Instant Pot Sloppy Joes

Okay folks, gather ’round because you’re about to witness the magical mingling of flavors right here with our Instant Pot Sloppy Joes. Let me tell you, these messy delights are like a hug in a bun. It’s one of those meals that’s not only a classic, well-loved go-to, but it’s also ridiculously easy, thank you Instant Pot gods. Imagine juicy, savory goodness that’s cozy enough to blanket you in nostalgia but plucky enough to kick your taste buds into gear.
Imagine this, we’ve got a chaotic, loving little family scene — specially tailored for this recipe. My husband? He’s typically the skeptic when it comes to “new” food trends, right? But the day I slapped this beauty together, he whistled. I’m talking full-on, grab-the-kids-and-cheer whistle. It’s one of those recipes that whip up fast and still, somehow, feels gourmet (because pressure cooking is basically wizardry). Now it’s our weeknight hero, emerging from the chaos of our lives like a comfort-food knight in tasty armor.
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Why You’ll Love This Instant Pot Sloppy Joes
– Zero to dinner in record time. We’re talking Olympic-level speeds here.
– No stove babysitting required — toss it in, hit a button, and call it a day.
– It makes everyone pass around compliments faster than the rolls at Thanksgiving.
How to Make It
Okay, so grab your Instant Pot and let’s make something magical. First, you’ll want to brown your beef. Don’t stress about crumbles being uniform; the beauty is in the imperfection. Toss in onions, let them soften and smell like your best memories of fall festivals. Some people would measure here, but let’s be real; a healthy handful is usually what I’m working with. Now, throw in bell peppers or any renegade veggies you find lurking in the fridge.
Don’t forget the sauce combo! Tomato paste, some spicy Worcestershire fun, and if you don’t spill a bit of it, you’re lying. Stir like your life depends on it, but chill if it’s a little chunky. Pop the lid on, pressure cook this dream for a brief interlude of sanity (fifteen minutes of throw-the-laundry-in or maybe grab a coffee). And boom, it’s chow time!
Ingredient Notes
– Ground Beef: This is your meaty powerhouse. Go for the 80/20 if you’re a flavor fiend. If you’ve got lean stuff, no biggie, just embrace the spice.
– Onion: Don’t be shy with these pungent gems. They’re the aromatic undercurrent of our sloppy symphony.
– Bell Pepper: I once mixed red and green because, well, they were on sale. Solid choice. One green light to go, go, go!
Recipe Steps:
1. Brown the ground beef in the Instant Pot.
2. Stir in onions and let them soften.
3. Add bell peppers and desired seasonings.
4. Mix the sauce ingredients together.
5. Lock the Instant Pot, set it to pressure cook for 15 minutes.
6. Release pressure, stir, and serve on buns.
What to Serve It With
Tips & Mistakes
Storage Tips
So, leftovers? We rarely have them but when we do, toss them in the fridge and they become killer lunch or midnight feast potential. Reheat them in the microwave or just snag a bite cold—it’s like sloppy joe pudding, don’t judge. It’s also weirdly satisfying for breakfast if you’re into that kind of rule-breaking.
Variations and Substitutions
Alright, sometimes I swap the beef for turkey when I’m feeling virtuous or the cash is tight. A splash of barbecue sauce sneaks in a sweet twist if the whim hits, and cheese? Yep, always cheese. Just pile it glorious and high. Once I ran out of buns and used tortillas—it’s an adventure, not a mistake.
Frequently Asked Questions

Instant Pot Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 0.5 cup diced onion finely chopped
- 0.25 cup ketchup
- 0.25 cup water
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar packed
- 0.5 tsp garlic powder
- 4 sandwich buns burger buns
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and brown the ground beef until no longer pink.
- Add diced onion and cook for 2 minutes until softened.
- Stir in ketchup, water, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and garlic powder.
- Close the lid, set the valve to sealing, and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes.
- Release pressure carefully, open the lid, and stir the mixture.
- Serve sloppy joe mixture on buns immediately.
Notes
Featured Comments
“Made this last night and it was absolutely loved. Loved how the light came together.”
“Made this last night and it was turned out amazing. Loved how the tender came together.”
“New favorite here — will make again. crowd-pleaser was spot on.”
“New favorite here — family favorite. crunchy was spot on.”
“Impressed! Clear steps and so flavorful results. Perfect for busy nights.”
“New favorite here — turned out amazing. cozy was spot on.”