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    Popular » Recipes » Instant Pot

    Instant Pot Ground Beef Tacos

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure for more information. Published: Oct 4, 2021 by Dee

    Make Instant Pot Beef Taco Meat with fresh or frozen ground beef and homemade  seasoning with this easy recipe. Perfect for tacos and burritos. via @meamel

    Make Instant Pot Ground Beef Tacos with fresh ground meat or frozen ground beef using this easy recipe. A quick dinner perfect for taco night, burrito bowls or homemade burritos.

    Jump to Recipe -
    bowl of Instant Pot ground beef taco meat on the table with cilantro and cheese
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • How to Make Instant Pot Ground Beef Tacos
    • Cooking Time
    • How to Cook Frozen Ground Beef
    • Variations
    • How to Store
    • Recipe
    • Reviews

    Ground beef taco meat is one of the easiest Instant Pot recipes you can make. Actually, it's an easy dinner recipe -- period!

    Tacos are my go-to easy dinner recipe for a busy weeknight or busy days when I am completely exhausted and too lazy to put much effort into dinner.

    I pretty much rely on easy Instant Pot ground beef recipes to get me through days like these. And, even though we love making Instant Pot salsa verde chicken for tacos, ground beef is even easier.

    And, if you forget to set out ground beef to defrost, no problem! You can cook frozen ground beef in your Instant Pot -- it's super easy!

    Ingredients

    You only need a few simple ingredients for this Instant Pot taco meat recipe. If you don't have the ingredients on hand, you can easily find them in your local grocery store:

    • Olive oil -- or vegetable oil to make browning the beef easier
    • Lean ground beef -- No need to drain grease
    • Beef broth -- for flavor, or use water
    • Taco seasoning -- homemade taco seasoning or a packet

    How to Make Instant Pot Ground Beef Tacos

    Like I said, this Instant pot tacos recipe is super simple. And yes, you can cook taco meat on the stove top --I've made it this way a gazillion times.

    But honestly, I like cooking ground beef in the Instant Pot pressure cooker or any electric pressure cooker better. The meat is softer, the flavor is deeper, and you can sit back and let the pot cook.

    First, you turn on the saute setting. When it reads HOT, add a little oil to the bottom of the pot.

    Next, add your fresh beef, and brown beef on the saute function.

    brown ground beef in instant pot on saute function

    Then, add the taco seasoning or your favorite spices.

    I use my recipe for homemade taco seasoning, but you can use a packet if that's what you have.

    Sometimes, I add black beans to the taco filling. Sometimes, I leave them out.

    It depends on whether we want to have beef and bean burritos, enchilada casserole or baked tacos.

    add taco seasoning to ground beef in pressure cooker

    Cooking Time

    Next, add some beef broth, and be sure to deglaze the bottom of the pot if needed.

    Pressure cook the taco meat for 5 minutes on high pressure. After 5 minutes is up, do a quick release to release the pressure.

    If you're busy, you can even do a natural pressure release and let the meat keep warm until you're ready to serve. That's the beauty of pressure cooking!

    You can sauté the meat on the saute setting after pressure cooking if you want to reduce the liquid.

    Total cook time depends upon the size and brand of pressure cooker and if you do a quick or natural release. Once cooked, spoon the cooked taco meat into hard taco shells and add shredded cheese, lettuce, sour cream or your favorite toppings!

    seasoned ground beef taco meat on a serving spoon with instant pot in background

    How to Cook Frozen Ground Beef

    For best results, use 1 or 1.5 pounds of frozen ground beef or 2 flat 1 pound-bricks of meat, side by side.

    Just place the frozen beef in the Instant Pot without the trivet, add beef broth or water, and pressure cook the frozen meat for 10 minutes.

    The meat won't be fully cooked inside, but you easily break it up now. Then, sauté the beef, add taco seasoning and more broth, and it will finish cooking as you sauté it.

    If you have more than 2 pounds of frozen beef, it will take longer to cook.

    Pro tip -- If you're buying meat in bulk, try freezing it as flat as possible in 1 to 1.5 size pieces.

    Variations

    I made this Instant Pot taco meat recipe as simple and easy as possible. But, you can easily jazz it up!

    Add black beans and serve over cooked rice for burrito bowls, burritos or wet burritos. Spice it up with chopped jalapeño peppers and diced onions.

    To make this pressure cooker taco meat recipe leaner, use ground chicken or pork. Or use ground turkey for turkey tacos!

    Ground beef burrito bowl

    How to Store

    Store the leftover ground beef taco meat in an airtight container for 4 days.

    You can reheat the leftover taco meat on the stove or in the Instant Pot on saute mode. No need to pressure cook it again.

    For longer storage, place cooked taco meat in a freezer safe container. This is perfect for meal prep!

