Slow Cooker Sloppy Joe Sliders

By Angela Sellari

Sloppy Joes are always a crowd favorite and these Slow Cooker Sloppy Joe Sliders are perfect for a party.

I know it’s tempting to buy the ready-made sloppy joe seasoning that comes in a jar or envelope, but this homemade version is so much better. It might look like there are a lot of ingredients at first glance, but these are all ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.

The best thing about this recipe is that you can put it in the slow cooker in the morning, forget about it, and have a delicious meal waiting for you at dinnertime.

Slow Cooker Sloppy Joe Sliders

Makes 16+ sliders

Ingredients:
1 TBS olive oil
2 pounds lean ground turkey
1 pound lean ground beef
1 onions, diced
3 celery stalks, diced finely
15 ounces fire roasted diced tomatoes
4 garlic cloves, minced
1⁄2 cup natural ketchup
1 cup chili sauce (I like Heinz)
1⁄2 cup light brown sugar
3 TBS spicy brown mustard
1 TBS worcestershire
1 TBS cumin
1 TBS chili powder
1⁄2 tsp paprika
1⁄4 tsp salt
1⁄4 tsp black pepper
whole wheat slider buns (at least 16 – estimate 2-3 per person)

Directions:

1. In a large skillet over medium/high heat, add olive oil and onions, and celery; stir. Place beef and turkey on top of onions, place top on skillet, and cook for 5 minutes, covered.

Uncover, break meat apart with wooden spatula, then continue to cook until browned and mostly cooked through; drain meat mixture; set aside.

2. In the bowl of your large slow cooker, add diced tomatoes, garlic, ketchup, chili sauce, brown sugar, mustard, worcestershire, cumin, chili powder, paprika, salt, and pepper; whisk well to combine.

3. Add drained meat mixture, stir to coat meat with sauce mixture. Cover and cook on low for 5-7 hours. Remove top, stir, and place about 1⁄4 cup of sloppy joe mixture on each bun. Serve immediately or buns get soggy*

You can easily double or triple this recipe for a large crowd.

I like to set up a mini serving bar, that way people can serve themselves the sloppy joe sliders, preventing the rolls from getting soggy. Serve with toppings such as pickles, lettuce, and tomatoes. Enjoy!