ForkPrints Slow-Cooker Manwich Sloppy Joes The ForkPrints by Irene
Comfort food for cold days.
[Story starts here…]
The Story
This recipe came together on November 23rd, during Packers vs. Vikings - which, if you know, you know. We were also celebrating my Mama’s 85th birthday, so it was already a meaningful weekend. Steve was deer hunting in Alberta, Canada with his brother, so I hosted a small gathering in our lumberyard building with a few close friends, food on the table and football on the screen. I made this crockpot Manwich using what I had in the cupboard, seasoning the meat properly before adding the sauce and letting it cook low and slow. It wasn’t fancy or planned - just solid comfort food for a small group. Everyone liked it, went back for more, and no one reached for extra seasoning. That’s when I knew it worked.
ForkPrints Slow-Cooker Manwich Sloppy Joes
The ForkPrints by Irene
🥩 Ingredients
1–2 lbs ground beef (85% lean / 15% chuck)
1–2 cans Manwich sauce (depending on how saucy you like it)
Season the Meat First (Important)
Per pound of beef:
½–1 tsp salt
Several shakes black pepper
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp onion powder
Optional:
1–2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
Small sprinkle paprika or chili powder
Diced onions or green peppers
🍳 Instructions
1. Brown & Season the Beef
Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Season while cooking. Taste before moving on - the meat should already taste good. Drain excess fat if needed.
2. Transfer to Crockpot
Add seasoned beef to the crockpot. Stir in Manwich sauce until well combined.
3. Slow Cook
Cover and cook:
Low: 2–4 hours
High: 1–2 hours
Stir occasionally if you’re around.
4. Adjust & Serve
Too thick → add a splash of water or broth
Too thin → uncover for the last 15–20 minutes
Serve warm on toasted buns.
⭐ ForkPrints Notes
Using 85/15 ground chuck adds richness and depth.
Seasoning the meat before adding the sauce makes all the difference.
Simple food, done right, feeds people well.
A culinary story from The ForkPrints by Irene
Pantry cooking with intention.












