Best Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes (Easy Dump-and-Go Recipe)

We all have a soft spot for the classic flavors of a great sloppy joe, but letting the slow cooker handle the work takes this childhood favorite to a whole new level. This recipe features a rich and savory ground beef mixture that gets just a little bit of sweetness as it simmers for hours. By the time you are ready to eat, every bite is packed with deep, developed flavor. Piling that mixture onto a soft bun with a slice of melty cheese is the ultimate way to end a busy day. It is a crowd-pleasing meal that is without a doubt the easiest way to serve this American classic.

Get ready to master the ultimate comfort food classic, a recipe so simple and delicious, it’s destined to become a staple in your family’s meal rotation.

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Why This Will Be Your Go-To Sloppy Joe Recipe

You are going to be completely amazed by how much incredible flavor you can get from this simple, slow cooker method. This recipe is a true game-changer. Here’s why:

• Deep, Slow-Simmered Flavor: Letting the sauce and beef meld together for hours in the slow cooker creates a rich, complex flavor that a quick stovetop version can’t replicate.
• Incredibly Easy and Convenient: After a quick browning of the beef, this is a true “set it and forget it” meal. Your slow cooker does all the hard work!
• The Ultimate Family-Friendly Comfort Food: The classic sweet and savory flavor is a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults. It’s the perfect, un-fussy meal for a busy night.
• Perfect for a Crowd and for Meal Prep: This recipe is easily doubled to feed a large group and the leftovers are absolutely fantastic, making it a meal prep champion.
• Perfectly Rich, Not Watery: This recipe creates a thick, rich sauce that clings to the beef and stays on the bun, just the way a perfect Sloppy Joe should be.

Recipe Snapshot

Your Shopping List for This Classic Comfort Meal

This crowd-pleasing dinner comes together with a handful of simple pantry staples.

→ For the Sloppy Joes

• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil → For browning the beef.
• 1 ½ pounds ground beef → A lean ground beef (85/15 or higher) is perfect for rich flavor with less grease.
• 16 ounces tomato sauce → The savory, rich foundation of our sauce.
• ½ cup ketchup → Adds that classic tangy sweetness.
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar → For a deep, molasses-like sweetness that balances the tomato.
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce → The secret weapon for a deep, savory, umami flavor.
• Spices: ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder, and ½ tsp smoked paprika for a warm, savory, and smoky flavor profile.
• 1 teaspoon prepared mustard → For a final, sharp, tangy note.
• Salt and pepper to taste → To season everything perfectly.

→ For Serving

• 6 hamburger buns → Soft, classic buns are perfect. Toasted is even better!
• 6 slices yellow American cheese → For that perfect, melty, classic finish.

Let’s Get Cooking! Your Step-by-Step Guide

Ready for the easiest, most delicious Sloppy Joes of your life? Let’s get that skillet and crockpot ready!

Part 1: The All-Important Browning Step

1. Brown the Beef: Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and season it with salt and pepper. Cook for 6-8 minutes, using a wooden spoon to break up the meat, until it’s nicely browned. Drain off any excess grease. This is the most crucial step for deep flavor!

Part 2: The Slow Cook

2. Combine in the Slow Cooker: Transfer the browned beef to your slow cooker. Add all the remaining ingredients: the tomato sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, prepared mustard, and smoked paprika.
3. Stir and Cook: Stir everything together until it’s well combined. Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6 hours or on HIGH for 3 hours.

Part 3: Assemble and Serve

4. The Final Masterpiece: Once the cooking time is up, give the rich, thick meat sauce a final stir.
5. Build Your Joes: Spoon a generous amount of the hot meat mixture onto the bottom half of a hamburger bun. Top with a slice of American cheese, add the top bun, and serve immediately!

