Instant Pot BBQ Sloppy Joes are an easy recipe that turn ground beef and a few other simple ingredients into a delicious dinner in just 30 minutes!

Instant Pot BBQ sloppy Joes are a quick and easy dinner. This simple dinner takes just a few ingredients and about 10 minutes of hands-on time to make.
The recipe is easy to change up. Use sweet barbecue sauce if you like sweeter sloppy Joes or use spicy barbecue sauce for some kick.
And the sandwiches are delicious! They’re a big hit with kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
- Ground beef: I use 88% or 90% lean ground beef. Using ground beef that’s super lean can leave you with dry meat.
- Onion: Sweet onion or white onion will also work.
- Diced tomatoes: I use regular diced tomatoes and lightly drain them.
- Beef broth: I like to use reduced-sodium beef broth.
- Ketchup
- Barbecue sauce: Use any type of barbecue sauce that you like.
- Worcestershire sauce
- Cheddar cheese: I like to use sharp cheddar cheese, but any type of cheddar cheese will work.
How to make Instant Pot BBQ sloppy Joes
Step 1: Press sauté on the Instant Pot.
Step 2: When it reads hot, add the ground beef. Cook, stirring regularly, until no longer pink.
Step 3: Add the onion, and cook until softened, stirring regularly, about 2-3 minutes. Press cancel.
Step 4: Pour in the beef broth and stir to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
Step 5: Add the diced tomatoes, ketchup, barbecue sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Do not stir.
Step 6: Close and lock the lid. Make sure the pressure release valve is turned to sealing. Press manual high pressure and adjust the time to 5 minutes.
Step 7: When the cooking time has finished, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes. Turn the pressure release valve to venting to release any remaining pressure.
Step 8: Remove the lid, and give everything a good stir.
Step 9: Divide the meat mixture and serve over the toasted buns. Sprinkle with shredded cheese just before serving.
Recipe FAQs
If you’re using lean ground beef, you shouldn’t need to drain the ground beef.
The cooked sloppy Joe mixture freezes well. Cook it as directed. Let it cool to room temperature. Place it in a freezer-safe container, and freeze.
Storage
Any leftover sloppy Joes should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to 4 days when properly stored.

Instant Pot BBQ Sloppy Joes
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds lean ground beef
- 1 cup diced yellow onion
- 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes drained
- 3/4 cup beef broth
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 6 hamburger buns lightly toasted
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Press sauté on the Instant Pot.
- When it reads hot, add the ground beef.
- Cook, stirring regularly, until no longer pink.
- Add the onion, and cook until softened, stirring regularly, about 2-3 minutes.
- Press cancel.
- Pour in the beef broth and stir to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Add the diced tomatoes, ketchup, barbecue sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Do not stir.
- Close and lock the lid. Make sure the pressure release valve is turned to sealing.
- Press manual high pressure and adjust the time to 5 minutes.
- When the cooking time has finished, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes.
- Turn the pressure release valve to venting to release any remaining pressure.
- Remove the lid, and give everything a good stir.
- Divide the meat mixture and serve over the toasted buns.
- Sprinkle with shredded cheese just before serving.
Nutrition
Disclaimer: Nutritional values were calculated using a third-party tool and are provided as an estimation only.
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Did You Make This?
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I tried this and it came out like soup. I double checked that I did it right. Not sure what happened.
It may have been the ground beef. Some kinds of ground beef give off more liquid. If you do have liquid left after browning the ground beef, simply drain it and return it to the pot.