I loved eating sloppy joes as a kid – so fun and messy! Today, I’m sharing a delicious recipe for sloppy joe meat sauce – you can make this so easily in an instant pot!
This recipe is likely a bit more sophisticated in flavor than the traditional sloppy joe meat you ate as a child – thanks to the addition of smoked paprika, molasses and a touch of cayenne. I’m sure you’ll love the sauce!
Once the meat is done cooking in your instant pot, you can hit the “sauté” function to reduce some of the liquid. That’ll keep the sloppy joes from becoming a bit too sloppy. Meat tends to release a lot of water – so I usually do this with most meat dishes that I make in the instant pot. It helps concentrate the flavors without too much extra liquid.
This recipe calls for two pounds of meat – I usually freeze half the batch for a rainy/lazy day. You can halve the recipe if you want. Also, if you don’t have an instant pot, you can make my sloppy joe boats instead!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 2 onions diced
- 8 garlic cloves minced
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 2 15 ounce cans tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne adjust to taste!
- Cilantro garnish – optional
Instructions
- Press the “sauté” button on the Instant Pot. Add the oil and onions and and saute for 4-5 minutes.
- Next, add the garlic, spices and ground beef. Cook until the beef is mostly browned.
- Add the remaining ingredients, then cover the lid and close the pressure valve. Cook for 10 minutes at high pressure.
- Naturally release pressure (or use the quick release if short on time).
- Open the pot and if the meat released a lot of liquid, press the “saute” button to boil off any extra liquid. Reduce the sauce according to your desired level of thickness.
Notes
Jenn says
This was delicious! Perfectly sweet and reminiscent of having sloppy joes as a kid…just healthier. 🙂 Might have to try it without cumin next time because for some reason my fiance hates the spice and can taste even a small hint of it. More for me this time. 🙂
My Heart Beets says
Jenn, I’m so glad you liked it! It’ll be good even without the cumin! Thanks for letting me know how it turned out for you 🙂
hotmail says
This recipe was crazy easy and DELICIOUS! Thanks so much for sharing! I can’t wait to try it again with the coleslaw!
My Heart Beets says
So happy to hear that! Thank you for letting me know how the recipe turned out for you 🙂
Vanessa says
Love this recipe! I’ve made a few subs and adjustments to my family’s tastes but we have used it 3 or 4 times since we got our instant pot.
My Heart Beets says
Vanessa, I’m so happy to hear that! Thanks for letting me know how you guys like it 🙂
Amy says
I’m sorry, but this recipe tasted more like chili than sloppy Joes. That’s even with using 1\4 the cayenne pepper called for in the recipe.
Eric says
The recipe calls for 2 teaspoons Paprika AND 2 teaspoons smoked paprika. Is this a typo?
Thanks,
Eric
My Heart Beets says
Hi Eric, nope – not a typo. Paprika and smoked paprika are very different in flavor…
Valerie Jacobs says
Hi I’m trying this today. I’ve always added kidney beans to my sloppy joes and worchestshire sauce to my ground meat dishes. I’m hoping that using diced tomatoes and tomato paste will make a good consistency.
My Heart Beets says
Hi Valerie! Let me know how it turns out for you! 🙂
Nazahah says
Hi!
Excited to try this next week! I’m meal prepping so I wanted to ask, is there an substitute to molasses?
Hannah says
I love that you have a ‘jump to recipe’ button!!!
My Heart Beets says
Thanks, Hannah! 🙂
Ashley says
I used honey the last time as a substitute and it turned out really good. My family liked it.
melissa says
would coconut oil be ok? and is oil safe in the pressure cooker after the saute? Sorry so new to all this.
My Heart Beets says
yup, I’m sure coconut oil is just fine 🙂
Marlene says
Trying your recipe today! Looks very tasty! Was wondering what kind of mustard you used…yellow, brown or perhaps mustard powder? Thanks!
My Heart Beets says
Hi Marlene! I use yellow in this recipe – I’ve updated the ingredients to reflect that. Thank you!
Naomi says
This was terrific! I agree with another reviewer- I have tried several of your recipes and they always turn out wonderfully. Thank you!!
My Heart Beets says
Naomi, I’m so happy to hear that 🙂 Thank you for letting me know how this turned out for you!
Nancy says
This was fantastic. I made them with Butler soy curls instead of beef. I also used 1 can’t of cut up tomatoes and one can of tomato sauce instead of two cans of sauce.
Beverly says
I came to your site looking for Whole30 compliant recipes, but I’m finding sugar ingredients in the list. 🙁
My Heart Beets says
Hi Beverly, sorry about that – I really thought that molasses was okay on whole30, but apparently not. I’ve removed the whole30 tag from this recipe. You can find my other whole30 recipes here: https://myheartbeets.com/recipe-index/#whole30
Josh Gordon says
I mashed up a couple of dates (whole30 compliant) and threw them in it was great!
My Heart Beets says
That’s great to know!
Jeff says
Second time making this and it is a family hit. My youngest daughter (the picky one) loves it and said it tastes like chili and I agree that it would be a good base for a chili. I think maybe next time I might adapt it into a chili. Speaking of Chili, We do like your InstaPot chili too http://myheartbeets.com/texas-beef-chili/
Shelley says
I cut the recipe in half and cooked for 15 min. I had to simmer for 5 minutes to boil off extra liquid. I had to use marinara instead of tomato sauce, and 1 tsp garlic salt instead of garlic.I didn’t have smoked paprika and didn’t use cayenne. It still turned out great! It was the first sloppy joe experience for my three picky kids and all of them ate it. My husband even went back for seconds, which rarely happens when I cook. Thank you!
Sindhu Mathew says
I have tried out several of your recipes already and I am a huge fan of yours. You have inspired me to cook and try out new things. I bought the instant pot and this is the first recipe that I tried. Its the most amazing sloppy joe that I have ever had. I love my instant pot and going to try all of your recipes with this. Hope you will find the time to post more instant pot dishes. I know you are busy with your little one 🙂
My Heart Beets says
Thank you, Sindhu!! I’m so glad you like the recipe 🙂 Can’t wait to hear what you think of my other Instant Pot recipes!
Andrew says
Would the cooking time be shorter if cutting the recipe in half?
Sharon says
Do you have directions for on the stove? I don’t have an instant pot. 🙁
My Heart Beets says
Yup, you can find stove top directions here: http://myheartbeets.com/sloppy-joe-boats/