Smoky & Spicy Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes

One of my favorite things to do with cooker is turning a kid’s classic into an adult dish. This week I succeeded in making some amazing smoky  and spicy sloppy joes. This recipe is full of flavor and it’s both sweet and spicy. Perfect for an adult palette.

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I’ll be the first to admit that I love comfort food. It may not be healthy but it sure does make me happy to eat it. These sloppy joe’s aren’t the healthiest thing you’ll find but they make for a nice treat every once in a while.

Sloppy Joe’s as a Kid

Sloppy joe’s were amazing when I was a kid. They’re like a messy hamburger. What’s not to love? Serve them up with some fries and you have a match made in heaven.

To make adult sloppy joe’s I added some spice and smoke. I also add extra onions for more texture and crunch. These serve up very nicely with vegetables, greens or spicy cajun fries. YUM!

How to Make Sloppy Joe’s in a Slow Cooker

This recipe is made easy in a slow cooker. It’s full of flavor from stewing all day. The end result is pretty tasty. Best part, you won’t feel like you slaved in the kitchen for hours and hours.

Before you throw all of the ingredients into the slow cooker, saute up the garlic, onions and ground beef to release all of their delicious flavors. If you own an InstantPot you can saute and slow cook all in the same pot.

Adult Sloppy Joes Recipe

Many of the ingredients in this recipe can be substituted for other items that you have on hand or in your fridge. Liquid smoke is one of the ingredients many people might not have on hand and it can be substituted with some spices like cumin. But try the liquid smoke if you have it. The liquid smoke will add a nice bar-b-que flavor to the sloppy joe meat.

Smoky & Spicy Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes

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An adult twist on this classic favorite. A smoky and spicy version of sloppy joes made easy in a slow cooker or crock pot.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 3 hours

Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 Pound Ground Beef
• 1 Small Onion Diced
• 1 Tbsp Garlic Minced
• 1 Tbsp Tomato Paste
• 1 Tsp Garlic Powder
• 1 Tsp Tabasco
• 1/2 Tsp Cayenne Pepper
• 1/2 Tsp Paprika
• 1/2 Tsp Liquid Smoke
• 2 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
• 1/4 Cup Water
• 1 tsp Dijon Mustard
• 2 Tbsp Brown Sugar
• 3/4 Cup Ketchup
• 3/4 Cup Bbq Sauce
• Green Onion for Garnish
• Salt and Pepper to Taste
• Hamburger Buns

Instructions

1. Add some oil to a pan and add the onions and saute for about 30 seconds. Add the garlic and saute for an additional 30 seconds. Add the ground beef and cook until brown.
2. Place the ground beef and remaining ingredients into a slow cooker.
3. Cook on low for 3 hours or high for 5 hours.
4. When ready to serve, toast the hamburger buns with a little bit of butter or mayonnaise.
5. Serve sloppy joe meat on a hamburger bun and garnish with green onion.