Instant Pot Sloppy Joes
A sweet and savory ground beef sandwich filling made quickly under pressure. The homemade sauce is easy enough for weeknight dinners and popular with families.
Ingredients
Method
Completed steps 0
Set the pot to Sauté mode (Sauté More on Instant Pot) and let it preheat until the display shows HOT.
Season the ground beef with salt and pepper. Add 1 tablespoon (15ml) olive oil to coat the pot bottom. Place beef in the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until it begins to brown. At the 5-minute mark, drain and discard accumulated liquid. Continue browning until the meat is crisped, about 5–7 minutes total.
Stir in the diced onion and cook for 2 minutes. Add the diced bell pepper and minced garlic; cook until aromatic, roughly 1 minute.
Pour in 1 tablespoon (12.5g) brown sugar, 1 tablespoon (15ml) soy sauce, 1 tablespoon (15ml) Worcestershire sauce, and ½ cup (125ml) water. Use a wooden spoon to scrub up all browned bits from the pot bottom and stir them into the liquid.
Spread 1 tablespoon (15ml) tomato paste, 1 teaspoon (5ml) Dijon mustard, and ¾ cup (188ml) ketchup over the beef mixture without stirring. Close the lid and cook at high pressure for 5 minutes. Allow natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then switch the venting knob to open and release any remaining pressure. Carefully open the lid.
In a skillet, lightly toast the burger buns over medium heat for a few minutes.
If the sauce appears thin, stir the mixture and switch to Sauté mode to simmer for a few minutes until it thickens. Mix in liquid smoke and cayenne pepper as desired. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper to your preference.
Spoon the sloppy joe mixture onto toasted buns and serve with your choice of side dishes.
Notes
Draining the beef after 5 minutes of browning removes excess moisture and ensures better texture.
Do not stir the sauce ingredients before pressure cooking; they layer and cook into the meat.
For a spicier version, add cayenne pepper during the final seasoning step; liquid smoke adds depth if you prefer a smokier flavor.
Calories: 244 kcal · Carbs: 16 g · Protein: 25 g · Fat: 8 g · Sodium: 576 mg · Fiber: 1 g · Sugar: 11 g
Adapted from www.pressurecookrecipes.com. Method summarised in Potbelly's own words; quantities and timings as published. All credit to the original author.