Tender Slow Cooker Mississippi Sloppy Joes Recipe That Wows

Comfort meets convenience in this mouthwatering slow cooker mississippi sloppy joes that’ll make dinner a breeze.

Rich, tangy flavors dance across your plate with minimal effort.

Chuck roast melts into a savory sauce that coats every bite perfectly.

Weeknight meals become something special when you can toss ingredients into the slow cooker and walk away.

Hearty and packed with zesty goodness, these sloppy joes deliver bold Southern-style comfort without hours of kitchen work.

Regional spices and tender meat create an irresistible combination that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Grab a napkin and get ready to enjoy a meal that brings pure deliciousness right to your table.

Why Slow Cooker Mississippi Sloppy Joes Are Packed With Flavor

• Unleash Effortless Cooking: This slow cooker recipe transforms a classic sloppy joe into a hands-off meal that practically prepares itself. Simply brown the beef, toss ingredients into the slow cooker, and let magic happen while you enjoy your day.
• Savor Flavor-Packed Convenience: Mississippi-style seasoning creates a mouthwatering blend of ranch, au jus, and pepperoncini that elevates traditional sloppy joes. The long, slow cooking process allows flavors to meld beautifully, producing tender, rich meat with minimal effort.
• Perfect for Busy Families: Ideal for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings, this recipe offers maximum taste with minimal preparation time. Busy parents and home cooks can set the slow cooker and return to a delicious, satisfying meal that everyone will love.
• Quick Cleanup Champion: With just one skillet and a slow cooker, this recipe minimizes kitchen mess. Minimal prep and easy cleanup make it a stress-free cooking experience that lets you spend more time enjoying your meal and less time washing dishes.

What You’ll Need For Slow Cooker Mississippi Sloppy Joes

• Ground Beef: Rich and hearty protein that forms the core of the sloppy joe, best with 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio for optimal flavor.
• Pepperoncini Peppers: Tangy peppers that add a zesty kick and mild heat to the meat mixture.

• Ranch Seasoning Mix: Provides a creamy, herbal flavor profile to enhance the meat's taste.
• Au Jus Mix: Adds deep, savory beef undertones and helps create a rich sauce.
• Black Pepper: Brings a subtle warmth and depth to the overall seasoning.
• Paprika: Offers a mild, sweet pepper flavor and beautiful reddish color.

• Beef Broth: Creates moisture and intensifies the meaty flavor in the slow cooker.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps meld the flavors together.
• Onion: Provides a sweet and savory base note to the dish.
• Garlic: Brings a pungent, aromatic depth to the meat mixture.

How To Make Slow Cooker Mississippi Sloppy Joes

Step 1: Sizzle and Prepare the Beef

Heat up a skillet over medium-high flame and cook the ground beef until it’s beautifully browned and crumbly. Let those delicious juices flow, then carefully drain away any excess grease. Your meat is now ready for its flavor adventure!

• Ground beef

Step 2: Create a Flavor Explosion

Gently transfer the browned beef into your trusty slow cooker. Time to bring this dish to life with an incredible blend of zesty seasonings and tangy ingredients!

• Ranch seasoning mix
• Au jus seasoning mix
• Butter
• Pepperoncini peppers
• Onion
• Garlic
• Beef broth
• Black pepper
• Paprika

Stir everything together until the ingredients are thoroughly combined. This is where the magic happens!

Step 3: Slow Cook to Perfection

Pop the lid on your slow cooker and let the flavors mingle and dance. If you’re using the LOW setting, let it simmer for 4-5 hours. Prefer a quicker method? The HIGH setting will work its charm in 2-3 hours.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

Once the cooking time is complete, your Mississippi Sloppy Joes are ready to steal the show! Scoop this delectable mixture onto soft hamburger buns and get ready for a taste explosion that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

• Hamburger buns
• Optional: Extra pepperoncini on the side

Pro Tip: The longer these sloppy joes cook, the more the flavors will blend and intensify. Your patience will be rewarded with an absolutely irresistible meal!

Helpful Tips For Slow Cooker Mississippi Sloppy Joes

• Drain Meat Thoroughly: Remove all excess fat from ground beef to prevent greasy sloppy joes and ensure a cleaner, more appetizing final dish.
• Customize Spice Levels: Adjust pepperoncini quantity based on your heat preference; remove seeds for milder flavor or add more for extra kick.
• Perfect Bread Pairing: Choose sturdy buns like potato rolls or brioche that can handle the saucy meat without falling apart during eating.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the meat mixture a day in advance and reheat in slow cooker for even deeper, more developed flavors and easier meal prep.
• Dietary Swap Options: Use ground turkey or plant-based meat alternative for healthier version, maintaining similar seasoning profile for consistent taste.

Storage Suggestions For Slow Cooker Mississippi Sloppy Joes

• Refrigerate leftover Mississippi Sloppy Joes in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Cool the meat mixture completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Freeze portions in freezer-safe containers for maximum 3 months, ensuring a tight seal to maintain flavor and prevent freezer burn.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Warm gently in a skillet or microwave, adding a splash of beef broth to restore moisture and prevent dryness.
• Avoid repeated reheating to keep the meat tender and delicious.

