Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes
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This Slow Cooker Sloppy Joe recipe is made with better ingredients, packed with protein, and full of incredible flavor. With just a few minutes of prep, the slow cooker handles the rest making it the perfect easy, family-friendly dinner for busy weeknights.
Quick Look: Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes
- 🕒 Total Time: 5 hours, 30 minutes
- 👥 Servings: 6
- 📊 Calories: 448 per serving
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For another delicious slow cooker recipe, be sure to try my Crock Pot Lasagna Soup!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Better Flavor from Better Ingredients - This recipe skips the canned shortcuts and uses simple, better ingredients that create a richer, deeper, and more satisfying sloppy joe flavor. Every bite tastes homemade because it is!
- Easy Prep - Just a little prep and your crockpot takes over. It simmers everything low and slow, giving you a delicious dinner with almost zero effort. Perfect for busy weekdays when you want something hearty without being stuck over the stove.
- Family-Friendly and Crowd-Pleasing - These sloppy joes are a hit with kids and adults alike. It's one of those meals everyone can get behind and it's great for leftovers, meal prep, or feeding a crowd.
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Select Ingredients
- Lean Ground Beef - I like 93% lean or leaner to keep the fat content down. You can swap this with ground turkey if you'd like, but you may want to boost more flavor with extra spices.
- Salt - I use ¼ teaspoon salt in this recipe, but you'll get plenty of salt from the condiments and tomato sauce. Feel free to omit the salt to lower the sodium content.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Make sure to try my Crockpot Chicken Philly Sandwiches for another slow cooker sandwich option! It's a high protein, family favorite in my house!
Recipe Tips & Variations
➡️ Swap the Protein - Ground turkey and chicken both work beautifully and keep this recipe high in protein. Just aim for similar fat content so the texture stays saucy and rich.
➡️ Make It Lower Carb - If you want to cut down on carbs, skip the bun and serve your sloppy joe mixture over cauliflower rice, zucchini noodles, or by itself with a simple green salad. It still tastes amazing and stays super filling.
➡️ Adjust the Sweetness - Everyone likes their sloppy joes a little different but I think the sweetness is perfect in this recipe. However if you prefer a sweeter or less sweet sauce, modify the brown sugar content to your liking!
How to Make Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes
Step 1: Combine all spices into a large bowl and combine thoroughly with mixture
Step 2: Form into ball shape with your hands
Step 3: Press into patties
Step 4: Cook in oven for x minutes at 400 degrees
Recipe FAQs
Yes! This recipe is perfect for meal prep. The flavors actually get even better after a day or two in the fridge. Make a batch, store it in an airtight container, and enjoy quick lunches or dinners throughout the week.
Yes! Ground turkey and chicken both work great. Just choose a similar fat content to keep the texture rich and saucy.
Serve the sloppy joe mixture without a bun or try it in a lettuce wrap, over cauliflower rice, or paired with a simple veggie side. It's still filling and full of flavor.
Check out my meal planning app Wholesome Meals Made Easy for more easy, healthy recipes your whole crew will actually love. It's like having a dietitian in your back pocket - quick, balanced, and family-approved!
More High Protein Slow Cooker Recipes
If you tried these Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below! Thanks for visiting today!
Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lb 93% lean ground beef
- 16 oz Tomato sauce
- ½ cup Ketchup
- 2 tablespoon Brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Mustard
- ½ teaspoon Garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Onion powder
- ½ teaspoon Paprika
- ¼ teaspoon Salt and pepper each
- 6 Hamburger buns
- 6 slice Cheese
- 18 slices pickles optional
Instructions
- If needed, grease a large skillet. You may not need to if you're using a non-stick skillet.
- Place ground beef in the pan and season it with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Break up with a spoon and cook until browned.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine tomato sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce until fully mixed.
- Transfer the cooked meat to the slow cooker along with the sauce mixture. Stir well and cover with lid.
- Cook on high for 3 hours or low for 6 hours.
- Spoon meat onto hamburger buns, top with cheese and pickles, then serve!
We just made these last night and they were a hit! I love how high protein they are and how the flavors taste so much fresher compared to the can mixes!