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    Recipes » Instant Pot Sloppy Joes

    Instant Pot Sloppy Joes

    Published: Feb 3, 2021 · Modified: Feb 18, 2021 · This post may contain affiliate links · As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases ·

    Jump to Recipe
    two pictures of sloppy joes in baked potatoes with text "easy clean up instant pot sloppy joes"

    Instant Pot Sloppy Joes are one of my favorite easy winter meals. They are quick, healthy, and taste great. I love Sloppy Joes, but they usually have a lot of unhealthy ingredients. So I set out to find a way to make a delicious and healthy sloppy joe. This version is sugar free, dairy free, and gluten free. The addition of spinach adds nutrients without a lot of flavor.

    two plates of sloppy joes stuffed into potatoes with a side of chives
    perfect for filling up a baked potato
    Jump to:
    • Equipment Needed
    • Ingredients and Substitutions
    • Step by Step with Pictures
    • FAQ
    • Recipe
    • Reviews

    More Ground Beef Recipes

    • Mississippi Pot Roast in the Instant Pot
    • Rigatoni alla Genovese | Genovese Sauce
    • Meat Sauce with Double Italian Sausage
    • Chorizo Scotch Eggs

    Equipment Needed

    An electric pressure cooker! I've had my Instant pot for 5 years and it is still going strong! If you don't have one yet, I recommend the 8 Quart Duo Crisp because it is big enough to feed a family and it allows you to air fry, bake, and dehydrate all in one pot! Perfect for reducing your appliances, but still participating in all the fun food fads.

    Ingredients and Substitutions

    all ingredients needed for sloppy joes out on counter
    not a ton of ingredients!
    • Ground Beef Mixture- To make this more tender you are going to add cream of tartar and baking soda with a little bit of water and let sit while you're preparing the remaining ingredients. Don't have them? Skip it. You can also substitute with turkey if you're wanting to reduce fat intake.
    • Onion- I just love onion and it's pretty classic to have tiny bits in your sandwich so dice them small. If you want add diced green bell pepper and celery to round out your New Orleans style holy trinity and bump up the flavor.
    • Spice Mixture- I use some pretty classic spices that you should have already in your spice cabinet. The smoked paprika is a more natural way to get the smoked flavor usually found with liquid smoke in similar recipes. If you're looking for something more like your mom made, sub out the spices in the quantity that she used! It'll taste even more like home. Other popular spices include: chili powder, cayenne pepper and Dijon mustard.
    • Tomato Sauce & Tomato Paste- Usually this recipe is made with ketchup, but that is full of sugar and can have high fructose corn syrup. Sub out tomato sauce and paste for the same tomato feel and if you want them a bit more sweet add some golden monkfruit sugar or brown sugar to taste.
    • Coconut Aminos & Apple Cider Vinegar- Typically this recipe has Worcestershire, which has sugar and molasses and very few versions are gluten free! If you are ok with that, go ahead and use a tablespoon. If you're going sugar free or gluten free, follow my recipe.

    Want to make this spicy? Add a teaspoon of cayenne pepper!

    Step by Step with Pictures

    1. In a small bowl, combine cream of tartar, baking soda, warm water and ground beef. Mix and set aside.
    pressure cooker with sautéed onions
    step 2 and 3

    2. Set pressure cooker to "sauté". When hot, add olive oil and diced onion. Cook for 5 minutes or until translucent.

    3. Add garlic, paprika, cumin, dried mustard, oregano and salt to pot. Stir until well combined and fragrant, about 1 minute.

    step 4

    4. Add ground beef mixture and stir to combine thoroughly. Add in tomato sauce, tomato paste, coconut aminos, apple cider vinegar, hot sauce and baby spinach.

    5. Turn off saute function. Add lid and turn knob to seal. Pressure cook on high for 15 minutes. Natural release for 5 minutes, then manual release.

