Slow cooker sloppy joes is an easy recipe the entire family will enjoy. This fuss-free crockpot version can be tailored to be as healthy as you want it. Perfect for week night dinners, potlucks & picnics, this kid-friendly recipe can be made ahead or frozen for later. Instructions to also make this easy ground beef recipe in the Instant Pot and on the stove-top are also included.
Ingredients For Sloppy Joes
- Ground Beef
- Onion
- Bell Pepper
- Ketchup
- Yellow Mustard
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Seasonings: salt, pepper, brown sugar, chili powder
How To Make Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes
- Heat oil large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the ground beef with salt & pepper and to the skillet. Cook the beef, crumbling it as it cooks, until it is no longer pink. Drain grease and add the mixture to the slow cooker.
- Add all the remaining ingredients to the slow cooker. Stir to mix well.
- Cook HIGH 2-3 hours or LOW 4-6.
- Turn the Instant Pot to sauté. Once hot, add the oil, ground beef, onion, and bell pepper to the pot. Cook 5-7 minutes or until the meat is no longer pink. Crumble the beef as it cooks. Drain excess grease from the pot.
- Pour in 1 cup water and deglaze the bottom of the pressure cooker by scraping all the bits off with a wooden spoon.
- Stir in remaining ingredients. Close and seal vent. Select high pressure and set time for 5 minutes. When cooking time is complete, let the pressure naturally release for 10 minutes.
What Are Sloppy Joes
When I think of classic American comfort food, sloppy joes are at the top of the list. Sloppy Joes usually consisting of ground meat (typically beef) onions, bell peppers, and a tomato-based sauce. It’s a recipe where everyone has their own version, but the main ingredients are ground beef, onions, green bell pepper, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and brown sugar. Sloppy joes are typically considered an affordable meal due to the simple ingredients used.
Make This Whole30
In order for this to be a healthy, paleo and Whole30 compatible sloppy joes recipe, you will need to make a few modifications. For one, you will need to use a compatible ketchup. Make your own or use store-bought. Second replace the Worcestershire sauce coconut aminos or omit it all together. Third is to serve the sloppy joes in a lettuce wrap.
Stove-Top Version
Normally I do not include stove-top instructions with my recipes but this one is different. This is my Mother’s old school sloppy joes recipe that converted to the slow cooker. When she gave it to me, she included stove-top instructions so I will pass them along here….
- Heat oil in over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and brown, breaking apart into crumbles as it cooks. Approximately 5 to 6 minutes. Remove beef from the pan. Drain excessive oil but leave some in pan.
- Add onions and bell peppers and cook until soft.
- Add beef back to pan. Stir well. Add Ketchup, water, brown sugar, mustard, chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
- Cook 10-15 minutes or until desired thickness.
How To Serve Sloppy Joes
Sloppy joes are traditionally served on a hamburger bun or roll. They’re known for being sloppy (hence the name) due to the red sauce and loose meat. Spoon the sloppy joe mixture onto the bottom half of a bun. Add your preferred toppings like cheese, coleslaw, pickles, etc.
FAQs & Tips
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Use your preferred ground meat! Ground beef is the classic choice but other suggestions include ground turkey, chicken, or a even plant-based alternatives for a vegan/vegetarian version.
- Adjust the dish to your liking. The sweetness, tanginess, and spiciness can all be tailored to your taste preferences.
- For extra flavor, sauté the onion and bell pepper along with the ground beef before adding them to the slow cooker.
- I used my 3.5-quart slow cooker for this recipe.
Ground Beef Recipes
Supreme Pizza Stew
Hot Dog Chili Sauce
Zoodles & Meat Sauce
Spaghetti Squash, Meat, Tomatoes
Chorizo Beef Chili
Beef Queso Dip
PrintSlow Cooker Sloppy Joes
This slow cooker sloppy joes is an easy recipe the entire family will enjoy. This fuss-free crockpot version can be tailored to be as healthy as you want it. Perfect for week night dinners, potlucks & picnics, this kid-friendly recipe can be made ahead or frozen for later. Instructions to also make this easy ground beef recipe in the Instant Pot and on the stove-top are also included.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
- 1 large onion, minced
- 1 bell pepper minced
- 3/4 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup water (1 cup water for Instant Pot)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar (omit for Whole30)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons yellow mustard
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce (omit or use coconut aminos for Whole30)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon oil
Instructions
- Heat oil large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the ground beef with salt & pepper and to the skillet. Cook the beef, crumbling it as it cooks, until it is no longer pink. Drain grease and add the mixture to the slow cooker.
- Add all the remaining ingredients to the slow cooker. Stir to mix well.
- Cook HIGH 2-3 hours or LOW 4-6.
- Turn the Instant Pot to sauté. Once hot, add the oil, ground beef, onion, and bell pepper to the pot. Cook 5-7 minutes or until the meat is no longer pink. Crumble the beef as it cooks. Drain excess grease from the pot.
- Pour in 1 cup water and deglaze the bottom of the pressure cooker by scraping all the bits off with a wooden spoon.
- Stir in remaining ingredients. Close and seal vent. Select high pressure and set time for 5 minutes. When cooking time is complete, let the pressure naturally release for 10 minutes.
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