Sloppy Joes are something we all remember from our childhood, juicy and flavorful with a rich tomato sauce. Making them with a can of ROTEL Tomatoes with Diced Green Chilies adds a zesty, bold flavor. Prepare them in less than 20 minutes and put Spicy Sloppy Joes in the slow cooker to simmer until the rest of the meal is ready.

Spicy Sloppy Joes

You’re going to love this recipe because it’s affordable and makes a zesty sandwich that the whole family will ask for again and again. Cooking it in the slow cooker allows you to make it ahead of time, so it is ready when you want to eat. Spicy Sloppy Joes make the perfect summer lunch when paired with crunchy Creamy Coleslaw and Crispy Smashed Potatoes.

We enjoy our sloppy joes with a kick! So I put together a recipe that makes them spicy and robust. Adding shredded carrots, diced onion and chopped red pepper makes them hearty and more substantial.

chopped carrot, onion and red pepper

Key Ingredients

GROUND BEEF– Use a 80/20 mix of ground beef. Cook it with the chopped vegetables before adding it to the slow cooker.

CARROT, ONION and RED PEPPER– Shred the carrots, dice the onion and red pepper, and add them to the ground beef while cooking. This mixture will get married with the sauce in the slow cooker.

SLOPPY JOE SAUCE– Making your own sauce makes it more flavorful and allows you to control the amount of heat in the sandwich. Using a can of ROTEL Tomatoes with Diced Green Chilies, along with a pinch of red pepper flakes adds a spicy flavor.

BRIOCHE BUNS– Serve the meat mixture mounded up on soft brioche buns. Top each sloppy joe with a generous amount of creamy coleslaw.

COLESLAW– You can make your own Creamy Coleslaw or purchase it at the grocery store.

How to make Spicy Sloppy Joes?

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  • In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes.
  • Stir in the shredded carrots, diced onions and red peppers. Cook for another 5 minutes until softened.
ground beef and vegetables
  • Add the meat mixture to a 4-quart slow cooker set to low.
  • In a blender or small food processor, add the sauce ingredients and blend until combined. Pour the sauce over the meat mixture in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for up to 4 hours, stirring occasionally.
  • Serve on brioche buns topped with creamy coleslaw. Serve with crunchy potato chips or Classic Potato Salad. Recipe makes 6 sandwiches.

Can I make this recipe on the stovetop?

Yes, in just 30 minutes you can have these Spicy Sloppy Joes on the table for your family. Instead of adding the sauce to the slow cooker to finish cooking, simply pour the sauce in the skillet with the meat mixture and simmer for 10 minutes.

Even though this recipe for Spicy Sloppy Joes can be made on the stovetop, I think it is convenient to make them ahead of time and simmer them in the slow cooker until you are ready to eat.

Spicy Sloppy Joes

Variations to Spicy Sloppy Joes

MAKE THEM CHEESY– Add some melted cheese to the top of each sandwich for a rich, cheesy bite.

USE POULTRY– Use ground turkey or chicken in place of the ground beef. This will cut back on some of the calories without sacrificing any of the flavor.

SKIP THE BUNS– Serve spicy sloppy joes in lettuce cups for a crunchy alternative to bread or buns. Or use tortilla chips to scoop up the sloppy joe mixture. It is delicious eaten this way!

ADD PROTEIN– Stir in a can of drained black beans to the mixture. This stretches the recipe and adds even more protein to this meaty sandwich.

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Spicy Sloppy Joes

Spicy Sloppy Joes

Spicy Sloppy Joes come together with a mixture of ground beef, carrots, onion, red peppers and spicy tomatoes to make a delicious sandwich.
Servings: 6 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Slow Cooking: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 6 brioche buns

Meat Mixture:

  • 1 pound ground beef, 80/20
  • 1/2 cup carrots, shredded
  • 1/2 cup yellow onion, diced
  • 1/2 cup red pepper, chopped

Sloppy Joe Sauce:

  • 10 ounces ROTEL Diced Tomatoes and Green Chilies
  • 2/3 cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions 

  • In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes.
  • Stir in the shredded carrots, diced onions and red peppers. Cook for another 5 minutes until softened.
    ground beef and vegetables
  • Add the meat mixture to a 4-quart slow cooker set to low.
  • In a blender or small food processor, add the sauce ingredients and blend until combined. Pour the sauce over the meat mixture in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for up to 4 hours, stirring occasionally.
  • Serve on brioche buns topped with creamy coleslaw. Serve with crunchy potato chips or Classic Potato Salad. Recipe makes 6 sandwiches.
    Spicy Sloppy Joes

Equipment

  • 1 large skillet
  • 1 blender
  • 1 4-quart slow-cooker

Notes

Variations to Spicy Sloppy Joes
MAKE THEM CHEESY– Add some melted cheese to the top of each sandwich for a rich, cheesy bite.
USE POULTRY– Use ground turkey or chicken in place of the ground beef. This will cut back on some of the calories without sacrificing any of the flavor.
SKIP THE BUNS– Serve spicy sloppy joes in lettuce cups for a crunchy alternative to bread or buns. Or use tortilla chips to scoop up the sloppy joe mixture. It is delicious eaten this way!
ADD PROTEIN– Stir in a can of drained black beans to the mixture. This stretches the recipe and adds even more protein to this meaty sandwich.

Nutrition

Calories: 614kcalCarbohydrates: 54gProtein: 23gFat: 35gSaturated Fat: 17gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 197mgSodium: 783mgPotassium: 419mgFiber: 1gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 3132IUVitamin C: 19mgCalcium: 85mgIron: 3mg