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    Home » Recipes » 30 Minutes or Less

    Instant Pot Taco Meat

    Published: Oct 26, 2022 by Andrea · This post may contain affiliate links · 1 Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    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, water (or beef broth for more flavor), one taco seasoning packet, and 1 pound of ground beef.

    Taco Meat made in an instant pot in a bowl ready to be eaten.

    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 into your tacos, enchiladas, nachos, soup, bowls, or any other Mexican inspired meal. It won't disappoint.

    Make this meal without a taco seasoning packet by using our Homemade Taco Seasoning recipe here.

    Add this meat to our Chicken Taco Soup instead of using chicken.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Substitutions and Variations
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • Top tip
    • FAQ
    • Recipe
    • Instant Pot Taco Meat
    • Food safety

    Ingredients

    Ingredients for instant pot taco 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 and quick 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 here. The ingredients include: cumin, chili powder, coriander, onion powder, paprika, garlic, oregano and salt.

    See recipe card for quantities.

    Instructions

    Water and taco seasoning in an instant pot.
    1. Add water or beef broth to the bottom of an instant pot. Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the top of the water.
    Raw meat at the bottom of a prepared instant pot.

    2. Place the fresh or frozen ground beef on top of the water and taco seasoning mixture.

    The lid of an instant pot closed and sealed.

    3. 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.

    Released pressure in the instant pot with meat and taco seasoning.

    4. When the timer goes off, immediately and carefully release the pressure. The beef will not be fully cooked.

    Taco meat half cooked in an instant pot with taco seasoning.

    5. Push the sauté button and finish cooking the beef.

    Cooked taco meat at the bottom of an instant pot.

    6. Saute the excess liquid away and cook until no longer pink. Stir continually.

    Taco meat made in a instant pot in a white serving bowl.

    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

    This is a basic Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker recipe that is without salsa, chicken broth, or diced tomatoes. You can make it your own style by using these substitutions.

    • Ground Turkey- instead of using ground beef, use ground turkey for similar results. We love using ground turkey for better heart health and lower saturated fats.
    • Hamburger -while ground beef is hamburger, use uncooked hamburger patties that need to be eaten up to make this recipe.
    • Taco Seasoning Packet- while you can make your own taco seasoning, using a packet is quick and convenient.
    • Beef Broth: this weekday meal tastes 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.
    • 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.

    Equipment

    For this recipe you will need the following equipment to have the best results while cooking.

    • Instant Pot (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.

    FAQ

    Can you Cook Taco Meat in the Instant Pot?

    Yes. By following these steps, you can make the perfect meat for your tacos. It takes less than 20 minutes to make, from fresh or frozen.

    Recipe

    Instant Pot taco meat in a bowl ready to be used.

    Instant Pot Taco Meat

    Instant Pot Taco Meat a quick and easy dinner recipe made with either thawed or frozen ground beef. Great for any Mexican inspired dinner ideas!
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    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 2 mins
    Cook Time 6 mins
    7 mins
    Total Time 15 mins
    Servings 4 people
    Calories/serving 290 kcal

    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

    1. 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.
    2. This is a great meal to make when you forget to thaw the ground beef the night before.  
    3. Use our homemade taco seasoning recipe here.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 0.5cupsCalories: 290kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 19gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 81mgSodium: 180mgPotassium: 306mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 0.2gVitamin A: 117IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 22mgIron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was in the comments below
    Tag us on Instagram!We love seeing people make our recipes. Mention @simplyscrumptiouseats_

    Food safety

    • Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
    • Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
    • Wash hands after touching raw meat
    • Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
    • Never leave cooking food unattended

    See more guidelines at USDA.gov.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Andrea

      October 26, 2022 at 6:45 pm

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply

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    nicole and andrea

    Hi, we are Nicole and Andrea! As busy moms our favorite meals are easy, healthy and delicious. While we love eating nutritious meals, we also strongly believe in moderating them with yummy desserts! We love hiking, going to the beach and doing Spartans.

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