Make Taco Tuesday in a pinch with this quick and easy Instant Pot Taco Meat recipe made with either fresh (thawed) or frozen ground beef. The best weeknight dinner recipe made with three simple ingredients!
Looking for Instant Pot taco dinner ideas? Look no further! This recipe has you covered even on the busiest of days. Add this easy meat to your tacos, enchiladas, nachos, soup, bowls, or any other Mexican-inspired meal.
We make this meal without a taco seasoning packet by using our Homemade Taco Seasoning recipe here. For more instant pot recipes and guides try this how to cook beans in the instant pot. You'll also love these Instant pot pork steaks.
Add this meat to our Chicken Taco Soup instead of using chicken. Or try another Mexican inspired meal like Birria Quesadillas.
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Ingredients
Instant pot taco meat is easy to make and only requires a few ingredients. It's a great way to use hamburger meat.
- Ground Beef- For this recipe, you can use fresh (thawed) or frozen ground beef.
- Water- Use water in a pinch, but for greater flavor use beef broth instead. Water will still have delicious results.
- Taco Seasoning Packet- For a quick and easy meal use your favorite brand of taco seasoning packet. Or you can use our Homemade Taco Seasoning recipe. The ingredients include Cumin, chili powder, coriander, onion powder, paprika, garlic, oregano, and salt. We love using this recipe because it doesn't use as much salt as store-bought Taco Seasoning packets.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Taco Meat in an Instant Pot
Follow these step-by-step process photos for the best results! Refer to the images for guidance.
- Add water or beef broth to the bottom of an instant pot. Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the top of the water. Place the fresh or frozen ground beef on top of the water and taco seasoning mixture.
2. Secure the electric pressure cookers lid. Make sure the settings are set to seal. Push the Pressure cook button and cook for 4 minutes if thawed. When the timer goes off, immediately and carefully release the pressure. The beef will not be fully cooked.
3. Push the sauté button and finish cooking the beef.
4. Saute the excess liquid away and cook until no longer pink. Stir continually.
7. Serve in tacos, enchiladas, quasadillas, soups, or your other favorite Mexican inspired dish.
Hint: Make sure to quick release as soon as the timer goes off. You don't want to overcook the meat before you can break it up and get that ground beef look.
Substitutions and Variations
- Taco seasoning Packet- While you can make your own taco seasoning, using a packet is quick and convenient.
- Beef Broth- This weekday meal taste great with just added water, but take your flavor game to the next level with beef broth instead.
- Chicken Broth- while you are cooking beef, chicken broth can add some extra flavor you may be wanting. Use chicken broth instead of water in the electric pressure cooker.
Storage
Store any leftover Instant Pot Taco Meat in an air tight container in the refrigerator for 1-2 days. To serve again heat in the microwave until heated all the way through.
Once cooked, you can freeze this meal in an air tight container for 1-2 months. When ready to use, thaw in the refrigerator and then cook in the microwave until heated all the way through.
Top tip
Make sure to adjust the cook time depending if you are using frozen, or thawed meat. You don't want to over cook the meat while under pressure or it will cook in the block looking form making it difficult to serve as intended.
Recipe
Instant Pot Taco Meat
Equipment
- Electric Pressure Cooker This recipe uses a 6 quart instant pot
Ingredients
- 1 cup water or 1 cup of beef broth for a more flavorful dish
- 1 pound ground beef thawed or frozen
- 2 tablespoons Taco Seasoning equivalent to 1 taco seasoning packet
Instructions
- In a 6 quart instant pot or electric pressure cooker, add the water or beef broth. Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the top of the water. Add the ground beef on top of the taco seasoning water mixture.
- Secure the lid on the instant pot making sure the vent seal is closed. Press the pressure cook button and make sure it is set to high. If frozen, pressure cook for 6 minutes. If thawed, cook for 4 minutes.
- As soon as the time goes off, immediately use the quick release valve to release the pressure. Remove the lid and press the saute button. The meat will not be cooked all the way through at this point.
- Break the ground beef up and sautee until the excess liquid has evaporated and ground beef is cooked all the way through. This take 5-7 minutes.
- Remove the cooked meat and use it for tacos, enchiladas, or your favorite Mexican inspired dish.
Notes
- Make sure to release the pressure immediately after the timer goes off. You don't want to overcook the meat or it will be hard to work with.
- This is a great meal to make when you forget to thaw the ground beef the night before.
- Use our homemade taco seasoning recipe here.
- Ground turkey-Instead of using ground beef, use ground turkey for similar results. We love using ground turkey when we can!
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- Rice- Serve this meat with a side of Mexican Rice. You can cook it on the stove top or rice cooker while your meal is cooking.
- This is a basic Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker recipe that is without salsa, chicken broth, or diced tomatoes.
Andrea
This instant pot taco meat is so quick and easy. I was able to transform my frozen ground beef into the best Taco night! I'm so excited to use these for other dinner ideas without using pork.