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Crockpot Pulled Pork Sloppy Joes

This Crock Pot Sloppy Joe recipe is super easy, make ahead, freezer friendly, great for crowds all smothered in the best sauce! This Crock Pot Sloppy Joe recipe is perfect to feed a crowd or just your hungry family because the slow cooker does all the work! Simply brown the pork, toss it in the slow cooker with your zesty sauce, and let it slow roast while you go about your day. It’s another recipe for your back pocket when you need an easy, stress free, make ahead dinner that’s deeply satisfying and everyone loves. This Sloppy Joe recipe can also be made in advance and kept warm in the crockpot or made up to 24 hours in advance and simply rewarmed in the crockpot (instructions included). These Crockpot Sloppy Joes also freeze beautifully for a scrumptious instant dinner any night of the week.
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8

Ingredients

  • 8 large buns
  • 8 slices white cheddar, pepper Jack, Gruyere, etc.

Pork

Light Coleslaw

  • 16 oz. angel hair coleslaw
  • 1-2 shredded carrots
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise (I use fat free)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar or more to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoons celery seeds
  • 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • Pulled Pork: Spray your slow cooker with non stick cooking spray. Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil over medium-high heat in a large cast iron skillet. Using tongs or 2 forks, sear pork on all sides until lightly browned. Transfer pork to slow cooker.
  • Add all of the pork ingredients and stir. Cook on high 3-4 hours or on low 6-8 hours. When tender, shred pork and allow to cook an additional 30 minutes, or until the pork absorbs the excess liquid.
  • Coleslaw: Add ingredients to a large bowl and mix until well combined. Taste and add additional sugar, vinegar, salt to taste.
  • Buns: When ready to serve, lay bottom of buns in a single layer on a baking sheet. Top with sliced provolone and broil until melted, approximately, 1-2 minutes.
  • Assemble: Top provolone buns with shredded pork followed by coleslaw.

Notes

Storage

You can either transfer Sloppy Joe meat to an airtight container or back into the slow cooker.  To store in the slow cooker, cooled to room temperature, remove the pot from the slow cooker and put the whole insert (lid on) in the refrigerator.  Store in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.

REHEAT INSTRUCTIONS:

  • Slow cooker:  To reheat your Crock Pot Sloppy Joes from the refrigerator, place the ceramic insert back into your slow cooker and heat on low for 1-2 hours.
  • Stove:  Alternatively, you can reheat large batches on the stove over medium low heat, stirring occasionally until the meat is heated through to 165 degrees F. 
  • Microwave:  For smaller batches or individual servings, you can use the microwave.  Transfer sloppy Joe meat to a microwave-safe dish, cover with a microwave-safe lid or paper towel.  Microwave for 1 minutes, stir, then continue to microwave for 30-second intervals, if needed.

MAKE AHEAD INSTRUCTIONS 

Yes!  These Crock Pot Sloppy Joes can be made completely in advance for an easy make ahead dinner: simply make the sloppy Joe meat, including shredding it but do not cook the additional 30  minutes after shredding. You can reheat your meat on LOW in the slow cooker, stove or oven according to above directions. 

FREEZER INSTRUCTIONS

I don't recommend freezing assembled Sloppy Joes because the buns will get soggy but you can absolutely freeze Sloppy Joe meat:
  1. Cool: Allow meat to cool completely before freezing to preserve the integrity of the ingredients.
  2. Package:  Transfer meat an airtight freezer safe container or freezer bag.  You can even use sandwich size plastic bags for individual portions.  Squeeze out any excess air to prevent freezer burn and label
  3. Freeze. Freeze for up to 3 months.
  4. Defrost/Reheat. When ready to use, thaw overnight in the refrigerator then reheat in the microwave, crockpot or stove according to aforementioned instructions.