Irresistible Crockpot Sloppy Joes Recipe: Family-Favorite Comfort

Crafting delectable crockpot sloppy joes sparks pure comfort food magic in my kitchen.

Slow-cooking transforms basic ingredients into a mouthwatering meal that everyone adores.

Hearty ground beef simmers with tangy sauce, creating irresistible depth of flavor.

Busy home cooks appreciate how simple these sandwiches become with minimal preparation.

No complicated techniques or fancy equipment stand between you and dinner success.

Messy, satisfying bites await when meat mingles with sweet and zesty seasonings.

Dig into this classic sandwich that guarantees smiles around the table.

Crockpot Sloppy Joes Overview

• Simplify Dinner Prep: Dump all ingredients in the crockpot and let it work its magic, making meal preparation a breeze with minimal hands-on cooking.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Food: Classic sloppy joes are universally loved by kids and adults, perfect for family gatherings or casual weeknight dinners.
• Customize with Ease: Swap ground beef for turkey or add extra veggies to make the recipe healthier and suit different dietary preferences without losing delicious flavor.
• Low-Maintenance Cooking: Slow cooker method ensures tender, well-blended meat mixture with zero risk of burning, allowing you to walk away and return to a perfectly cooked meal.

Crockpot Sloppy Joes Ingredients

• Ground Beef: A hearty and flavorful meat that forms the core of these classic sloppy joes.

• Onions, Garlic: These ingredients add depth and savory notes to the dish.

• Tomato Sauce, Ketchup: Provide a rich, tangy base for the sloppy joe mixture.
• Brown Sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness to balance the savory flavors.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Brings a complex, umami-rich depth to the recipe.
• Mustard: Introduces a subtle, sharp flavor to the sauce.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall taste of the dish.

• Hamburger Buns: The perfect vehicle for serving these delicious sloppy joes.

How to Make Crockpot Sloppy Joes

Step 1: Sizzle and Drain the Beef

Heat a skillet over medium-high flame and cook the ground beef until it turns a rich, golden brown.

Carefully tilt the pan and drain away any excess fat, ensuring a lean and delicious base for your sloppy joes.

Step 2: Combine Flavor Powerhouses

• Diced onions
• Minced garlic
• Tangy tomato sauce
• Sweet ketchup
• Rich brown sugar
• Zesty Worcestershire sauce
• Spicy mustard
• Pinch of salt
• Dash of black pepper

Step 3: Mix and Mingle

Grab a wooden spoon and stir all the ingredients until they’re thoroughly blended, creating a mouthwatering sauce that will make your taste buds dance.

Step 4: Slow Cook to Perfection

Cover the crockpot and let the magic happen.

Cook on low setting for 4-6 hours or on high setting for 2-3 hours.

Give the mixture an occasional stir to ensure even cooking and maximum flavor infusion.

Step 5: Serve on Toasty Buns

When the meat is tender and sauce is bubbling, spoon the sloppy joe mixture onto warm, golden-brown hamburger buns.

Get ready for a flavor explosion that’ll make everyone at the table cheer!

Tips for Crockpot Sloppy Joes

• Remove as much fat as possible from ground beef to prevent greasy sloppy joes and ensure a cleaner, more appetizing texture.
• Adjust brown sugar quantity based on personal preference, adding more for a sweeter sauce or reducing for a tangier flavor profile.
• Sauté onions and garlic before adding to crockpot to release deeper, richer aromatics and intensify overall taste.
• Make the sloppy joe mixture a day in advance and refrigerate, allowing flavors to meld and develop more complex taste.
• Cooking on low setting creates more tender meat and allows ingredients to blend seamlessly, resulting in a more delicious final dish.

Variations on Crockpot Sloppy Joes

• Vegetarian Joe's: Replace ground beef with lentils or crumbled plant-based meat alternatives for a protein-packed meatless version.
• Turkey Lean Joe's: Swap ground beef with ground turkey for a lower-fat, healthier option with similar flavor profile.
• Gluten-Free Joe's: Use gluten-free hamburger buns or serve over rice to accommodate gluten-sensitive diets while maintaining the classic sloppy joe taste.
• Spicy Southwestern Joe's: Add diced green chilies, cumin, and a dash of hot sauce to transform the recipe into a zesty southwestern-style sloppy joe with extra kick.

