Instant Pot Sloppy Joes

three buns with ground beef with tomato sauce near cherry tomatoes

Yes, you can also make Sloppy Joes in your Instant Pot.

This is an easy recipe that you can cook yourself in less than 15 minutes and get a dish that is much better than any restaurant!

Perfect party food for holiday, family gathering or any special dinner.

three buns with ground beef with tomato sauce near cherry tomatoes

What is Sloppy Joes?

A Sloppy Joe represent a meat sauce served over burger buns. It is actually a type of hamburger. Still, unlike classic burgers, the Sloppy Joes are much juicier and has a much better flavor.

The name "Sloppy Joe" is probably due to the potential mess you can make while eating loosen meat 🙂 still, who cares when these are so delicious and easy to make.

What meat to choose?

For this Instant Pot Sloppy Joes recipe you can go with beef, pork, or even a mixture of these two.

I do not recommend using poultry, just because it would be a blasphemy. Stick to quality meat that has some fat on it. This will ensure your Sloppy Joe is super delicious and moist.

How to make the special sauce?

Making the special sauce for this Instant Pot Sloppy Joes is easy-peasy. It is a mix of ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, tomato paste, chili powder, and vinegar or lemon juice. This will give you an ultimate burger experience and the sauce is something you must have.

Can I just cook the Sloppy Joes in strained tomatoes?

I have tried that and I do not recommend it because you will end up with a weak Bolognese sauce.

The combo from the special sauce is what gives that amazing flavor. It would be such a shame to waste good beef. Bolognese is for spaghettis and not Sloppy Joe.

Do I need vinegar?

Well, you do not actually need vinegar, but you need something to give a bit acidity and to balance the flavors.

You can choose lemon juice or go with balsamic vinegar. Just use the same amount as it says in the recipe. The acidity is quite important so do not skip this.

Do I have to use cornstarch for this recipe?

No, but it will improve the taste for sure. And as you can see below, it's really easy to add cornstarch :]

How to add cornstarch?

YouTube video

How to make

Gather your ingredients:

Combine ketchup, Worcestershire sauce,  sugar, vinegar or lemon juice, chili powder, and tomato paste in a bowl. Keep aside.

Brown beef in instant Pot on Saute. Add garlic as well.

Once the beef is browned, add onion and chopped bell pepper.

Cook for 2 minutes and add the sauce and broth. Stir gently.

Lock lid into place. Cook the beef in High pressure for 7 minutes. Perform a quick pressure release once the cooking cycle is done.

Whisk cornstarch and water in a bowl and pour into the Sloppy Joe sauce.

Saute until the sauce is thickened for 2-3 minutes. Serve sauce over hamburger buns and enjoy 🙂

How To Serve?

It works great over a bun. If you need more ideas, check out What to Serve With Sloppy Joes for 20 delicious side dishes.

Ground Beef Recipes

Instant Pot Picadillo

Instant Pot Taco Pasta

Instant Pot Taco Soup

Instant Pot Stuffed Pepper Soup

Instant Pot Ground Beef And Rice

Instant Pot Sloppy Joes

No need for restaurants! This Instant Pot Sloppy Joes is the best Sloppy Joes you ever tasted! Homemade sandwich in 10 minutes.
4.82 from 37 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: dinner, lunch, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: beef, Sloppy Joes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Author: Corrie

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • ½ large onion chopped
  • ½ tablespoon chili powder
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • ½ cup beef broth
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • cup green bell pepper chopped
  • ½ cup celery chopped, optional
  • ½ tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoon prepared mustard
  • 1 tablespoon cider vinegar or lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ¼ cup water
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 4 hamburger buns for serving

Instructions

  • Mix together brown sugar, ketchup, tomato paste, vinegar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and chili powder and keep aside.
  • Put olive oil, beef and garlic into the Instant Pot and select “Sauté”.
  • Sauté for about 3 minutes.
  • Add peppers and onions and sauté for 2 more minutes.
  • add beef broth and ketchup mixture and mix a bit.
  • Close the lid and cook at high pressure for 7 minutes.
  • When cooking time is complete, do a quick pressure release.
  • Mix together water and corn starch in a small bowl and add the mixture to the Instant Pot.
  • Saute for 2 minutes while stirring.
  • Serve with buns and enjoy :]

Nutrition

Calories: 518kcal Carbohydrates: 39g Protein: 26g Fat: 28g Saturated Fat: 10g Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g Monounsaturated Fat: 13g Trans Fat: 1g Cholesterol: 81mg Sodium: 904mg Potassium: 703mg Fiber: 2g Sugar: 13g Vitamin A: 673IU Vitamin C: 25mg Calcium: 135mg Iron: 5mg
Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @corriecooksblog or tag #corriecooks!

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15 thoughts on “Instant Pot Sloppy Joes

  1. I love my Instant Pot! Recently I made spare ribs and sauerkraut in it instead of my Dutch oven. The results were fantastic. The meat was so tender and the blending of flavors delicious.
    In addition I am using it for 15 bean soup which is way better than the pot on the stove. The soup is perfect done in the Instant Pot. This method does a great job on the ham hocks.

  2. At the end of the recipe when you add the cornstarch slurry and you say to cook it for 2 min, do you mean cook on saute setting?

    1. Yes absolutely! Just cut the recipe in half so that it serves 2 and that should work well in the mini.

  3. Yes My Mom is awesome in making spaghetti sauce. For sweetness we use carrots instead of sugar. I think you make one with carrots and one with sugar.
    Carrots a better taste.

    1. I couldn’t disagree more w/ yr suggestion To sweeten the sloppy Joe sauce with carrots vs brown sugar. Brown sugar is a staple for good sloppy Joe’s flavor as well as any sort of barbecue sauce flavor as It is the perfect complement with the acid in the vinegar.. You wouldn’t use carrots for barbecue sauce. The only thing I would consider ever substituting for brown sugar and almost any recipe where you need tangy flavor combined with vinegar would be molasses. Molasses will do in a pinch and has a similar flavor, very old-fashioned tasting.

    2. In spaghetti sauce? From an Italian that makes gravy, or sauce every 2 weeks. Carrots are not allowed. I have seen some people put carrots, onions, celery in bolonase which in suppose to be sweeter, heavier and filling. It’s my favorite using high quality pasta, not Ronzoni, Muellers or store brand. High quality Ingredients like fresh basil, fresh mozzarella handmade, grated pecorino Romano cheese and parm cheese. Trust me you will be amazed. Also, used good peeled Roma tomatoes fresh or canned, SanMarzono is the best most flavorful. High quality tomatoe pasta too. Lastly a cup of your favorite red wine.

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