-First, get everything ready by chopping the onion, dicing the green bell pepper, and mincing the garlic. This setup, often called mise en place, makes cooking less stressful and more fun. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until it’s fully cooked; if you’re going vegan, sauté crumbled tofu or lentils with your favorite spices instead.

2-After draining any excess fat, toss in the onions, bell peppers, and garlic, then cook them until they soften, about 5 minutes. This step adds a nice crunch and flavor that balances the sweetness of the Dr Pepper. Next, pour in the cola, tomato sauce, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper, stirring everything well to mix.

3-Lower the heat and let the mixture simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring now and then until it thickens up nicely. Keep an eye on it to get that perfect sloppy joe consistency, especially if you’re making a low-calorie version. Finally, serve it hot on your favorite buns, adding extras like pickles or cheese if you like.