I think my mom makes the best sloppy joes around. Her secret? Tomato juice that she has canned herself, preserving fresh sweet summer tomatoes. While I’ve never canned tomatoes myself, I always wish I had a few jars waiting for me in the pantry whenever I’m hungry for awesome just-like-Mom’s sloppy joes.
My sloppy joes have never been any kind of consistent. I’ve always thrown in a bit of this and a bit of that until it comes together, all the while wishing I had a recipe written down. Since we bought this multi-cooker/slow cooker last fall, following a recommendation from my sister Jessica, I’ve been playing around with perfecting a sloppy joes recipe of my own. I love that I can brown the meat right in the multi-cooker, then add all the other ingredients, switch the setting to slow cook, and let it finish on its own. And the multi-cooker is a cinch to clean up. {love!}
So this is it. This is my Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes recipe, the one I now turn to when I’m craving that classic American messy sandwich. The recipe makes a nice big amount, perfect for inviting some friends over for a casual meal, or for just making ahead for a few meals during the upcoming week. Because sloppy joes leftovers are some of the best leftovers around. They make me hugely happy. Grab some chips and enjoy!
Ingredients
- 3 lbs. lean ground beef (I also do a combination of ground beef and turkey, usually 2 lbs. beef & 1 lb. turkey)
- 2 medium onions, chopped
- 1-1/2 c. finely chopped celery
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 14.5-oz. can diced fire roasted tomatoes
- 1 c. chili sauce
- 1/2 c. ketchup
- 1/3 c. packed brown sugar
- 2 T. prepared mustard
- 1 T. Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 T. dry mustard
- 1 T. medium chili powder
- 1 T. cumin
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp. paprika
- 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper, or more to taste
- additional salt, to taste
Preparation
In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown ground beef and onion together until beef is cooked. (If using a slow cooker like I own - the Cuisinart Cook Central Multi-Cooker - simply brown right in the cooker.) Drain off fat and transfer to slow cooker. Add all remaining ingredients and stir well. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours. Serve on buns - I like to use whole wheat dinner rolls - with pickles and potato chips. If you have the time and initiative, butter the buns and toast on a hot griddle - this adds great flavor to the sandwich!
Source
from a farmgirl's dabbles
I always forget about good ole sloppy joes! My little guy would gobble this up!
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl recently posted..Healthy Freezer Friendly Meals {Alexia Foods Giveaway!}
Sloppy Joes are a personal favorite and I don’t feel that they get the love they deserve! Way to make them pretty!
keane recently posted..Keane’s Best Bites: Shrimp Caramelo’s – Sonora Grill
So true, Keane. Sloppy Joes are way overlooked. Some of the best comfort food around!
Sloppy joes are the quintessential kid food – and I love kid food nights – I just never have neough of those and now that Ben and I have bought a bunch of ground beast, I gotta put it to good use! Thanks for the idea
Megan @ Country Cleaver recently posted..Thanksgiving in a Sammich
So enjoyed these Sloppy Joes the evening before Thanksgiving, Brenda.
Yummy recipe!
Sloppy Joe Night is always a happy night in our house!
Paula – bell’alimento recently posted..Boozy Salted Caramel Mocha
Oh Brenda, I haven’t had a sloppy joe in YEARS. It’s totally time! Looks delicious.
Sommer@ASP recently posted..Spiced Manhattan Cocktail
I love sloppy joes! But I never thought to put them in the slow cooker, great idea!!!
Angie recently posted..Parmesan Ranch Roasted Green Beans
What a great weeknight meal
Shaina recently posted..A Caffeinated Giveaway to Survive the Holidays
This would be perfect for supper TONIGHT! YUM!
I just felt a bit of summer time warmth after looking at these photos! Those look wonderful! My hubby never eats sloppy joes because of all of the onion and peppers in the mix, but if I can make it from scratch and leave those out, he can finally enjoy a sloppy joe! yay!
Angie @ Big Bear’s Wife recently posted..Brown Sugar Apple Brie in Puffed Pastry
my kids & i love sloppy joes! i’m sure your recipe tastes a million times better than the can! lol
thanks!
kellie
nest of posies recently posted..For the Love of Peppermint ~ 20 Fabulous & Amazing Recipes
Oh goodness…yes, WAY better than the can!!
I love sloppy joes, your recipe looks great!
saving to try soon!
This sounds fantastic – thanks for sharing!
Leah @ Whitefoot Blog recently posted..Winterfest 2012
Oh Brenda, I have been craving sloppy joes! These look incredible!
Cassie | Bake Your Day recently posted..Ninja Cooking System Giveaway
That Cuisinart multi/slow cooker is one lovely looking machine and your perfected sloppy joes look great. What a great meal to have waiting after coming in from the cold.
Paula recently posted..Singing Christmas Ducks for Haniela’s Christmas Card Cookie Project
My household of hungry male roomates is going to be thanking you when I make this recipe! These sloppy joes look amazing, and I love your mother’s secret of using fresh homemade canned tomato juice. They look delicious and I love that I can throw it all in the crock pot in the morning and come home from work to a ready-made meal!
Julia {The Roasted Root} recently posted..Pancetta, White Bean & Chard Pot Pies – A Smitten Kitchen Recipe
It’s weird, but I’ve never had sloppy joes before. I love meat and I love burgers, and sloppy joes are basically crumbled burgers… but these look really delicious, and pretty much everything that comes out of a slow cookie is going to taste magical.
Becca – Cookie Jar Treats recently posted..Bakery Style m&m Cookies
You have been missing out, Becca!!
I have several types of chili powder…which would you consider “medium”?
It all depends on how much heat you like. My family, mostly due to the tastebuds of our girls, likes a medium to lower level of heat. So if your chili powder doesn’t say “medium” or “hot”, etc., just use whatever you like.
I’m totally making these!!!
Nina recently posted..Some Not Very Romantic Marriage Advice
Yay!
I’ll be trying this recipe for our holiday potluck at work–these look awesome!
Thanks!
Merci beaucoup d’avoir partagé cette recette! Toute ma famille l’a beaucoup aimé!
Can you make this without the brown sugar? My husband is not allowed to have sugar or a lot of carbs.
Dawn recently posted..Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes
Absolutely! I just like a little sweetness. My mom always taught me to cut some of the tomato’s acidity with a little brown sugar.
I just shared this recipe on my FB page, What’s for dinner? With baseball season in full “swing”, I’m always hunting quick dinner ideas, thanks for sharing!!!
I loved these!!! The only thing I would change is to chop up the fire roasted tomatoes more…personal preference though!! Yummy
I’m so glad you liked these, Debbie. And now, since I’ve read your comment, I’m craving sloppy Joes!! Thank you so much for coming back to let me know – have a great day!