    6. Serve hot on a bun or over a baked potato. Enjoy!

    FAQ

    How do you make sloppy joe sauce from scratch?

    You can make anything from scratch if you believe. If you have any issues with this recipe, please send me an email or a DM on Instagram or Facebook! I am here to help you.

    Is Manwich and sloppy joe the same thing?

    Manwich is the processed version of a sloppy joe that you can find ready to go at the store. Skip the pre-made version and go homemade! It's always better to make foods according to your own tastes.

    What goes with sloppy joes?

    Something starchy! Think potatoes: fries, chips, even sweet potatoes! Or something creamy like a salad or coleslaw. Or combine them both and do a potato salad! I like to serve mine over a Crispy Baked Potato.

    How can I thicken the sauce?

    Let it simmer uncovered! The flavors will come together even more.

    What buns are best for sloppy joes?

    Totally your preference. My family loves potato buns!

    Can I use ground turkey or chicken?

    Definitely! The sauce will cover up the flavor difference and the fat change.

    Can I prep this in advance?

    If you want to cook this the night before it will taste even better the second day. Or even freeze it in an airtight ziploc bag for up to 6 months.

    What if I don't have an Instant Pot?

    Check out the recipe card for instructions on how to make on the stovetop.

    overhead view of 2 bowls of sloppy joes with tomato paste

    Thanks for coming by! Sloppy Joes are a family favorite at my house and I'm sure you will love them! Leave us a comment below to tell use how you made them your own.

    Start living your Zest Life and sign up for emails! No spam emails only the good stuff, I promise.

    Recipe

    one bowl of whole30 sloppy joes in potatoes

    Instant Pot Sloppy Joes

    Instant Pot Sloppy Joes are one of my favorite easy winter meals. They are quick, healthy, and taste great. I love Sloppy Joes, but they usually have a lot of unhealthy ingredients. So I set out to find a way to make a delicious and healthy sloppy joe. This version is sugar free, dairy free, and gluten free. The addition of spinach adds nutrients without a lot of flavor.
    5 from 10 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Pressure Cooking Time 15 mins
    Course Main Course, Sandwiches
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8
    Calories 204 kcal

    Equipment

    • Pressure Cooker

    Ingredients
      

    • ½ tsp cream of tartar
    • ¼ tsp baking soda
    • 2 tbsp warm water
    • 1 lb ground beef
    • 1 tbsp olive oil
    • ½ large onion (diced)
    • 1 tbsp minced garlic cloves
    • 2 tsp smoked paprika
    • 2 tsp cumin
    • 2 tsp dried mustard
    • 1 tsp salt
    • 15 oz tomato sauce
    • 6 oz tomato paste
    • 1 tbsp coconut aminos (can sub Worcestershire for vinegar and coconut aminos)
    • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
    • 1 tsp hot sauce
    • 2 cups baby spinach (can also use frozen, but will give stronger flavor)

    Instructions
     

    Pressure Cooker Instructions

    • In a small bowl, combine cream of tartar, baking soda, warm water and ground beef. Mix and set aside.
    • Set pressure cooker to "sauté". When hot, add olive oil and diced onion. Cook for 5 minutes or until translucent.
    • Add garlic, paprika, cumin, dried mustard, oregano and salt to pot. Stir until well combined and fragrant, about 1 minute.
    • Add ground beef mixture and stir to combine thoroughly. Add in tomato sauce, tomato paste, coconut aminos, apple cider vinegar, hot sauce and baby spinach.
    • Turn off saute function. Add lid and turn knob to seal. Pressure cook on high for 15 minutes. Natural release for 5 minutes, then manual release.
    • Serve hot on a bun or over a baked potato. Enjoy!

