One of the best things about crock pots is that you don’t have to worry about open flames. Cooking with a crock pot is much safer than cooking on the stove, which is great news for kids who love to get into the thick of things when it comes to cooking.

With that being said, here is a recipe that your kids can make and the whole family can enjoy. This recipe is for large families. If your family is smaller, you may want to halve the recipe before your kids make them. Always keep in mind that all cooking should be done with adult supervision only.

Crock Pot Sloppy Joes

1. Crumble two pounds of ground beef in the bottom of the slow cooker.
2. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water immediately after handling raw meat.

stop at:

One 15 oz can tomato sauce

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

1/8 cup brown sugar

pinch of salt

pinch of pepper

1. Put the lid on and turn the heat to “low”.
2. Let simmer for four hours, remove lid and stir. Replace the lid and continue cooking for another hour (for a total of 5 hours).

To end:

1 to 2 packages of hamburger or barbecue buns

Pickles

chips

1. Arrange the buns on plates and spoon the meat mixture between each slice.
2. Add a pickle or two and a handful of potato chips to the side of the Sloppy Joes.

Having your children help cook helps them take responsibility and teaches them important life skills. Due to the simplicity of cooking in crock pots, it can be the perfect way for children to start learning to cook.