Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes

Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes

    For our son's 11th birthday this year, we gave him the opportunity to pick what he wanted to eat.  Normally we would take the kids out to dinner on their birthday at a restaurant of their choice, but this year is a bit different, so we make the best of it!  When asked, Matthew picked my Sloppy Joes with coleslaw without hesitation.  Sloppy Joes it is!  I like to make Sloppy Joes in the slow cooker to save some time, and this time, since we were having the Sloppy Joes for lunch, I decided to set them to cook overnight.  One important tip: when you are making Sloppy Joes or taco meat in your slow cooker, it helps to brown the meat a bit.  This will give the meat more flavor, but depending on the type of meat, you may need to drain it before setting your slow cooker.  If you have a slow cooker with the capability of browning, GREAT!  Just be sure to drain the meat.  If you don't, you will need to brown the meat in a separate skillet first, and then transfer it to the slow cooker

    We like to serve Sloppy Joes with coleslaw and fries, chips or tater tots.  A simple creamy pasta salad would also serve as a nice compliment to the Sloppy Joes.

This recipe will yield 6 - 8 servings.

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 lbs ground beef
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 sweet pepper: green, red, yellow or orange; diced
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp ground mustard (yellow mustard will work too)
• 1/2 c. BBQ sauce
• 3/4 c. ketchup
• 1 8 oz. can tomato sauce
• 1 4 oz can tomato paste
• 1 c. water, may not use all of it
• salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Heat oil in either slow cooker (one that has browning setting) or in a large skillet.  Add onion and peppers.  After 2-3 minutes, add ground beef.  Break up into small chunks.  Season with garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper.  Brown the meat, but no need to cook all of the way through.  Once most of the meat is browned, drain the pan/slow cooker.
2. Return the meat, onions, and peppers back to the slow cooker.  Add remaining ingredients with 1/2 of the water.  Stir well to combine.  Set the slow cooker for 6 to 8 hours on low, 3 to 4 hours on high.  Stir periodically while cooking.  If the Sloppy Joes get too thick, add a little more water.
3. Stir before serving.  Serve on hamburger buns with your favorite coleslaw, pasta salad, chips, or fries.  Top the Sloppy Joes with your favorite toppings!  ENJOY!!

NOTE: This recipe reheats easily for leftovers!