Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes [Video]

By Catalina Castravet

Updated: Jun 18, 2021

Published: Jan 25, 2020

5 from 6 reviews

Beef Main Dishes Recipes Slow Cooker

Cook time: 6 hours

Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes are every child’s favorite comfort food and are a true classic! Reminisce your childhood right in your kitchen with this easy recipe!

So, if you are looking for classic favorites like this, also check out my recipes for Creamy Instant Pot Mac and Cheese, Juicy Homemade Meatballs, and Baked Buffalo Wings!

Crockpot Sloppy Joes

Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes are hearty and delicious! This dish is rather simple, but it is meaty and saucy which makes it a delight to eat! Paired with various side dishes, you get yourself a complete and satisfying meal!

I bought more ground beef than usual as I am intending to recreate this childhood favorite of mine just because! I used to always look forward to lunchtime when this is served. Even now as an adult, I still enjoy it.

You might be thinking that you can always buy the canned version, but you will miss out on a lot of benefits! You get to season it yourself, make it anytime, and decide how much you will prepare.

The canned ones have overwhelmingly high levels of sodium. If you make it yourself, then, you have the liberty to adjust the ingredients to limit the salt. You can even make it sweeter if you like by adding a bit more of the sugar.

By having this prepared at home, you get to make it whenever you want. Using the crockpot will not be bothersome at all. All you need is to set it up and wait for it to finish after several hours. While waiting, you can even do other things around the house.

Having a party or a game night soon? This is perfect! You may even use the crockpot to keep it warm during the party. For sure, your guests will love them because who doesn’t?!

What are Sloppy Joes?

They are a kind of sandwich, but unlike the usual hamburgers, the “patty” in this dish is loose and saucy. It is primarily made with ground beef in tomato sauce, seasoned with different spices and flavorings.

Where did Sloppy Joes come from?

Some resources say that a certain Joe in Havana, Cuba, who owns a restaurant, came up with the recipe. Visiting friends noted how sloppy the place was, with all the dirt and water covering the space. From then on, the place was called Sloppy Joe’s.

How to make Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes?

For a quick tutorial, watch the recipe video attached above. The general steps are as follows:

Brown the beef: Heat some oil in a pan. Season and brown the ground beef in there for about 8 minutes until it is no longer pink.
Transfer: When already brown, transfer the meat into the crockpot along with the rest of the ingredients. Cook on HIGH or LOW, whichever you prefer. It will take at least 3 hours, 6 hours at most.
Assemble: Put the resulting mixture in between toasted buns and add cheese before serving.

What to serve with Sloppy Joes?

Turn it into a full meal by serving it with these equally delicious side dishes:

How to Store leftovers:

Refrigerate: Put the sauce in an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to two days.
Freeze: Make this dish into a freezer meal by putting single portions of the filling into freezer bags and storing them in the fridge for up to two months. Thaw before reheating.

Recipe Tips:

If you want a twist in the flavor, add bacon cheeseburger and pizza flavors.
Instead of putting in between buns, you can opt to use the meaty sauce as a pizza topping!
Also, to lessen the fat, you may use a non-stick pan and leave out the oil when browning the meat.
You may use ground turkey or mix in ground pork.
This simple dish can be easily doubled. Just double the ingredients, and follow the same cooking steps.
To make it spicier, add some chopped jalapeno to the mix.

Made This Recipe?

Show me what you made on Instagram or Facebook and tag me at @sweetnsavorymeals or hashtag it at #sweetnsavorymeals.

Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes [Video]