A messy sandwich with meat spilling out the sides might not sound like sophisticated fare, but a good sloppy joe hits all the right notes when you need comfort food that makes everyone happy! These slow cooker sloppy joes turn a handful of ingredients into a savory-sweet meal perfect for weeknights or weekend gatherings when you’d rather be hanging out with family than stuck in the kitchen.
I like making sloppy joes in the slow cooker because the extended cooking time lets the flavors develop and meld together. Stovetop versions sometimes taste hurried, but this meat mixture has a depth that comes from simmering low and slow, letting each ingredient contribute to the perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and savory notes.
If you’re concerned about sloppy joes being too much like what you were served in the school cafeteria fare, don’t worry! The recipe uses a secret ingredient (Dr Pepper!), and it has just enough sweetness to flavor the tomato base without taking it into overly sweet candy territory. I also add a little bit of oatmeal, which helps create a perfectly saucy texture without being runny or dry.
The smell that greets you when you lift the lid after hours of cooking will make you wonder why you don’t make this more often. This recipe often tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for leftovers or meal prep.
Let me show you the simple steps to make this easy weeknight favorite. This recipe proves that amazing weeknight meals don’t require complicated techniques or a long shopping list.
Looking for more easy slow cooker recipes? Try my slow cooker beef stroganoff, slow cooker ham and scalloped potatoes, or slow cooker beef goulash.
Ingredient Notes
For exact amounts needed see the recipe card below
- Ground Beef: For the best flavor, I recommend using 80/20 ground beef. And yes, you definitely need to brown it before starting the recipe.
- Dr. Pepper is the secret ingredient that makes these sloppy joes unique! The soda adds sweetness and a complex caramel flavor that you can’t get from regular sugar.
- Quick Cooking Oatmeal: The oatmeal helps thicken the sauce and gives the meat mixture the perfect texture.
- Bell Peppers: I use both green and red peppers because I love the color contrast and slightly different flavors. Green peppers are a bit more bitter, while red are sweeter.
- Onion
- Garlic
- Brown Sugar
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Mustard
- Ketchup
- Salt
- Pepper
How to Make Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes
- First, brown your ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks. Drain off any excess fat—nobody wants greasy, sloppy joes!
- Add the browned beef to your slow cooker along with the Dr. Pepper, yellow mustard, ketchup, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Toss in your chopped onions and both bell peppers.
- Sprinkle in that quick-cooking oatmeal. Season everything with salt and pepper to taste.
- Stir to combine all ingredients evenly. Pop the lid on and let it cook on low for 4 hours.
- After 4 hours, your sauce should be nicely thickened. If it seems too thin, let it cook a bit longer with the lid off.
Serving Ideas
These Dr. Pepper Sloppy Joes are incredibly versatile when it comes to serving! My family loves them piled high on soft hamburger buns. Toasting the buns adds a fantastic crispy texture and makes the buns hold up to the saucy meat mixture.
Here are some other ways to serve them:
- Over baked potatoes (my kids’ favorite way!)
- Stuffed inside bell peppers for a low-carb option
- On slider buns for party appetizers
- Served open-faced on Texas toast
You can top your sloppy joes with sliced pickles, shredded cheese, crispy fried onions, or coleslaw. A few sliced jalapeños are perfect for heat lovers. When it comes to sides, these are my favorites:
- A simple green salad
- Tater tots
- Steamed or roasted veggies like broccoli or green beans
- Corn on the cob
- Potato salad
- Fruit salad or watermelon slices
How to Store
One thing I love about these sloppy joes is that they store beautifully! The filling will keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through.
The meat also freezes well. Put it in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. It will keep for up to 3 months.
Tips & Tricks
Be sure to check out the step by step instructions
- Brown the beef the night before so you can dump all the ingredients in the slow cooker in the morning.
- Toast the buns lightly for extra texture and to prevent sogginess.
- Set out coleslaw as a topping – it adds an amazing crunch.
- Keep the meat warm in the slow cooker for parties.
- Swap ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- Try different sodas – Root beer works great too!
- You can add extra veggies like grated carrots to sneak in more nutrition.
Reader Questions
The quick-cooking oatmeal helps thicken the sauce and gives it a heartier texture. Don’t worry – you won’t even taste it!
Absolutely! I often make it the day before—the flavors develop more overnight. When you’re ready to serve, just reheat it in the slow cooker or on the stovetop.
While Dr. Pepper gives these sloppy joes their signature taste, you can substitute them with root beer or cola. Each will give a slightly different but still delicious flavor profile.
Yes! This recipe doubles beautifully for larger crowds. Just make sure your slow cooker is large enough to handle the increased volume.
If your sauce seems too thin after cooking, remove the lid and cook on high for an additional 30 minutes. The sauce will reduce and thicken up nicely.
As written, this recipe is very mild and kid-friendly. If you like heat, add red pepper flakes or a diced jalapeño to kick things up a notch!
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Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 1/2 cups Dr. Pepper
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ cup onion chopped
- ½ cup green bell pepper chopped
- 1 small red bell pepper chopped
- 1 clove garlic minced
- ¼ cup quick-cooking oatmeal
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Brown your ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks. Drain off any excess fat.2 pounds ground beef
- Add the browned beef, Dr. Pepper, mustard, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, onion, bell pepper, garlic, and oatmeal to your slow cooker.1 1/2 cups Dr. Pepper, 2 tablespoons yellow mustard, 1 cup ketchup, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, ½ cup onion, ½ cup green bell pepper, 1 small red bell pepper, ¼ cup quick-cooking oatmeal, Salt and pepper to taste, 1 clove garlic
- Stir together.
- Cover and cook on low for 4 hours, stirring once or twice.
- Once the sauce has thickened, pile on buns and serve!
Notes
- Brown the beef the night before so you can dump all the ingredients in the slow cooker in the morning.
- Toast the buns lightly for extra texture and to prevent sogginess.
- Set out coleslaw as a topping – it adds an amazing crunch.
- Keep the meat warm in the slow cooker for parties.
- Swap ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- Try different sodas – Root beer or Coke work great too!
- Add extra veggies like grated carrots to sneak in more nutrition.
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Nutrition Information
Nutrition facts are estimates.
