Instant Pot Sloppy Joes {Low-carb, family-friendly, simple}

by Dorothy Reinhold on March 17, 2020


Print This Post Print This Post Slightly sweet & tangy, very meaty comforting Sloppy Joe on a soft, toasted onion bun. This easy recipe saves time by using an Instant Pot, on ShockinglyDelicious.com

Instant Pot Sloppy Joes are slightly sweet, slightly tangy and very meaty (beef and pork). They’re served on a soft, toasted oniony bun for a satisfying comfort meal.

A childhood favorite that never gets old, few meals provide the instant comfort of a sloppy joe. This easy version shaves some cooking time off by using the Instant Pot. The aromatics and meat saute in the pot, and then the sauce pressure cooks for a mere 5 minutes before it’s ready for prime time — either lunch or dinner.

Is your Instant Pot out of the box yet from when you got it as a gift? If not, what are you waiting for?

If it is, plug it in and let’s get dinner on the table!

This simple Instant Pot Sloppy Joe recipe will have your eyes rolling back in your head…that’s how good it is. If you need to get dinner on the table in 30 minutes, this is your recipe. And it’s faster (and healthier) than calling in a take-out order and waiting for delivery. Have I convinced you yet? Do not let this handy kitchen gadget intimidate you. It is very easy.

How to make Instant Pot Sloppy Joes

Beef and pork in the liner of an Instant Pot for Sloppy JoesSaute the meats in the Instant Pot. We’re using ground beef (the smaller grind here) AND ground pork (the larger grind), for a great meaty combo.

Onion, celery, red pepper and garlic in with the meats in the Instant Pot for Sloppy JoesAdd the aromatics and veggies (onion, bell pepper, celery, carrots, garlic).

Thyme sprig on top of meat mixture in the Instant PotAdd the thyme (I used fresh sprigs since I had it in my garden, but you can use dried with no problem so don’t sweat it).

Towel over the steam vent on the Instant Pot Cook on pressure for 5 minutes, and when time is up, manually release the pressure. I put a towel loosely over the steam vent so I don’t run into a problem in the future with steam droplets collecting on my ceiling. I’m just thinking ahead, since I am using this pot a lot!  (Your mileage may differ if your kitchen ceilings are higher and this isn’t a concern to you.)

Simple Instant Pot Sloppy Joes on a bun on a white plate on ShockinglyDelicious.comServe on a bun (toasted onion bun for my family)…

Instant Pot Sloppy Joes spooned on top of shredded cabbage on ShockinglyDelicious.com…or over a bed of shredded cabbage if you are trying to cut carbs, like me. Either way, enjoy the heck out of it like we did!

This Instant Pot Sloppy Joe version was such a hit with everyone in my family, first for dinner one night, then lunch on the weekend. My son was sniffing around the fridge, hoping to eat it again with crackers for a dipping snack. He was out of luck as the rest of us had finished it off!

Get in line, buddy!

Instant Pot Sloppy Joes

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Yield: Serves 6-8

Instant Pot Sloppy Joes

Instant Pot Sloppy Joes are slightly sweet, slightly tangy and very meaty (beef and pork). They're served on a soft, toasted oniony bun for a satisfying comfort meal.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef (85/15 preferred, but 90/10 is also fine)
  • 1 pound ground pork (95% extra lean preferred)
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 onion, finely diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, stem, ribs and seeds removed, chopped
  • 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
  • 1 carrot, stem removed and finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon ground mustard
  • 1 (14.5-ounce can petite diced tomatoes (no-salt-added version preferred)
  • 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 3 sprigs fresh thyme, or a big pinch of dried thyme
  • .
  • For serving:
  • Buns, toasted (onion buns are nice with this!)
  • Shredded cabbage (for the lower-carb eaters)

Directions

  1. Set Instant Pot to saute and when hot, add beef and pork, and cook, using a wooden spoon to stir and separate the clumps. Cook until the meat is browned (not pink); this will take 5-7 minutes or so.
  2. Add salt, about 10-15 grinds of fresh pepper, onion, bell pepper, celery, carrot and garlic. Cook and stir occasionally for about 5-7 minutes, until onion is translucent. Add chili powder, coriander, mustard, tomatoes with juice, maple syrup, Worcestershire, tomato paste and thyme and stir to combine.
  3. Fit the lid on the pot, secure it into place, and using the manual mode, set the Instant Pot to 5 minutes on high pressure. When time is up, turn IP off, quick-release the pressure and then remove lid.
  4. Ladle meat onto toasted buns (or see below for a lower-carb version), and serve!
  5. Serves 6-8.

Notes

LOWER CARB OPTION: Serve the meat ladled over shredded cabbage (a bagged cole slaw mix works very well). I leave the cabbage raw, but you could give it a quick saute in a skillet if you can't tolerate raw cabbage, or prefer it cooked.

