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The Very Best Sloppy Joes (2 cooking methods)!

10/16/17
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slow cooker sloppy joes
Sloppy Joes are a family favorite! Get our simple and delicious recipe at Made in a Pinch. For more awesome recipes and tips follow us on Pinterest!
Sloppy Joes are an easy family favorite! We have 2 methods for making this dish; grab them on Made in a Pinch. For more helpful tips and delicious recipes, follow us on Pinterest!
Sloppy Joes are an easy family favorite! We have 2 methods for making this dish; grab them on Made in a Pinch. For more helpful tips and delicious recipes, follow us on Pinterest!
 

Two ways to cook Sloppy Joes

Good ol' Sloppy Joes! They are an American standard. A kid-friendly classic and can be super easy and fast to make (making them a perfect weeknight meal).

Sloppy Joes are an age old family favorite! Get our mouthwatering recipe and easy recipe at Made In A Pinch. Follow us on Pinterest for even more recipes!2-min

I used to feel intimidated by the thought of making them! I guess growing up in the days of popular canned versions (which taste terrible in my opinion) led me to believe that buying was better than making.

While that may be true occasionally, it isn't in this case. This homemade version tastes way better! Plus, it's easy to make, freezes well (if you have leftovers), and comes together quickly for a great weeknight meal.

Another great thing about this recipe is that you can cook it two different ways. Stovetop is great when you need dinner in 20 minutes. It is truly dinner in under 30 minutes!

Another option: try the slow cooker version. It's my favorite method because the flavors have a longer period of time to marry together. I also love the slow cooker method because I can get it going in the morning, go about my day, then come home and dinner is ready! No trying to squeeze in cooking while working on homework or rushing to activities.

Get a week of recipes for classic dinners with a healthy twist kids will love.

More popular slow cooker recipes:

Slow Cooker Peach Crisp

Spaghetti Squash in the Slow Cooker

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Another bonus for me is that the slow cooker version gives the celery and onion time to cook down and get soft. That makes it perfect for anyone with texture issues!

sloppy joesThe right tool for the job:

If you don't have a slow cooker, I have and highly recommend the Hamilton Beach Set ‘n Forget Programmable Slow Cooker. This slow cooker is the best I have found because of its lid locking feature.

The locking feature allows me to cook a meal or side dish and then take the entire slow cooker with me to any function (a potluck or teacher appreciation dinner, for example) easily.

No more struggling to keep the slow cooker from spilling while I'm driving! Other great features: a probe that you can insert through the lid to check the temperature of your food and a cooking program feature. This slow cooker is the best!

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Best Sloppy Joes
Print Recipe
Easy, kid-friendly, weeknight dinner! This can be made with either ground beef or ground turkey. It makes a lot, so use it for leftovers or freeze for an easy dinner down the road.
  • CuisineAmerican
Servings Prep Time
4-6 people 5 minutes
Cook Time Passive Time
5-10 minutes 4-5 hours
Servings Prep Time
4-6 people 5 minutes
Cook Time Passive Time
5-10 minutes 4-5 hours
Best Sloppy Joes
Print Recipe
Easy, kid-friendly, weeknight dinner! This can be made with either ground beef or ground turkey. It makes a lot, so use it for leftovers or freeze for an easy dinner down the road.
  • CuisineAmerican
Servings Prep Time
4-6 people 5 minutes
Cook Time Passive Time
5-10 minutes 4-5 hours
Servings Prep Time
4-6 people 5 minutes
Cook Time Passive Time
5-10 minutes 4-5 hours
Ingredients
  • 2 lbs ground turkey
  • 1 sm onion, minced
  • 2 stalks celery, minced
  • 1 tbsp light olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 16oz can tomato sauce
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 2 Tbsp sweet pickle relish
  • 1-2 tsp Worchestershire sauce
  • 3 Tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp prepared yellow mustard
Servings: people
Instructions
  1. Brown ground turkey with onion and celery with olive oil in a skillet on the stove, over medium-high heat.
  2. Meanwhile, spray the inside of your crock pot with cooking spray. Add remaining ingredients to crock pot.
  3. Once turkey is browned, add turkey, onion and celery to the other ingredients in the slow cooker.
  4. Turn slow cooker on low for 8-9 hours or on high for 4-5 hours.
  5. Serve on toast or whole wheat hamburger buns. Refrigerate any leftovers for up to 1 week.
Recipe Notes

Alternatively, if you want a quick version on the stove top here is what you do:

  1. Brown the turkey with onion and celery with olive oil in a skillet on the stove over medium-high heat.
  2. Once meat is browned, add remaining ingredients.  Cook 20-25 minutes, until all the flavors are married and everything is cooked through.
  3. Serve on toast or whole wheat hamburger buns.
  4. Refrigerate any leftovers for up to 1 week, or freeze any leftovers.
Share this Recipe

Filed Under: kid-friendly, Weeknight Dinners

Comments

  1. Rosie says

    October 7, 2018 at 2:15 pm

    I do look for recipes that are beef substitutes, I love this one, Best Sloppy Joes. And it would be a good for kids to help make, too.

    Reply
    • Heather says

      October 8, 2018 at 1:02 pm

      Hey Rosie! I am usually looking to substitute beef as well. If you find a recipe on my site that calls for ground beef, you can bet that I regularly substitute ground turkey whenever I make the recipe for our family! In this dish, you can’t even really tell it’s not beef because the flavors all come together so well 🙂

      Reply
  2. Debbie P says

    March 13, 2018 at 3:27 pm

    Thanks for the ideas and recipes.

    Reply
    • Heather says

      March 13, 2018 at 6:03 pm

      You’re welcome Debbie! I hope you love them!

      Reply
  3. Rosie says

    January 26, 2018 at 6:30 pm

    Ohh as soon as I saw the slow cooker version I got excited. I’m still just trying out my newish slow cooker, and this sloppy joe recipe sounds perfect!

    Reply
    • Heather says

      January 27, 2018 at 12:26 am

      It’s super easy, Rosie, which is my number one criteria for my family! I hope you love it like we do!

      Reply
  4. Veronica Lee says

    October 21, 2017 at 8:25 am

    My family loves sloppy joes! Thanks!

    Reply
  5. Kate says

    October 20, 2017 at 8:25 pm

    I’m not sure I’ve ever made sloppy joes for my kids before, but I think my oldest would love it. Definitely going to give this a try!

    Reply
  6. Megan | Mama on Main Street says

    October 20, 2017 at 1:31 pm

    There is something about sloppy joes that is just so comforting! These look amazing. I might have to make them this weekend now because I’m craving this! Great post!

    Reply
    • Heather says

      October 20, 2017 at 7:20 pm

      Thanks Megan! I hope you love them! Thanks for visiting 🙂

      Reply
  7. Lesly says

    October 20, 2017 at 10:41 am

    I love ground turkey! This recipe look simple and delish!

    Reply
  8. Sharon Chen says

    October 20, 2017 at 9:20 am

    Yummy! I’d like to do this recipe at home 🙂

    Reply
  9. Katie @ Book Ink Reviews says

    October 20, 2017 at 12:21 am

    My family loves sloppy joes! I never thought to make them in my slowcooker!

    Reply
  10. jessica says

    October 19, 2017 at 3:59 pm

    I never make sloppy joes because I’m not really a fan, but your recipe sounds good and I’m a HUGE fan of crockpot meals.

    Reply
  11. Corey | The Nostalgia Diaries says

    October 19, 2017 at 1:41 pm

    I haven’t had sloppy joes in a long time! I think I need to make them this weekend. Thanks for the idea!

    Reply
  12. Belle says

    October 19, 2017 at 12:16 pm

    Oh my! That seriously looks amazing!

    Belle | One Awesome Momma

    Reply
  13. Jassy says

    October 18, 2017 at 2:54 am

    Yummy! Nice recipe, will try it out this week 🙂

    Reply
  14. Antonia says

    October 17, 2017 at 11:35 am

    Il try this over the weekend! ?

    Reply
  15. haris says

    October 17, 2017 at 7:51 am

    Looks delicious, great recipe

    Reply
    • Heather says

      October 17, 2017 at 8:36 am

      Thanks! I hope you enjoy it!!

      Reply
  16. Hlegal says

    October 17, 2017 at 6:09 am

    Omg this is so easy to make and looks so yummy !!

    Reply
    • Heather says

      October 17, 2017 at 8:36 am

      Thanks! It’s definitely super easy and super yummy! And it freezes and reheats well!

      Reply
  17. Poorna says

    October 17, 2017 at 3:56 am

    Loved the recipe! I like making sloppy joes with a little less sugar, and more spice, but this version looks tempting too!

    Reply
    • Heather says

      October 17, 2017 at 8:35 am

      Thanks, Poorna! I’m a total wimp when it comes to spicy foods, but it would be so easy to add spice to this recipe 🙂

      Reply

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