Description
Sloppy joes bring comfort and nostalgia to dinner tables with this simple crock pot classic. Hearty ground beef simmered in tangy sauce creates a delicious meal that brings families together around the table.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 pounds (2 lbs) ground beef
- 2 pounds (2 lbs) ground turkey (alternative)
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 small green bell pepper, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Sauces and Seasonings:
- 1 (15 ounces) can tomato sauce
- ½ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup BBQ sauce
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 8 hamburger buns (for serving)
Instructions
- Thoroughly brown ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, methodically breaking apart the meat and ensuring no pink remains visible. Carefully eliminate excess fat through draining.
- Migrate the perfectly cooked beef into the slow cooker’s ceramic vessel, creating a robust flavor foundation for the dish.
- Introduce a medley of aromatic ingredients: diced onions, vibrant bell peppers, minced garlic, rich tomato sauce, tangy ketchup, smoky BBQ sauce, pungent Worcestershire sauce, deep brown sugar, zesty mustard, fundamental seasoning elements like salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and chili powder.
- Orchestrate the ingredients with a comprehensive stirring motion, ensuring complete integration and uniform distribution of flavors throughout the mixture.
- Secure the slow cooker’s lid and initiate the cooking process, selecting either a prolonged low-temperature setting for 4-6 hours or an accelerated high-temperature setting for 2-3 hours.
- Periodically interrupt the cooking cycle with gentle stirring to prevent ingredient settlement and promote consistent flavor development.
- When cooking concludes, assess the mixture’s consistency and seasoning, adjusting if necessary to achieve optimal taste profile.
- Toast hamburger buns until golden and crisp, creating a perfect textural counterpoint to the robust meat mixture.
- Generously ladle the sloppy joe mixture onto prepared buns, ensuring each serving receives an abundant portion of the flavorful blend.
- Serve immediately while warm, presenting a comforting and satisfying meal that promises delightful culinary enjoyment.
Notes
- Enhance meat flavor by using a blend of ground beef and ground pork for richer taste and juicier texture.
- Reduce sodium content by choosing low-sodium ketchup and BBQ sauce, perfect for health-conscious individuals.
- Customize spice levels by adjusting chili powder and adding a dash of hot sauce for those who love extra heat.
- Transform into a vegetarian option by substituting ground beef with plant-based crumbles or finely chopped mushrooms for a meaty alternative.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-6 hours (Low) / 2-3 hours (High)
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 330
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg