Make this classic all American favorite sandwich for dinner tonight. Sloppy Joes are an easy-to-make, budget-friendly sandwich filling loved by both young and old. The best part is, you can whip up this recipe and then place it in your crock pot to cook. Or if you prefer, you can home can your own sloppy joe meat mix with my simple canning guide.

How To Make Homemade Sloppy Joes

Sloppy Joe sandwiches
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It’s a great main dish recipe for busy weeknights, church potlucks, or a casual party with friends. This easy recipe is sure to be a hit with the whole family and party guests. 

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Grocery List

Ingredients needed to make homemade sloppy joes
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This recipe uses simple ingredients you will want to keep on hand to make this easy sloppy joe recipe. Fresh pepper, onions and garlic all mixed with a rich tomato sauce base.

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Cook Ground Beef

Ground beef being cooked in a black Skillet and then using paper towel to soak up the excess oil
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 In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef. Cook and crumble the meat until it is browned with no pink showing. Once the ground beef is cooked, tip the pan to allow the grease to drain to one side. Use paper towels to soak up the excess grease and discard them.

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Add Fresh Veggies

Cooked ground beef with onions and peppers
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Return the cooked meat to the burner, set the heat to medium, and add the diced green peppers and chopped onions. Cook, stirring frequently, until the veggies are soft.

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How To Make Sloppy Joe Sauce

Seasoning and sauces on top of hamburger
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Transfer the meat mixture to the slow cooker. Add the rest of the ingredients: smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, barbecue sauce, tomato sauce, ketchup, vinegar, chili sauce, and brown sugar to the slow cooker with the meat.

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Saucey Sloppy Joes

Cooked sloppy joe in a pan being stirred
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Using a large spoon, stir to combine the sauce and meat thoroughly. Place the lid on the slow cooker and set it to low for 6 hours or high for 4 hours. This allows the flavors to meld together and the meat to become more tender.

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Crock Pot Sloppy Joes Are Great For Parties

A blue Crock-Pot
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Great Flavor: Homemade Sloppy Joes level up the flavor compared to premade mixes in a can or packet. By using fresh ingredients and customizing the seasonings to your liking, you can achieve a rich, flavorful sauce for ground beef. 

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Home Canned Sloppy Joe Recipe

Canned sloppy joe
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Canning sloppy joe with this 1950s original recipe will surely be a hit with your family and friends! This recipe has the classic from-scratch sloppy joe flavors and easy-to-follow instructions for canning.

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Recipe History of Sloppy Joes

old recipes
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For this recipe, I have researched my grandmother’s old recipes from 1950 through the 1970s and online to create a classic sloppy joe recipe suitable for safe canning. The small book she wrote in is a 1950 farmers’ ledger. 

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Step-By-Step How To Can Sloppy Joes

Sloppy Joe being put into candy jars
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Yes, you can home-can sloppy joe meat with sauce. It’s a great way to have easy meals for a busy weeknight or when last-minute guests pop in for dinner. However, following the proper canning procedures is essential to ensure the product is safe to eat.

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Canning Sloppy Joe Meat For Easy Sandwich Filling

Sloppy joe on a bun
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Canned sloppy joes make a delicious and convenient sandwich for busy weeknights or low-key game day snacks with friends.

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