School is back in session and fall is right around the corner. Cozy up with this easy slow cooker sloppy joe that does all the dinner work for you during the day.
School is back in session! I always have mixed emotions at this time of year. Saying goodbye to summer is hard but fall is my favorite time of year. With the season changing I start to look for comfort meals again and these Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes fit the bill perfectly. Easy, family meal that slowly cooks away all day as you work or do chores, errands or a little down time.
I love adding a little melty cheese on top. You just have to run these under the broiler for a minute to get that cheese-a-melting!! The whole family will come running to the table when they find out it is Sloppy Joe night. These have been a family favorite for a hundred years but coming to the name, Joe in the 1930’s! 
Your basic Sloppy Joe is made of ground beef, onions, tomato sauce, ketchup and Worcestershire sauce and served on a hamburg bun. We added a few more ingredients like sausage, green pepper, brown sugar, yellow mustard, chili powder, garlic powder and tomatoes to give our Joe even more flavor! Then we slow cooked it for ease and mellowing to give you this yumminess on a bun!!
This is such a satisfying meal, meaty and cheesy! Make a double batch for game day or any casual party or get together. A Sloppy Joe is great at anytime of year from a backyard BBQ, to back to school or a cold winter night! The beauty is that it is easy and with common ingredients. People can also easily help themselves if served up in a crowd.
Print
Easy Slow Cooker Sloppy Joe
- Total Time: 255 minutes
- Yield: Serves 8
- Diet: Omnivore
Description
Hearty and flavorful sloppy joes, slow-cooked to perfection. A comforting weeknight meal the whole family will love.
Ingredients
- 1 lbs (454 g) extra lean ground beef
- 1 lbs (454 g) sausage meat
- 1 medium onion
- 1 medium green pepper
- 1/2 cup water
- 7 oz (213 ml) tomato sauce
- 16 oz (454 g) diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 Tbsp yellow mustard
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1 Tbsp chili powder
- Salt
- 1/4 cup flour
- 8 hamburg buns
- Cheddar cheese
Instructions
- In a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, add the beef, sausage, onion, and green pepper. Cook until the meat is browned.
- Drain if necessary, then add ½ cup water to scrape up any caramelized bits in the pan while stirring and let evaporate.
- Add this mixture to your slow cooker.
- Add the rest of the ingredients except the flour and stir well.
- Cover and cook slowly on low for 7 hours or on high for 4 hours.
- About 20 minutes prior to finishing, mix the flour with warm water and whisk into the sloppy joes.
- Turn to high and let bubble and thicken.
- Place a large spoonful on the bottom of a hamburger bun.
- Top with cheddar cheese and run quickly under a broiler.
- Top with the other bun and serve.
Notes
- For richer flavor, use a combination of ground beef and pork sausage instead of all beef.
- To prevent overly dry sloppy joes, add an extra ¼ cup of water if the mixture seems too thick during the last hour of cooking.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and reheated on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 240 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Braising
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bun
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 15
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Unsaturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 30
- Cholesterol: 80
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of meat instead of ground beef for this Sloppy Joe recipe?
Yes, you can substitute ground turkey or ground chicken for the ground beef. Just keep in mind that cooking times may vary slightly.
What type of cheese works best for melting on top of the Sloppy Joes?
Cheddar cheese is a great option for melting, but you can also use mozzarella or pepper jack for added flavor.
Do I need to sauté the onions and green peppers before adding them to the slow cooker?
No, you can add the chopped onions and green peppers directly to the slow cooker with the other ingredients, as they will soften and blend during the cooking process.
