In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef. Season it with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cook until the beef is browned, breaking it up with a spatula as it cooks, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
Add the chopped yellow onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for about 3-4 minutes until the onions are translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
Stir in the tomato sauce, ketchup, barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, prepared yellow mustard, and garlic powder. Mix well to combine all the ingredients.
Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully. Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt, pepper, or ketchup as desired.
While the mixture simmers, lightly toast the hamburger buns on a separate skillet or in a toaster. This step adds a lovely crunch and prevents the buns from getting soggy.
Once the Sloppy Joe mixture is ready, spoon a generous portion onto each toasted hamburger bun. Serve immediately with your favorite sides, like potato chips or a fresh salad.
