1. Brown the Ground Beef

Start by browning the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. This step helps to develop a rich, savory flavor and ensures that the beef cooks evenly. Break the beef apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks, and stir occasionally to ensure that it cooks through.

Once the beef is fully browned and cooked through, drain any excess fat, then transfer the meat to the crockpot. This helps to prevent the sloppy joes from being greasy.

2. Add Vegetables and Aromatics

Add the finely chopped onion, bell pepper (if using), and minced garlic to the crockpot with the browned beef. These vegetables will cook down as the mixture simmers in the slow cooker, infusing the beef with extra flavor and moisture.

Stir everything together to combine the ingredients, ensuring that the vegetables are evenly distributed throughout the meat.

3. Prepare the Sloppy Joe Sauce

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the ketchup, tomato paste, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, mustard, chili powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Whisk everything together until the sauce is smooth and all the ingredients are fully incorporated.

The combination of ketchup, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce creates a tangy, sweet, and savory base for the sloppy joe sauce. The mustard and vinegar add a little sharpness, while the chili powder and paprika give it depth and warmth.

4. Add the Sauce to the Crockpot

Pour the prepared sauce over the browned beef and vegetables in the crockpot. Stir everything together until the beef is evenly coated in the sauce mixture. This step ensures that all the ingredients are well combined and that the beef absorbs all the delicious flavors of the sauce.

5. Slow Cook the Sloppy Joes

Cover the crockpot with its lid and set it to cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours. The slow cooking process will allow the flavors to meld together, and the sauce will thicken slightly as it simmers. Stir occasionally, if possible, to ensure the mixture cooks evenly and doesn’t burn on the sides.

By the end of the cooking time, the sloppy joe mixture should be thick and flavorful, with the ground beef perfectly tender and juicy. The sauce will have absorbed into the beef, making every bite full of flavor.

6. Toast the Buns

While the sloppy joe mixture is cooking, prepare the hamburger buns. You can toast them in the oven for a few minutes at 350°F (175°C) until they are slightly crispy on the edges, or you can toast them on a skillet for a few minutes over medium heat. Toasting the buns adds a little crunch and helps prevent them from becoming soggy when you add the sloppy joe filling.

7. Assemble and Serve

Once the sloppy joe mixture is done, it’s time to serve! Spoon a generous portion of the beef mixture onto the bottom half of each toasted bun. Top with any optional toppings you desire, such as sliced pickles, shredded cheese, or sliced onions.

Place the top half of the bun on top to complete the sandwich. Serve immediately with your favorite side dishes, such as coleslaw, chips, or fries.