Side Ideas For Slow Cooker Mississippi Sloppy Joes

• Pair with Crisp Coleslaw: Cut through the rich, savory meat with a tangy, crunchy coleslaw that adds refreshing texture and balances the sloppy joe's deep flavors.
• Match with Zesty Pickle Spears: Serve crisp, cold pickle spears alongside the sandwich to provide a sharp, acidic contrast that cuts through the meat's richness and cleanses the palate.
• Complement with Cold Beer: Choose a light lager or hoppy IPA that can stand up to the robust, tangy meat while offering a refreshing counterpoint to the hearty sandwich.
• Side with Crispy Potato Chips: Add a satisfying crunch with kettle-cooked or ridged potato chips that provide a salty, crisp element to complement the tender, saucy meat.

Creative Twists On Slow Cooker Mississippi Sloppy Joes

• Ranch Kick Sloppy Joes: Increase ranch seasoning for a tangier flavor profile, adding extra chopped jalapeños for heat-loving fans.
• Smoky Bacon Mississippi Style: Mix in crispy crumbled bacon before serving, creating a rich and savory meat mixture that amplifies the classic recipe.
• Spicy Pepper Jack Version: Swap ranch seasoning with pepper jack seasoning packet and top sandwiches with melted pepper jack cheese for a zesty southwestern approach.
• Lean Protein Update: Replace ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter protein option while maintaining the robust mississippi-style flavor profile.

Answers To Questions About Slow Cooker Mississippi Sloppy Joes

• What makes Mississippi Sloppy Joes different from traditional sloppy joes?

These sloppy joes have a unique tangy and savory flavor profile thanks to the addition of ranch seasoning, au jus mix, and pepperoncini peppers, which give them a distinct Mississippi-style twist compared to classic sloppy joe recipes.

• Can I use a different type of meat for this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or ground chicken if you prefer. Just ensure the meat is browned and drained before adding to the slow cooker to maintain the recipe’s texture and flavor.

• Do I need to pre-cook the onions and garlic?

No, you can add the raw onions and minced garlic directly to the slow cooker. They will cook and soften perfectly during the slow cooking process, releasing their flavors into the meat mixture.

• Is this recipe spicy?

The recipe has a mild heat level from the pepperoncini peppers. If you want more spice, you can add extra pepperoncini or include some of their juice when preparing the dish.

Slow Cooker Mississippi Sloppy Joes Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Hearty Mississippi Sloppy Joes bring Southern comfort to dinner tables with rich beef and tangy ranch dressing melting into pillowy buns. Convenient slow cooker magic delivers a crowd-pleasing meal you can easily prepare and savor without complicated kitchen work.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2 lbs (907 grams) ground beef
• 2 lbs (907 grams) ground turkey

Seasoning and Sauce Ingredients:

• 1 packet (28 grams) ranch seasoning mix
• 1 packet (28 grams) au jus gravy mix
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) beef broth
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) black pepper
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) smoked paprika (optional)

Additional Ingredients:

• ½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, sliced
• ½ cup (75 grams) sliced pepperoncini peppers
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) pepperoncini juice
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 brioche or sandwich buns
• ½ cup (56 grams) shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
• ½ cup (56 grams) shredded provolone cheese (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare ground beef by searing in a hot skillet, breaking into crumbly texture until no pink remains and excess fat drains away completely.
2. Gently transfer the caramelized meat into the slow cooker vessel, creating an even layer across the bottom.
3. Sprinkle ranch seasoning and au jus mix evenly over the meat, ensuring complete coverage for maximum flavor infusion.
4. Add softened butter chunks, creating pockets of richness throughout the mixture.
5. Distribute sliced pepperoncini peppers and finely chopped onions across the meat, providing tangy and aromatic undertones.
6. Mince fresh garlic and scatter over the ingredients, releasing its robust essence into the developing sauce.
7. Pour beef broth around the edges of the meat, allowing liquid to slowly integrate with the seasonings.
8. Dust freshly cracked black pepper and smoky paprika across the surface for depth and complexity.
9. Gently stir all components, ensuring every morsel becomes coated with the developing flavor profile.
10. Secure slow cooker lid and allow mixture to simmer and meld together, transforming into a rich, tender preparation.
11. Cook on low temperature setting for approximately 4-5 hours, or on high setting for 2-3 hours until meat becomes incredibly tender and sauce reaches desired consistency.

Notes

• Drain beef thoroughly to prevent excess grease in the final dish, ensuring a cleaner, more appetizing texture.
• Experiment with different ground meats like turkey or plant-based alternatives for a lighter or vegetarian version of these sloppy joes.
• Adjust the pepperoncini quantity based on your spice tolerance, adding more for extra kick or removing them for a milder flavor profile.
• For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free ranch seasoning and au jus mix, and serve on gluten-free buns or over cauliflower rice.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 950 mg
• Fat: 35 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg