Crockpot Cowboy Sloppy Joes
These cowboy-style sloppy Joes are the kind of meal that hits the spot every time. We’re talking ground beef simmered low and slow with smoky bacon, tender onions, and a rich, slightly sweet BBQ sauce. Rolled oats get stirred in to soak up all that saucy goodness and add a little extra heartiness (trust me, it works)—think classic sloppy Joe vibes, but taken up a notch. Oh, and did I mention the jalapeños? They bring just the right kick to balance out the sweetness and make each bite seriously satisfying.
Why you’ll love this recipe
Because it’s everything you want in a cozy dinner. It’s easy to throw together in the slow cooker, perfect for feeding a crowd or stocking the fridge with leftovers, and the flavor is next-level compared to the old-school version. Whether you’re piling it into toasted buns, spooning it over a baked potato, or scooping it up with tortilla chips, it’s bold, comforting, and wildly good.
If you love crockpot dinners, I think you’ll also enjoy my crockpot bourbon chicken, crockpot chicken birria tacos, crockpot Dr. Pepper steak bites, and crockpot Monterey chicken. Be sure to also take a look at my favorite crockpot hacks, where I cover everything from cleaning your slow cooker to meal prepping tips and entertaining ideas!
Ingredients
- Lean ground beef: We’ll be browning and draining before adding to the crockpot for the best texture and flavor.
- Bacon: Cooked and crumbled. Adds smoky, salty goodness that takes this dish to the next level. No cowboy recipe is complete without it!
- Onion: Brings a little sweetness and depth as it cooks down—classic sloppy joe staple.
- Worcestershire sauce: Gives that umami kick and rounds out the sweetness from the BBQ sauce.
- Garlic: Because garlic makes everything better. Adds aromatic flavor to the mix.
- Brown sugar: Balances out the heat and tang with a little sweetness. Light or dark both work fine.
- Jalapeños: Brings a touch of heat. Adjust based on your spice tolerance—or skip if you’re serving picky eaters.
- BBQ sauce: Sweet, smoky, and saucy—the main flavor driver here. Use your favorite brand or homemade.
- Rolled oats: A little cowboy trick! Helps absorb the sauce and keeps the mixture from getting too runny. Bonus: adds a bit of heartiness.
- Water: Loosens up the mixture just enough to keep it from drying out while it simmers.
- Sandwich buns: Brioche, pretzel, classic hamburger—whatever you’ve got on hand. Toast them if you’re feeling fancy.
- Colby Jack cheese slices: Melted on top? Yes, please.
- Crispy onions, jalapeños & BBQ sauce: For topping.
How To Make Crockpot Cowboy Sloppy Joes
Want to grab the printable recipe card so you can save it for later when you’re ready to cook? No worries! You’ll find one towards the bottom of this post. If you like to see some photos of the process to help you to visualize the steps, I’m sharing those right here…
- Add the ground beef, chopped bacon, diced onion, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, brown sugar, jalapeños, BBQ sauce, rolled oats, and water straight into your slow cooker.
- Give everything a good stir so it’s nicely mixed together.
- Pop the lid on and cook on low for 4–6 hours, giving it a stir now and then to keep things cozy.
- When it’s time to eat, pile that cowboy sloppy joe mixture onto your buns, top with a slice of cheese and a handful of crispy onions, and dig in!
Storage Tips
Got leftovers? Lucky you—this stuff reheats like a dream. Just store the sloppy joe mixture in an airtight container in the fridge and it’ll keep well for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to eat, reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or broth if it needs loosening up. Assemble your sandwiches fresh for the best texture (no one wants a soggy bun).
Serving Ideas
I love this cowboy sloppy joe mixture piled high into a soft, squishy bun—it’s the classic way and always a winner. But it’s just as good spooned over fluffy rice, baked potatoes, or even mashed potatoes if you’re feeling cozy.
Want to take things up a notch? Add a slice of melty cheddar, crispy onions, or pickled jalapeños on top. You could also serve it taco-style in tortillas, or ladle it over fries for a cowboy-style chili cheese fries moment. Totally customizable, totally delicious.
Crockpot Cowboy Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- 2 pounds lean ground beef browned and drained
- 1 pound bacon cooked and crumbled
- Half an onion diced
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 4 ounce can diced jalapenos drained
- 1 ½ cups bbq sauce
- ¼ cup rolled oats
- ½ cup water
- Sandwich buns
- Colby jack cheese slices
- Jalapenos and crispy onions and more bbq sauce for topping
Instructions
- Add the ground beef, chopped bacon, diced onion, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, brown sugar, jalapeños, BBQ sauce, rolled oats, and water straight into your slow cooker.
- Give everything a good stir so it’s nicely mixed together.
- Pop the lid on and cook on low for 4–6 hours, giving it a stir now and then to keep things cozy.
- When it’s time to eat, pile that cowboy sloppy joe mixture onto your buns, top with a slice of cheese and a handful of crispy onions, and dig in!
If you whip up these cowboy sloppy joes, I’d love to hear what you think—drop a quick comment and rating below. Your feedback helps others and lets me know which recipes you’re loving (so I can bring you more like it!).
