Crockpot Sloppy Joes Recipe | Sweet, Spicy, Tangy Crowd-Pleaser Dinner
These crockpot sloppy joes are sweet, tangy, and gently spicy with a thick, glossy sauce that clings to the meat. Minimal prep and slow-cooker ease make them perfect for busy nights or feeding a crowd.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef 85% lean
- 1 medium yellow onion finely diced
- 1 green bell pepper finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 8 to 10 hamburger buns
- 1 cup ketchup
- ⅓ cup tomato paste
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ to ½ teaspoon hot sauce optional
- ¼ cup water or beef broth
- Butter for toasting buns
- Dill pickle chips optional
- Shredded cheddar or pepper jack optional
- Coleslaw optional
Instructions
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high, add the ground beef, break it up, and cook until mostly browned, 5 to 7 minutes.
- Spoon off excess grease, leaving a little for flavor.
- Stir in the onion and bell pepper and cook until slightly softened, 3 to 4 minutes.
- Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, then transfer the mixture to the slow cooker.
- In a bowl, whisk together the ketchup, tomato paste, brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire, apple cider vinegar, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, hot sauce if using, and water or broth.
- Pour the sauce over the beef mixture in the slow cooker and stir to coat evenly.
- Cook on Low for 4 to 6 hours or on High for 2 to 3 hours, stirring once or twice.
- If the mixture looks loose near the end, uncover and cook an additional 15 to 20 minutes to thicken.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, vinegar, or hot sauce as desired.
- Spread a thin layer of butter on the cut sides of the buns and toast in a skillet or under the broiler until golden.
- Spoon the sloppy joe mixture onto toasted buns and top with pickles, cheese, or coleslaw if desired.
Notes
For a milder version, omit hot sauce; for extra heat, add jalapeño or more hot sauce. Turkey can replace beef; add a bit of oil when browning. To keep warm for parties, set the slow cooker to Warm and leave the lid slightly ajar if reducing moisture. Leftovers keep 4 days refrigerated or up to 3 months frozen; reheat with a splash of water or broth.