Slow-Cooker Sloppy Joe Sliders
This recipe delivers classic Sloppy Joe sliders using the convenience of a slow cooker. Ground beef is simmered with a blend of finely chopped vegetables, tomato sauce, ketchup, and a savory mix of spices. The result is a flavorful, saucy filling that's perfect spooned onto mini slider buns for an easy, comforting meal ideal for gatherings.
Equipment
- 1 Slow Cooker 4- to 6-quart capacity
- 1 Wooden Spoon For mixing and breaking up ground beef
- 1 Chef's knife For finely chopping vegetables
- 1 Cutting Board For ingredient preparation
- 1 Ladle or Large Serving Spoon For serving the sloppy joe mixture
Ingredients
Main
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef 80 percent lean
- 2 cloves garlic grated
- 1 inner stalk celery with leaves, finely chopped
- 1 red bell pepper finely chopped
- 1/2 onion finely chopped
- One 14.5-ounce can tomato sauce such as Pomi
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon dry mustard
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 16 slider buns or mini potato rolls split
Instructions
- In a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker, combine the ground beef, garlic, celery, peppers, onions, tomato sauce, ketchup, chili powder, dry mustard, onion powder, sugar, Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Mix together with a wooden spoon, making sure to break up the ground beef. Set the machine to high and cook for 4 hours.
- Spoon the sloppy joe mixture onto the buns to make sliders.
Notes
To elevate the dish, consider browning the ground beef in a skillet before adding it to the slow cooker; this creates a deeper, richer flavor through the Maillard reaction. Drain any excess fat before transferring. For the vegetables (celery, bell pepper, onion), a quick sauté in the same skillet until softened will enhance their sweetness and aromatic qualities. Always taste and adjust seasoning—salt, pepper, and perhaps a touch more sugar or Worcestershire sauce—just before serving, as flavors can mellow or intensify during slow cooking. Toasting the slider buns lightly before assembling is crucial to prevent them from becoming soggy and provides a pleasant textural contrast.