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Instant Pot Sloppy Joes Recipe

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4.4 from 10 reviews

This Instant Pot Sloppy Joes recipe delivers a flavorful, hearty meal perfect for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. Ground beef is browned and cooked with sautéed vegetables, a tangy tomato sauce, and savory seasonings under pressure to meld all the flavors together beautifully. Served on toasted burger buns, these sloppy joes are both satisfying and simple to make using an Instant Pot.

Ingredients

Meat & Vegetables

  • 1 ½ pound (671g) lean ground beef
  • 1 (200g) onion, diced
  • 1 (200g) green or red bell pepper, diced
  • 3 (10g) garlic cloves, minced

Sauce & Seasonings

  • ¾ cup (188ml) ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) regular soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon (12.5g) brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon (5ml) dijon mustard
  • ½ cup (125ml) water
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Kosher salt & ground black pepper to taste
  • Optional: 2 – 3 drops liquid smoke
  • Spicy Version: Cayenne pepper (to taste)

To Serve

  • 4 – 8 burger buns (toasted)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Pressure Cooker: Heat your pressure cooker over medium-high heat. For an Instant Pot, press the Sauté button and then the Adjust button once to set it to Sauté More function. Wait until the pot is very hot and the indicator says HOT.
  2. Brown Ground Beef: Season the ground beef generously with kosher salt and black pepper. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the pressure cooker, coating the bottom evenly. Add the ground beef and cook, stirring occasionally, until it starts to release moisture. After 5 minutes, drain and discard the juice that accumulates. Continue cooking until the beef is browned and slightly crisped, about another 5–7 minutes.
  3. Sauté Vegetables: Add the diced onion to the browned beef and sauté for 2 minutes. Then add the diced bell pepper and minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute more.
  4. Deglaze: Stir in the brown sugar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and water. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up all the browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pot and mix them into the liquid thoroughly.
  5. Pressure Cook Sloppy Joes: Layer the tomato paste, dijon mustard, and ketchup on top of the mixture in the pot without stirring. Close the lid securely and set the Instant Pot to cook at high pressure for 5 minutes. After cooking, allow a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then carefully turn the venting knob to release any remaining pressure before opening the lid.
  6. Toast Burger Buns: While the meat cooks, toast the burger buns in a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes until lightly browned.
  7. Reduce and Season: If the meat sauce is too thin, press the Sauté button on the Instant Pot to simmer and reduce the liquid for a few minutes while stirring. Add optional liquid smoke and cayenne pepper if using. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
  8. Serve: Spoon the sloppy joe mixture onto the toasted burger buns and serve immediately. Pair with tater tots or your favorite side dishes for a complete meal.

Notes

  • Drain excess beef juice after browning to prevent a watery sauce.
  • Do not stir the tomato paste, mustard, and ketchup layers before pressure cooking to avoid burning.
  • Use liquid smoke to add a smoky flavor without grilling.
  • Cayenne pepper adds heat—adjust according to your spice preference.
  • Natural pressure release helps retain moisture and meld flavors.
  • Toasting buns adds a nice texture and prevents sogginess.

Find it online: https://lauracooks.com/instant-pot-sloppy-joes-recipe/