Slow Cooker Sloppy Joe Sandwiches
Updated on May 15, 2024 by Rodney • This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. • 1 Comment • Jump to Recipe
This easy to make Slow Cooker Sloppy Joe Sandwiches recipe is the perfect way to make Sloppy Joe Sandwiches from scratch!
This easy-to-make Slow Cooker Sloppy Joe Sandwiches recipe does not involve a can! It is totally made from scratch!
I used to love it when my mom would make sloppy joes for dinner when I was a kid. I don’t exactly recall what brand she used but she would pour a can of sloppy joe sauce over some ground beef and serve it on a hamburger bun.
I prefer not to use pre-made canned stuff when I can make it myself. If you plan accordingly, this is the perfect way to make Sloppy Joe sandwiches from scratch.
What’s great about this Sloppy Joe recipe is that you get to use your Slow Cooker so you can prepare this recipe ahead of time on those busy days.
Another alternative for you sloppy joe lovers is my Sloppy Joe Casserole or my Salsa Sloppy Joes. Yummy!
BBQ Sauce
For the BBQ Sauce, you can use whichever brand you like. Personally, I like Sweet Baby Ray’s Honey Barbecue Sauce (no affiliation) but you can use what you have on hand or any flavor you want.
Slow Cooker Tip
Try to resist as much as possible the temptation to open the lid while it’s cooking as the slow cooker loses heat. Just opening the lid to stir the contents can make the internal temperature drop by 10°F to 15°F.
Recipe Tip
You can also add a bit of cornstarch slurry to the meat mixture to thicken it up if desired. I suggest 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and 1 tablespoon of cold water.
How to Handle Raw Beef
- Thaw frozen ground beef on a plate on the lowest shelf of the refrigerator, to avoid dripping onto other foods.
- Keep raw and ready-to-eat meats separate.
- Wash hands thoroughly before and after handling raw ground beef. Wash cutting boards, bowls, and utensils used to prepare raw ground beef with hot soapy water and rinse well.
- Use separate plates to carry raw ground beef patties to the cooking area and cooked patties to the serving area.
- Use a Thermometer to ensure Ground Beef Reaches the Safely Cooked Internal Temperature of 160°F.
Gather your Ingredients
You will need the following ingredients to make this Sloppy Joe Sandwiches recipe. For ingredient amounts please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Lean Ground Beef
- Yellow Onion
- Yellow Mustard
- Ketchup
- BBQ Sauce
- Garlic Powder
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Salt & Pepper
How to Make Sloppy Joe Sandwiches
- Add all the ingredients except the buns to the slow cooker. Mix so that all the ingredients are well combined.
- Cook on high for 3 to 4 hours or on low for 6 to 8 hours, stirring occasionally.
- If the meat mixture starts looking dried out at any time, just add a bit of water to make it juicier. If the mixture is too juicy, leave the lid off of your slow cooker for the last half hour and let some of the liquids evaporate to thicken up.
- Serve up a healthy portion of the sloppy joe mixture on a toasted bun of your choice.
Recipe Video
Printable Recipe Card
Slow Cooker Sloppy Joe Sandwiches
Equipment
Ingredients
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients except the buns to the slow cooker. Mix so that all the ingredients are well combined.
- Cook on high for 3 to 4 hours or on low for 6 to 8 hours, stirring occasionally.
- If the meat mixture starts looking dried out at any time, just add a bit of water to make it juicier. If the mixture is too juicy, leave the lid off of your slow cooker for the last half hour and let some of the liquids evaporate to thicken up.
- Serve up a healthy portion of the sloppy joe mixture on a toasted bun of your choice.
Recipe Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information provided for this recipe is based on 1 serving. This information is an estimate and may vary based on several factors. If nutritional information is important to you and your diet, please verify this recipe with a Registered Dietitian.
This recipe is quick and very affordable. Once in the crockpot there is no need to worry about it. Very tasty and the kids just loved it. A keeper for sure.