Turkey or Beef
Both ground turkey and ground beef work great in this recipe. It is simply a matter of personal preference. If you are using ground turkey, you will want to spray the skillet you use with cooking spray (if it is non stick) or add some olive to the pan (if it isn’t non stick), before breaking it up and browning it. If you are using ground beef, you do not need to add anything to the pan first. When time feels both fleeting and precious, crockpot meals are something that come in a clutch. These Crockpot Pot Sloppy Joes are just such a meal. While they don’t necessarily save much more prep time than my Homemade Sloppy Joe recipe, they are a great meal for when you can’t be standing at the stove checking on a dish. My kids love this recipe! I hope your family loves it too.
What to Serve with Sloppy Joes
While these are cooking away in your slow cooker, here are some great sides that can be made in the oven to serve with these homemade sloppy joes.
Ingredients
Canned Tomato Sauce: This is just tomatoes that have had their peels, pulp, and skin removed and then are pureed. This is different than spaghetti sauce or marinara sauce, which is the combination of other ingredients and seasonings. Worcestershire sauce: This gives the sauce a nice tang that deepens the flavor. Ketchup: This is a staple in so many sloppy joe recipes and it adds more tang and a little sweetness too. Brown Sugar: This will add to the sweetness with the addition of a nice molasses flavor. Spices: The addition of ground mustard, salt, and pepper round off the sauce perfectly.
In other words:
To make 12 sloppy joes, you will need 2 pounds of meat, 5 hours on low or 2 1/2 hours on high. To make 18 sloppy joes, you will 3 pounds of meat, 6 hours on low or 3 hours on high.
When you double or triple your meat, don’t forget to do the same to the other ingredients.
Freezing Leftovers
This sloppy joe recipe freezes really well. Pour into an airtight container after cooling. Leave about an inch at the top to give room for expanding. Freeze for up to three months for the best results. As with all leftovers, use your best discretion.
These Baked Potato Wedges only have three ingredients and are a huge hit! I find myself recommending this Roasted Cauliflower recipe all the time because my kiddos love it so much. And squeezing more veggies in always makes me feeling like I’m winning. And if you really need some comfort with your Crock Pot Sloppy Joes, make these Cheesy Potatoes!
Like these but want a different spin? Try my Italian Sloppy Joes! If you make this Crock Pot Sloppy Joe recipe or any of my other recipes, please leave me a comment and let me know what you think! I love hearing from you!
