Crowd-Pleasing Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes Recipe

Reviving the classics with flair, our Slow Cooker Sloppy Joe’s Recipe is a dance of flavours wrapped in simplicity. As the beef tenderly melds with the tangy tomato and gentle sweetness of brown sugar, each simmering hour infuses nostalgia with newfound zest. Effortlessly prepared, and endlessly enjoyed this delightfully tasty dish is more than a meal; it’s a memory in the making.

Ingredients

Ground beef: It’s best to use lean ground beef, such as an 80/20 mix.
Vegetable oil: For browning the ground beef.
Tomato sauce: High-quality for the best flavour.
Ketchup: Adds a unique sweet tang.
Prepared mustard: For a bit of vinegar, salt, and mustard seed flavour.
Brown sugar: To add sweetness with a rich background.
Worcestershire sauce: A complex sauce made with malt vinegar, molasses, sugar, anchovies, tamarind, shallots, garlic, and other spices to add depth to your Sloppy Joes.
Hamburger buns: Any kind you prefer. Soft potato buns are recommended.
Cheese slices: Use your favourite cheese. Yellow cheese slices were suggested for an authentic taste.
Garlic powder, Onion powder, Smoked paprika, Salt, Ground black pepper: For seasoning.

Equipment Needed

Slow cooker or crockpot: To simmer the Sloppy Joe mixture.
Frying pan: For browning the beef.
Wooden spoon: For stirring the ingredients without scratching your cookware.

Instructions

Brown the Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add some vegetable oil and brown the ground beef seasoned with salt and pepper. Use a wooden spoon to mix and cook the beef for about 6-8 minutes until it’s no longer pink.
Transfer: Next, move the beef mixture to the crockpot and add the remaining ingredients (tomato sauce, ketchup, prepared mustard, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and ground black pepper).
Slow Cook: Cover the crockpot and cook on HIGH for about 3 hours or LOW for up to 6 hours, depending on your preference and schedule.
Assemble: Serve the mixture on toasted hamburger buns, adding cheese slices if desired.

Expert Tips

Browning the Meat: Browning and crumbling the meat first can significantly enhance the flavor and reduce the greasiness. Searing the meat locks in juices and caramelizes the flavours. You may want to drain the grease before adding the beef to the slow cooker to avoid greasy sandwiches.

Variations

Meat: Feel free to use ground turkey, chicken, or pork sausage for different flavours.
Veggies: Add chopped red bell pepper or green pepper for extra texture and taste.
Sauce & Seasoning: Explore with chilli sauce, homemade BBQ sauce, chilli powder, Cajun seasoning, or ranch seasoning mix to vary the flavor profile.
Spicy Version: Incorporate red pepper flakes for some heat.
Taco Sloppy Joes: Add taco seasoning to the sauce for a twist.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with mashed potatoes, crispy air fryer roasted potatoes, a simple tomato and avocado salad, or creamy cucumber salad.
For a lighter fare, consider serving the Sloppy Joe mix on lettuce cups.

Storage

Refrigerate: Store leftover meat sauce in an airtight container for up to three days.
Freeze: For longer storage, freeze in single-portion bags for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.