The pot lid rattles and you know dinner is almost ready. You catch that hiss from the valve and get a little excited. It's that moment when the pressure build in the cooker tells you something good is on its way.
Inside, the skillet smells like onions and peppers simmering down real slow before the ground beef joins the party. You spot that buttery, savory aroma that reminds you of classic Philly cheesesteak but with a sloppy joe twist. Yep, dinner's almost done.
You feel the anticipation build. The quick release will be your little helper to get this dinner on the table fast. That tender pull of the cheesy beef mixture falling apart gives you all the feels. You just gotta serve it up before it disappears!
Why This Recipe Works Every Single Time
- You get a nice mix of tender veggies and browned beef all cooked together in the pressure cooker.
- The butter and beef broth give it that rich, juicy base that keeps the sloppy joes from being dry.
- The sealing ring traps all that flavor so you get every bit of it in the mix.
- Using cornstarch slurry thickens it perfectly, so it's messy but not runny.
- The quick release helps the meal come together real fast, perfect for busy nights.
- You can easily swap cheddar or mozzarella cheese for the melty topping you love.
Your Simple Ingredient Checklist
- 1 lb Ground Beef, 80% or 85% lean
- 1 Tablespoon Butter
- 1 Onion, small, half diced, half minced
- 1 Bell Pepper, green, diced
- 1 Cup Beef Broth
- 2 Tablespoons Ketchup
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper, fresh ground
- 1 Tablespoon Cornstarch
- 8 oz Cheddar Cheese or mozzarella
- 6 Buns, brioche hamburger style
These ingredients keep it simple and tasty. The ground beef gives you that classic sloppy joe texture, while the butter helps soften the veggies and add richness. Onion and bell pepper bring that Philly vibe right in.
Beef broth blends the flavors while ketchup and Worcestershire sauce give you a savory, slightly tangy punch. Salt and pepper season it just right.
Cornstarch slurry thickens the mix so it sticks to your bun better than a watery mess. And don't forget the melty cheese on top.
Walking Through Every Single Move
- Start by melting butter in a large skillet over medium heat. It kinda sets the base flavor, so don't skip it.
- Add the diced onion and green bell pepper. Cook till they soften up, bout 5 minutes. You'll notice the smell's already turning awesome.
- Throw in the ground beef and brown it all up. Break it apart with a spoon so it cooks evenly.
- Stir in beef broth, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, kosher salt, and fresh ground pepper. Mix it all good so flavors get married.
- Bring this whole mixture to a simmer, then let it cook for 10 minutes. You'll hear the valve hiss as pressure builds in your cooker nearby.
- In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with a bit of water to make a smooth slurry. Stir that into your skillet and cook another minute till the sauce thickens just right.
- Finally, dump that cheesy beef mixture onto your buns. You can melt the cheddar or mozzarella on top or stir it right in. Either way, you got yourself a messy, tasty dinner!
Smart Shortcuts for Busy Days
- Use pre-chopped onion and bell pepper from the store to save slicing time.
- Pick ground beef that's already seasoned if you wanna skip adding salt and pepper yourself.
- Make the cornstarch slurry ahead and keep it in the fridge so it's ready to go.
- Try using instant cheese slices on top instead of shredding cheddar or mozzarella.
- Toast buns in the air fryer while the beef is cooking to save oven time.
These little hacks get you through hectic nights without losing taste. The pressure cooker cuts down your actual cooking time but getting some parts ready in advance helps keep you relaxed.
When You Finally Get to Eat
You pull the quick release to stop the cooker and the air fills with that satisfying hiss. The sealing ring held all the smells inside, so opening it feels like a warm welcome home.
The sloppy joe mix looks thick and juicy, with browned beef nestled in a sea of melty cheese and tender peppers. You catch the steam rising and realize this is gonna be a bite that sticks with ya.
Grab a bun and scoop up a hearty portion. The first tender pull of the meat with that cheesy stretch makes you smile. It's messy but heck, that's the point.
Each bite bursts with flavor you'll wanna savor slow or maybe just dig in fast. Either way, you made yourself a killer dinner from just one pot.
How to Store This for Later
- Cool leftovers quickly to keep textures right.
- Store in airtight containers in the fridge up to 3 days.
- You can freeze portions in freezer-safe bags for up to 3 months; just thaw overnight in the fridge.
- Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave, stirring to keep that cheesy sauce from separating.
Be sure when you pop the leftover sloppy joes back in the pressure cooker for reheating, use low pressure and do a quick release when done to avoid overcooking.
Common Questions and Real Answers
- Can I swap ground beef for turkey? Yeah, turkey works but it's leaner so the sloppy joe mix might be a little less juicy. Add a splash of beef broth to make up for it.
- What kind of cheese melts best? Cheddar and mozzarella both melt well but cheddar gives you a sharper taste. Use what you prefer.
- Can I skip the bell pepper? Sure, but the pepper adds nice sweetness and crunch that goes well with the beef and onions.
- How do I make this less messy? Use sturdier buns and don't pile too much sloppy joe mix on each sandwich.
- Is pressure cooker needed or can I do this on stove? You can totally cook this on the stove but the pressure cooker speeds it up and locks in more flavor with that sealing ring magic.
- What's a quick release? It's when you manually release the pressure valve on your cooker so it stops cooking fast instead of waiting for pressure to drop on its own.
Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes
Equipment
- 1 Large Skillet
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 1 lb Ground Beef 80% or 85% lean
- 1 Tablespoon Butter
- 1 Onion small, half diced, half minced
- 1 Bell Pepper green, diced
- 1 Cup Beef Broth
- 2 Tablespoons Ketchup
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper fresh ground
- 1 Tablespoon Cornstarch
- 8 oz Cheddar Cheese or mozzarella
- 6 Buns brioche hamburger style
Instructions
Instructions
- Start by melting butter in a large skillet over medium heat. It kinda sets the base flavor, so don’t skip it.
- Add the diced onion and green bell pepper. Cook till they soften up, bout 5 minutes. You’ll notice the smell's already turning awesome.
- Throw in the ground beef and brown it all up. Break it apart with a spoon so it cooks evenly.
- Stir in beef broth, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, kosher salt, and fresh ground pepper. Mix it all good so flavors get married.
- Bring this whole mixture to a simmer, then let it cook for 10 minutes. You’ll hear the valve hiss as pressure builds in your cooker nearby.
- In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with a bit of water to make a smooth slurry. Stir that into your skillet and cook another minute till the sauce thickens just right.
- Finally, dump that cheesy beef mixture onto your buns. You can melt the cheddar or mozzarella on top or stir it right in. Either way, you got yourself a messy, tasty dinner!
