by HollyThese Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes are the perfect way to feed a crowd because they can be prepared up to 24 hours in advance. Ground beef and peppers are cooked in the Crock Pot in a quick zesty sauce for a family favorite meal that’s ready when you are!
Sloppy Joes has been a long time favorite around here, in fact, my husband requested them as his birthday dinner last month! :)
For years I made the canned variety of sauce, not realizing how easy (and delicious) they are to make homemade. A simple mixture of ground beef, onion, green pepper simmered in a quick sauce made of ingredients you likely already have on hand!
While you can make sloppy joes on the stove top fairly quickly, I love this crock pot version because I can prep everything as far as 24 hours in advance. I find that the beef is more tender and the flavor is better if it’s simmered all day. Not to mention, it’s perfect to come home to after soccer practice so we aren’t waiting for dinner.
Note: For those of you that have asked about the chopper used in the video, you can find info on it here or get it on Amazon here!
If you are planning a party or gathering, these Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes are the perfect meal to serve. Not only does everyone love them, you can have everything prepped and ready long before your guests arrive.
The day of my party, I just simple pop it in my crock pot and a few hours later a meal is ready when we are! Once it’s cooked you can turn your slow cooker to warm and leave it for people to serve themselves as they’re ready to eat (and slider buns make a great addition to the table as well)!
I use a lean ground beef and drain it before adding it to the slow cooker however this recipe does work well with ground turkey (I sometimes add a beef boullion cube just to add a little bit more flavor if using turkey).
If you’re not familiar with chili sauce, it is delicious. It is a zesty sauce (it’s not spicy) similar to ketchup but less sweet and has way more flavor. I use it to top my meatloaf (mixed 50/50 with ketchup) or mixed 50/50 with barbecue sauce for the best rib sauce ever!
When cooking a single batch of this recipe, I use a 4 QT slow cooker however if you’re doubling it for a crowd, I’d recommend a 6QT slow cooker. And if you’re taking this on a camping trip or would like to prepare ahead of time, you can put all ingredients in a plastic freezer bag or container until it is ready to cook.
SLOW COOKER SLOPPY JOES
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1 large onion chopped
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/3 cup chili sauce
- 1 1/2 cups chopped green bell pepper
- 1 cup celery chopped
- 1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 3 tablespoons prepared mustard
- 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- rolls for serving
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Instructions
- Brown ground beef, onion, and garlic until no pink remains. Drain any fat.
- Place beef in a 4 qt slow cooker. Add remaining ingredients (except rolls) and stir to combine.
- Cook on low 6-7 hours or high 3-4 hours.
- Serve over rolls or slider buns.
Recipe Notes
(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)
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I wouldn’t make any changes to this recipe because while it was good, it wasn’t good enough to want leftovers. I had to leave out tomato paste, celery and replace Worcestershire with a little soy sauce and liquid smoke. I thought it was very good initially, just wasn’t enthused with the leftovers. Stick to the recipe, don’t be like me. ;)
Thanks for sharing LL!
Trying to receive your recipes by email and am instructed to click the link I was just sent. Cannot find link HELP!
Have you checked your spam mailbox? If you still don’t see it, please email submissions@spendwithpennies.com and we can help you out Lois!
hello Holly and happy new year! how to make this recipe on the stove top? Dying to try it and don’t own a slow cooker.
Many thanks
You can make this on the stove top as well. After browning meat, onion and garlic, mix together all sauce ingredients and add to the mixture. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to medium. Let bubble approximately 7-9 minutes or until thickened. Enjoy!
Had a family get together as we cleaned out our childhood home. Wanted something easy quick and tasty when I came across your sloppy joe recipe. Fabulous! Everyone loved them and wanted the recipe. Tastiest and most satisfying “joes” ever.
I’m so glad your family loved them, sloppy joes is one of my husband’s all time favorites!
I was reluctant to get hooked on this recipe because there are SO many ingredients but it is worth it. The best sloppy joes you will ever make!
