Did you know that sloppy joes are made out of unicorn meat? At least, that is what both of my kids thought for the longest time! So of course I had to put it on my weekly menu rotation. And because I am a busy sports mom (like most of you), I had to make it a lightning quick instant pot sloppy joes recipe, like my popular spaghetti sauce recipe. Sometimes I think that my whole life is spent thinking up dinner ideas for sports nights, but it’s the season of life I am in right now. And I wouldn’t change it for the world.
My son asked us one day why I never make sloppy joes. He had a valid point. I distinctly remember my Dad making them for dinner all the time when I was a kid. I just never do. So of course my husband responded that it is hard to find “unicorn meat” and it’s expensive. And our kids believed him…for years! We even showed them the proof when they asked….you can buy unicorn meat on Amazon.
Lightning Quick Instant Pot Sloppy Joes Recipes
Ingredients needed for Sloppy Joes from scratch:
(Make sure you check out Ibotta for rebates before you head to the grocery store! I earn a few bucks back from it each grocery shopping trip. If you prefer to order, Amazon Fresh has a free trial!)
- 1 lb lean ground turkey or beef
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper. If you don’t have a red bell pepper, green is good too!
- 1 can (8oz) tomato sauce
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons chili powder. I love ancho chili powder.
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- whole wheat hamburger buns
Instant Pot Sloppy Joes Directions:
Place meat, onions, garlic and red pepper into the bottom of an instant pot. Using the sautee function, brown meat until no longer pink.
Add tomato sauce, brown sugar, chili powder, Worcestershire sauce and garlic salt to the instant pot. Stir to mix well and place the top on the pot.
Press CANCEL to turn off Saute function. Close the instant pot and make sure the lid is sealed. Manually cook for 5 minutes.
When the timer beeps, do a quick release (I like to toss a kitchen towel over the vent to prevent sputtering) and open the pot. Stir and serve on hamburger buns with a side dish.
How easy is that! This meal is perfect for late sports practices or quick lunches during school break. We prioritize family meals and I’m always looking for quick dinner ideas so I can spend more time at the table rather than behind the stove.
Better than Canned Instant Pot Sloppy Joes Recipe
Ingredients
Instructions
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These Tips and Tricks for using your Instant Pot
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Lightning Quick Spaghetti Sauce
Glenda says
I know it says turkey but I buy ground beef and cook it inlarge batches some with onion and some with green pepper and onion and some plain and some with taco seasonng then freeze it mark it with ingredients then throw in freezer for quick mealsl
Herchel says
Ground beef is perfectly fine. We’ve moved to turkey because of a family member’s health!
Barbara says
Do you add any water to your sloppy joes, thought the instant pot needed at least one cup of water to come to pressure.
I tried your spaghetti sauce, but my instant pot wouldn’t come to pressure, it burnt a little on bottom. Help please
Herchel says
Hi Barbara, the can of crushed tomatoes and the can of tomato sauce should be more than enough liquid! Make sure you are using the large cans of sauce and crushed tomatoes. I use the 28 oz can. Don’t forget that the mushrooms and other vegetables also hold quite a but of water. Try adding half a cup of water to it after you are done sauteeing the meat. I also don’t have any problems with the sloppy joes but you can add half a cup of water to the meat after sauteeing it also.
Bri Adams says
My kiddos also love sloppy joes and I make them regularly. I do not have an instant pot yet however and it appears that I may need to finally get on the bandwagon! I’m dying over the unicorn meat!
Bren Pace says
Oh my gosh, I am dying over this recipe! I found your post on Triberr and had to come over, after I pinned and shared to Facebook. I love sloppy joes and this just looks amazing! I was going to have donuts this morning. I’m thinking sloppy joes for breakfast! 🙂
Thanks!
Herchel says
As much as I like sloppy joes, I cannot cosign on skipping the donuts. I have a deep abiding love of Krispy Kreme and could not imagine anything being better for breakfast. LOL
Janine Huldie says
This does look so easy to make. And by the way, I don’t remember the last time I made Sloppy Joe’s either here. But with soccer season starting again this recipe is so going to come in handy. So thanks for sharing here with me 🙂