    Stovetop Instructions

    • In a small bowl, combine cream of tartar, baking soda, warm water and ground beef. Mix and set aside.
    • Add 2 tbls butter and olive oil to pan over medium heat.
    • Add onion and sauté for 5 minutes or until translucent.
    • Add garlic, paprika, cumin, dried mustard, oregano and salt to pan. Stir until well combined and fragrant, about 1 minute.
    • Add ground beef mixture to pan. Mix thoroughly and sauté until beef is mostly brown.
    • Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, coconut aminos, apple cider vinegar and hot sauce. Stir to combine and let simmer for at least 5 minutes or until beef is fully cooked.
    • Stir in fresh baby spinach. Cook until wilted.
    • Serve hot on a bun or over a baked potato.

    NOTES

    I love these served over Crispy Instant Pot Baked Potatoes! Super easy to combine with this recipe. Start with the baked potatoes. When you move them over to the oven to finish cooking, clear out the water and start at the beginning of this recipe. Top with minced fresh onion. 
    Using frozen spinach with make the spinach flavor stronger. 
    Can add diced peppers or celery if desired. 
    Can substitute Worcestershire for the coconut aminos and apple cider vinegar.
    Cream of Tartar and Baking Soda is to tenderize the beef further. Can omit. 
    These will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days. If you'd like to freeze, store in a ziplock bag with the air complete squeezed out. They will last up to 6 months or until freezer burnt.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 204kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 12gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 873mgPotassium: 657mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 1511IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 43mgIron: 3mg

    If you make this recipe, be sure to tag @thatzestlife in your photo! I would love to see what you made!

    « Crispy Instant Pot Baked Potatoes
    Gluten Free Scones | Lemon Blueberry »
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Carrie Robinson

      February 08, 2021 at 5:37 pm

      5 stars
      Yum! I just love that you used this to top baked potatoes. Such a genius idea! 🙂

      Reply
    2. Dannii

      February 08, 2021 at 5:38 pm

      5 stars
      Can you believe I have never had a sloppy joe! I need to try this instant pot version.

      Reply
    3. Andrea Metlika

      February 08, 2021 at 6:05 pm

      5 stars
      This sloppy joe recipe looks and sounds so flavorful. I love the idea of putting it in a baked potato.

      Reply
    4. Lisa | Garlic & Zest

      February 08, 2021 at 6:19 pm

      5 stars
      I'm always on the lookout for a healthier version of my favorites. Thank you for this low carb sloppy joes recipe. Can't wait to try.

      Reply
    5. Tara

      February 08, 2021 at 6:38 pm

      5 stars
      Oh yum! Quite the comforting wintertime weeknight meal! I love the styling of the sloppy joes over the baked potato. Such minimal prep too!

      Reply
      • Megan

        February 09, 2021 at 11:37 pm

        I'm all about minimal prep for the weeknights!

        Reply
    6. Traci

      March 25, 2021 at 4:03 pm

      5 stars
      Simple, delicious, and another reason to love the Instant Pot 🙂 Love this easy recipe...thanks!

      Reply
    7. Catherine

      March 25, 2021 at 4:04 pm

      5 stars
      A beautiful, hearty meal...these look SO good and I love the idea of serving it over a baked potato!

      Reply
    8. Jessica Formicola

      March 25, 2021 at 4:19 pm

      5 stars
      I love my Instant Pot, and I'm always looking for new ways to use it! Thanks so much for sharing these sloppy joes!

      Reply
    9. Kate

      March 25, 2021 at 4:19 pm

      5 stars
      So many gorgeous flavours in there, I'm definitely trying these at the weekend!

      Reply
    10. April K.

      March 25, 2021 at 4:35 pm

      5 stars
      I love tasty meals that I can through in the Instant Pot. These were so good and easy to make.

      Reply

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    Welcome to That Zest Life

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    I am here to help you take recipes that you find anywhere and make them your own and even better. Follow the recipes or read all my suggestions of what you might do to mix them up! Cooking is all about making sure it tastes good to you but it takes practice! Follow along on my journey through healthy and not so healthy eating while I live my zest life.

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