So glad you loved them Diane!
I had family from out of town visiting and I wanted to make something in the crockpot that everyone would like. Came across your sloppy joe recipe. It was very delicious!! Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome Shari! Glad you loved the recipe!
OMG! WOW this is a wonderful recipe Holly!!! My husband and I have gave up Sloppy Joe’s for over a year now. Tried so many other recipe’s and they just never met our taste. Came across your website 2 weeks ago and tried one of your other recipe’s, ( Taco Tater Tot Casserole) my husband and I were very pleased with that dish. So when I found you had a Sloppy Joe recipe I just had to try it. We now have found the taste we have been looking for. There’s only the two of us but made the recipe exactly as shown. So glad I did, now we have leftovers for lunch tomorrow. We’ll never miss having Sloppy Joe’s again. Thank you Molly!
Yay, I’m so glad you loved them, my husband LOVES this recipe too! :)
Served at a ladies luncheon today and it was delicious!
I’m so glad everyone enjoyed it!
I made this for a crowd, doubled the recipe. Everyone loved it! Has a little kick to it but super nice favor. Thanks for the recipe!
I used to make chili with these ingredients a long time ago, i lost the recipe… so to try to do it again should i use a tomato paste or sauce ? I know i used diced tomatoes and i believe i added some garlic powed or onion powder.. maybe both lol along with beans of course . Does this sound about right to convert sloppy Joes to chili ? My kids like the sloppy joe taste with the added cozy feeling of a chili type !!! I dont remeber the measurements of them either . Do you have any thoughts.
I’ve only made the recipe as written with tomato paste, to make a chili you’d want to add tomato sauce or pasta sauce (less tart). Let us know how it goes for you!!
Best sloppy joes ever!! Husband ate four and never eats more than two. This is my new go to recipe for joes. Changed one thing – used equal amounts of poblano and green pepper for the 1-1/2 cups. Very good, gave it a little kick. Thank you
How many does this serve? Ditto on your Best Cole Slaw recipe. Your recipes don’t include number of servings.
Thanks.
The number of servings is listed just below the recipe image. This recipe makes 10 servings.
I love this meal too!! So yummy & amazing delicious recipe. Thanks for sharing such a delicious recipe.
I made a modified version of this last night. Because I didn’t have all the ingredients on hand, I halved the recipe (only three of us). 1 lb hamburger browned, half onion chopped, 3/4 yellow pepper chopped, 1 cup catchup, a splash of apple cider vinegar, a splash of Worcestershire, dumped in some garlic powder and chili powder.
Honestly, it didn’t need more than that. My daughter loved it. My husband came home late for work and gobbled down two sandwiches. I am making this again!
Thank you for the suggestions, glad it worked for you so well.
How does this freeze once prepared?
This sounds delicious! I’m cooking for just my husband and myself so I would cut the recipe in half and was wondering if I would still cook it for 6 hrs on low.
Delish! Hubby said please make this again! I didn’t have chile sauce so I just left it out and this was very tangy and flavorful!
Awesome! Glad that you and your husband liked it!
Can I use regular white vinegar ? I have everything else but the cider vinegar. Would love to get it started today. Thhanks
White vinegar should work fine.
I love not special foods for special occasions, my wife requested a pork pie instead of a birthday cake 8 years ago and it is a tradition that has stuck ever since ;) These sloppy Joes look awesome, They are nor something we see in Europe so gotta give them a try.
I love that pork pie is your birthday tradition! :) Enjoy Brian… we love these!
Sounds like a perfect meal for this weekend. I love sloppy Joes and do the kids!
We love them too! Enjoy your weekend!
I love set it and forget it type of slow cooker recipes and this looks delicious!
I’m all about the “prep ahead” too! :)
Okay– I know what’s going on my menu!! Gotta make these for the fam ASAP.
Nothing beats a good sloppy joe for dinner! I love them in the crock pot!
I agree, the slow cooker just makes them so flavorful!