These Crock Pot Sloppy Joes are only 15 minutes hands on time! These homemade sloppy joes are the perfect dinner recipe to come home to.
With three kids in about 97 activities each, family dinner time is a hot commodity. Gone are the days that felt forever long, and here we are at that time in parenting where every moment of them being home feels precious. I love our family time together so much, and that so often means coming together, even just for a short time, around the table.
When time feels both fleeting and precious, crockpot meals are something that come in a clutch. These Crockpot Pot Sloppy Joes are just such a meal. While they don’t necessarily save much more prep time than my Homemade Sloppy Joe recipe, they are a great meal for when you can’t be standing at the stove checking on a dish.
My kids love this recipe! I hope your family loves it too.
The best Sloppy Joe’s you’ll ever eat! And your house smells wonderful while they’re cooking. Highly recommend this recipe!
How to Make Crock Pot Sloppy Joes
This is a brief overview of this easy dinner recipe. For the full recipe with all of the measurements, see the recipe card at the bottom of the post. You can either scroll there, or click to the jump to the recipe button at the top of the page.
- Brown the meat. You will want to break up the meat and brown it slightly in a skillet before adding it to the slow cooker. It doesn’t need to be cooked all the way through though. Drain any grease.
- Combine the ingredients for the sauce in the slow cooker. Stir together the tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, mustard, salt, and ground pepper.
- Add the rest of the ingredients. Stir in the browned meat, peppers, and onions.
- Cook on low for four hours or on high for two hours. Serve on buns and enjoy.
Homemade Sloppy Joes
Turkey or Beef
Both ground turkey and ground beef work great in this recipe. It is simply a matter of personal preference. If you are using ground turkey, you will want to spray the skillet you use with cooking spray (if it is non stick) or add some olive to the pan (if it isn’t non stick), before breaking it up and browning it. If you are using ground beef, you do not need to add anything to the pan first.
Sloppy Joe Sauce
You are going to love this sloppy joe sauce recipe. It comes together easily in the base of the slow cooker, and the flavor of it is just right.
Ingredients
- Canned Tomato Sauce: This is just tomatoes that have had their peels, pulp, and skin removed and then are pureed. This is different than spaghetti sauce or marinara sauce, which is the combination of other ingredients and seasonings.
- Worcestershire sauce: This gives the sauce a nice tang that deepens the flavor.
- Ketchup: This is a staple in so many sloppy joe recipes and it adds more tang and a little sweetness too.
- Brown Sugar: This will add to the sweetness with the addition of a nice molasses flavor.
- Spices: The addition of ground mustard, salt, and pepper round off the sauce perfectly.
Sloppy Joes for a Crowd
Another thing I love about this sloppy joe recipe is that it is easy to double or triple. This recipe makes about 6 sloppy joes. If you are serving a crowd, just double or triple the recipe and add 1 hour each time you add on another 6 sloppy joes worth.
In other words:
- To make 12 sloppy joes, you will need 2 pounds of meat, 5 hours on low or 2 1/2 hours on high.
- To make 18 sloppy joes, you will 3 pounds of meat, 6 hours on low or 3 hours on high.
When you double or triple your meat, don’t forget to do the same to the other ingredients.
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers of the sloppy joe mix should be stored in an airtight container for up to five days in your refrigerator. Please keep in mind that you should not make them into sloppy joe sandwiches before storing them. The bread and the mix should be stored separately.
Freezing Leftovers
This sloppy joe recipe freezes really well. Pour into an airtight container after cooling. Leave about an inch at the top to give room for expanding. Freeze for up to three months for the best results.
As with all leftovers, use your best discretion.
What to Serve with Sloppy Joes
While these are cooking away in your slow cooker, here are some great sides that can be made in the oven to serve with these homemade sloppy joes.
- These Baked Potato Wedges only have three ingredients and are a huge hit!
- I find myself recommending this Roasted Cauliflower recipe all the time because my kiddos love it so much. And squeezing more veggies in always makes me feeling like I’m winning.
- And if you really need some comfort with your Crock Pot Sloppy Joes, make these Cheesy Potatoes!
Like these but want a different spin? Try my Italian Sloppy Joes!
If you make this Crock Pot Sloppy Joe recipe or any of my other recipes, please leave me a comment and let me know what you think! I love hearing from you!
Crock Pot Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey or ground beef read more here (453.59 grams)
- 1 green bell pepepr diced
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 15 ounces tomato sauce (425 grams)
- 1/4 cup ketchup (59.14 ml)
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
Instructions
- Spray your crock pot with cooking spray and set aside.
- Place a large skillet over medium heat. (If using ground turkey, spray it lightly with cooking spray.) Once the skillet is warm, add the ground meat and cook, breaking it up for 5 to 7 minutes or until browned. No need to cook it all the way through. Drain off any excess grease.1 pound ground turkey or ground beef
- As the meat is cooking, dice your green bell pepper and onion.1 green bell pepepr, 1 small yellow onion
- In the base of the crock pot combine the tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, ground mustard, salt, and ground pepper. Whisk to combine.15 ounces tomato sauce, 1/4 cup ketchup, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
- Add the meat, onion, and the bell pepper to the crock pot. If using beef, drain the fat first. Stir to combine.
- Cook on low for 4 hours or on high for 2 hours. Serve on buns and enjoy!
Notes
Vera says
Thanks for sharing another great recipe, GOD BLESS and it again, because I mean it
You’re welcome, Vera!