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These Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes are one of my favorite hands-off dinners! Cooking for two young kids is no small feat, but this recipe makes it easy. Made with ground beef, brown sugar, mustard, and a host of lip-smacking seasonings, these crockpot sloppy joes come out perfectly saucy.
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“Love, love, love this recipe!” – Joan
Easy Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes
Juicy and loaded with flavor, these sloppy joes are always a family favorite and perfect for busy weeknights. When I have more time to prep, I’ll pull together this traditional recipe for sloppy joes, but this hands-off recipe lets the beef and sloppy joe seasonings simmer away while I tend to other things. Once they are done, I like to serve them on soft buns – the kids, young and old, always love them.
Crockpot Sloppy Joes Recipe
Equipment
- Crockpot
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. 85% lean ground beef or use chicken, turkey, or vegan meat crumbles
- ½ cup finely chopped onion
- ½ cup finely chopped green bell pepper any color pepper will work
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 8 oz. tomato sauce (½ jar)
- ½ cup ketchup
- ⅓ cup chili sauce such as Heinz
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1½ tbsp yellow mustard
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp ground chili powder
- 12 hamburger buns for serving
Video
Instructions
- In a large skillet set over medium-high heat, add the ground beef, onion, and green pepper. Season with salt and pepper and cook for 4-5 minutes until no pink remains. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Drain any excess fat, then transfer the beef to the crock of a 6-quart crockpot.2 lbs. 85% lean ground beef, ½ cup finely chopped onion, ½ cup finely chopped green bell pepper, 1 tsp kosher salt, ½ tsp ground black pepper, 3 cloves garlic
- Stir in remaining ingredients, cover, and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours.8 oz. tomato sauce, ½ cup ketchup, ⅓ cup chili sauce, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1½ tbsp yellow mustard, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tbsp ground chili powder
- Serve on toasted hamburger rolls or slider buns with your favorite toppings like cheese, pickles, and onions.12 hamburger buns
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment!
How to Make Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes Step by Step
Sauté the beef: In a large skillet set over medium-high heat, add 2 lbs. of ground beef, ½ cup of finely chopped onion, and ½ cup of finely chopped green bell pepper. Season the beef mixture with 1 tsp of salt and ½ tsp of pepper and cook for 4-5 minutes until the ground beef is no longer pink. Stir in 3 minced cloves of garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Drain any excess fat in the skillet and then transfer to the crockpot.
Cook the filling: Add 8 oz. of tomato sauce, ½ cup of ketchup, ⅓ cup of chili sauce, 2 tbsp of apple cider vinegar, 1½ tbsp of yellow mustard, 1 tbsp of brown sugar, 1 tbsp of Worcestershire sauce, and 1 tbsp of ground chili powder to the beef mixture. Cover, and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
Serve: Serve on hamburger rolls or slider buns. Enjoy!
How to Store
Store leftover slow cooker sloppy joes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Store the meat separately from the buns. Reheat the meat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Freeze crockpot sloppy joe meat in an airtight container or Ziplock bag for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
I love these crockpot sloppy joes heaped onto homemade hamburger buns. If you’re short on time, a brioche or potato roll from the store works well, too. Add a side of potato chips or French fries and a dill pickle spear, and you’ve got one tasty meal!
Love, love, love this recipe!
This is oddly my first time making sloppy joes! This recipe is amazing! I substituted the apple cider vinegar for red wine vinegar and didn’t use the chili sauce. Was still so so delicious! Will be making again!
Hi, just a question before I try this. I cannot eat green bell pepper. What substitution would compensate for that flavor? Thank you! (Love slow-cooker recipes.)
If you can have other types of bell peppers, those would work. Otherwise, poblano, jalapeño or anaheim peppers also work (but are spicier)!