Instant Pot Pennsylvania Coal Region BBQ Recipe
This Instant Pot Pennsylvania Coal Region BBQ recipe offers a flavorful and hearty loose meat sandwich experience. Made with lean ground beef simmered in a tangy, sweet, and savory sauce featuring brown sugar, vinegar, mustard, and ketchup, it delivers classic barbecue flavors quickly using the Instant Pot. Perfect for a comforting weeknight meal served on hamburger buns.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes (including pressure cooking and natural release)
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Meat and Broth
- ½ cup beef broth
- 1 pound lean ground beef (93/7)
Seasonings and Sauce
- 2 Tbsp minced dry onion
- 1 ½ Tbsp white vinegar
- 1 ½ Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 ½ tsp yellow mustard
- ¾ cup ketchup
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Serving
- Hamburger buns
Instructions
- Prepare the Instant Pot: Pour the beef broth into the Instant Pot. Break up the raw ground beef directly into the pot.
- Add flavorings: Sprinkle the minced dry onion, then pour white vinegar, brown sugar, yellow mustard, and ketchup over the meat without stirring to avoid mixing too early.
- Pressure cook: Secure the Instant Pot lid and make sure the valve is set to sealing. Select manual/pressure cook mode and set the timer for 5 minutes.
- Natural release: When cooking time ends, allow the Instant Pot to sit undisturbed for 5 minutes, then carefully turn the valve to venting to release remaining pressure before removing the lid.
- Mix and season: Break up the meat thoroughly with a spoon and stir well to incorporate the sauce. Add salt and pepper generously according to taste.
- Serve: Spoon the loose meat mixture onto hamburger buns. Serve immediately and enjoy your loose meat sandwiches!
Notes
- For a slower option, you can prepare this dish in a slow cooker by combining all ingredients and cooking on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours.
- Adjust seasoning after cooking to suit your taste preferences.
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and keep the dish healthier.
- This recipe yields about 4 servings.