Slow Cooker Beef Sloppy Joes (Easy, Hearty & Family-Friendly)
These Slow Cooker Beef Sloppy Joes are the ultimate easy comfort food dinner. Made with lean ground beef, a rich homemade sauce, and simple pantry staples, this recipe delivers bold, classic flavor with minimal effort. The slow cooker does all the work, making it ideal for busy weeknights, meal prep, or feeding a hungry crowd.
Unlike store-bought sloppy joe mixes, this homemade sloppy joe recipe lets you control the sweetness, salt, and spice—resulting in a healthier, more flavorful beef sandwich the whole family will love.
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Sloppy Joe Recipe
Set-it-and-forget-it slow cooker meal – perfect for busy days
Budget-friendly ground beef recipe that feeds a crowd
Rich, saucy, and tender beef after hours of slow cooking
No pork – made entirely with beef
Great for make-ahead meals, game day, or freezer-friendly dinners
Ingredients
2 pounds lean ground beef (85–90%)
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
1 small green bell pepper, finely chopped (optional)
3 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
1 cup ketchup
1/4 cup tomato paste
1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
2 tablespoons yellow mustard
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup beef broth or water
1 teaspoon chili powder (optional, mild heat)
1 teaspoon paprika (smoked or regular)
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (optional, for balance)
6–8 hamburger buns, toasted if desired
Butter for toasting buns (optional)
Directions
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook the ground beef until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess grease.
Add the onion, green bell pepper (if using), and garlic to the skillet. Cook for 3–4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
Tip: This step adds deeper flavor, but you can skip it and add everything directly to the slow cooker if short on time.
Transfer the beef mixture to the slow cooker, breaking up any large pieces.
In a bowl, whisk together ketchup, tomato paste, brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, beef broth, chili powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and apple cider vinegar until smooth.
Pour the sauce over the beef and stir to coat evenly.
Cover and cook on LOW for 4–6 hours or HIGH for 2–3 hours, stirring once or twice if possible.
If the sauce is too thin, uncover for the last 20–30 minutes to thicken. If too thick, add a splash of broth.
Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Toast the buns with a little butter if desired, then spoon the hot beef sloppy joe mixture onto the buns and serve immediately.
Serving & Storage Tips
Serve with coleslaw, potato wedges, or a simple salad for a complete meal
Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 4 days
Freeze the beef mixture for up to 3 months for quick future dinners
This slow cooker beef sloppy joe recipe proves that simple ingredients can create big flavor—comfort food made easy, hearty, and satisfying every single time.
