Paleo & Whole30 Korean Sloppy Joes (Instant Pot or Stovetop) (2024)

4.91 from 20 votes

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Korean

Keyword: asian sloppy joes, easy weeknight meals, how to make sloppy joes in the instant pot, instant pot sloppy joes, kid friendly recipes, weeknight meals instant pot, whole30 instant pot recipes

Prep Time: 2 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Pressure Building/Release Time (Instant Pot Method): 20 minutes minutes

• 1 tbsp avocado oil
• 2 lb lean ground beef
• 1 medium onion diced
• 4 garlic cloves minced
• 1/2 inch ginger minced
• 2 tsp arrowroot starch
• 2 green onions sliced, for garnish
• Sesame seeds for garnish

Sauce

• 1/4 pear cored and roughly chopped (or use 1/2 if you like sweeter sloppy joes)
• 3/4 cup coconut aminos
• 1/2 cup bone broth or beef broth or water
• 2 tbsp sugar-free ketchup or sub with gochujang (you can find a paleo version in Korean Paleo!)
• 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar
• 2 tbsp toasted sesame oil
• 1/2 tsp sea salt plus more to taste
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• Optional: 1/2 tsp Korean red pepper flakes or red pepper flakes

• Place all ingredients for the sauce in a blender and blend until smooth. Set aside.

Instant Pot Method

• Turn on the Instant Pot and press Saute. When it indicates that it's "Hot," add avocado oil.

• Add ground beef and onion, and cook while breaking up the meat until it's no longer pink, about 6-7 minutes.

• Add garlic and ginger, and sauté for 1 more minute.

• Hit Cancel, then put on an oven mitt to carefully remove the pot to drain the excess fat. I poured it over a colander then placed the meat back in the pot.

• Return the pot to the Instant Pot and stir in the sauce.

• Cover with lid and set the pressure valve to Sealing. Cook on HIGH for 6 minutes.

• Once it beeps to a finish, let it naturally release pressure for 10 minutes before opening the lid.

• Place the Instant Pot back on Saute and stir in arrowroot starch.

• Let it simmer and thicken for 5 more minutes, then remove from heat. Taste, then add more salt if needed.

• Sprinkle with green onions and sesame seeds before serving.

Stove Top Method

• Heat avocado oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

• Add ground beef and onion, and cook while breaking up the meat until it's no longer pink, about 6-7 minutes.

• Add garlic and ginger, and sauté for 1 more minute.

• Drain the excess fat into the sink over a colander.

• Add the sauce and stir together well. Continue to stir while cooking for 6-7 minutes and the sauce is reduced.

• If there's too much liquid, stir in arrowroot starch and simmer for up to 5 minutes until thickened.

• Taste, then add more salt if needed.

• Sprinkle with green onions and sesame seeds before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Paleo & Whole30 Korean Sloppy Joes (Instant Pot or Stovetop)

Amount Per Serving (1 serving – makes 5)

Calories 328Calories from Fat 135

% Daily Value*

Fat 15g23%

Saturated Fat 4g25%

Cholesterol 94mg31%

Sodium 1048mg46%

Potassium 578mg17%

Carbohydrates 12g4%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 2g2%

Protein 34g68%

Vitamin A 40IU1%

Vitamin C 3mg4%

Calcium 24mg2%

Iron 4mg22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.