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Spice up your dinner plans with these speedy and tasty Instant Pot Sloppy Joes that bring homemade goodness without spending hours cooking. This kid-friendly meal strikes just the right balance between sweet and zesty flavors, making it perfect for those busy evenings when you want something filling that the whole family will gobble up.
While testing this meal, I found that going with crushed tomatoes instead of store-bought barbecue sauce gives you a fresher, more genuine Sloppy Joe taste that you can tweak exactly how your family likes it.
Key Ingredients
Lean ground beef gives the right consistency
Bell peppers and onions add flavor layers
Crushed tomatoes make the ideal sauce foundation
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Brown sugar brings the flavors together
Worcestershire sauce packs in umami goodness
Spices deliver that traditional flavor
Making Sloppy Goodness
Cook beef using the sauté mode.
Soften the chopped veggies until they're done.
Mix in tomatoes and spices, scraping the bottom clean.
Set to high pressure for 6 minutes.
Make it thicker or thinner if needed.
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Put on fresh buns and eat while it's hot.
Figuring out how to nail the sauce thickness turns these Sloppy Joes into a family hit every time.
Tasty Pairing Suggestions
Round out your Sloppy Joes meal with crunchy potato chips or fresh coleslaw on the side. Make dinner more fun by putting out extra toppings like shredded cheese or pickle slices. For parties, try setting up a build-your-own station with different bun choices and sides such as creamy potato salad or crunchy broccoli slaw.
Different Ways To Cook
Switch up how you make this dish based on what works for you:
- Stovetop: Brown the meat first, cook the veggies, then mix everything and simmer for 20-30 minutes until it thickens up.
- Slow Cooker: Brown the meat, throw all ingredients in the pot and let it cook on low for 6 hours.
- Pressure Cooker: The quickest way - just 6 minutes under pressure plus prep time.
Keeping It Fresh
Your Sloppy Joe mix will stay good in a sealed container in the fridge for about three days. Want to save it longer? Freeze portions in freezer containers for up to three months. When you're ready to eat, warm it slowly on the stove or in the microwave, adding a tiny bit of water if it looks too thick.
Quick Shortcuts
Make this dish even faster with these handy tricks:
- Chop veggies super tiny so they cook faster
- Use a wooden spoon to scrape all the tasty bits from the pot
- Keep some cornstarch nearby to thicken sauce quickly if needed
- Think about making twice as much for easy meals later on
Smart Cooking Advice
Don't skip pouring off extra fat after cooking the meat
Scrape the pot bottom well to avoid any burning
Tweak the flavors and thickness to how you like it
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My adventure with these Instant Pot Sloppy Joes started as just sandwich stuffing but grew into crafting the ultimate weeknight family dinner. Just remember, truly great Sloppy Joes come from mixing good cooking know-how with fresh ingredients, creating a comfort food that gets everyone rushing to the dinner table.
Common Recipe Questions
- → Why should I deglaze?
- It keeps the pot from burning and adds depth to the sauce.
- → How do I make the sauce thicker?
- Either sauté it after cooking or mix in some cornstarch slurry.
- → Can ketchup work instead?
- Totally, swap it for the crushed tomatoes if you like.
- → Which size Instant Pot is good?
- This works best with a 6-quart Instant Pot.
- → What's the best way to save leftovers?
- Keep them in the fridge or freezer. Works great as a pizza topping too.