Skip the Can—These Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes Are So Much Better Recipe
These Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes are a delicious and easy-to-make twist on the classic sandwich, using simple ingredients without canned tomato products. Ground beef is combined with soaked bread for extra tenderness, sautéed with onions and garlic, then slow-cooked in a tangy-sweet tomato sauce, resulting in a comforting and flavorful meal perfect for family dinners.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Meat Mixture
- 2 slices white bread
- ¼ cup milk
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 2 lbs ground beef
Sautéed Vegetables
- 2 onions, chopped (about 2 cups)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
Sauce
- 1 (15 oz) can crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce
- 1 cup ketchup
- 4 teaspoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/8 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Combine bread and ground beef: Tear the white bread into pieces and place them in a large bowl. Add milk, salt, and pepper, then mash the mixture together with a fork until well combined. Add the ground beef and use your hands to thoroughly mix the bread and meat together for a tender meat base.
- Sauté onions and garlic: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onions and cook until they are softened, about 6-8 minutes. Add the minced garlic and chili powder, cooking for an additional minute to release their flavors.
- Cook the beef: Add half of the ground beef mixture to the skillet and cook until no longer pink. Then add the remaining ground beef and continue cooking until all beef is browned and cooked through. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
- Add tomato base and transfer to slow cooker: Stir in the crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce with the beef and onions, then transfer everything to the slow cooker.
- Add remaining sauce ingredients: To the slow cooker, add ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir everything to combine well with the beef mixture.
- Slow cook the mixture: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 2-3 hours. During cooking, skim off any excess grease from the surface to keep the dish balanced.
- Final seasoning and serving: Taste the sloppy joe mixture and add additional salt and pepper if needed. Stir well and serve the hot sloppy joe mixture piled on hamburger buns for a classic comfort meal.
Notes
- Using bread soaked in milk helps keep the beef mixture moist and tender.
- You can adjust the level of heat by increasing or omitting the hot sauce and chili powder.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, uncover the slow cooker for the last 30 minutes to reduce excess liquid.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and freeze nicely for up to 2 months.
- For a lower fat option, use lean ground beef or substitute ground turkey.
