Description
This Slow Cooker Mississippi Sloppy Joes recipe offers a deliciously tangy and savory twist on classic sloppy joes. Ground beef is browned with onions, then slow-cooked with ketchup, ranch seasoning, au jus mix, pepperoncini peppers, and butter for rich, slow-cooked flavor. Perfectly tender and juicy, these sloppy joes are easy to prepare in your slow cooker, making them a convenient and crowd-pleasing meal served best on buns or alongside mashed potatoes.
Ingredients
Meat and Vegetables
- 2 pounds lean ground beef (90/10 recommended)
- 1 large yellow onion (finely diced)
- ¾ cup pepperoncini peppers (drained and sliced)
Seasonings and Sauces
- ⅓ cup ketchup
- 1.5 ounce packet ranch dressing seasoning mix
- 1 ounce packet au jus gravy mix
- 3 tablespoon pepperoncini juice (plus more if desired with the cornstarch slurry)
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar (packed)
Other Ingredients
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter (sliced into pats)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, to thicken juices; mixed with 1 tbsp water or pepperoncini juice)
- 8 buns (for serving, or mashed potatoes as an alternative)
Instructions
- Brown the beef and onions: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef and diced onions. Cook for about 8 minutes until the beef is browned and onions are soft and translucent. Stir and crumble to ensure even browning. Add a tablespoon of olive oil if the mixture looks dry.
- Transfer to slow cooker: Move the cooked beef and onion mixture into the sprayed insert of a 6 or 7-quart slow cooker.
- Add seasonings and mix: Stir in the ketchup, ranch dressing seasoning mix, au jus gravy mix, pepperoncini juice, and brown sugar until evenly combined.
- Top with peppers and butter, then cook: Scatter the sliced pepperoncini peppers evenly on top, add pats of butter, then cover with the lid. Cook on HIGH for 1-2 hours or on LOW for 3-4 hours, stirring once or twice during cooking. Cooking times may vary depending on your slow cooker.
- Optional thickening step: If the mixture is too thin about 30 minutes before finishing, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water or pepperoncini juice to make a slurry. Stir this into the slow cooker, cover, and continue cooking for another 20-30 minutes until thickened to your liking. Remember the mixture may seem wetter while hot but will thicken as it cools.
- Serve: Scoop the sloppy joe mixture onto buns or serve alongside mashed potatoes as desired. Enjoy a hearty, flavorful meal!
Notes
- Use lean ground beef (90/10) for the best texture and flavor.
- The optional cornstarch slurry helps thicken the sauce if it seems too thin at the end of cooking.
- Adjust pepperoncini juice amount for your preferred tang and heat.
- Cooking times may vary depending on your slow cooker’s brand and size; monitor the texture and taste as it cooks.
- This recipe also works well as a mashed potato topping if you want a twist from the traditional bun serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
