Crock Pot Sloppy Joes
Crock Pot Sloppy Joes are an easy family dinner recipe loaded with seasoned ground beef simmered in a sweet and tangy homemade sloppy joe sauce.
These slow cooker sloppy joes are made with simple ingredients including ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and garlic.
The rich, saucy ground beef mixture is perfect for piling onto soft hamburger buns and serving with fries, chips or pickles.
These homemade sloppy joes are a delicious, kid-friendly comfort food dinner that's perfect for busy weeknights, casual gatherings and feeding a hungry crowd.
Why This Recipe is a Winner!
- Easy to Make: Just brown the ground beef, toss everything in the slow cooker and let it do the rest of the work.
- Simple Ingredients: Made with everyday pantry staples like ketchup, mustard, brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce.
- Family-Friendly: The sweet and tangy homemade sloppy joe sauce is a hit with both kids and adults.
- Perfect for Busy Weeknights: With just 10 minutes of prep, this is an easy dinner that doesn't require much hands-on time.
- Better Than Canned Sauce: Skip the store-bought sloppy joe sauce and make your own with simple ingredients.
- Great for Feeding a Crowd: This recipe makes enough for 5–6 servings and
- Easy to Customize: Adjust the sweetness, add some heat or toss in extra veggies to make it your own.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: The sloppy joe mixture reheats beautifully, making it a great option for quick lunches and dinners throughout the week.
Prep Time:
10 minutes
Cook Time:
2-3 hours
Yield:
Serves 5-6
Ingredients You'll Need
- Ground Beef: 2 ¼ pounds of ground beef, browned and drained. Lean ground beef works best to avoid excess grease.
- Brown Sugar: 2 tablespoons add sweetness to balance the tangy sauce.
- Mustard: 2 tablespoons of yellow mustard add a tangy kick.
- Ketchup: ⅔ cup forms the sweet and tangy base of the sloppy joe sauce.
- Tomato Paste: 2 tablespoons help thicken the sauce and add rich tomato flavour.
- Worcestershire Sauce: 2 teaspoons add a rich, savoury depth of flavour.
- Minced Garlic: 2 teaspoons of fresh or jarred minced garlic add savoury flavour.
- Salt: ½ teaspoon enhances the overall flavour.
- Black Pepper: ½ teaspoon adds a subtle kick.
- Red Pepper Flakes: A pinch adds a hint of heat without making the dish spicy.
- Water: 2 tablespoons help the sauce coat the beef evenly.
Printable Recipe Card with a Full List of Ingredients and Instructions is Located at the Bottom of the Post.
Be sure to read through the entire post so that you don't miss out on any important tips and tricks!
Step By Step Instructions
STEP 1:
I crumbled and browned the ground beef in a large skillet and then transferred it to my slow cooker.
STEP 2:
I added brown sugar, mustard, ketchup, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, chopped garlic, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes and water to the slow cooker.
I stirred all of the ingredients together and left it to cook on LOW for 2-3 hours.
STEP 3:
After 2-3 hours of cooking time I removed the lid and stirred the mixture well.
These Crock Pot Sloppy Joes are loaded with tender, saucy ground beef coated in a rich, sweet and tangy homemade sauce that tastes incredible piled high on a soft hamburger bun.
Every bite is messy, meaty and packed with flavour, making this classic comfort food dinner one you'll want to keep plenty of napkins handy for!
If you are looking for the perfect weeknight family dinner, then you need to try these Crock Pot Sloppy Joes!
Erin's Tips for the Best Crock Pot Sloppy Joes
- Brown the Beef First: Don't skip browning the ground beef before adding it to the slow cooker. This adds flavour and allows you to drain off excess grease.
- Break Up the Beef: Chop the ground beef into small crumbles while browning so you get a nice, even texture in every bite.
- Use Lean Ground Beef: I recommend lean ground beef to keep the sloppy joe mixture from becoming too greasy.
- Don't Add Too Much Liquid: The beef will release some moisture as it cooks, so stick to the small amount of water called for in the recipe.
- Adjust the Sweetness: If you prefer sweeter sloppy joes, add a little extra brown sugar. For a tangier sauce, increase the mustard slightly.
