Instant Pot Sloppy Joes

Easy Instant Pot Sloppy Joes are a hit for a quick, affordable, and kid-friendly weeknight dinner recipe! Pressure cooker sloppy joes are just as easy Manwich, but with a more intense, tangy, and sweet, finger-lickin’ taste!

Ingredients Needed For This Recipe

The best instant pot sloppy joes starts with ground beef and some simple, affordable ingredients, many of which are kitchen staples! If you love sloppy joe nights, try another family-favorite – Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole!

• Ground beef – Use any type of preferred beef or ground turkey.
• Onion
• Garlic
• Worcestershire
• Brown sugar
• Ketchup
• Tomato paste
• Paprika
• Chili powder
• Hot sauce

How To Make Sloppy Joes in the Instant Pot

Although making stove top sloppy joes, are pretty effortless, making them in a pressure cooker has its advantages. While stove top needs time to simmer and infuse flavor, using an instant pot develops a strong, rich flavor in minutes because it’s cooked under pressure.

Plus, you won’t have to wait until the next day for optimal flavor. Serving straight from the pot tastes just as good as letting the flavors marinate overnight.

(For another easier, yet flavorful, pressure cooker recipe, check out Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas!)

1. First heat the pressure cooker to medium heat by using the SAUTE button. Add olive oil to the pot and cook the ground beef with onion. Saute the garlic once the beef has cooked through.
2. Hit CANCEL and stir in water, worcestershire, and brown sugar. On top of the beef layer ketchup, tomato paste, paprika, chili powder, salt, and hot sauce. Do not mix so you will not get a BURN message.
3. Close lid and pressure cook for 5 minutes with 10 minutes natural release. Let out any remaining pressure.
4. Stir and serve! If the sauce needs additional thickening, turn pot back to SAUTE and simmer to reduce liquid or add additional tomato paste.

Serving Ideas

Whether you are doubling the recipe for a party, or serving at a family meal, here are some ideal side dishes to serve with sloppy joes. As pictured, they are served on brioche buns, but soft gluten-free hamburger buns or these slider-style gluten-free Hawaiian rolls may be used.

Sloppy joes in the instant pot do not have to be served only on hamburger buns. They also go great on instant pot baked potatoes, waffle fries topped with cheese, on spaghetti (inspired by Cincinnati Chili!), or in grilled cheese sandwiches and quesadillas.

Using Frozen Beef

To make instant pot sloppy joes with frozen beef, place the beef in the pressure cooker, close lid,  seal valve, and cook on HIGH pressure for 4 minutes with quick release.

Carefully open lid and break up meat with a wooden spoon. Add the onions and saute until beef is browned, cooked through, and onions are tender. Proceed with the rest of recipe as written.

Troubleshooting a Burn Message

A burn message comes when food settles on bottom and sticks, resulting in a message from the instant pot that something is “burning.” Typically recipes with tomatoes or tomato paste will yield this message.

To avoid this, layer the ketchup and tomato paste on top of the ground beef without stirring. The ingredients won’t touch the pot, but still seep and flavor the meat. Once it has finished cooking stir the meat with sauce to combine.

Did you make this recipe? I love hearing from you! Leave a star rating and comment below the recipe card. It helps others when searching for recipes and I appreciate feedback from our community. You will always hear back from me! -Melissa

This post contains affiliate links. My opinions are always my own. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link, I make a small commission – at no cost to you. Read full disclosure policy here.