    Recipe

    instant pot ground bee taco meat in a white bowl with cilantro

    Instant Pot Beef Taco Meat

    Published by Dee
    Make Instant Pot Beef Taco Meat with fresh or frozen ground beef and homemade seasoning with this easy recipe. Perfect for tacos and burritos.
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Recipe Share by Email
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    pressure time 10 mins
    Total Time 25 mins
    Course Main
    Cuisine Mexican
    Servings 10
    Calories 131 kcal

    Equipment

    • Instant Pot Pressure Cooker

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 tablespoon olive oil or vegetable oil
    • 1 to 2 pounds lean ground beef
    • taco seasoning 3 tablespoons homemade or 1 packet
    • ¾ cup organic low sodium beef broth
    • 15 ounce can black beans optional

    Instructions
     

    • Press SAUTE button on Instant Pot, and when it reads hot, add the olive oil and ground beef
    • Break beef up with wooden spoon or spatula, and cook until no longer pink. Drain fat, if necessary. Add taco seasoning, and stir. 
    • Hit Cancel, and pour in beef broth. Add black beans over beef. (if using) Place lid on pressure cooker, turn vent to Sealing, and hit PRESSURE COOK for 5 minutes
    • Pot will take a few minutes to reach pressure, then begin counting down and cook for 5 minutes. When pot beeps, turn vent for a quick release or do manual release to keep warm until serving
    • When pin drops, remove lid, stir meat mixture, and serve. To reduce liquid, hit SAUTE, and cook for 5 minutes or until liquid is reduced

    Notes

    Recipe was made in 6-quart Instant Pot electric pressure cooker. Add more water for 8 quart.
    Cook frozen ground beef with beef broth for 10 minutes. Do a quick release, turn pot to Sauté, break up meat, drain if necessary, add taco seasoning, more broth, and finish cooking.

    Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 131kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 19gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 56mgSodium: 444mgPotassium: 377mgVitamin A: 130IUVitamin C: 0.7mgCalcium: 13mgIron: 2.3mg
    Tried this recipe? Please comment and rate it! Show me your dish on Instagram!Mention @meatloafandmelodrama or tag #meatloafandmelodrama!

    Originally published in 2018 and updated in 2021.

    instant pot beef taco meat in taco bowl with toppings

    I hope your whole family likes this easy Instant Pot taco meat recipe as much as we do! For more quick meal ideas and easy recipes, including easy Instant Pot recipes, be sure to follow me on social media.

    And don't forget to sign up for the weekly newsletter!

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    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. James says

      October 09, 2020 at 1:23 pm

      Just tried this last night. Great for whatever you need or have on hand. A few of the kids had it in burritos and some had the meat on nachos they made. We always try to have sour cream, cheese and at least the little guacamole packs to add to everything. And we have leftovers too.5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        October 09, 2020 at 10:33 pm

        Thank you so much, James! I'm so glad you enjoyed the taco meat!

    2. Stephanie Hagen says

      January 02, 2019 at 12:34 pm

      My husband said these were the best tacos I've made! I did substitute tomato juice for beef broth because I didn't have broth.5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        January 02, 2019 at 1:07 pm

        Thanks so much, Stephanie! You're version sounds yummy! 🙂

    3. Miz Helen says

      November 12, 2018 at 2:45 pm

      Your Taco Meat would be a great option for this cold rainy day , a great addition to the Taco Bar. Thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday and come back to see us soon!
      Miz Helen5 stars

      Reply
    4. Sandra | A Dash of Sanity says

      November 12, 2018 at 4:51 am

      This looks really good! Perfect for game day busy nights!or5 stars

      Reply
    5. Jamielyn says

      November 08, 2018 at 9:30 am

      Looks SO yummy! Perfect for Taco Tuesday 🙂5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        November 08, 2018 at 10:06 am

        It's one of our favorites for Taco Tuesday. Thanks, Jamielyn!

    6. Chrissie Baker says

      November 08, 2018 at 2:00 am

      Wow now is my favorite dinner! This recipe looks super easy and full of ingredients my family loves. Looking forward to trying soon.5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        November 08, 2018 at 10:05 am

        Thanks, Chrissie. Hope you like it! 🙂

    7. Melanie Bauer says

      November 08, 2018 at 12:07 am

      This looks absolutely fantastic! I love everything about this recipe, need to try this soon!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        November 08, 2018 at 10:04 am

        Thanks! It's one of our favorite dinners!

    8. Lora | Savoring Italy says

      November 07, 2018 at 6:04 pm

      A wonderful way to make taco meat!!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        November 07, 2018 at 10:33 pm

        Thanks! It's our favorite way to make taco meat! 🙂

    9. Dorothy at Shockinglydelish says

      November 07, 2018 at 5:33 pm

      We love tacos at my house! I love how simple they are to make in the Instant Pot.

      Reply
      • Dee says

        November 07, 2018 at 10:31 pm

        Instant Pot tacos are the best!

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    I’m the blogger, chief cook, recipe developer and photographer behind Meatloaf and Melodrama. I absolutely love to create easy, budget-friendly, homemade meals and treats for my family. I also love to think of new ways to repurpose leftovers so that my family will actually eat them!

    More about me →

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