Easy Instant Pot Sloppy Joes (Pantry Meal)

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Sloppy Joes are a well loved go to comfort food classic that taste that amazing. And the only way they could be even better is cooking them in a more hands of way. Enter this Instant Pot Sloppy Joes recipe – a delicious and easy to make version of the American comfort food dish.

Sloppy Joes Are Easy Comfort Food

Even better is that this full of comfort food flavor treat is made entirely with budget-friendly pantry staples so you can quickly whip it up for weeknight suppers, summer cookouts, impromptu lunches, and more. Serve these in some Homemade Dinner Rolls along with some Southern Slaw , or Crispy Tater Tots or Crunchy Instant Pot French Fries.

Using frozen ground beef, frozen veggies, and defrosted buns makes this an easy panty meal that you will come back to again and again. Of course, you can also make it with fresh veggies if you prefer.

Why Make This Recipe

• Making sloppy joes in the pressure cooker is budget-friendly. No expensive ingredients here.
• It can easily be doubled or tripled for a crowd. Perfect for BBQs, picnics and more.
• Great For meal Prep. Prep ahead and pull out when needed
• The recipe can easily become gluten-free. Just substitute in a gluten-free bun.
• This is a family -friendly meal. Kiddoes big and small love Sloppy Joes

Instant Pot Sloppy Joes are full of great comfort food flavor and are sooooo easy to make. Thanks to the little kitchen miracle that is the Instant Pot, all that is needed are just a few minutes to quickly sauté the onions and peppers then brown the meat.

After that simply add the rest of the ingredients, set it, and forget it. Yeap. It really is that easy.

Ready to make Sloppy Joes Instant Pot style? Gather up those ingredients and let me show you…

How To Make Sloppy Joes in Instant Pot

Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

1. Switch the Instant Pot on to the sauté setting, heat oil inside the Instant Pot Insert, then add the onions and peppers and sauté for 5 minutes, until soft.
2. Add beef and garlic and sauté for a few minutes, until the beef is brown.
3. Switch off the heat, stir in water and vinegar, and thoroughly deglaze the pot.
4. Add the rest of the ingredients until the black pepper, but don’t mix them.
5. Cover the Instant Pot, turn the valve to ‘sealing,’ and set to manual pressure /high pressure for 5 minutes.
6. When done, allow for a 10-minute Natural Pressure Release, the quick release the rest of the steam.
7. Stuff burger buns with the Sloppy Joe mix, serve and enjoy.

The total cook time does not include the time it takes for the Instant Pot to get to pressure and the time for the natural pressure release.

Tips and Variations

• Swap the Buns – For something different, serve Instant Pot Sloppy Joes the ‘Jamie Oliver way.’ Jamie serves his sloppy joes inside of whole wheat wraps instead of hamburger buns.
• Use Lean Beef – Otherewise, you will need to drain the excess fat before adding the meat to the Instant Pot.
• Serve Buffet Style – Set out the sloppy joe ingredients along with various condiments and toppings to create a fun DIY sloppy joe bar. This is something the kiddoes (big and small) will absolutely love.
• Add Some Heat – spice it up by adding in chili flakes or diced jalapeno peppers.

Prep Ahead and Storage

• Prep ahead – This can be cooked up to a few days in advance and reheated. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Double and eat with everything – Make a double batch of the sauce and freeze. Then serve over grilled veggies, mashed potatoes, or pasta for a quick weeknight supper solution!
• Freeze – Follow the handy tips below on how to freeze this;
  • Let cool down then transfer into Ziploc freezer bags.
  • Squeeze out all the extra air and seal the bags.
  • Label the bags and then lay them flat in the freezer.
  • Store in the freezer for 3 months.

Serving Suggestions

• Air Fryer French Fries.
• Instant Pot Potato Salad.
• Air Fryer Cauliflower Wings.
• Easy Coleslaw.

More Recipes You May Like

• Instant Pot Pulled Chicken Sandwiches.
• Dump and Start Instant Pot Beef Stew.
• Easy Instant Pot Hibachi Chicken.
• Instant Pot Meatballs.

Weight Watchers Points 

There are 9 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.

Thank you for reading my Instant Pot Sloppy Joe recipe post. And please come visit again as I continue to slice, dice, and dream up affordable Air Fryer recipes, Instant Pot Recipes, Southern Recipes, and more. Thanks for supporting Recipes from a Pantry, food blog

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