Make Instant Pot Beef Taco Meat with fresh or frozen ground beef and homemade seasoning with this easy recipe. Perfect for tacos and burritos.
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 busy days or days when I am completely exhausted and too lazy to put much effort into dinner.
I pretty much rely on chicken and easy ground beef recipes to get me through days like these. And, even though we love making Instant Pot salsa verde chicken for tacos, beef is even easier.
And if you forgot to set out beef to defrost, no problem! You can cook frozen ground beef in your Instant Pot — it’s super easy!
How to Cook Ground Beef For Taco Meat in the Instant Pot
Like I said, this recipe is super simple. And yes, you can do this on the stove –I’ve made it this way a gazillion times. But honestly, I like cooking ground beef in the pressure cooker better. The meat is softer, the flavor is deeper, and you can sit back and let the pot cook.
First, you brown the ground beef and add the 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. Sometimes, I leave them out. It depends on whether we want to have beef and bean burritos, enchilada casserole or baked tacos.
Next, add some beef broth, black beans, if you want, and pressure cook it for 5 minutes. You can sauté the meat after pressure cooking if you want to reduce the liquid.
If you’re busy, you can even do a manual release and let the meat keep warm until you’re ready to serve. That’s the beauty of pressure cooking!
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 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. If you’re buying meat in bulk, try freezing it as flat as possible in 1 to 1.5 size pieces.
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Originally published in 2018 and updated in 2020.
Instant Pot Beef Taco Meat
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or vegetable oil
- 1 to 2 pounds lean ground beef
- taco seasoning 3 tablespoons homemade or 1 packet
- 3/4 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
Nutrition
Recipes with Taco Meat
- Beef and Bean Burritos
- Easy Baked Tacos
- Enchilada Casserole
- Doritos Casserole
- Taco Tater Tot Casserole
- Serve over Instant Pot Jasmine Rice
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James says
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.
Dee says
Thank you so much, James! I’m so glad you enjoyed the taco meat!
Stephanie Hagen says
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.
Dee says
Thanks so much, Stephanie! You’re version sounds yummy! 🙂
Miz Helen says
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 Helen
Sandra | A Dash of Sanity says
This looks really good! Perfect for game day busy nights!or
Jamielyn says
Looks SO yummy! Perfect for Taco Tuesday 🙂
Dee says
It’s one of our favorites for Taco Tuesday. Thanks, Jamielyn!
Chrissie Baker says
Wow now is my favorite dinner! This recipe looks super easy and full of ingredients my family loves. Looking forward to trying soon.
Dee says
Thanks, Chrissie. Hope you like it! 🙂
Melanie Bauer says
This looks absolutely fantastic! I love everything about this recipe, need to try this soon!
Dee says
Thanks! It’s one of our favorite dinners!
Lora | Savoring Italy says
A wonderful way to make taco meat!!
Dee says
Thanks! It’s our favorite way to make taco meat! 🙂
Dorothy at Shockinglydelish says
We love tacos at my house! I love how simple they are to make in the Instant Pot.
Dee says
Instant Pot tacos are the best!