Description
Hearty crockpot sloppy joes bring classic comfort to dinner tables with minimal prep. Savory beef simmers in a tangy sauce, creating a delicious meal families will crave and devour together.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 onion
- 1 green bell pepper
Sauces and Seasonings:
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Bread:
- 6 hamburger buns
- 2 cloves garlic
Instructions
- Sauté ground beef with diced onions, minced garlic, and chopped bell peppers in a large skillet over medium-high heat until meat is thoroughly browned and vegetables are tender.
- Carefully drain away excess grease from the meat mixture using a colander to remove unnecessary fat.
- Transfer the seasoned beef and vegetable mixture into the crockpot, spreading it evenly across the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Create a flavor-packed sauce by whisking together ketchup, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, salt, and black pepper directly in the crockpot.
- Gently mix the sauce into the beef mixture, ensuring all ingredients are well combined and coated.
- Cover the crockpot and set to low temperature, allowing the sloppy joe mixture to simmer and develop rich flavors for 4-5 hours.
- Stir the mixture occasionally during cooking to prevent sticking and promote even flavor distribution.
- Once cooking is complete, taste and adjust seasoning if needed with additional salt or pepper.
- Serve the hot, savory mixture generously spooned onto toasted hamburger buns, garnishing with optional toppings like shredded cheese, chopped pickles, or fresh herbs.
Notes
- Opt for lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and create a cleaner, less fatty sloppy joe mixture.
- Sauté vegetables thoroughly before adding to the crockpot to enhance their natural sweetness and develop deeper flavor profiles.
- Experiment with ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives for a lighter, healthier version of this classic comfort dish.
- Add a splash of hot sauce or a pinch of red pepper flakes to elevate the flavor and give the sloppy joes a subtle kick.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours (or 6 hours)
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg