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This Whole30 Korean Sloppy Joes recipe is full of flavor and can be made in the Instant Pot or the Stovetop! It’s a yummy twist on a classic comfort food.
These Korean sloppy joes combine my love for the classic comfort food with the Korean flavors I grew up on. I love making it because not only is it a fun way to enjoy a crowd favorite dish, it’s a healthy sloppy joe recipe that even kids will love. Plus, it’s a great weeknight meal because it’s so easy and quick!
Paleo & Whole30 Korean Sloppy Joes Recipe
These Whole30 sloppy joes are low in sugar, because instead of using a high amount of ketchup like in traditional sloppy joes, it uses coconut aminos for that naturally sweet but umami Asian flavor. The sauce is thickened with a small amount of starch at the end, and the result is so addicting and tastes like bulgogi if you are familiar with Korean food!
Plus, depending on your preference you can make these Korean sloppy joes in the Instant Pot or the stove top. Both methods are easy and yield the same delicious result!
How to Make Sloppy Joes in the Instant Pot
While it’s way more common to cook on the stove top, making this healthy sloppy joe recipe in the Instant Pot is way less hands-on. The cooking times for both methods are comparable, but with the Instant Pot, you don’t have to stand over the meat while it’s cooking with the sauce.
You simply sauté the beef with the vegetables, stir in the sauce, and let the Instant Pot simmer everything together. No splatter of the sauce and no stirring needed. You just need a bit of extra time at the end to thicken the sauce, and these Whole30 sloppy joes are done with minimal effort.
Ways to Serve These Korean Sloppy Joes
I like to make a double batch of these Whole30 sloppy joes and eat them in a variety of ways, because I never get sick of them. Here are some of my favorite ways I enjoy them:
- over rice (not Whole30, but very tasty)
- stuffed in baked potatoes or sweet potatoes (pictured)
- between sliced sweet potato “buns”
- in lettuce wraps
- alone, with a side of veggies or salad
- in gluten free buns (not Whole30)
- over cooked spaghetti squash or zucchini noodles
- alongside plantain chips to dip with
- over cauliflower rice
- over mashed potatoes
The possibilities are endless with this delicious and healthy sloppy joe recipe with an addicting Korean twist. Whether you make it in the Instant Pot or on the stove top, it’s a quick and easy recipe that the whole family will love on those busy weeknights!
Other recipes you might love…
- Paleo Sloppy Joe Casserole
- Paleo & Whole30 Sweet and Sour Meatballs
- Instant Pot Meatballs in Tomato Sauce
- Essential Ingredients for Korean Paleo Cooking
Paleo & Whole30 Korean Sloppy Joes (Instant Pot or Stovetop)
Ingredients
- 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
Instructions
- 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
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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What did you serve on the side that is pictured? That looks yummy too!
kimchi!
Good flavors but wayyy too much liquid aminos for my taste. It came out SO salty. I suggest adjusting that down. But otherwise, delicious!
I HIGHLY don’t recommend you use liquid aminos. The recipe calls for coconut aminos which is lower in sodium.
This was delicious! I was pleasantly surprised. I replaced the pear with apple and it was great.
This is absolutely delicious! Made it on the stovetop and the consistency is just perfect without the arrowroot. Serves over sweet potatoes – soooooooo good!
This was absolutely delicious. I made the Instant Pot version & followed the recipe to a tee. I ate mine in lettuce wraps, my husband had his over a bun. So good!
Thanks so much, Shannon!! I’m going to have to try out the lettuce wrap method. I bet that’s amazing.
This is super yummy. I put it over a sweet potato and it was the best dinner ever! Thank you for sharing!
So glad you enjoyed!!
Has anyone tried this with beyond beef (or a vegetarian meat substitute?)
I think this is my favorite Whole 30 Sloppy Joes recipe I’ve tried! Love the flavor of the sauce! Served over sweet potato toasts, yum!
Yay! I’m so glad!!
So amazing! My whole family loved them. Such great flavors and I loved how quick it was to make. Already looking forward to making these again.
We tried these last night and the recipe is soooo good. Great flavor and so versatile. We tried it with potatoes but also thought it would be great with broccoli and/or snow peas. Thank you!
So glad you enjoyed! Yes, agreed with enjoying it with broccoli & snow peas. I’ll have to try that next time!