This low-calorie Bored of Lunch Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes is super easy to make, taking around 4 hours using lean beef mince, garlic, green pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and passata or chopped tomatoes.

To make Sloppy Joes in your slow cooker or crockpot, simply combine the browned beef, crushed garlic, chopped green pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and passata or chopped tomatoes. Cook on high for three hours or on low for four to five hours.

It’s always a crowd-pleaser – gorgeous well-marinated beef in a bun with sweet sliced onion and tangy gherkins is just everything … sloppy, tasty, filling, and low in calories.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Bored of Lunch Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes Ingredients

• 800g lean beef mince
• 4 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 green pepper, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 700g passata or 400g tin of chopped tomatoes
• 5 tbsp tomato ketchup
• 1 tsp hot sauce
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 8 brioche burger buns
• Sliced red onion, to garnish
• Pickled gherkins, to garnish

How To Make Bored of Lunch Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes

1. Prep the Mince: If you have time, start by heating a nonstick frying pan over high heat, then add the beef mince, searing it until it is thoroughly browned while breaking it apart.
2. Drain the Fat: After the beef mince has browned, take a moment to carefully drain off any excess fat, which enhances the final flavor and texture of the sloppy joes.
3. Add Ingredients to Slow Cooker: Place the drained beef along with crushed garlic, finely chopped green pepper, Worcestershire sauce, passata or chopped tomatoes, and all remaining ingredients, except for the buns and garnishes, into the slow cooker.
4. Stir and Season: Gently stir the ingredients together in the slow cooker to ensure they are well combined, then season with salt and pepper according to your taste preferences.
5. Set Cooking Time: Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on high for 3 hours or on low for a longer cooking time of 4-5 hours, allowing the flavors to fully develop.
6. Assemble and Serve: Once the sloppy Joe mixture is ready, spoon it generously onto the bottom halves of the brioche buns, then top with slices of red onion and pickled gherkins before covering with the bun tops.

Can I Prepare Sloppy Joes Ahead of Time?

Yes, you can prepare the Sloppy Joe mixture one or two days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. By doing this, you allow the flavors to meld together and develop, enhancing the overall taste when you reheat and serve it.

Recipe Tips

• Maximize Flavor: Consider sautéing the onions and green peppers before adding them to the slow cooker to enhance the savory flavors of your Sloppy Joes and allow them to caramelize slightly.
• Reduce Grease: For a healthier version of Sloppy Joes, use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef and drain all fat thoroughly after browning the meat to reduce the overall grease content.
• Thicken the Sauce: If you find the sauce too thin after cooking, mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with a little cold water and stir it into the slow cooker 30 minutes before the end of cooking.
• Boost Flavor with Umami: Add a tablespoon of soy sauce or a few chopped anchovies to the slow cooker to deepen the umami flavor of the dish without overpowering the other ingredients.

Recipe Variations

• Spicy Kick: For those who enjoy a bit more heat, add chopped jalapeños to the mix or increase the amount of hot sauce to taste before the cooking process begins.
• Vegetarian Delight: Substitute the beef mince with a combination of lentils and finely chopped mushrooms, which mimic the texture and heartiness of meat while being completely vegetarian.
• Barbecue Twist: Mix in a quarter cup of your favorite barbecue sauce with the tomato ingredients to give a smoky flavor to your Sloppy Joes, perfect for summer meals.
• Cheesy Love: Stir in a cup of shredded cheddar cheese during the last 30 minutes of cooking for a gooey, cheesy version of the classic Sloppy Joe.

What To Serve With Sloppy Joes

Serve your Sloppy Joes with crunchy and refreshing sides like coleslaw, French Fries, cucumber salad, corn on the cob, and baked beans.

You can also pair them with dill pickles, Garlic Mac and Cheese, or a simple green salad to balance the richness.

How To Store Leftover Sloppy Joes

In The Fridge:

Store any leftover Sloppy Joes in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Cool the mixture to room temperature before you seal it to maintain freshness and prevent contamination.

In The Freezer:

You shouldn’t freeze Sloppy Joes because the texture of the buns and sauce may degrade. If you freeze them, the buns might turn soggy and the sauce might separate when you reheat them.

How To Reheat Leftover Sloppy Joes

Reheat your leftover Sloppy Joes in a saucepan over medium heat, stir occasionally until they warm thoroughly.

If you use a microwave, cover the leftovers and set the heat on high for about 2 minutes, stirring halfway to ensure even heating.

Check out More Slow Cooker Recipes:

• Bored Of Lunch Black Pepper Beef In Slow Cooker
• Bored of Lunch Buffalo Chicken Wings In Slow Cooker
• Bored of Lunch Butter Chicken Curry Slow Cooker