Easy Crock Pot Sloppy Joes
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Sloppy Joe’s have been in my life since childhood. We used to get them at the cafeteria in elementary school. These Crock Pot Sloppy Joes are everything you love about the classic, but sooooo much better!
These Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes are sweet, tangy, saucy, and totally delicious. All you need to do is brown the beef, and the slow cooker does most of the week. Dinner’s done in about 10 minutes of hands-on time. That is my kind of dinner!
This is one of our easy Crock Pot Dinner Recipes you will want to bookmark for later.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Pretty much hands-off and easy – just brown the beef, add everything to the crock pot.
- Budget Friendly – Made with pantry staples like ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, and a few spices you probably already have.
- Versatile – It’s perfect for busy weeknights, game days, potlucks, and parties.
Ingredients
- Ground beef – An 80/20 or 85/15 blend works great. I like to chop it very small while browning for that classic sloppy joe texture.
- Brown sugar – adds a little sweetness to balance the tangy sauce.
- Mustard – classic yellow mustard gives it that signature tang.
- Ketchup – the base of the sauce and the flavor everyone recognizes.
- Tomato paste – thickens the sauce and deepens the tomato flavor.
- Worcestershire sauce 1 a small amount adds savory depth.
- Minced garlic jarred minced garlic makes this even easier.
- Red pepper flakes – just a pinch for a subtle kick. Add more if you like it spicy!
Full measurements are in the recipe card below.
Substitutions and Variations
- Swap the meat You can use ground turkey or ground chicken make a lighter version.
- Add vegetables – sauté diced onion and green bell pepper with the beef for a more traditional sloppy joe.
- Make it spicier – increase the red pepper flakes or add a few dashes of hot sauce.
How to Make Crock Pot Sloppy Joes
- Add everything to the crock pot — the beef plus the rest of the ingredients — and stir to combine.
- Cook on low for 2–3 hours, then give it a good stir.
- Serve on buns with all your favorite sides!
Step 1 – Brown the beef in a large skillet, breaking it up into very small pieces.Drain the excess grease.
Step 2 – Add Ground Beef to the crock pot. Add remaining ingredients and stir to combine.
Step 3 – Cook on low for 2–3 hours, then give it a good stir.
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Step 4 – Serve on buns with all your favorite sides!
Time Saving Tips ⏰
- Brown the beef ahead of time. Cook and drain the beef the night before and refrigerate. In the morning, just add it to the crock pot with the sauce ingredients.
- Mix the sauce in advance – Whisk together the ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, and seasonings and store in a jar in the fridge..
- Keep the crock pot on warm – once it’s done, switch the slow cooker to warm so everyone can serve themselves whenever they’re ready.
- Make a double batch and freeze half. It takes the same amount of effort, and you’ll have a ready-made dinner waiting in the freezer for a busy night.
- Use a slow cooker liner. The sauce can get sticky around the edges, and a liner means almost no cleanup.
What to Serve with Sloppy Joes
Serve on hamburger buns, brioche buns, slider rolls or thick slices of bread. And of course, you need chips, fries, and pickles! A few other favorites:
- Coleslaw — creamy and crunchy, it’s great on the side or piled right on top.
- Tater tots or sweet potato fries
- Mac and cheese
Sloppy joe bar idea: set out buns, cheese slices, pickles, onions, and coleslaw so everyone can build their own — great for parties!
Storage and Reheating
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer – Let cool completely, then freeze in freezer bags or containers for up to 3 months. Lay bags flat for easy stacking and faster thawing.
- To Reheat -Warm on the stovetop over medium-low heat with a splash of water, or in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between. Thaw frozen sloppy joes overnight in the fridge before reheating.
FAQs
Do I have to brown the ground beef before adding it to the crock pot? Yes! Browning the beef first gives it better flavor and texture, and draining it keeps the sauce from getting greasy. It’s also the safest way to make sure the meat is fully cooked.
Can I cook these on high? You can cook them on high for about 1–1½ hours, stirring once or twice. Since the beef is already cooked, you’re really just letting the flavors meld and the sauce thicken.
My sauce is too thin — how do I thicken it? Remove the lid for the last 20–30 minutes of cooking to let some of the liquid cook off, or stir in a little extra tomato paste.
Can I double this recipe? Absolutely! Just make sure you’re using a 6-quart or larger slow cooker, and give it a good stir halfway through so it heats evenly.
Can I make these on the stovetop instead? Yes — after browning and draining the beef, add the rest of the ingredients to the skillet and simmer on low for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
More Crock Pot Recipes You’ll Love
Crock Pot Sloppy Joes
Equipment
- Wooden spoon or meat chopper (for breaking up the beef)
- slow cooker
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 lb. ground beef
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons mustard
- 2/3 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoons pepper
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons 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.
Notes
- Drain the beef well. Leftover grease will make the sauce thin and oily.
- Too thin? Cook with the lid off for the last 20–30 minutes so the sauce thickens.
- Make ahead: Brown and drain the beef up to a day ahead and refrigerate it. Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
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