Crock Pot Sloppy Joes Recipe (2024)

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Skip the can with these homemade Crock Pot Sloppy Joes! This easy family-friendly meal features ground beef with sweet onions and bell peppers cooked to sweet-and-tangy bubbly perfection.

Crock Pot Sloppy Joes

Sloppy Joes are an American classic, and it doesn't get any better than this Crock Pot Sloppy Joes version.

All of the ingredients are slow cooked to bubbly perfection, allowing all of the sweet, tangy, savory flavors to meld and marry creating heaven in a single bite.

In these Crock Pot Sloppy Joes, ground beef is cooked with sweet onions and bell peppers with tomato sauce, barbecue sauce, and seasonings to create the tangy-sweet flavor we all love about sloppy joes.

Sloppy Joes vs. Manwich

What's the difference between sloppy joes and Manwich? There isn't one, really. Manwich is a pre-made sloppy joe sauce that comes in a can. Some people call sloppy joes "Manwich" because of this. (Kind of like how Kleenex are facial tissues).

How Many Sloppy Joes Per Pound of Ground Beef?

Crock Pot Sloppy Joes are great for feeding a crowd. They're quick, simple, easy to serve, and loved by all. Because they're served on a bun, they also stretch a pretty long way!

The rule of thumb for sloppy joes is that you need about 3 ounces of raw ground meat per person. That means each pound will make 5-6 sloppy joes!

Follow the chart below for feeding a bigger crowd:

  • 10 people = 2 pounds
  • 20 people = 3.5 - 4 pounds
  • 50 people = 9.5 pounds
  • 100 people = 18.5 - 19 pounds

Just multiply the number of people by 3 ounces. Then divide it by 16 to get pounds (because there's 16 ounces in a pound).

What to Serve with Crock Pot Sloppy Joes

I always try to serve meals with meat, starch, and veggie. Since sloppy joes take care of meat and starch (with the bun), a simple green salad goes perfectly!

Other options include crudite (carrots, celery, etc.), coleslaw, potato salad, french fries, onion rings, tater tots, pasta salad, baked beans, mac and cheese, or potato chips.

You can also add toppings, such as pickled jalapenos, bread and butter pickles, a slice of cheese, or a scoop of creamy coleslaw.

More Slow Cooker Recipes You'll Love

  • CrockPot Lasagna Soup - all of the lasagna flavors you love in one warm, comforting bowl of rich, creamy, cheesy soup!
  • Crock Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs - make it all in the slow cooker from cooking the meatballs to the noodles!
  • Mississippi Pot Roast - the easiest roast you'll ever make AND the most delicious!
  • Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff - a classic creamy stroganoff recipe best served over egg noodles.
  • Slow Cooker Meatloaf - our family's favorite meatloaf recipe adapted for the slow cooker.

Crock Pot Sloppy Joes Video

Crock Pot Sloppy Joes Recipe (3)

Crock Pot Sloppy Joes

Skip the can with these homemade Crock Pot Sloppy Joes! This easy family-friendly meal features ground beef with sweet onions and bell peppers cooked to sweet-and-tangy bubbly perfection.

5 from 15 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Crock Pot Sloppy Joes, Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 6 hours hours

Total Time: 6 hours hours 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 12 servings

Calories: 175kcal

Author: Michelle

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 1 bell pepper finely chopped
  • 1 onion finely chopped
  • 3 medium garlic cloves minced
  • 1 (8 ounce) can of tomato sauce
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • ¼ cup barbecue sauce
  • 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Hamburger buns for serving

Instructions

  • In a large skillet, brown ground beef over medium heat, until no longer pink. Drain, and transfer to slow cooker.

  • Add remaining ingredients, except buns, to the slow cooker. Stir to combine.

  • Cook on low for approximately 6-8 hours, until the vegetables are tender soft and all the flavors have meshed together.

  • Serve warm on buns.

Notes

Nutrition facts do not include buns

  • This recipe is naturally dairy free.
  • To make this recipe gluten free, substitute the Worcestershire sauce for coconut aminos or gluten free tamari sauce, and serve on gluten free buns.
  • Cheese please! Serve with a slice of cheese on top for all cheese lovers.
  • Storage directions: Store covered in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
  • Freezer Directions: Cook sloppy joes according to recipe instructions. Allow to cool completely, then transfer to an airtight freezer bag or container. Freeze for up to 3 months. To use, thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat in the microwave in a microwave safe bowl or in a large pot or skillet over medium heat.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 175kcal | Carbohydrates: 8.3g | Protein: 16.3g | Fat: 8.2g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 47.2mg | Sodium: 399mg | Potassium: 84.4mg | Fiber: 0.6g | Sugar: 6.7g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 1mg

Did you make this recipe?I love seeing your creations. Snap a quick photo and mention @TheGraciousWife or tag #thegraciouswife on Instagram! Leave a STAR rating below!

