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What Great Grandma Ate / Recipes / 30 Minutes or Less / Paleo & Whole30 Korean Sloppy Joes (Instant Pot or Stovetop)

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

Last Updated on September 3, 2024 by Jean Choi

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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.

Paleo & Whole30 Korean Sloppy Joes over baked potatoes

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
korean sloppy joes served over baked potato

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.

healthy sloppy Joe recipe in the Instant Pot

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!

Whole30 sloppy Joes recipe with a Korean twist

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)

4.75 from 8 votes
Print Pin
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
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 328kcal

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 Facts
Paleo & Whole30 Korean Sloppy Joes (Instant Pot or Stovetop)
Amount Per Serving (1 serving – makes 5)
Calories 328 Calories 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.
What Great Grandma Ate / Jean Choi is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Regarding other affiliate links and affiliate relationships: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Thank you for your support and understanding.

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By Jean Choi | August 26, 2019

Comments

  1. Amy says

    September 12, 2019 at 10:02 am

    5 stars
    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!

    • Jean Choi says

      September 12, 2019 at 11:20 am

      So glad you enjoyed! Yes, agreed with enjoying it with broccoli & snow peas. I’ll have to try that next time!

  2. Jenna Bennett says

    January 31, 2020 at 6:32 pm

    5 stars
    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.

  3. Kim says

    June 25, 2020 at 10:21 am

    5 stars
    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!

    • Jean Choi says

      June 26, 2020 at 10:57 am

      Yay! I’m so glad!!

  4. Alex says

    October 11, 2020 at 6:03 am

    Has anyone tried this with beyond beef (or a vegetarian meat substitute?)

  5. Erin says

    January 1, 2021 at 12:25 pm

    This is super yummy. I put it over a sweet potato and it was the best dinner ever! Thank you for sharing!

    • Jean Choi says

      January 4, 2021 at 10:31 am

      So glad you enjoyed!!

  6. Shannon E says

    March 22, 2021 at 8:32 pm

    5 stars
    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!

    • Jean Choi says

      March 29, 2021 at 11:16 am

      Thanks so much, Shannon!! I’m going to have to try out the lettuce wrap method. I bet that’s amazing.

  7. Amy Ginger says

    December 8, 2021 at 10:16 am

    5 stars
    This is absolutely delicious! Made it on the stovetop and the consistency is just perfect without the arrowroot. Serves over sweet potatoes – soooooooo good!

  8. Jill says

    October 31, 2022 at 2:54 am

    5 stars
    This was delicious! I was pleasantly surprised. I replaced the pear with apple and it was great.

  9. Taylor says

    November 16, 2022 at 7:23 am

    3 stars
    Good flavors but wayyy too much liquid aminos for my taste. It came out SO salty. I suggest adjusting that down. But otherwise, delicious!

    • Jean Choi says

      November 19, 2022 at 12:46 pm

      I HIGHLY don’t recommend you use liquid aminos. The recipe calls for coconut aminos which is lower in sodium.

  10. Sheila says

    August 31, 2023 at 11:58 am

    5 stars
    What did you serve on the side that is pictured? That looks yummy too!

    • Jean Choi says

      September 1, 2023 at 2:41 pm

      kimchi!

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Hi, I’m Jean!

headshot of Jean Choi - blogger of What Great Grandma Ate

I’m a food lover and recipe developer living in Southern California. I love to share simple and approachable gluten-free recipes that are healthy but never sacrifice on flavor. I hope I can help you feel confident in the kitchen and inspire you to try out some new-to-you dishes!

More About Jean

Recipe Key

  • 3030 Min or Less
  • AIPAIP
  • EFEgg Free
  • LCLow Carb
  • NFNut Free
  • PPaleo
  • VVegan
  • W3Whole 30

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