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Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes

These classic Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes are the ultimate easy comfort food! Tender ground beef is simmered in a rich, savory, and slightly sweet tomato sauce. A perfect ‘set it and forget it’ weeknight dinner the whole family will love.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 6 hours hrs

Total Time 6 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Servings: 6

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 592

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
• 16 ounces tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon prepared mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• to taste Salt and pepper

For Serving

• 6 hamburger buns
• 6 slices yellow cheese

Equipment

• Slow cooker
• Large pan or skillet
• Wooden Spoon

Method

 

1. Heat the oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 6-8 minutes, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until browned. Drain excess grease.
2. Transfer the browned beef to the slow cooker. Add the tomato sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, prepared mustard, and smoked paprika.
3. Stir everything to combine. Cover and cook on HIGH for 3 hours or on LOW for 6 hours.
4. Spoon the meat sauce onto hamburger buns, top with a slice of cheese, and serve.

Notes

Don’t Skip Browning: For the best, deepest flavor, it is highly recommended to brown the ground beef before adding it to the slow cooker. This step develops a rich, caramelized taste.

Lean is Best: Using extra lean ground beef (85/15 or higher) will result in a less greasy final product. Always drain any excess fat after browning.

For a Thicker Sauce: If you find the sauce too thin at the end, you can make a slurry of 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of cold water. Stir this in and cook on high for the last 15-20 minutes to thicken.

WiseRecipes’ Top Tips for Perfect Sloppy Joes

These simple secrets will ensure your slow cooker meal is a flawless, flavorful triumph.

1. Do NOT Skip Browning the Beef. The recipe notes are right, and I have to say it again! This is the most important step for flavor. Searing the beef creates a deep, caramelized, savory foundation (the Maillard reaction) that a “dump and go” method simply cannot achieve.
2. Always Drain the Grease. After browning the beef, be sure to drain off all the excess fat. Too much grease will make your final sauce oily and, well, too sloppy.
3. Use Lean Ground Beef. Starting with a leaner ground beef (like 85/15 or 90/10) gives you great flavor with much less grease to drain off at the end.
4. For a Thicker Sauce… If your sauce seems a little thin for your liking at the end, you can do one of two things. Either make a simple slurry of 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of cold water and stir it in for the last 30 minutes on high, or simply remove the lid and let it cook on high for the last 30 minutes to reduce.
5. Toast Your Buns! For the ultimate Sloppy Joe experience, take a minute to butter your hamburger buns and toast them in a hot skillet until golden brown. This adds flavor and, more importantly, helps the bun hold up to that delicious, saucy filling.

Keep It Classic! Storing and Freezing Instructions

This recipe is a meal prepper’s dream, and the leftovers are fantastic.

• Refrigerator: Store any leftover meat sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors will get even better overnight!
• Freezer: This Sloppy Joe meat freezes beautifully! Let it cool completely, then portion it into freezer-safe bags or containers. It will keep for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

FAQs: Your Slow Cooker Sloppy Joe Questions, Answered!

Can I make this with ground turkey?

Yes, absolutely! Lean ground turkey or ground chicken are fantastic, lighter substitutes for the ground beef. The cooking process is exactly the same.

Can I add vegetables to this?

Of course! This is a great recipe for sneaking in some extra veggies. Finely chopped bell peppers, celery, or grated carrots can be added to the skillet to cook along with the onion at the beginning.

Can I make this on the stovetop instead of a slow cooker?

You can! After browning the beef and onions, just add all the other ingredients to the same skillet. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for at least 30 minutes (or up to an hour for deeper flavor), stirring occasionally.

Is this recipe very sweet?

It has a classic, balanced sweet-and-savory flavor. If you are sensitive to sweetness, you can reduce the brown sugar to 1 tablespoon or use a ketchup with no added sugar.

Final Thoughts: The Ultimate Comfort Food Classic

There is nothing more satisfying than a meal that is a true taste of childhood comfort, made even easier. This Slow Cooker Sloppy Joe recipe is the perfect embodiment of a simple, hearty, and family-pleasing dinner. It’s a dish that proves that a delicious, home-cooked meal doesn’t have to be complicated. I hope it brings a little bit of happy, messy joy to your dinner table. Happy Cooking!