These Easy Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes are a tasty and simple meal. With ground beef, sweet sauce, and soft buns, they’re a hit with everyone!
What I love most is how easy they are to make in a slow cooker. Just mix everything in, let it cook, and enjoy a warm, delicious meal without much fuss! 🍔
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Ground Beef: This recipe uses ground beef for a classic taste. If you’re looking for a lighter option, try ground turkey or chicken instead. For a vegetarian version, consider using lentils or a meat substitute like textured vegetable protein (TVP).
Bell Pepper: While the green bell pepper adds a nice crunch, you can skip it or swap it for a red or yellow bell pepper for a sweeter taste. If you’re avoiding peppers, diced carrots or celery work well too!
Ketchup: Ketchup is the base sauce, bringing sweetness and tang. If you’re watching sugar intake, unsweetened ketchup or tomato sauce can be good alternatives. You might need to adjust the sweetness with a little extra brown sugar or honey.
Brown Sugar: This adds a touch of sweetness. If you’re out of brown sugar, white sugar works in a pinch, or you could use maple syrup for a different flavor profile.
How Do I Get the Best Flavor from My Sloppy Joes?
The best way to enhance the flavor is to focus on the sauce and cooking method. First, browning the ground beef not only removes fat but adds depth through the Maillard reaction. Here’s how to make it even better:
- Cook the beef until nicely browned, let it get a bit of crust for more flavor.
- Incorporate the onions, bell pepper, and garlic with the meat. Let them sweat out their flavors.
- Let the mixture cook on low for several hours. This slow cooking allows all flavors to meld beautifully.
Finally, don’t forget to taste and adjust the seasoning before serving!
Easy Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Sloppy Joe Mixture:
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, finely chopped (optional)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon mustard (yellow or Dijon)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
For Serving:
- Hamburger buns
- Pickles or cheese (optional)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 15 minutes of preparation time and requires 4–6 hours on low heat or 2–3 hours on high heat in the slow cooker. So, you can set it and forget it while you go about your day!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Browning the Ground Beef:
Start by heating a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until it’s no longer pink, breaking it apart with a spatula as it cooks. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Once cooked, drain any excess fat from the skillet.
2. Adding Vegetables:
Transfer the browned beef to your slow cooker. Add the chopped onion, bell pepper (if you’re using it), and minced garlic. These veggies add great flavor!
3. Mixing the Sauce:
In a medium bowl, mix together the ketchup, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, mustard, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika if using. This mixture will be your delicious sauce!
4. Combining Everything:
Pour the sauce over the beef and vegetables in the slow cooker. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
5. Cooking:
Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on low for 4–6 hours or on high for 2–3 hours. The longer it cooks, the more the flavors will blend together, making for a tasty meal.
6. Final Touches:
Once the cooking time is up, give the sloppy joe mixture a good stir before serving it. The sauce should be nice and thick.
7. Serving:
Spoon the sloppy joe filling onto hamburger buns while it’s warm. Feel free to add pickles or cheese on top for some extra flavor!
Enjoy your delicious, homemade Sloppy Joes—perfect for any meal!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I Use Ground Turkey or Chicken Instead of Beef?
Absolutely! Ground turkey or chicken works well as a lighter alternative. Just be sure to monitor the cooking time, as leaner meats may cook a bit faster than beef.
Can I Make Sloppy Joes Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can prepare the sloppy joe mixture up to 2 days in advance. Just refrigerate it after cooking, then reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave before serving. Ensure it’s heated through!
How to Store Leftovers?
Store any leftover sloppy joe mixture in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. Just thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Can I Add Other Vegetables to the Mixture?
Definitely! Feel free to incorporate other veggies like shredded carrots, diced celery, or even mushrooms for added flavor and nutrition. Just make sure they are finely chopped so they blend with the sauce.
