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Crockpot Sloppy Joes Recipe

Emily Carter
A hearty, saucy, slow-cooked beef sandwich filling that’s sweet, savory, and completely addictive.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 10 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 400 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Sloppy Joes:

  • 1 ½ pounds ground beef or ground turkey for a lighter version
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder optional, for a kick
  • ½ cup beef broth
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

For Serving:

  • 6 hamburger buns
  • Butter for toasting the buns optional but recommended

Instructions
 

Step 1: Brown the Meat

  • Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the ground beef.
  • Cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon.
  • Drain any excess grease.

Step 2: Build the Sauce

  • Transfer the browned beef to the slow cooker.
  • Add onion, garlic, ketchup, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and brown sugar.
  • Sprinkle in salt, pepper, paprika, and chili powder.
  • Pour in beef broth and apple cider vinegar.

Step 3: Let the Slow Cooker Work

  • Stir everything together until well combined.
  • Cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours or HIGH for 2 hours.
  • Stir occasionally to mix the flavors.

Step 4: Serve & Enjoy

  • Toast the buns with butter for extra crunch.
  • Spoon generous amounts of sloppy joe filling onto each bun.
  • Serve immediately with napkins (trust me, you’ll need them).

Notes

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

  • Calories: ~400
  • Total Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 7g
  • Carbohydrates: 35g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 28g

Vitamins & Minerals (Per Serving)

  • Iron: 15%
  • Vitamin B12: 30%
  • Zinc: 12%
  • Potassium: 10%
  • Folate: 8%

Pro Tips for the Best Sloppy Joes

  • Use brioche buns for extra softness and flavor.
  • Add a splash of hot sauce for a spicy kick.
  • For extra thickness, remove the slow cooker lid for the last 20 minutes.
  • Throw in some chopped bell peppers for added texture.
  • Double the batch because leftovers taste even better the next day.
This Crockpot Sloppy Joes recipe proves that big flavor doesn’t have to mean big effort. Let your slow cooker handle the hard work while you take all the credit.