Make Easy Instant Pot Hamburgers for a quick dinner in your electric pressure cooker using ground beef and a few other ingredients. This easy recipe is perfect when you can’t grill or fry hamburger patties, and even picky eaters approve!
I’ve seen so many people talking about how to cook burgers in Instant Pot that I just had to try it. If you want hamburgers for dinner, but grilling isn’t an option, making burgers in your electric pressure cooker is the next best thing.
It’s an easy Instant Pot recipe with ground beef that’s perfect for busy days! If you’ve ever had a steamed burger, like White Castle burgers, pressure cooker burgers are basically the same idea.
You guys, all I have to say about cooking burgers in the Instant Pot is don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. I know, I know that nothing quite compares to a thick, juicy burger cooked to perfection on the grill, but hear me out on this one — k?
Why Make Steamed Burgers
So, why on earth would anyone want to make hamburger patties in the Instant Pot? Well, maybe you don’t have a grill, or maybe it’s too hot or too cold for grilling. Maybe you don’t even have an air fryer for burgers either. And if you’ve ever fried burgers on the stove, you know the clean-up isn’t fun! Trust me — been there, done that!
If you’ve got a pressure cooker, you can still make juicy, tasty hamburgers or cheeseburgers in just a few minutes. They’re quick, easy and delicious. And the clean-up is easy, too!
How to Make Hamburgers in the Instant Pot
When you cook hamburger patties in the pressure cooker, you’re basically steaming them. It’s like making hobo dinners in foil packs when you go camping.
So, you season your ground meat, and then you form the meat into patties. I usually like to keep the seasonings on burgers pretty simple and let people go crazy on the toppings. I used my basic hamburger recipe here, but you can use your own if you have one you love.
Then, place each hamburger patty on a square piece of aluminum foil, and fold the foil to make an envelope. Add a cup of water to your Instant pot, or more if using an 8 quart, along with a trivet, and stack the packets on top of each other.
If you don’t want to use aluminum foil, you can use parchment paper, instead. I tried it both ways, and the results were the same!
How Long to Pressure Cook Burgers
We like our burgers on the thick side, so I cooked them for 15 minutes and let the pressure release for 5 minutes after that. You could also do 20 minutes with a quick release, or if your burgers are thinner, you could probably do 12 minutes. You might have to experiment to get the perfect cook time, but as long as the burgers are 160 degrees internally, you’re good!
The first time I made Instant Pot hamburgers, we ate them right out of the pot, so to speak. But, the next time, I added a little BBQ sauce on top, broiled them for about 5 minutes, added some cheese slices, and they were even better!
Tips for making the BEST hamburger patties in the Instant Pot
- Keep patties roughly the same size for even cooking
- Use a meat thermometer to check for correct temperature
- Drain liquid from packets before serving
- Broil after pressure cooking for extra flavor and texture
Looking for more Instant Pot ground beef recipes?
- Instant Pot creamy shells and beef
- Instant Pot Cheeseburger Macaroni
- Mom’s Best Instant Pot Chili
- Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meat Sauce
- Instant Pot Ground Beef Stroganoff
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Instant Pot Hamburgers Recipe
Easy Instant Pot Hamburgers
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon dried minced onions
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup water for pressure cooking
- barbecue sauce optional
- cheese, if desired optional
Instructions
- Add water, sea salt, dried onions and pepper to ground beef, and mix well
- Form into patties, about 1/2 inch thick
- Place hamburger patties separately on squares of aluminum foil, and form into loose foil packs
- Add 1 cup water to Instant Pot, place trivet inside, and pile foil packs on top of trivet
- Turn valve to sealing position, hit PRESSURE COOK for 15 minutes, and do a 5 minute natural release
- Hit cancel, and when pin drops, open cover, and remove foil packs.
- Open foil packs, place hamburger patties on baking sheet, brush each patty with a thin layer of barbecue sauce, and broil in oven for 5 minutes, or until top is brown and slightly crisp
- Turn oven off, add cheese, if desired, and serve on buns with your favorite toppings
Notes
Nutrition
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Originally published in 2018 and updated as of July 2020
Jenn Wiese says
Love this Idea! Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Do you think I could use a frozen BUBBA burger (or similar frozen pre-made burger)?
