Healthy Sloppy Joes Slow Cooker

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This healthy Crock Pot Sloppy Joes recipe looks and sounds unhealthy, but is packed with tons of veggies {hello zucchini, carrot, and squash} and lean beef! An easy and tasty meal everyone will enjoy! To round out this meaty meal try serving it alongside Garlic Fries Recipe or Pan-Fried Potatoes.

sloppy joes sandwich with meat made in the crock pot all on a white plate

Crock Pot Sloppy Joes are a pretty typical dinner that we eat over at the Lauren's Latest household. It looks and sounds unhealthy, but is packed with tons of veggies {hello zucchini, carrot, and squash} and lean beef. Plus, I took it a step further and served these on whole wheat buns. Oh, and it makes for an awesome crockpot meal too! My family gobbled this up and we even had leftovers. Seriously so good!

Main Ingredients Needed

Here is everything you'll need to make Crock Pot Sloppy Joes!

Lean Ground Beef –I used 90/10. You could also use ground turkey here to make it even healthier.
Onion, Baby Carrots, Zucchini, and Yellow Squash –these are all of the vegetables that are hidden in these sloppy joes!
Salt and Pepper –season to taste!

Sloppy Joe Sauce

If you plan on cooking this sloppy joe recipe for longer in the crock pot than what the recipe calls for, make a sauce with a tad bit more water.

Water –as stated above, the longer you cook the more water you need to keep things "sloppy".
Ketchup –sweet and vinegary.
Worcestershire Sauce – use your favorite brand of sauce for the best results.
Dried Mustard –a sharp flavor that is activated by water, we are only using a small amount.
Brown Sugar –to balance out all of the savory flavors.
Chili Powder –if you like things spicy, add a little more chili powder.
Salt and Pepper –season as you go!

Toppings

Whole Wheat Kaiser Buns –or you could use hamburger buns. Toasting your buns is always recommended!
Dill Pickles –we like dill pickles with our sloppy joes. Feel free to add what you like to yours.
Cheddar Cheese –cheese adds a great creamy texture to the sandwich.

crock pot sloppy joes in the slow cooker

How to Make Sloppy Joes in the Crock Pot

This Crock Pot Sloppy Joes recipe is a simple one! Once you cook and drain the beef & veggies, the rest is a cakewalk. And the longer it cooks, the yummier it gets, as is the case with most crockpot meals. For the full recipe, check out the recipe card down below!

1. Brown Meat + Prep Veggies

Turn crock pot to high and set it aside. In a large, nonstick skillet, brown ground beef. While meat is browning, grate onion, carrot, zucchini, and yellow squash. Drain well and spoon meat into warmed crock pot. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

2. Cook Veggies

Replace pan to the heat. Place vegetables into the hot pan and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Saute until the vegetables are tender. Pour over meat in crock pot.

3. Cook in Crock Pot

Replace pan back on the heat. Pour in all ingredients for the sauce and whisk until smooth. Simmer then pour over ingredients in crock pot. Stir then cover and cook.

4. Serve!

Serve over tightly toasted whole wheat hamburger or kaiser buns with any desired toppings.

Storing Crock Pot Sloppy Joes

Any leftover Crock Pot Sloppy Joes can be stored in an airtight container, in the fridge for up to 5 days!

This recipe is great for meal prepping for the rest of the week.

Freezing Instructions

The beauty of this recipe is that you could even store the leftovers in the freezer for up to 4 months!

Cool completely, then transfer sloppy joe mixture into an airtight container. To use, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the crock pot or stovetop.

More Sloppy Joe Recipes to Try!

*BEST* Sloppy Joe Recipe
Taco Sloppy Joes
Sweet & Spicy Sloppy Joe Recipe

If you loved this Crock Pot Sloppy Joes recipe you're going to love the other sloppy joes I have to offer!

Anyways, printable recipe below. Enjoy, friends!!

crock pot sloppy joes on a white plate

Crock Pot Sloppy Joes

Crock Pot Sloppy Joes look and sound unhealthy, but are packed with tons of veggies and lean beef! An easy and tasty meal everyone will enjoy!

Ingredients

▢ 2 lbs. lean ground beef I used 90/10
▢ 1 large onion
▢ 2/3 cup baby carrots
▢ 2 small zucchini
▢ 2 small yellow squash

sloppy joe sauce:

▢ 1 1/2 cups water
▢ 2 1/2 cups ketchup
▢ 1 1/2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
▢ 1/2 tablespoon dried mustard
▢ 1/4 cup brown sugar
▢ 1 tablespoon chili powder
▢ salt & pepper to taste
▢ 6-8 whole wheat kaiser rolls or hamburger buns

optional toppings:

▢ dill pickles
▢ cheddar cheese

Instructions

Turn crockpot to high and set aside. In a large, nonstick skillet, brown ground beef over medium-high heat. While meat is browning, grate onion, carrot, zucchini, and yellow squash using a food processor {or you can do it by hand}. Drain well and spoon meat into warmed crockpot. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Replace pan to the heat.
Place vegetables into the hot pan and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Saute until the water from the veggies has evaporated and vegetables are tender about 7 minutes. Pour over meat in crockpot.
Replace pan back on the heat. Pour in all ingredients for the sauce and whisk until smooth. Simmer gently 5 minutes, then pour over ingredients in crockpot. Stir to coat everything evenly. Cover and cook 3-4 hours, stirring occasionally. Serve over tightly toasted whole wheat hamburger or kaiser buns.

Nutrition

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Keyword: crock pot sloppy joes, sloppy joe recipe crock pot, slow cooker sloppy joes