Recipe source: Adapted from a recipe by Martha Stewart.

https://www.shockinglydelicious.com/instant-pot-sloppy-joes/

pin this please!Pin either or both of the images below for Instant Pot Sloppy Joes to your Pinterest board to save this recipe!

Instant Pot Sloppy Joes on a bun on a white plate with fork alongside

or Pin this one

Sloppy Joes in the Instant Pot, served over shredded cabbage instead of on a bun. Presented on a white plate on ShockinglyDelicious.com

Low-Carb version of Instant Pot Sloppy Joes

Low-Carb Instant Pot Sloppy Joes served over shredded cabbage on a white plate on ShockinglyDelicious.com

Be sure to use your own low-carb eating tricks if you are avoiding the buns. My idea was to put it over shredded cole slaw mix. What’s your (better?) idea?

Want another Sloppy Joe recipe?

Joel from the TV show eating his Very Sloppy Joels sandwich on Shockingly DeliciousHow about Very Sloppy Joels by Kate Gosselin (remember her? She’s the mom from “John & Kate Plus 8.”)

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This post was originally published Jan. 14, 2019, and has been refreshed and republished today.

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{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }

katerina @ diethood.com March 19, 2020 at 7:37 am

YUMMY!! My kids would LOVE these!

Reply

Jillian March 18, 2020 at 7:36 pm

I can’t wait to try this recipe in the Instant Pot!

Reply

Carrie Robinson March 18, 2020 at 5:32 pm

I just love that you made this in the instant pot! 🙂

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Karen March 18, 2020 at 1:09 pm

Great idea on the towel! I learned that the hard way, lol. Making this in the Instant pot is genius.

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold March 19, 2020 at 9:48 pm

Karen,
One person warned me that we aren’t supposed to put a towel over the vent, but I keep it very loose. I just want to catch the big water droplets instead of having them sit on the ceiling.

Reply

Liz Mays March 18, 2020 at 12:43 pm

Oh now this sounds amazing and the Instant Pot makes it easy! I have to make it like this!

Reply

Sue Lau March 18, 2020 at 10:55 am

I can still get those low carb wraps so that’s another great option besides the bowls.

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold March 19, 2020 at 9:48 pm

Sue,
Good idea!

Reply

Wendy Klik March 18, 2020 at 5:05 am

The instant pots really do come in handy. I used mine for our Corned Beef yesterday. Perfect results.

Reply

Linda Taylor April 8, 2019 at 7:35 am

You had me at low carb. Yummy!

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Sandra | A Dash of Sanity January 21, 2019 at 9:38 am

I’d be happy to eat this for dinner any night!

Reply

Toni | Boulder Locavore January 17, 2019 at 4:25 pm

Perfect easy meal or game day favorite!

Reply

Paula January 17, 2019 at 7:57 am

Adding sloppy joes to my must make in my IP.

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Anna January 16, 2019 at 1:30 pm

Love that you used beef and pork together! These look so good!

Reply

Cathy January 16, 2019 at 1:14 pm

I love that you served this over shredded cabbage! My husband recently requested sloppy joes and I got queasy thinking about the super greasy sloppy joes I was served in grade school. I just couldn’t bring myself to make them. But this recipe has me intrigued and I am going brave bad memories to try this delicious looking dish.

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold January 16, 2019 at 1:46 pm

Cathy,
This is definitely NOT the super greasy version from school, I promise!

Reply

Melanie Bauer January 15, 2019 at 11:02 pm

Yay looks so good! I love this specially when we need something quick and easy, need to make this!

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Patricia @ Grab a Plate January 15, 2019 at 8:54 pm

Great suggestion to serve over cabbage! I love a good sloppy Joe!

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Catalina January 15, 2019 at 9:37 am

I want to try this Sloppy Joes asap. This looks incredible!

Reply

Catalina January 15, 2021 at 5:24 am

I’ve made these Sloppy Joes! They are so easy to make and so flavorful! Everyone loved them!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold January 15, 2021 at 6:35 am

Catalina,
Yay! I’m so glad your family loved them!

Reply

Allison January 15, 2019 at 9:28 am

I love the combo of beef and pork! So tasty! Thanks for sharing.

Reply

Chrissie Baker January 15, 2019 at 4:53 am

What else can I say but thank you for another great recipe.
I made this for lunch today and besides being easy to make the final product was amazing. The taste was fantastic and also not too “sloppy” as it stayed on the bun perfectly. Once again thank you for all the testing that you do to make your recipes perfect.

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold January 16, 2019 at 1:53 pm

Chrissie,
Thank you for coming back to tell me how well it worked for you! YAY!

Reply

Kimberly January 15, 2019 at 12:16 am

Such a yummy classic, love this Instant Pot version!

Reply

Amanda January 14, 2019 at 4:19 pm

I love instant pot meals this looks so amazing !!

Reply

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