Dee says
I’m sure you can, but I’m not sure about the cook time since I’ve never tried this.
Leslie says
It’s been so hot lately, too hot for the grill and oven. IP hamburgers to the rescue! They are just as good as a party fresh off the grill!
Dee says
I’m glad you liked them, Leslie. Thanks!
Jessica says
Did you also broil after?
Suzy says
This is genius! Love how I don’t have to mess with a grill!
Dee says
Thanks, Suzy. It’s way too hot here for grilling!
Beti says
I need to try this ASAP!! Looks and sounds incredibly delicious!!
katerina says
I LOVE how easy and delicious this is!! YUM!
Erin says
This Instant Pot Hamburgers look so perfect! Definitely a must try!
Toni says
Such a perfect burger recipe!! We loved it!
Beth says
This is an interesting idea! I can’t wait to make these! Saved for tomorrow! Thank you!
Lenore says
Have u used ground chuck?
Dee says
I usually use ground chuck –whatever is available now.
karen says
thank you dee for your this best and tasty hamburgers. much better than other. keep posting.
Janice Faulkner says
Love this recipe!! I’m not good on the bar-b-que but these came out tasting like they were right off the grill
Dee says
That’s so great to hear, Janice. Thank you so much!
Joyce says
Because I have only the IP and a 1,000 watt micro for cooking (the rentals here don’t have kitchens, and this is in mid Missouri), I’m constantly looking for uses for the IP. I just got mine in mid March, and am still learning its various great attributes, so am definitely going to make hamburgers in it, and the eggs and potatoes for potato salad. I do very much like how “boiled” eggs turn out in the pot–SOOOO good, and so much better than any I’ve ever made on the stove, and I’ve been cooking for 58 years, having learned when I was 8 years old.
Dee says
The IP is definitely a game changer! I love making hamburgers whenever we can’t grill, and I love how well the eggs always turn out. Thanks so much! 🙂
Greg D says
I’m in my RV on a rainy night with fresh ground beef so I did a search and found this.
No question the IP can cook anything. Burgers came out great, it’s not BBQ, as mentioned, but definitely delicious! Thanks!
Dee says
I’m so glad you liked the burgers, Greg. Thanks you so much!
Jessica says
Have you tried this with turkey burgers? How would I adjust the cook time for turkey instead of ground beef?
Dee says
I haven’t made these with turkey, but I believe the cook time should stay the same.
Dorothy at Shockinglydelish says
I’m telling you I am loving my instant pot more and more!! This will be a perfect option on those crazy busy nights.
Dee says
This is exactly how I feel, Dorothy!
Julie says
Can you use frozen patties and if so how long would you cook them?
Thanks!
Dee says
I haven’t tried using frozen, so I’m not sure on the time, but I’m sure it’s possible.
Emily says
Thank you for sharing this! I’m looking forward to trying it. Do the burgers need to be broiled if NOT using barbecue sauce?
Dee says
Broiling and adding BBQ sauce is just a personal preference to make the burgers taste more like they were grilled. You can skip both of these steps if you want. 🙂
Miz Helen says
What a great idea to make these burgers in the Instant Pot. Thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday for the party this week. Hope you have a great week and come back to see us real soon!
Miz Helen
Amanda Livesay says
Okay, I’m sold. We’ve been looking at grills for our new house but now I’m thinking we can make it through summer with just the instant pot. These are genius!
Anna says
Just when I thought nothing will surprise me anymore about the IP, I learn I can make hamburgers in it! Wow! Awesome!
Allyson Zea says
Love my instant pot so I will definitely be trying this! YES!
Kimberly says
Great idea, nothing beats a good burger!
Cathy @ Lemon Tree Dwelling says
Such a great way to make burgers! They look great!
Dee says
Thanks, Cathy. It’s amazing that you can make burgers in the Instant pot!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
Oh I love easy recipes like these!
Dee says
It’s super easy — perfect for busy days!
Jacque Hastert says
I love learning new ways to use my Instant Pot. Thanks for sharing these, they look AMAZING!
Dee says
Thanks, Jacque! My whole family loved them. 🙂
Demeter says
You really can make just about anything in an IP!! What a quick and easy way to get dinner on the table!
Dee says
I’m starting to think so, and yes, it’s super quick this way!