Homemade Sloppy Joes (Crock Pot Friendly!)
Learn how easy it is to make Homemade Sloppy Joes from scratch! This delicious sauce has a perfect blend of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors. Your family will request this 30 minute meal every week!
Be sure to try my Creamy Beef and Shells and Meatballs and Gravy Recipes next!
Homemade Sloppy Joes
When it comes to easy ground beef recipes, this one just jumped right to the top of my favorites list.
I did some serious recipe testing to ensure that no ingredient overpowered another. (And that each ingredient was necessary. Trust me, everything is in perfect harmony.)
Some recipes call for as much as 3/4 cup of ketchup. I prefer to use tomato sauce, a little ketchup, and some apple cider vinegar for just the right balance of tomato flavor and acidity.
The yellow mustard adds depth of flavor, and the brown sugar adds a hint of sweetness, (but not too much). And of course, savory Worcestershire sauce balances it all out.
Ingredients
- Olive Oil
- Ground Beef- 85% lean
- Yellow Onions
- Garlic- Mince fresh garlic at home for best results
- Tomato Sauce
- Tomato Paste
- Yellow Mustard
- Ketchup
- Brown Sugar
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Hot Sauce- Optional
- Salt/Pepper
Optional Additions include celery, bell peppers, and ground turkey or chicken instead of beef.
How to Make it
Brown the top and bottom of the ground beef prior over high heat before breaking it up and cooking the middle. The texture will be similar to that of a hamburger and it’s very good in Sloppy Joes.
Cook and crumble the beef and add the onions until softened. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
Add the tomato sauce and tomato paste.
Add the remaining ingredients and heat until thickened.
Don’t let the sauce reduce too much, especially if you’re going to reheat leftovers.
Serve with toasted hamburger buns.
Crock Pot Method
Prepare the ground beef, onions, and garlic on the stove top as instructed. Drain any excess grease as needed.
PRO TIP: I like to use this slow cooker as you can brown meat right on the stove top with it.
Add the meat to the Crock Pot along with all remaining ingredients. (Minus the buns.)
Cook on low for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally if possible. Serve on toasted hamburger buns.
Storage
Refrigerator:
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezer:
Store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. This makes a great freezer food. Defrost in the microwave or overnight in the refrigerator.
To reheat:
Microwave or reheat in a saucepan on the stove top. Optional: Add a little more tomato sauce and water or beef broth if you would like it saucier once reheated.
Leftover Suggestions
- Leftovers taste great over Homemade French Fries with easy cheese sauce. (Or in a grilled cheese!)
What To Serve with Sloppy Joes
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- Homemade French Fries
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- Baked Potato Wedges
-
- Skillet Potatoes
-
- One Pot Broccoli Mac & Cheese
-
- Corn Casserole
-
- Homemade Onion Rings
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Homemade Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb. ground beef, 85% lean
- ½ yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 oz. can tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
- 2 Tablespoons ketchup
- 1 Tablespoons packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons hot sauce, optional*
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
For Serving
- 4 Hamburger buns, toasted
Instructions
- Add the oil to a large nonstick skillet over high heat.
- Add the beef but don’t break it apart yet. Allow a dark brown crust to develop on the bottom of the meat, about 4 minutes. This gives it a hamburger-like texture.
- Flip the beef and allow a crust to develop on the reverse side.
- Once browned, reduce heat to medium-high.
- Add the onions and break the beef apart. Allow the beef to finish cooking through. Drain any excess grease if necessary.
- Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Add all remaining ingredients. And stir until heated through and thickened slightly. Don't let the sauce reduce too much, especially if you're going to reheat leftovers.
- Serving suggestion: Spread butter over the top and bottom of your burger buns and toast them on a griddle or large skillet prior to serving. This adds nice flavor/texture and prevents the buns from becoming soggy.
- For the Crock Pot: Prepare the ground beef/onions/garlic on the stove top as instructed above. Transfer to the Crock Pot and stir in remaining ingredients. heat on low for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally if possible. Serve with toasted hamburger buns.
Video
Notes
Crock Pot Method
- Prepare the ground beef, onions, and garlic on the stove top as instructed. Drain any excess grease as needed.
- PRO TIP: I like to use this slow cooker as you can brown meat right on the stove top with it.
- Add the meat to the Crock Pot along with all remaining ingredients. (Minus the buns.)
- Cook on low for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally if possible. Serve on toasted hamburger buns.
*I use Texas Pete Hot Sauce but any variety will work!
Feel free to top each with a slice of American cheese, or work some Velveeta cheese into the meat mixture itself!
Optional Additions:
Bell Peppers, Celery
Not a review…just a question what kind of rolls are you using in that recipe??? They look delicious! Also, no bell pepper??? I will have to try your recipe…looks yummy!
Hey Pamela! I used Kaiser rolls from the bakery section of my grocery store! 🙂 And you can *absolutely* add a finely diced red or green bell pepper to this! 🙂 Enjoy, can’t wait for you to try it!
Wow, what a recipe! Growing up, I never acquired a taste for Sloppy Joes (probably because it never tasted THIS delicious!); however it is one of my Husband’s favorite sandwiches so I decided to give this a whirl. I dove into this meal especially confident knowing it’s from Stephanie’s kitchen. OH MAN, this is the most perfect, hot sandwich I’ve ever eaten. Just thinking of how savory these Sloppy Joes taste is making my mouth water. You MUST give them a try! Perfect combination of flavor(s) and the meat/sauce balance is just right. Easy, fun meal to cook (I made on stovetop.)
Another great aspect I’d like to mention is I already had all of the ingredients on hand. I just love a recipe that doesn’t require a special trip to the grocery store for one or two oddball items (I can see maybe the apple cider vinegar, but fortunately I already had a bottle in my pantry for occasions such as this!) We made these just four days ago and I am already in the kitchen now prepping the ingredients to cook again 🙂 Thank you.
I’m so happy you liked this one and found it easy to make!!! It’s one of my husbands favorite sandwiches too!😃 Thanks so much for the great review and comments!😃