Cody Casey
Sloppy Joes are a family favourite, but can you cook them in a crock pot? The answer is yes! This easy, tasty, and tangy meal is perfect for feeding a crowd and can be made in a crock pot or slow cooker. It's a simple recipe with only a few ingredients, and you can even make it ahead of time and freeze it for later. So, if you're looking for a delicious and convenient meal, crock pot Sloppy Joes are a great option!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ease of preparation | Easy to prepare |
| Tools required | Crockpot or slow cooker |
| Budget-friendly | Add cooked rice or beans to stretch the recipe |
| Serving suggestions | Potato salad, coleslaw, French fries, potato chips, baked beans, tater tots, macaroni salad, macaroni and cheese |
| Main ingredients | Ground beef, chicken, turkey, vegetables, seasonings |
| Variations | Spicy joes with chorizo or sausage, pepperoni pizza sloppy joes |
| Nutritional info per serving | Calories: 187, Carbohydrates: 15g, Protein: 21g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0.3g, Cholesterol: 56mg, Sodium: 514mg, Potassium: 577mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 10g, Vitamin A: 604IU, Vitamin C: 23mg, Calcium: 35mg, Iron: 3mg |
| Storage | Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days or 4 days |
| Freezing | Freeze in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months |
| Recipe yield | 8-16 servings |
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What You'll Learn
Ingredients and preparation
Sloppy Joes are a great meal to cook in a crock pot, especially when you're looking for something quick, easy, and with minimal ingredients. Here is a list of ingredients and step-by-step instructions on how to prepare this delicious meal:
Ingredients:
- Ground beef
- Onion
- Bell pepper
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Salt
- Pepper
- Chili powder
- Garlic powder
- Tomato sauce or paste
- Brown sugar
- Water or beef broth
- Flour (optional)
- Buns for serving
Preparation:
- Set a large skillet on the stovetop and turn it to medium-high heat.
- Once the pan is hot, add the ground beef, onion, and bell pepper.
- Cook the mixture until the beef is browned and cooked through, breaking it up with a spatula or spoon as it cooks.
- Drain any excess grease or fat from the beef mixture.
- If desired, you can add another drizzle of oil to the skillet and sauté the onion and pepper until softened.
- Add garlic and cook for about 30 seconds to a minute.
- Return the beef to the skillet and stir in the tomato paste or sauce, coating the mixture well.
- Add in the remaining ingredients: ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, salt, pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, and water or beef broth. Stir well to combine.
- Transfer the mixture to your crock pot or slow cooker.
- Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 3-6 hours or on high for 2-4 hours, depending on your desired cooking time and crock pot settings.
- Stir the mixture occasionally to prevent burning and add a little water or broth if it starts to dry out.
- Once the cooking time is complete, serve your sloppy joe mixture on toasted hamburger buns with your favourite toppings, such as cheese, pickles, or raw chopped onion.
Tips:
- You can also add other ingredients to the mixture, such as celery, vinegar, or Worcestershire sauce, for additional flavour.
- If you have a multi-use slow cooker, you may be able to brown the beef directly in the crock pot, reducing the number of pans needed.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days and reheated in the microwave or on the stovetop.
- You can also freeze any leftover filling in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months.
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Cooking methods
Sloppy Joes can be cooked in a crock pot, and the process is generally the same across different recipes.
First, brown the ground beef in a skillet on the stovetop. You can also add onions and garlic to the skillet. Once the beef is browned, drain any excess grease and return the beef to the skillet. Then, add the rest of your ingredients, such as tomato sauce or paste, ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, vinegar, and seasonings. Stir everything together.
Transfer the mixture to your crock pot and cook on low for 3 to 6 hours or on high for 2 to 4 hours. The longer cook time will give the sauce a deeper and richer flavor. You can also make this recipe on the stovetop by following the same steps and simmering the mixture for about 30 minutes.
This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to feed a crowd or to freeze for later. It is also customizable, and you can add various ingredients such as beans, rice, or chorizo to make it your own.
