Make your weeknight easier by whipping up this easy and delicious Instant-Pot Sloppy Joe recipe for dinner.
This sloppy joe recipe instantly takes me back to my school cafeteria lunches and those busy weeknight dinners at home when my mom wanted to whip up something easy. My favorite part of this recipe is how it uses the Instant Pot rather than the stovetop, transforming a classic recipe into something even better. It delivers all those familiar flavors in a fraction of the time it would take to bubble away on the stovetop. The Instant Pot pressure cooking setting intensifies all those savory, sweet, and tangy flavors from the veggies and seasoning, while keeping the ground beef perfectly tender and juicy. The combination of soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and a hint of Dijon mustard creates a delectable, sweet, and slightly spicy flavor profile that’s a tad better than the canned sauce versions my mom used to make it with.
In just 35 minutes, you can have a hearty, delicious meal that can feed your whole family or group of friends without spending hours in the kitchen. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity, with most of the ingredients being pantry staples you probably already have on hand. Whether you’re feeding hungry kids after school, hosting a casual dinner party, or just craving some good old-fashioned comfort food, these Instant Pot sloppy joes deliver every single time. Serve them on toasted buns with your favorite sides, and you’ve got a meal that’s guaranteed to become a regular in your dinner lineup.
What is an Instant Pot?
For those unfamiliar, an Instant Pot is a brand of electric multicooker that combines the functions of a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, sauté pan, and yogurt maker all in one convenient appliance. It uses pressurized steam to cook food much faster than traditional cooking methods. What would normally take hours in a slow cooker can be done in minutes with the pressure cooking function. It’s an absolute lifesaver to have, whether you’re a busy parent, college student, or just need a kitchen appliance that helps get dinner on the table faster. You can find it being sold online or at various department stores.
How do I store leftovers?
If you have any leftover sloppy joe meat, you can store it in an airtight container and leave it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the cooked meat for up to 2 months. To defrost it, I recommend transferring it from the freezer to the refrigerator and allowing it to thaw overnight. Once defrosted, reheat the sloppy joe mixture in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. If your mixture seems too thick, try adding a splash of water or beef broth. You can also reheat it in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval.
Serving suggestions
These sloppy joes would go wonderfully with these Air-Fryer Sweet Potato Fries or a batch of these Homemade French Fries. You can serve it with a side of veggies like some Steamed Brussels Sprouts, Roasted Broccoli And Cauliflower, or Roasted Zucchini. For a complete comfort food experience, consider adding a crisp Coleslaw or pickles on the side to cut through the rich, savory flavors of the sloppy joe mixture.
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
- Kosher salt and ground black pepper to taste
- 1 medium onion diced
- 1 green bell pepper diced
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 3/4 cup ketchup
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 cup water
- 4 burger buns toasted
Instructions
- Set your Instant Pot to Sauté and add the olive oil. Once heated (about 2 minutes), add the lean ground beef, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned (around 5 minutes). Drain excess grease if needed.
- Add the diced onion, green bell pepper, and minced garlic to the pot. Sauté for about 2 minutes until the vegetables are softened and fragrant.
- Sprinkle in the soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the pot. Then add the tomato paste and carefully layer the ketchup and Dijon mustard over the top along with water. Do not stir so the flavors remain distinct.
- Seal the Instant Pot, set it to Pressure Cook on High for 5 minutes, and then allow a 10-minute natural pressure release. Open the lid carefully once finished.
- If the sauce seems too runny, switch to Sauté mode and simmer until it thickens to your liking. Adjust salt and pepper if needed. Serve the sloppy joe mixture on your toasted burger buns.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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