This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please see the disclosure for more information.
I have been a huge fan of anything Sloppy Joe since I was a kid. Back then I thought there was only one way to make Sloppy Joes: open a can, warm the sauce, slop it on a bun. Well, times have changed and so have my Sloppy Joes. These slow cooker Sloppy Joes put that canned stuff to shame. Rich flavorful tomato sauce with a little kick. I loved the combination of ground beef with breakfast sausage. Different. Perfect. And all so easy to make using a slow cooker.
This is not a copycat of the canned classic. But guess what? I’ve made one! Why? Because I love it too! So yeah, you need to too! Click here for my copycat recipe for Manwich Sloppy Joes!
Add Some Crunchy Contrast
I topped my slow cooker Sloppy Joes with a tangy vinegar-based Delta coleslaw. I liked the crunchy contrast. The vinegar in the slaw complimented the vinegar in the meat sauce. I think a creamy coleslaw would have made the sandwiches too creamy.
I never thought I’d say that but like I said, my Sloppy Joe game has risen to a whole new level now. This recipe took what I thought was a dish I’d left behind to something I was anxious to make time and time again. Now that’s saying something!
- Generous Capacity: 7-quart slow cooker that…
- Cooking Flexibility: High or low slow cooking…
This recipe calls for browning the meats first. I think that’s important to pretty much any crockpot recipe. I want my meat to have a bit of a texture. And a little color. If I just added it to the slow cooker it wouldn’t have either. It’s worth the extra few minutes (and cleanup) to brown it first. Plus, it gives me a chance to drain off any fat if I need to.
Also try my delicious Bayou version of these sandwiches and my kid’s version, too!
Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef
- 1 pound ground pork breakfast sausage I used spicy
- 1 small onion chopped
- ½ medium green bell pepper chopped
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- ½ cup water plus more if needed
- ½ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup brown sugar packed
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons prepared yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 8 hamburger buns toasted if desired
Instructions
- Crumble the beef and sausage into a Dutch oven over medium-high heat and cook until just starting to brown.
- Add the onion and bell pepper and continue cooking until the meats are done. Drain any excess fat.
- Transfer meat mixture to a slow cooker on low heat.
- Stir in all of the remaining ingredients except for the buns.
- Cook on low for 4 hours, stirring occasionally. Add more water, a little at a time, if the mixture gets too thin.
- Serve over toasted buns.
Notes
Nutrition
- Package Includes: Six (6) Reynolds Kitchens Slow…
- Easy Cleanup: These strong, reliable slow cooker…