Crockpot Sloppy Joes

Sweet, tangy, and savory flavors sandwiched between a bun make these easy crockpot sloppy joes an absolute staple and a budget friendly meal to boot!

Why this recipe works

Crockpot sloppy joes are seriously simple to make. We’ll brown the ground beef and veggies quickly before tossing everything in the slow cooker to work its magic. That’s all there is to it. I typically opt for slow cooker sloppy joes when we’re hosting because you can easily double the recipe without having to add too much extra work. That’s my kind of meal.

This crockpot version comes from our classic sloppy joe recipe made in a skillet. You can also make instant pot sloppy joe if that’s your preferred cooking device!

Ingredients you will need

Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions

GROUND BEEF – We prefer to use 85% lean ground beef, but feel free to use what you like best. You can easily substitute the ground beef for ground turkey for a leaner alternative.

SAUCE – Our sauce is made from brown sugar, mustard, and ketchup. If you like your sloppy joes with a bit of a kick you can always add a dash or two of hot sauce, a can of green chiles, or diced jalapenos to the mixture. As mentioned below, we also add Worcestershire sauce, but this is optional for additional flavor and you’re welcome to omit it if preferred.

How to Make Crockpot Sloppy Joes

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

1. Brown ground beef (see my full guide to browning) in a skillet with onion and green pepper. Drain off excess fat.
2. Place ground beef in the crockpot. Add garlic powder, yellow mustard, ketchup, brown sugar, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together.
   
   TIP – Some people like to use Worcestershire sauce for added flavor. It does add more sodium so we made it optional in this recipe. If you would like to use it, add a few shakes to the ground beef mixture.
   
   
3. Cover crockpot and cook on low for 4 hours.
4. Serve on sandwich buns.

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips

Store cooled leftovers in an air-tight container kept in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat the sloppy joe mixture on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water to help moisten if needed.

Yes, leftover sloppy joe mixture can be frozen for 3-4 months. Allow the mixture to fully cool before transferring it to an air-tight container or freezer bag. Thaw in the refrigerator.

If desired, you can brown the beef, onion, and green pepper ahead of time then allow it to cool before transferring it to a container. Store in the refrigerator a day in advance (or freeze for later). Then simply pop it into the crockpot along with the other ingredients and cook as normal.

Serving Suggestions

There ya have it, the best crockpot sloppy joes we’ve ever sunk our teeth into. Serve them with french fries, sweet potato fries, potato chips, tater tots, or potluck sides such as coleslaw, potato salad, or pasta salad. Don’t forget the pickle on the side!

More Sloppy Joe Recipes

• Sloppy Joe – in a skillet!
• Bacon Sloppy Joes
• Instant Pot Sloppy Joes
• Sloppy Joe Cornbread Casserole
• One Pot Sloppy Joe Pasta

Looking for more ground beef ideas? See our collection of 90 best ground beef recipes here.

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