Instant Pot Sloppy Joes Recipe (2024)

A childhood staple, this classic sandwich is hearty and delicious! Make Instant Pot sloppy joes for a super quick and easy dinner with a sweet and savory sauce. This Instant Pot recipe is the perfect recipe for family dinners and potlucks.

Original recipe: June 2019 | Updated: January 2022

Why This Recipe Works

Sloppy joes are one of those classic dishes that makes a lot of us think of childhood. There’s a reason for that! They are super easy to prepare, making them the perfect meal for busy families.

Moms are smart! They are good at finding those easy recipes that are also over-the-top delicious. Sloppy joes are perfect for family dinner any night of the week and they are also the perfect potluck party food.

Every time I arrive at a party and see that sloppy joes are on the menu, I start loading up a bun pronto! This is such a great recipe and will quickly become a staple at graduation parties, summer potlucks, game-day parties, Father’s Day celebrations and so much more.

They are delicious, versatile and when made in an Instant Pot Duo they become even more delicious! I’m telling you, there is magic inside that little pot of yum!

Recipe Ingredients

• Ground beef – Use lean ground beef or even ground turkey or ground chicken for an extra lean meal.
• Garlic – I always used fresh minced garlic whenever possible, but 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder is a great replacement.
• Yellow onion– This variety of onion has a milder flavor, but if you’re looking to spruce up the flavor profile try using a red onion instead.
• Ketchup – If you are not a huge fan of ketchup, decrease the amount used in the recipe by half. Or you can replace a portion of it with your favorite barbecue sauce!
• Mustard – Depending on what your taste buds prefer, use either yellow or Dijon mustard. How long does mustard last?Read this post to learn more!
• Brown sugar – Use either light or dark brown sugar in the mixture.
• Worcestershire sauce – This is an essential ingredient! Using just a little bit of this savory sauce goes a long way in boosting the flavor.
• Broth– Beef broth and water can be used interchangeably. Broth will provide more flavor than water.
• Cayenne pepper– Spice up the recipe by adding 1/2 teaspoon of additional cayenne pepper or freshly ground black pepper. Or add up to 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes or 1 teaspoon chili powder. Stir the beef mixture well with a wooden spoon so all ingredients mix together.
• Buns – Any buns work great for this recipe, including sesame seed buns (white or wheat) or brioche buns.
• Toppings – I love sandwich toppings almost more than I love sandwiches! Great topping options for this sandwich include: pickle slices, a spoonful of coleslaw, red onion slices, sliced green onions, a thick tomato slice, cooked bacon strips, a slice of cheese (put it on while it’s hot so it melts!) or a fried egg if you’re feeling crazy.

How To Make Instant Pot Sloppy Joes

Step 1

Set the Instant Pot to saute mode. Add the ground beef, onion and garlic and cook until the meat is no longer pink. Drain excess grease from the pot, if needed. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil if the pot is too dry.

Step 2

Add the ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, water, salt, pepper and cayenne pepper to the pot and mix well.

Place the cover on the pot and set the timer to 5 minutes on high pressure (use the pressure cook setting) and ensure the release valve is set to the sealing position. It will take the Instant Pot approximately 9 minutes to build up pressure before it begins cooking.

When cook time is up, release pressure naturally for 10 minutes then do a quick release. It’ll be great to not have to stir occasionally – the pressure does all the work!

Step 3

Remove the cover, stir and let sit for 5-10 minutes before spooning into soft hamburger buns and serve. Load with your favorite toppings!

Make Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes on the Stovetop

If you prefer making this classic sandwich on the stovetop, follow this traditional sloppy joes recipe.

Recipe Notes for Easy Instant Pot Sloppy Joes

• I will occasionally add a splash of soy sauce to the mixture for an extra savory end result. I love the twist this adds. Just a splash, though!
• Add a chopped red, orange or green bell pepper to the pot along with the onions for extra crunch and flavor!
• Make this a low carb meal by turning them into a lettuce wrap “sandwich” instead of a traditional bun-enclosed sandwich.
• Add a few tablespoons of tomato paste for an extra robust flavor.

What To Serve With Sloppy Joes Instant Pot Recipe

Here are a handful of recipe ideas about what to serve with pressure cooker sloppy joes! Whether for a party or dinner, you’ll walk away with a plan. A sampling of sides in the roundup include:

• Potato chips
• Air fryer sweet potato fries
• French fries

What Makes These Better Than Stove Top or Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes

We all know that no matter how sloppy joes are made, THEY ARE DELICIOUS. Nobody will argue with that. So are they really that much tastier when made in an Instant Pot?

The amount of time it takes to make them on stove top and in an electric pressure cooker are about the same, but the flavor?

The Instant Pot works it’s secret magic to turn up the dial on the flavor, even over the slow-cooked version.

Easy Dinner Recipes

When it comes to easy and fun dinners, don’t limit yourself to this sandwich. Here are a handful of other delicious options:

• For a huge assortment of Dinner Ideas, check out this comprehensive collection of recipes!
• Slow Cooker Crack Chicken
• Instant Pot Chili
• Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
• Best Ever Chili Dogs

Instant Pot Recipes

The list of recipes you can make in an Instant Pot is endless! It can cook soup, chili, pasta, meat, potatoes, veggies, cake, beans and so much more. Here are a few of my favorite Instant Pot recipes:

• Instant Pot Chicken
• Perfect Hard-Boiled Eggs
• Steamed Artichokes
• Pressure Cooker Goulash
• Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup

How To Avoid the Instant Pot Burn Notice

• Stir heavy sauces or soups just before placing the cover on the pot for cooking. You will want the heaviest ingredients toward the top in order to ensure they don’t stick to the bottom of the pot and burn.
• Make sure your pot contains enough liquid! Add extra beef broth or chicken broth if it is already an ingredient in the recipe. If the recipe does not contain a thin liquid (e.g., a recipe that requires a trivet), add 1 1/2 cups of liquid to the bottom of the Instant Pot before cooking.
• I do not use an 8-quart IP, but from what I have heard this size is much quicker to set off the burn message than the 6-quart version. The 8-quart Instant Pot may require more liquid than the 6-quart does.

FAQ About Sloppy Joes

Affordable Dinner Ideas Using Ground Beef as a Main Ingredient

Make dinner and affordable with this delicious list ofdinner ideas using ground beef. Ground beef does not need to be boring!

Cream of Mushroom Soup and Ground Beef Recipes

Simplify dinner tonight! Create an easy, affordable and delicious meal using two hearty main ingredients. Click over for a handful of ground beef and cream of mushroom soup recipes!

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