UPDATE INFO: This recipe was originally published in September 2014. It was updated with new pictures, videos, and tips and republished in October 2022.

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Crock Pot Sloppy Joes Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How many pounds of Sloppy Joes do I need for 10 people? ›

Because this easy sloppy joe recipe is loaded with ground beef plus an equal amount of veggies, one pound of ground beef is enough to make 8-10 sloppy joe sandwiches.

What can I add to canned sloppy joe mix to make it taste better? ›

Enhancing canned Sloppy Joe sauce is as simple as stirring in a couple of tablespoons of your favorite salsa. Salsa seamlessly complements Sloppy Joe sauce for a couple of reasons. First, both are tomato-based sauces, ensuring a harmonious blend of flavors.

Should you drain meat before adding Sloppy Joe sauce? ›

Sloppy Joe Tips

We suggest draining the browned beef, because excess grease serves as a barrier to sloppy joe seasonings.

What toppings do you put on Sloppy Joes? ›

Garnish with shredded lettuce, chopped tomato, shredded pepper-Jack cheese, chopped avocado, pickled or fresh jalapeño slices and chopped cilantro, if desired. Hawaiian Variation: Prepare recipe as directed above, substituting 1/2 cup sweet barbecue sauce for tomato sauce and omitting Worcestershire sauce.

How many pounds of food do I need for 20 people? ›

If the meat is part of a bigger dish, like pasta or curry, plan for 1/4 to 1/3 pound (four to six ounces) per person. That means you'll want at least 2 1/2 pounds of meat if you're planning to have 10 people over to dinner, and 5 or more pounds of meat if you're cooking for 20 guests.

Can you use tomato sauce instead of paste in sloppy joes? ›

You don't have to dash out to the store if you're out of tomato paste; tomato sauce and tomato puree are both an excellent substitute. For every 1 tablespoon of tomato paste needed, use 3 tablespoons of tomato puree or sauce.

What's the difference between a sloppy joe and a sloppy Jane? ›

The stuffed pepper sloppy joe is another combo that mixes the sandwich with another popular dish, swapping buns for bell peppers. If you're aiming to eat a lower-fat diet, then consider fixing yourself a sloppy jane. This variant on the sloppy joe swaps out regular ground beef for leaner beef.

What is the difference between sloppy joes and manwich? ›

What is the difference between Manwich and Sloppy Joes? Sloppy Joes are the sandwich, while Manwich is the store-bought canned sloppy joe sauce, produced by ConAgra Foods and Hunt's. While the brand markets this product as a quick and easy one-pan meal, I strongly recommend you make the sauce from scratch.

How to keep sloppy joes from getting soggy? ›

Sloppy Joe Tips and Tricks

As we said below, a key step here is placing the buns inside-up on a baking sheet and placing them under a broiler until they're golden brown. This will toast the inside of the bun, preventing the buns from getting soggy and gross.

How do I thicken my sloppy joes? ›

Baking soda helps keep the ground beef moist and tender, and incorporating baking soda into the finely chopped onion causes the onion to soften rapidly so it nearly melts into the sauce. Cornstarch thickens the sauce and binds up any fat, creating a silky-smooth, cohesive texture.

What is the best side dish for sloppy joes? ›

Roasted vegetables are the best thing to serve with sloppy joes. Choose from options such as a light and refreshing lemon parmesan zucchini to a colourful Grilled Succotash for the perfect sloppy joe pairing.

Is mayo good on a sloppy joe? ›

Spread Mayo or Miracle Whip over toasted hamburger buns top with sloppy joe mix, sliced pickles and sliced cheese.

How much does 5 lbs of ground beef feed? ›

I figure 2 tacos per person, 2oz ground beef raw weight per shell, which comes out to a quarter pound per person, so you'd need 5lbs of ground beef to feed 20 people, more if you want to allow for seconds.

How much beef needed for 10 people? ›

Allow around 375g beef per person, so for four people, you need a joint around 1.5kg, for six, 2.25kg, for eight, 3kg and for 10, 3.75kg.

Is 1lb of meat enough for 4 people? ›

A question we often get is “How much meat do I need?” The starting rule of thumb is: Boneless Meat: 1/2 lb. per person for adults and 1/4 lb. per person for children.

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