Serving Ideas for Crockpot Sloppy Joes

• Party Platter Paradise: Create a build-your-own sloppy joe station with various toppings like shredded cheese, crispy pickles, sliced jalapeños, and coleslaw. Guests can customize their sandwiches for a fun, interactive meal.
• Family Dinner Companion: Serve alongside crispy sweet potato fries, a fresh green salad, or creamy potato salad to balance the rich, savory flavor of the sloppy joes. These side dishes complement the hearty main course perfectly.
• Leftover Magic: Transform remaining sloppy joe mixture into stuffed bell peppers, a tasty pasta sauce, or a zesty topping for nachos. Repurpose the delicious meat blend for an entirely new meal that keeps everyone excited.

Storage Instructions for Crockpot Sloppy Joes

• Store leftover Sloppy Joes in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer cooled mixture to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Stays good for up to 3 months when properly sealed.
• Place portion in microwave-safe dish, cover with damp paper towel. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even warming.
• Pour leftovers into skillet, add splash of water or extra tomato sauce. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until heated completely through, about 5-7 minutes.

FAQs

• Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Yes, ground turkey is a great lean alternative that works perfectly in this Sloppy Joes recipe. Just make sure to drain any excess fat after browning.

• How can I make the Sloppy Joes less sweet?

Reduce the brown sugar by half or omit it entirely. You can also add a splash of apple cider vinegar to balance the sweetness and add a tangy flavor.

• Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Absolutely! Sloppy Joes are a classic comfort food that most children love. The mild flavors and messy eating style make it fun for kids to enjoy.

• Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can brown the meat and mix ingredients in the Crockpot the night before. Refrigerate overnight and start cooking in the morning for an easy meal.

Crockpot Sloppy Joes Recipe

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4.8 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 6 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Crockpot Sloppy Joes bring classic comfort to dinner tables with minimal effort and maximum flavor. Juicy ground beef simmered in a tangy sauce promises a crowd-pleasing meal you can easily prepare for hungry families and casual gatherings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 2 pounds ground beef (907 grams)

Sauce Ingredients:

• 1 cup tomato sauce (240 milliliters)
• 1/2 cup ketchup (120 milliliters)
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar (30 grams)
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce (30 milliliters)
• 1 tablespoon mustard (15 milliliters)

Aromatics and Seasonings:

• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt (5 grams)
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (2.5 grams)

Additional Serving Item:

• 8 hamburger buns

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Instructions

1. Heat a skillet over medium-high and thoroughly cook ground beef until no pink remains, carefully draining accumulated fat.
2. Transfer beef to crockpot and incorporate finely diced onions, minced garlic, tangy tomato sauce, rich ketchup, caramelized brown sugar, zesty Worcestershire sauce, sharp mustard, and seasoning.
3. Thoroughly mix ingredients, ensuring even distribution of flavors throughout the meat mixture.
4. Secure crockpot lid and slow-cook on low temperature for 4-6 hours or high temperature for 2-3 hours, gently stirring every 90 minutes to prevent ingredient settling.
5. When cooking completes, use a spoon to assess sauce consistency – it should be thick and clingy without excess liquid.
6. Warm hamburger buns until lightly toasted and golden around edges for optimal textural contrast.
7. Generously ladle the savory meat mixture onto prepared buns, allowing sauce to slightly cascade over bread edges for classic sloppy joe presentation.

Notes

• Drain ground beef thoroughly to prevent excess grease in the final dish, ensuring a cleaner and more appetizing texture.
• Customize the sweetness by adjusting brown sugar levels, making it perfect for those who prefer less sweet or more tangy sloppy joes.
• Use lean ground beef or substitute with ground turkey for a healthier alternative that still maintains rich, robust flavor.
• Prep ingredients ahead of time and store in the crockpot overnight in the refrigerator for an easy morning start to your meal preparation.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 6 hours (on Low) or 3 hours (on High)
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 310 kcal
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg