Step 1: Place the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is evenly browned with no remaining pink. For a finer texture, you may process the raw beef briefly in a food processor before cooking. Once cooked, drain the beef to remove excess fat.

Step 2: In a medium saucepan, combine the ketchup, chopped onion, white sugar, white vinegar, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, celery seed, and black pepper. Stir to blend the ingredients thoroughly. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. There is no need to add water, as the ketchup and vinegar provide sufficient liquid.

Step 3: Add the cooked and drained ground beef to the sauce. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking or burning. The sauce should thicken slightly and become rich in flavor.

Step 4: Remove from heat and serve warm over hot dogs, fries, or your preferred dish.