- Add Some Heat: Increase the red pepper flakes or add a dash of hot sauce if you like your sloppy joes with a spicy kick.
- Stir Before Serving: Give the sloppy joe mixture a good stir before serving to make sure all the beef is evenly coated in sauce.
- Toast Your Buns: Lightly toasting your hamburger buns helps prevent them from getting soggy under all that delicious sauce.
- Keep Them Warm: If you're serving these at a party, switch your slow cooker to the warm setting after cooking so guests can help themselves.
Substitutions and Variations
- Ground Turkey: Swap the ground beef for ground turkey or ground chicken for a lighter version of these slow cooker sloppy joes.
- Ground Pork: Replace some or all of the ground beef with ground pork for a slightly different flavour.
- BBQ Sloppy Joes: Replace some of the ketchup with your favourite barbecue sauce for a sweet and smoky twist.
- Spicy Sloppy Joes: Add extra red pepper flakes, diced jalapeños, cayenne pepper or a splash of hot sauce for some heat.
- Add Vegetables: Stir in finely diced onions, green bell peppers or mushrooms for extra flavour and texture. Sauté them with the beef before adding everything to the slow cooker.
- Cheesy Sloppy Joes: Top the sloppy joe meat with cheddar, mozzarella or provolone cheese before serving.
- Different Mustards: Swap yellow mustard for Dijon mustard or spicy brown mustard for a slightly sharper flavour.
- Sloppy Joe Sliders: Serve the meat on mini slider buns instead of regular hamburger buns for an easy party appetizer.
- Sloppy Joe Loaded Fries: Skip the buns and spoon the saucy beef over crispy French fries, then top with shredded cheddar cheese.
- Sloppy Joe Baked Potatoes: Use the meat as a topping for baked potatoes along with cheese and sour cream for a hearty dinner.
- Low-Carb Option: Serve the sloppy joe mixture in lettuce wraps, over cauliflower rice or stuffed into roasted bell peppers instead of hamburger buns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to brown the ground beef before adding it to the slow cooker?
- Yes, I recommend browning and draining the ground beef before adding it to the slow cooker. This improves the flavour, removes excess grease and gives the sloppy joe meat a better texture.
Can I cook these sloppy joes on high?
- Yes, you can cook the sloppy joe mixture on high for about 1–1½ hours, stirring occasionally. Keep an eye on the sauce to make sure it doesn't dry out or burn around the edges.
Can I use frozen ground beef?
- You can use previously frozen ground beef, but it should be fully thawed before browning it in a skillet. Do not add raw frozen ground beef directly to the slow cooker.
How should I store leftover sloppy joes?
- Allow the sloppy joe meat to cool slightly before transferring it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days, keeping the hamburger buns separate to prevent them from getting soggy.
Can I freeze Crock Pot Sloppy Joes?
- Yes! Allow the cooked sloppy joe mixture to cool, then transfer it to freezer-safe containers or freezer bags. Freeze for up to 3 months for best quality and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Crock Pot Sloppy Joes
Crock Pot Sloppy Joes are an easy family dinner recipe made with seasoned ground beef simmered in a sweet and tangy homemade sauce with ketchup, brown sugar, mustard and Worcestershire sauce.
These saucy slow cooker sloppy joes are perfect for serving on soft hamburger buns for a hearty, kid-friendly comfort food dinner.
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ lb. ground beef
- 2 tbsp. brown sugar
- 2 tbsp. mustard
- ⅔ cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp. tomato paste
- 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tsp. minced garlic
- ½ tsp. salt
- ½ tsp. pepper
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
- 2 tbsp. water
Instructions
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef and chop very small.
- Drain.
- Add the beef to your crockpot, along with the rest of the ingredients.
- Stir to combine.
- Cook on low 2-3 hours, and stir well.
- Serve on hamburger buns, or bread, with chips, fries, and pickles, of course.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 104Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 17mgSodium: 493mgCarbohydrates: 14gFiber: 0gSugar: 11gProtein: 6g
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Hi! My name is Erin and I have been here since 2016 sharing simple family friendly recipes that can be prepared by any home cook. Get ready to whip up delicious meals in no time!