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Serving suggestions
Crock Pot Sloppy Joes are a great option for feeding a crowd and can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some serving suggestions:
Buns and Rolls:
Sloppy Joes are typically served on soft buns, such as hamburger buns, slider buns, or dinner rolls. You can toast the buns for added texture and flavour.
Toppings:
Feel free to get creative with toppings! Pickled onions, cheese, pickles, and raw chopped onions are all tasty options. You can also offer a variety of condiments, such as ketchup and mustard, on the side.
Sides:
Crock Pot Sloppy Joes go well with a variety of sides. Some suggestions include French fries, potato chips, potato salad, coleslaw, grilled corn on the cob, or a simple side of vegetables like broccoli. If you want to stretch the meal even further, you can serve it with cooked rice or beans on the side.
Leftovers:
Leftover Sloppy Joe meat can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. Leftovers taste great on baked potatoes, French fries, or sandwich bread.
Healthier Alternatives:
If you're looking for a healthier option, you can use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef. However, it's important to note that the flavour will be different, as the traditional Sloppy Joe flavour is heavily reliant on beef and tomato.
With these serving suggestions, you can easily customise Crock Pot Sloppy Joes to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs.
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Storage and reheating
Sloppy Joes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. To reheat, you can use a stove, microwave, or skillet. You can also freeze leftover Sloppy Joes in zippered bags and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. When reheating frozen Sloppy Joes, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator first, and add a splash of extra sauce or some beef broth/water to prevent the mixture from drying out.
Leftover Sloppy Joes can be used in a variety of ways besides the classic sandwich. Here are some ideas:
- Fries: Spoon Sloppy Joes over crispy fries, especially waffle fries. You can also add cheese to the mix.
- Grilled Cheese: Add some Sloppy Joe meat to a grilled cheese sandwich.
- Burger: Top a big, juicy cheeseburger with Sloppy Joes.
- Crescent Rolls: Roll up the Sloppy Joe mixture in crescent roll dough triangles and bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 12-15 minutes.
- Baked Potato: Fill a baked potato with Sloppy Joe meat, cheddar cheese, and chives.
- Nachos: Use leftover Sloppy Joe sauce as a topping for nachos, along with cheese and sour cream.
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Nutritional information
A recipe from Spend With Pennies provides the following nutritional information for Crock Pot Sloppy Joes, although it is noted that this does not include rolls or buns:
- Calories: 187
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Protein: 21g
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0.3g
- Cholesterol: 56mg
- Sodium: 514mg
- Potassium: 577mg
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 10g
- Vitamin A: 604IU
- Vitamin C: 23mg
- Calcium: 35mg
- Iron: 3mg
Another recipe from The Magical Slow Cooker offers slightly different nutritional information, again noting that it does not include the buns or any toppings:
- Calories: 314kcal
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Protein: 25g
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Cholesterol: 74mg
- Sodium: 1378mg
- Potassium: 801mg
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 20g
- Vitamin A: 645IU
- Vitamin C: 8mg
- Calcium: 44mg
- Iron: 4mg
It is important to note that these values are estimates and may not be entirely accurate. The nutritional content of Crock Pot Sloppy Joes can be adjusted to meet specific dietary needs or preferences by modifying the ingredients and their quantities.
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Frequently asked questions
First, brown the ground beef with onion and garlic in a skillet on the stovetop. Drain any fat. Place the beef mixture in a slow cooker. Add in the remaining ingredients such as ketchup, mustard, tomato sauce, sugar, and seasonings. Stir to combine. Cover and cook on low for 3-6 hours or on high for 2-4 hours. Serve on toasted hamburger buns.
You need ground beef, onion, garlic, ketchup, mustard, tomato sauce, sugar, and seasonings. You can also add in vegetables such as bell peppers and celery.
It takes about 3-6 hours to cook on low or 2-4 hours on high. The longer cook time will give you a deeper and richer flavor.
Yes, you can freeze the Sloppy Joe filling. Place the leftover filling in a freezer-safe bag and remove as much air as possible. Flatten it out and freeze for up to 3 months.
