Cowboy sloppy joes are a fun spin on the original made with BBQ sauce, bacon, diced green peppers & onion served with crispy onion rings!
These cowboy sloppy joes are made in the crock pot and are perfect for busy weeknights or for feeding a crowd. We like to serve these with scalloped potatoes, slow cooker cowboy stew, and pineapple delight.
Cowboy Sloppy Joes
Cowboy Sloppy Joes
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Why you’ll love this recipe!
📌 Just 15 minutes to prep everything and throw it in the crock pot.
📌 Made in the slow cooker or on the stove top.
📌 The delicious pop of flavor from the crispy onion ring.
Cowboy Sloppy Joe Ingredients
- Ground beef – lean, browned and drained.
- Bacon – cooked and diced.
- Onion – Yellow or white, diced.
- Green pepper – Diced.
- Water – Cold, filtered.
- BBQ sauce – Choose a brand that you love!
- Sugar – Light brown sugar.
- Oatmeal – Quick oats (It helps to thicken the sloppy joes. Trust us on this one!)
- Onion rings – Frozen, breaded onion rings, cooked to bag directions.
- Cheese – Slices of American cheese.
- Buns – Homemade or store bought.
Make sure to drain off the excess grease from the ground beef and bacon before adding the remaining ingredients.
How do you make cowboy sloppy joes (step-by-step directions)
⭐ First, add the ground beef, bacon, onion, green pepper, water, oatmeal, BBQ sauce and brown sugar to your cooking vessel. Stir to combine.
⭐ Next, cook until heated through and the flavors have come together.
⭐ Then, add salt and pepper to taste if desired and prepare the onion rings according to package directions.
⭐ Last, place a slice of cheese on the bottom bun, scoop sloppy joe mixture onto the cheese, top with two onion rings and the top bun.
Scroll down to the printable recipe card toward the bottom of this article for ingredient measurements and detailed cooking instructions.
This is a great quick recipe for using pre-cooked ground beef from your freezer!
Preparation
Can cowboy sloppy joes be made ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the sloppy joe mixture ahead of time. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Heat on the stovetop or in the crock pot and serve on buns with the cheese and onion rings.
Why is there oatmeal in the recipe?
The oatmeal is there to help thicken the sauce of the sloppy joes. Trust me on this, you won’t even know it’s there and it really helps hold the meat and sauce together!
What kind of cheese to use for cowboy sloppy joes?
This is completely up to you! We love a classic American cheese but you could also use cheddar cheese, colby jack or even pepper jack for an added kick!
What kind of BBQ sauce should I use for cowboy sloppy joes?
Use whatever brand is your absolute favorite or whatever you have on hand. If you like a little heat, try using spicy bbq sauce.
Lighten it up by using ground turkey or ground chicken!
Stove top cowboy sloppy joes
This recipe can be made on the stove top in a large heavy bottom stock pot or soup pot. Brown and drain the beef (the bacon can be cooked with the beef at this time too), then add all remaining sloppy joe ingredients to the pot.
Bring your ingredients to a simmer, then lower the heat. Continue to cook, stirring regularly, until mixture has cooked down to your desired consistency. Finish with salt and pepper to taste and serve on a bun with cheese and onion rings.
Slow cooker cowboy sloppy joes
This recipe can be made in a slow cooker or crock pot as an easy set it and forget it meal. Brown and drain the beef (the bacon can be cooked with the beef at this time too), then add all the remaining sloppy joe ingredients to the slow cooker.
Cover and cook on low or high (depending on when you want to eat), until mixture is heated through. Finish with salt and pepper to taste and serve on a bun with cheese and onion rings.
Instant pot cowboy sloppy joes
If you’re in a rush, try making this in the instant pot electric pressure cooker! Use the sauté mode to brown your beef (the bacon can be cooked with the beef at this time too). Drain the meat, then add all remaining sloppy joe ingredients to the instant pot.
Cover and set to sealing. Cook on manual/high power, then allow a limited natural release. Finish with salt and pepper to taste and serve on a bun with cheese and onion rings.
Scroll down to the printable recipe card toward the bottom of this article for ingredient measurements and detailed cooking instructions.
Turkey bacon is also a delicious substitute.
Storage and leftovers
How long do they last?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
We suggest making fresh onion rings instead of heating up leftover onion rings. They will be crispier and easier to eat.
Can cowboy sloppy joes be frozen?
Yes, you can freeze the sloppy joe meat for up to 3 months. Cool completely and store in an airtight, freezer safe container. Thaw in the refrigerator.
We do not recommend freezing the onion rings. Make fresh onion rings each time you serve cowboy sloppy joes for best results.
Tips and tricks
✅ Add some diced jalapenos to the sloppy joe mixture for an added kick of heat!
✅ Swap American cheese for sharp cheddar, pepper jack, or even provolone.
✅ Not a fan of onion rings? Try adding some air fryer fried pickles to the top!
✅ Make sure the buns you use are big and hearty to hold the entire sandwich together!
We’re partial to sturdy buns like brioche for this recipe!
Frequently asked questions
Can I customize the BBQ sauce flavor?
Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with different BBQ sauce flavors to suit your taste preferences. Whether it’s smoky, sweet, or spicy, choose a sauce that complements your desired flavor profile.
