Crock Pot Sloppy Joes

These Crock Pot Sloppy Joes take just 15 minutes to prep and are so delicious. No need to use the canned sauce, this homemade version has the slow cooker do all the cooking for you! With flavors of ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire, mustard, and smoked paprika, these will be a family staple recipe!

Sloppy Joes are an "oldie but a goodie" recipe, and for good reason! These homemade Crock Pot Sloppy Joes are made with simple ingredients you've already got on hand, and all you have to do is set it and forget it in a slow cooker. So not only do these taste delicious, but they're super easy to make. Skip the can here, trust us! These are just as quick, and with way more flavor.

With all the signature flavors of a classic Sloppy Joe, these are sure to be a crowdpleaser. Make them ahead of time for an easy weeknight dinner or serve them at a party with friends and family. No matter how you serve 'em, know they'll go fast!

If you like this simple, delicious recipe idea, try out these other easy Crock Pot Meals great for any occasion. This flavor-packed Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwich is always a favorite, our Crock Pot Shredded Barbecue Beef are sure to be a crowdpleaser, and this Costa Vida Sweet Pork is as easy as it is delicious.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Quick and Easy Prep-Ahead Meal: With little prep time and letting the crock pot do all of the work for you, this recipe couldn't be easier to make. Throw everything into your slow cooker, then set it and forget it until it's time to dig in.
• Simple and Flavorful Ingredients: It may seem like a long list of ingredients, but you probably have most of them in your pantry and fridge already. Simply mix them together and you've got an easy and delicious flavor combination.
• Customizable: We love this recipe as is, but these are actually super versatile. Swap in a different protein, like ground turkey or chicken, or add in extra chopped veggies like mushrooms or bell peppers to amp up the health factor.
• Feeds a Crowd: Slow cooker recipes are great because they're often large scale, big batch meal ideas. And these Sloppy Joes are definitely that - this recipe makes a lot, so you can serve a hungry group and still have leftovers, too!

Ingredients

Scroll Down for Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Recipe Card Below

• Ground Beef: Meaty and perfectly juicy, this is the main protein here. Brown it in your slow cooker if it has that setting, or in a separate skillet. Feel free to use ground turkey or chicken, too.
• Onion: A nice aromatic to add flavor to the beef. Sweet or yellow onions work best here.
• Bell Pepper: Crunchy and colorful, this pair nicely with the onions to flavor the meat.
• Garlic Cloves: This aromatic gives the beef a nice base flavor.
• Ketchup: Slightly sweet, thick and tangy, this is the tomato-like flavor that helps build the sauce. This is a classic ingredient for Sloppy Joes!
• Barbecue Sauce: Provides a sweet and savory flavor and helps to create a sauce for the beef to simmer in.
• Brown Sugar or Brown Sugar Substitute: Adds a nice sweetness to balance out the tanginess from the tomato sauce.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Adds a slightly beefy, umami-like flavor to the sloppy joes and helps to bring all of the ingredients together.
• Yellow Mustard: Adds a zingy touch to the flavor.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Tempers the sugary taste of the sauced meat and adds a slight zing to the flavor of the sauce.
• Chili Powder and Smoked Paprika: Essential dried spices you likely have on hand already. They help to build the Sloppy Joe flavors.
• Salt and Pepper: Important to always season as you go! Salt and pepper enhance all of the other ingredients, too.
• Hamburger Buns: Soft and fluffy, these are the perfect vessel to scoop up all of that delicious Sloppy Joe filling. Use your favorite kind and toast them if you'd like.
• Shredded Cheese, Pickles and Coleslaw: Have fun with your toppings and get creative! Cheese adds a nice, rich note and gets melty with the meat. And pickles and coleslaw provide a nice tang and cool crunch.

How To Make Crock Pot Sloppy Joes

1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef until it's fully cooked. Drain the excess fat with a paper towel or in a colander.

2. In a crockpot, combine the onion, green pepper, garlic, ketchup, barbecue sauce, brown sugar or brown sugar substitute, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir until well combined.

3. Transfer the cooked ground beef to the slow cooker mixture, and stir until combined well.

4. Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, stirring every 1-1 ½ hours. Once the mixture is cooked and flavors are well combined, give it a final stir. 
5. Spoon the Sloppy Joe mixture onto hamburger buns. Optionally, top with shredded cheese, pickles, or coleslaw.

Expert Tips For Recipe Success

• Brown Your Meat: Don't skip this step! Browning the meat beforehand is essential in building flavor. The beef will get nice and browned and caramelized, which is delicious. You can do this right in your slow cooker if it has the setting to do so. Otherwise, do it in a separate skillet before adding to your slow cooker.
• Toast The Buns: Soft, pillowy buns are delicious as is, but try toasting them for extra added flavor and texture notes.
• Don't Skimp On Toppings: Get creative and have fun with toppings! Shredded cheese, pickled onions, coleslaw, pickles, or even crushed up potato chips are all delicious on top of that delicious meat mixture.
• Serving Suggestions: Besides a toasted bun, this meat mixture is excellent served over tortilla chips as nachos or over lettuce as a hearty salad.

Stove Top Sloppy Joes

If you prefer to make this recipe on the stove top, it's easy to adapt!

On medium-high heat, cook the beef as directed. Drain any excess grease, then sauté the beef with onion, bell pepper, and garlic for 4 minutes. Reduce the heat, and add the remaining ingredients (minus the buns). Stirring often, cook the mixture for 15-20 minutes or until it reaches your desired consistency. Serve on toasted buns or as desired.

Tips and Substitutions

• Switch Up The Protein: We love ground beef for a classic Sloppy Joe, but feel free to use ground chicken or turkey, or even a combination of whatever you like.
• Bulk Up With Veggies: Onions and bell peppers are nice in the classic version, but try adding in some chopped jalapeños enos for a little kick, some finely diced mushrooms for extra flavor and nutrition, or even some canned beans for additional fiber.
• Freeze or Repurpose Leftovers: This recipe makes a lot, so if you have leftovers, freeze them in an airtight container for a later date. And feel free to get creative with them too - turn them into different, tasty meal ideas like tacos, nachos, or even in a layered dip served with tortilla or potato chips.

What to Serve with Crock Pot Sloppy Joes

These Sloppy Joes are perfect on their own as a main dish, but they're even better when you serve them with a tasty side. Here are a few of our favorites:

• Easy Squash Casserole
• Pimento Mac and Cheese
• Macaroni Salad
• Green Beans with Bacon and Onions
• House Salad
• Easy Overnight Pickles

Storing Leftovers

• Fridge: Store any of the cooked meat mixture in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in a skillet on the stove over medium heat, or in the microwave, stirring occasionally. Once warmed through, serve on buns and enjoy! Just be sure to store your buns and any toppings separately.
• Freezer: Store the cooked meat mixture in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat on the stove or in the microwave. Enjoy!

FAQs

More Slow Cooker Recipes

• Crock Pot Carnitas
• Crock Pot Tuscan Chicken
• Crock Pot Tomato Basil Chicken
• Ranch Country Style Ribs