Description

A comforting and nostalgic favorite made with tender ground beef simmered in a tangy, sweet, and savory sauce. This Crockpot Sloppy Joes recipe is incredibly easy to make and perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. The slow cooker does all the hard work, leaving you with a meal that’s hearty, delicious, and full of flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

2 pounds ground beef (or ground turkey for a leaner option)
1 medium onion, finely diced
1 green bell pepper, finely diced
1 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons yellow mustard
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup barbecue sauce (optional)
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
Salt and pepper, to taste
Hamburger buns, for serving

Instructions

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess fat and transfer the beef to the crockpot.
Sprinkle the diced onion and bell pepper over the beef in the crockpot.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, brown sugar, barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Pour this mixture over the beef and vegetables in the crockpot.
Stir the ingredients together until well combined. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours, stirring occasionally to ensure the sauce evenly coats the beef.
When ready to serve, toast hamburger buns if desired. Spoon the Sloppy Joe mixture onto the buns, serve warm, and enjoy!

Notes

For a leaner option, substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken.
If the sauce is too thin, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water and stir it into the mixture during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
To sneak in extra veggies, finely dice carrots, zucchini, or mushrooms and add them to the slow cooker.
Leftovers taste even better the next day! Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Prep Time: 10
Cook Time: 180
Category: Main Course
Method: Slow Cooker (Crockpot)
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Crockpot Sloppy Joes, easy sloppy joes recipe, sloppy joes slow cooker, slow cooker recipes, family dinner ideas, ground beef recipes