These Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes are the kind of meal that brings everyone to the table fast. They’re sweet, tangy, meaty, and messy in the best way.

Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes

I grew up on sloppy joes and they have become one of my go-to recipes when I need to feed a crowd. They are filling, hearty, and when done right sloppy joes are totally delicious.

You can throw these slow cooker sloppy joes together in 10 minutes, leave them in your crock pot for a few hours, and *poof*! You can have enough food to feed an army.

It took me a long time fine tune this sloppy joe recipe. There are so many ways to customize these, but this one is what we finally settled on. It's the perfect combination of sweet, tangy, and savory.

The sauce is rich and thick, with a nice balance of ketchup, BBQ, vinegar, and brown sugar. This isn’t a thin, watery mix. It clings to the meat and soaks into the bun just enough without falling apart.

Perfect for busy nights, game days, or feeding a hungry group, this recipe starts on the stove and finishes low and slow in the crock pot.

They’re kid-approved, party-ready, and reheat like a dream. Make a double batch if you’re lucky enough to have leftovers.

The combo of celery, onion, and seasoned beef gives it some structure, while the sauce simmers down into something better than any canned version. This one’s homemade through and through, but still as easy as you want it to be.

Why You’ll Love This Dish#

• Set-And-Forget Style – Just brown the beef and let the slow cooker handle the rest.
• Big, Bold Flavor – BBQ sauce, mustard, Worcestershire, and vinegar bring it home.
• Feeds A Crowd – Two pounds of beef goes a long way, especially with buns and sides.
• Totally Customizable – Adjust sweetness, spice, or sauce thickness as needed.
• Perfect For Meal Prep – Holds up well for leftovers or make-ahead lunches.

Try our Stovetop Sloppy Joes!

How To Make This Recipe

This is just the overview so you can see what you're actually getting into here. When you are cooking, you'll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.

1. Brown The Meat – Cook beef with celery and onions, season well, and drain.
2. Combine Ingredients – Add meat and all sauce ingredients (except water) into slow cooker.

3. Add Water – Use just enough to thin the sauce slightly for slow cooking. About 1 to 2 cups.

4. Cook Low And Slow – High for 2 hours, medium for 3–4, or low for 5–6 hours.
5. Serve On Buns – Toasted or untoasted, classic hamburger buns or sliders.

You'll love Smoked Over The Top Sloppy Joes!

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Yield: 8 servings

Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes

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Sweet, tangy, and juicy sloppy joes for the next time you need a dose of down-home cooking.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 2 hours

Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 pounds ground beef
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 8 ounces tomato sauce
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup BBQ sauce
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1 tablespoon worcestershire
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup water

Instructions

1. Brown ground beef with onions and celery on the stovetop over medium to medium-high heat. Season with salt, pepper, seasoning salt, and onion powder while it is browning. Drain excess fat.
2. Add all other ingredients except the water into crock pot. Place cooked ground beef/celery/onion mixture into crock pot and stir.
3. Add enough water to thin out the sauce a bit and give it some room to thicken during cooking time. 1 cup should be plenty, but it'll be cooking for a long time, you might want to add 2 cups. The less time you'll be cooking it, the less water you should add and vice-versa.
4. Cook on high for 2 hours, medium for 3-4, or low for 5-6.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 240Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 5gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 68mgSodium: 282mgCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 1gSugar: 5gProtein: 21g

Nutrition data provided here is only an estimate. If you are tracking these things for medical purposes please consult an outside, trusted source. Thanks!

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