This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

Everyone loves Sloppy Joes and this instant pot sloppy joes recipe is amazing! With only a handful of ingredients, dinner will be on the table fast thanks to the pressure cooker.

It’s so good and the entire family will enjoy it.

sloppy joes on a bun on a plate
Want to save this?
Just enter your email and I’ll send it right to you, plus great new recipes weekly!

Instant pot sloppy joes

Dinner does not have to be complicated. This recipe is simple, easy and delicious! Plus, it’s very frugal friendly.

You will never buy pre-made sloppy joes again! This recipe can’t be beat and it’s just so easy.

The instant pot does all the work.

sloppy joes in a hamburger bun on a plate

Prefer the slow cooker? Try Crock Pot Sloppy Joes.

ingredients for recipe: buns, ground beef, ketchup, mustard and brown sugar.

Ingredients:

  • Lean ground beef – Ground turkey is also a great option.
  • Brown Sugar – We used light brown sugar, but dark brown sugar will work too.
  • Mustard – plain yellow mustard will also work.
  • Ketchup – We used store bought ketchup, but our homemade ketchup recipe will work as well.
  • Water – if you want even more flavor, use beef broth
  • Hamburger Buns – you do not need anything fancy, but you can jazz up sloppy joes night by using a more expensive bun.
sloppy joes on a hamburger bun

How to make instant pot sloppy joes

First, make sure the instant pot is on the saute setting. Then brown the ground beef until no longer pink. Drain any excess grease. You can then season with salt and pepper.

You might want to add diced onions to the meat for even more flavor. Sometimes, we add onions and it is really good.

Now go ahead and cancel the saute setting.

Next, add the mustard, brown sugar, ketchup and water. Stir this occasionally.

This is when we sometimes add Worcestershire sauce. It is totally optional but really good.

Stir everything together and be careful that it does not stick to the bottom of the pot. If this happens, add a little olive oil and that should do the trick.

Finally, put the lid on the top and make sure the lid is set to sealing. Set the pressure cooking time to high pressure for 5 minutes.

The last step is to do a quick release and turn the valve. When the pressure is released remove the lid, and use a wooden spoon to stir everything together.

If your sloppy joe mixture is too runny, change to the saute setting and allow the instant pot to cook over medium hight heat until the extra moisture is gone. Remember to stir continuously to avoid the mixture getting burned.

Serve on your favorite hamburger buns.

Do you have to brown the meat first?


If you are short on time, you do not have to brown the ground beef first. However, if you are doing this I suggest you only use extra lean ground beef.

I like to brown the ground beef first, because it will add more flavor to your sloppy joes. If you are short on time, it will still be delicious without any browning.

How do you thicken Sloppy Joes?

Once finished cooking, it is easy to thicken if you find the consistency to thin. Just make a simple cornstarch slurry.

You will not need much. Start with a teaspoon of cornstarch and 2 of tablespoons water. Stir it together in a separate bowl and add to the instant pot using the saute setting for about a minute.

Make sure to stir this constantly and you should see it began to thicken nicely.

Tips and Variation Ideas:

  • If you don’t already have one, you will need an electric pressure cooker for this recipe. I am using an 8 quart Instant pot but you can use a 6 quart if you prefer.
  • Substitute the Ground Beef: Feel free to use ground turkey instead of ground beef.
  • Add in Onions or Peppers: You can add diced onion and bell peppers to the ground beef mixture while cooking. It adds amazing flavor.
  • Make Sliders: Try making sliders instead of regular size for parties or kiddos with smaller appetites. This size is great for small hands to hold.
  • Add a slice of cheese: Top each sandwich with cheese if you prefer to make cheesy sloppy joes.
  • Add a splash of Soy Sauce: You won’t need much soy sauce, but a quick splash will give it a tangy flavor.
  • Add in Chili powder: Chili powder will give the sloppy joes a spicier flavor. consider adding in a teaspoon or 2 to your sloppy joes mixture the next time you make it.

Sloppy Joes Side dish ideas

Super Easy sloppy joes in the instant pot!

It’s hard to believe just how simple this Sloppy Joes recipe is! I’m certain you will add this to your monthly rotation of meals.

It’s a hit with all ages and everyone will ask for seconds. You can make this in less time than going to get take out.

You will love pressure cooker sloppy joes.

sloppy joes on a bun served on a white plate

Leftover Sloppy Joes ideas

If you actually have sloppy joes as leftovers you do have options to turn it into a second meal.

First, sloppy joes will stay good in the refrigerator in an air tight container for up to 5 days. Here are a few ideas to make a secondmeal with leftover sloppy joes.

  1. Sloppy Joes Quesadillas – Heat up the leftover sloppy joes. Place them in a tortilla with cheddar cheese and make a quesadilla.
  2. Sloppy Joes Macaroni – Heat up the sloppy joes mixture in a skillet. You may need to add a cup of water or broth. Stir in cooked macaroni and then handfuls of shredded cheddar cheese. This one pot dinner idea will please the entire family.
  3. Make Burritos – Heat up the sloppy joes in a skillet. Add in a tablespoon of taco seasoning. Stir in some beans, and cooked white rice.
    Then spoon the mixture onto burrito sized tortillas with some salsa and cheese. Roll up the tortilla and enjoy burritos.

Print sloppy joes instant pot recipe below:

Instant Pot Sloppy Joes Recipe

5 from 7 votes
Instant pot sloppy joes recipe is so quick and easy! The flavor is amazing and dinner comes together so fast! Try Sloppy Joes Pressure cooker recipe for a yummy dinner idea. The entire family will love this Easy sloppy joes instant pot recipe!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 10
Cuisine American
Course Main Course
Calories 538

Ingredients

Want to save this?
Just enter your email and I’ll send it right to you, plus great new recipes weekly.

Instructions

  • Place the instant pot on sauté setting. Brown the ground beef and drain any excess grease.
  • Cancel the sauté setting. Add in the mustard, brown sugar, ketchup and water. Stir.
  • Place the lid on the top and make sure the lid is set to sealing.
  • Set the pressure to high for 5 minutes.
  • After the cook time, do a quick release to release the pressure from the Instant Pot.
  • Stir and serve on your favorite hamburger buns.

Recipe Notes

Make sure to freeze your leftovers for a quick dinner option at a later date. Or even better, double your recipe and freeze! Easiest way to do dinner on a future night.

Nutrition Facts

Serving 10g, Calories 538kcal, Carbohydrates 38g, Protein 28g, Fat 29g, Saturated Fat 10g, Cholesterol 96mg, Sodium 730mg, Potassium 556mg, Fiber 1g, Sugar 17g, Vitamin A 190IU, Vitamin C 2.1mg, Calcium 116mg, Iron 4.4mg

Pin This Now to Remember It Later

Pin Recipe
sloppy joes on buns with fries

More sloppy joe recipes

Try these other recipes

Share this recipe!

PinYummly

About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

5 from 7 votes (3 ratings without comment)

Leave A Review

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Comments

  1. Liz Cratty says:

    5 stars
    Easy and simple! Love that there aren’t 500 ingredients for this and still tastes amazing! I’ve never been a fan of sloppy joes but my whole family loves these including myself! Thank you for this amazing recipe!

  2. Beth says:

    5 stars
    Best sloppy joes I’ve ever made!

  3. Diana says:

    5 stars
    Way better than store bought

  4. Roger says:

    5 stars
    great recipe