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Spice up your dinnertime with these speedy and tasty Instant Pot Sloppy Joes that bring homemade goodness without spending hours cooking. This kid-friendly dish strikes just the right balance between sweet and zesty flavors, making it perfect for hectic evenings when you need a filling meal the whole family will gobble up.
While testing this dish, I found that using crushed tomatoes instead of bottled BBQ sauce gives a much fresher, more genuine Sloppy Joe taste that you can tweak to fit what your family likes best.
Key Ingredients
Lean ground beef provides the right consistency
Onions and peppers add flavor layers
Crushed tomatoes form the ideal sauce foundation
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Brown sugar evens out the taste
Worcestershire sauce brings depth
Spices make that classic flavor
Cooking Your Messy Delight
Use sauté mode to brown the beef.
Soften the chopped veggies.
Stir in tomatoes and spices, scraping the bottom.
Set high pressure for 6 minutes.
Thicken if it's too runny.
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Pile onto fresh buns and eat right away.
Figuring out how to nail the perfect sauce thickness turns these Sloppy Joes into a family hit every time.
Tasty Pairing Suggestions
Round out your Sloppy Joes meal with crunchy chips or homemade slaw on the side. Make dinner fun by letting everyone add their own toppings like shredded cheese or pickle slices. When hosting friends, try setting up a build-your-own station with different breads and sides such as creamy potato salad or fresh broccoli mix.
Different Ways To Cook
Fix this meal your way depending on what works for you:
- Stovetop: Cook meat first, then veggies, and mix everything to simmer for 20-30 minutes until thick.
- Slow Cooker: Brown the meat, dump all stuff in the pot and let it cook on low for 6 hours.
- Pressure Cooker: Get it done fastest with just 6 minutes under pressure plus prep time.
Keeping Leftovers Fresh
Your Sloppy Joe mix will stay good in a sealed container in the fridge for about three days. Want to save it longer? Pop portions in freezer containers for up to three months. When you're ready to eat again, warm it slowly on the stove or in the microwave, and add a little water if it's too thick.
Quick Tricks
Speed up this dish even more with these smart moves:
- Cut veggies into tiny pieces so they cook faster
- Use a wooden spoon to scrape everything off the bottom
- Keep some cornstarch nearby to thicken sauce quickly
- Cook extra for easy meals later in the week
Chef's Advice
Don't skip pouring off extra fat after cooking the meat
Scrape the pot bottom completely to stop burning
Taste and fix the flavor and thickness as needed
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I've worked on these Instant Pot Sloppy Joes for ages, starting with a simple sandwich filling and ending up with the ultimate family dinner solution. Just remember, truly great Sloppy Joes need both good cooking tricks and quality stuff in the pot, creating comfort food that'll bring everyone running to eat.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Why clear the pot bottom?
- Stops burn error and boosts sauce taste.
- → What thickens the sauce?
- Cook longer or mix in cornstarch slurry.
- → Is ketchup okay?
- Absolutely, swap tomatoes with ketchup.
- → Which pot works best?
- Fits perfectly in a 6-quart pot.
- → How can leftovers be saved?
- Cool and freeze or refrigerate. Try on pizza!