Can I use fresh onion rings instead of frozen ones?
Certainly! If you prefer fresh onion rings, you can make them from scratch or purchase them pre-made. Cook according to your preferred method before topping your sloppy joes.
Are there any alternatives to oatmeal for thickening the sauce?
If you’re looking for alternatives to oatmeal, you can use breadcrumbs or crushed crackers. These options also contribute to thickening the but may alter the texture some.
Can I make the cowboy sloppy joe mixture spicy?
Yes, you can add a kick of heat by incorporating diced jalapenos or a can of green chiles into the mixture before cooking. Adjust the quantity based on your spice tolerance for a spicier version of cowboy sloppy joes.
What to enjoy with cowboy sloppy joes (serving suggestions)
Cowboy sloppy joes are such a yummy version of a classic dish and we love throwing these in the crockpot for an easy weeknight meal. Serve them with some air fryer french fries, deviled egg potato salad, and banana cake.
Make a double or triple batch and freeze some for easy dinners later!
More delicious sloppy joe recipes
- Beef stroganoff sloppy joes
- Sloppy joes
- Italian sloppy joes
- Sloppy joe casserole
- Sloppy joe dip
- Nacho sloppy joes
Other sandwich recipes you’ll love
- Tomato sandwich
- Chicken parmesan sandwich
- Reuben sandwich
- French dip sliders
- Italian chicken sandwich
- Crab Po-boy
- Chicken sliders
- Cucumber sandwiches
- See all our delicious sandwich recipes!
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Tools we love
- 7 Quart Crock Pot Slow Cooker – I’ve had this slow cooker since my husband and I were married in 2003!
- Wooden spatula – My wooden spatulas are my absolute favorite to stir with. I don’t know why, but I feel like a real cook when I use them.
How to Make Cowboy Sloppy Joes
Cowboy Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
Sloppy Joe Ingredients
- 1½ pounds lean ground beef browned and drained
- 8 slices bacon cooked and chopped
- small onion diced
- small green bell pepper diced
- ¼ cup water
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- ¼ cup oatmeal* uncooked
Serving Ingredients
- 6 hamburger buns
- 12 breaded onion rings cooked according to package instructions
- 6 slices cheese (we like American cheese, but cheddar is also great!)
Instructions
STOVE TOP DIRECTIONS
- Add browned ground beef, cooked diced bacon, diced onion, diced bell pepper, water, oatmeal, BBQ sauce and brown sugar to a large heavy bottom cooking pot.
- Stir and bring to a simmer, uncovered, on high heat, then reduce heat to low and simmer for an additional 15 - 20 minutes, stirring regularly, until mixture has reduced to your desired consistency.
- Stir in salt and pepper to taste and serve on a bun with cheese and onion rings.
SLOW COOKER DIRECTIONS
- Add browned ground beef, cooked diced bacon, diced onion, diced bell pepper, water, oatmeal, BBQ sauce and brown sugar to a large heavy bottom cooking pot.
- Cover and cook on low for 4 - 6 hours or high for 2 - 4 hours, until mixture is heated through.
- Stir in salt and pepper to taste and serve on a bun with cheese and onion rings.
INSTANT POT DIRECTIONS
- Add browned ground beef, cooked diced bacon, diced onion, diced bell pepper, water, oatmeal, BBQ sauce and brown sugar to the instant pot. Stir in 1 cup of water (when using instant pot directions only).
- Cover and set to sealing. Cook on manual/high pressure for 5 minutes, then allow a 10 minute natural pressure release before carefully quick releasing any remaining pressure.
- If desired, turn on sauté mode and allow the mixture to cook down to your preferred consistency (stir frequently). Finish with salt and pepper to taste. Serve on a bun with cheese and onion rings.
Notes
- Cook time - Most electric pressure cookers take about 10 - 15 minutes to come to pressure. The inputted cook time will begin after the pot is pressurized.
- Natural pressure release - Hit cancel and walk away from the pot. It will slowly naturally depressurize. Depending on the contents this can take anywhere between 10 - 20 minutes for a full natural release.
- Quick release - Turn the dial at the top of your pot to allow the pressure to release quickly. Always use a long handled utensil for this to avoid steam burns. Do not quick release under cabinets or you may cause steam/water damage. If there is sputtering, quickly turn dial back to 'sealing' and allow it to naturally depressurize a few minutes before trying again.
Nutrition
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Cowboy Sloppy Joes
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Gina says
The kids are in love and asking when we can make it again – SO GOOD!
Amanda says
This is such a comfort meal it is fantastic. The onion rings are so good on this!
Sandra says
Wow! This cowboy sloppy joes has so much flavor! Definitely making it again this week!
Beti | easyweeknightrecipes says
This is such a fantastic and hearty meal! The combination of ground beef with onions and peppers was incredibly flavorful. Can’t wait to make it again!!
Katerina Petrovska says
Everyone loved it, and it was a fun change from regular Sloppy Joes. Perfect for a weeknight meal!!
Catalina says
he combination of savory and slightly sweet flavors is just perfect. I loved how quick and easy they were to make, and my family couldn’t get enough!
Janelle says
The onion rings were a big deal with these. So tasty!!
Erin says
It’s incredibly delicious! Always a huge hit on our table!