Description
A comforting and effortless slow cooker sloppy joes recipe featuring tender ground beef simmered in a tangy, sweet, and savory sauce. Perfect for busy nights, potlucks, and family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450g) ground beef (85% lean)
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup (240ml) tomato sauce (plain or lightly seasoned)
- ½ cup (120ml) ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4–6 burger buns, soft and slightly toasted
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring, until softened and fragrant.
- Stir in tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Combine well.
- Pour the beef and sauce mixture into the slow cooker insert and spread evenly.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours. For a quicker option, cook on high for 3 hours (texture may be less tender).
- About 30 minutes before serving, uncover and stir. If sauce is too thin, cook uncovered on high to thicken. If too thick, add a splash of water or broth.
- Lightly toast burger buns. Spoon sloppy joe mixture generously onto each bun. Add optional toppings like pickles, cheese, or coleslaw. Serve immediately.
Notes
Brown the beef before slow cooking to add depth of flavor and avoid greasy sauce. Drain excess fat. Adjust sweetness and tang by tasting before serving. Toast buns slightly to prevent sogginess. Leftovers store well in fridge for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-6 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 sandwich
- Calories: 450
- Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 25
Keywords: slow cooker sloppy joes, easy sloppy joes, ground beef recipe, comfort food, family dinner, crockpot sloppy joes