Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes Recipe

Sloppy Joes are a timeless American comfort food, known for their savory, sweet, and tangy flavors. This Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes recipe is a modern twist on the classic dish, making it even easier by using a slow cooker. The result? Perfectly seasoned ground beef that’s rich, saucy, and full of flavor — all with minimal effort.

There’s nothing quite like biting into a warm, messy Sloppy Joe. The combination of tangy tomato sauce, savory ground beef, and a hint of sweetness makes it a favorite among both kids and adults. This slow cooker version makes it even easier by allowing you to let the flavors meld together over several hours. It’s perfect for busy days when you need a delicious meal with minimal prep. Plus, the leftovers taste just as good, if not better, the next day!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Browning the Ground Beef

1. Cook the Beef: In a large skillet, heat a little oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up into crumbles as it cooks. Season with salt and pepper. Drain excess fat if needed.
2. Add the Veggies: Add the diced onions, green bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables have softened slightly. This step adds depth of flavor before transferring everything to the slow cooker.

Preparing the Sauce

3. Mix the Sauce Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together ketchup, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, smoked paprika, chili powder (if using), and water or beef broth. This creates the signature sweet and tangy sauce that defines Sloppy Joes.

Slow Cooking the Sloppy Joes

4. Transfer to Slow Cooker: Add the browned ground beef mixture to the slow cooker. Pour the prepared sauce over the top and stir to combine everything evenly.
5. Cook on Low or High: Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours. Stir occasionally to ensure the flavors meld together. The longer cooking time on low will yield more developed flavors.
6. Adjust the Consistency: If the mixture is too thick, you can thin it out with a little more water or beef broth. If it’s too thin, let it cook uncovered for the last 30 minutes to thicken the sauce.
7. Serve: Toast your hamburger buns and pile the sloppy joe mixture on top. Serve hot and enjoy!

Tips for Making the Best Sloppy Joes

Adjusting the Sweetness

If you prefer your sloppy joes to be less sweet, you can reduce the amount of brown sugar. On the other hand, if you like a sweeter taste, feel free to add an extra tablespoon or two of brown sugar to the sauce.

How to Make Them Spicier

For a spicy kick, add more chili powder or even a splash of hot sauce or cayenne pepper to the sauce. You can also serve them with sliced jalapeños for some extra heat.

Variations of the Recipe

Swap the Ground Beef for Ground Turkey

If you’re looking for a leaner option, ground turkey works beautifully in this recipe. The flavors are still bold and rich, but with fewer calories.

Use BBQ Sauce for a Smokier Flavor

For a BBQ-inspired sloppy joe, substitute some of the ketchup with your favorite BBQ sauce. This adds a smoky, tangy flavor to the dish, making it even more irresistible.

Serving Suggestions

What to Serve with Sloppy Joes

Sloppy joes pair wonderfully with classic sides like:

• Potato chips
• Coleslaw
• French fries
• A simple green salad
• Baked beans

Best Buns for Sloppy Joes

Soft hamburger buns work best for sloppy joes, but you can also use brioche buns for a richer flavor or even whole wheat buns for a healthier option. Toasting the buns helps prevent them from getting soggy from the saucy filling.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

Storing Leftovers

If you have any leftovers, store the sloppy joe mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheating Tips

To reheat, simply warm the mixture in a saucepan over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth if needed to loosen it up. You can also microwave it in short intervals, stirring in between.

FAQs

1. Can I Make This Recipe Gluten-Free?
   Yes! Simply use gluten-free buns and ensure that your ketchup and Worcestershire sauce are gluten-free.
2. Can I Use Pre-Cooked Ground Beef?
   Absolutely. If you have leftover cooked ground beef, just skip the browning step and proceed with the recipe by adding the beef directly to the slow cooker.
3. How Do I Thicken the Sauce?
   If your sauce is too runny, you can let it cook uncovered for the last 30 minutes in the slow cooker. You can also mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water and stir it into the sauce to thicken it.
4. Can I Freeze Sloppy Joe Mixture?
   Yes! Let the mixture cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container or freezer bag. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat on the stovetop.
5. Can I Add Vegetables to the Recipe?
   Definitely! You can add shredded carrots, zucchini, or mushrooms to the mix for added nutrition and flavor. Just sauté them along with the onions and bell peppers.

Yield: 6

Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes Recipe

Print

Sloppy Joes are a timeless American comfort food, known for their savory, sweet, and tangy flavors. This Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes recipe is a modern twist on the classic dish, making it even easier by using a slow cooker. The result? Perfectly seasoned ground beef that’s rich, saucy, and full of flavor — all with minimal effort.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 6 hours

Total Time 6 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs ground beef
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp chili powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Hamburger buns, for serving
• Optional toppings: pickles, cheese, coleslaw

Instructions

1. Brown the Beef: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks, about 5-6 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
2. Add Vegetables: Add the chopped onion, green bell pepper, and garlic to the skillet with the beef. Cook for another 3-4 minutes, until the vegetables are softened.
3. Transfer to Slow Cooker: Transfer the beef and vegetable mixture to a slow cooker.
4. Make the Sauce: In the slow cooker, add the tomato sauce, ketchup, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, brown sugar, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Stir everything to combine well.
5. Cook: Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours, or on high for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally.
6. Serve: Once the Sloppy Joes are fully cooked and the sauce has thickened, serve the mixture on toasted hamburger buns. Add optional toppings like pickles, cheese, or coleslaw if desired.

Notes

For a slightly tangier flavor, you can add a splash of apple cider vinegar or hot sauce to the sauce mixture.

If you prefer a leaner option, you can use ground turkey instead of beef.

To make this ahead of time, brown the beef and prepare the sauce, then store everything in the refrigerator until ready to add to the slow cooker.