Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes
A hands-off, kid-approved dinner made with ground beef, tomato sauce, and a sweet-savory seasoning blend. Just toss it in the slow cooker and come home to comfort food perfection.
Equipment
- Slow cooker For set-it-and-forget-it cooking
- Skillet Optional, for browning beef
- Mixing bowl For combining sauce ingredients
- Wooden spoon or spatula To stir ingredients together
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs Ground beef
- 1 medium Onion, diced
- 15 oz Can tomato sauce
- 1 cup Ketchup
- ¼ cup Brown sugar
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp Yellow mustard
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
- ½ tsp Chili powder (optional)
- 1 to taste Salt and pepper
- 6 pieces Hamburger buns
Instructions
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown ground beef, breaking it up. Drain excess fat. (Optional)
- Dice onion and add it to the slow cooker.
- In a bowl, whisk together tomato sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
- Add ground beef and sauce mixture to the slow cooker and stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours or high for 3–4 hours.
- Shred beef slightly with forks for a tender texture (optional).
- Spoon the sloppy joe filling onto toasted hamburger buns and serve hot.
Notes
For a spicier version, add cayenne or hot sauce. To reduce sweetness, cut back on brown sugar or substitute honey/maple syrup. Sneak in extra veggies like diced bell peppers or carrots. Toast buns for best texture. Freeze leftovers up to 3 months.