Instant Pot Taco Meat Recipe (2024)

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Thisinstant pot taco meat recipeis the easiest way to prepare taco meat and so quick. Once you cook your taco meat this way, you’ll never go back to the way you were cooking it before.

Instant Pot Taco Meat Recipe (1)

The best Instant pot taco meat recipe

Tacos are a staple in my house as my family loves taco night. It is a simple meal but now it is even easier.

The pressure cooker makes this popular meal even faster. The entire meal comes together in minutes.

This is a great way to get dinner on the table even during busy weeknights. Also check out Leftover Taco Meat Recipes.

If you don’t have a pressure cooker, you can make crock pot taco meat instead or Check out also our Skillet Ground Beef Tacos.

Can I cook ground beef in my instant pot?

Yes, you can definitely cook ground beef in the instant pot and you do not need to brown the meat first on your stove top. An instant pot makes cooking with ground beef even easier.

I put the ground beef in the pressure cooker raw and then use a spoon or meat tenderizer to break the meat up once it has been cooked.

Instant Pot Taco Meat Recipe (2)

Let’s make Instant pot Taco meat.

This is one of our favorite meals and it is so fast and easy.

Instant Pot Taco Meat Recipe (3)

Ingredients

  • ground beef
  • salsa. You can use any brand you prefer.
  • Taco seasoning. I use Homemade Taco Seasoning and make it in bulk. You can also use store bought taco seasoning if you prefer.
  • water. Beef broth can also be used.
Instant Pot Taco Meat Recipe (4)

How to make Instant pot taco meat

You are not going to believe how EASY it is to make thistaco meat instant pot.

  • First, add the ground beef and all of the ingredients in your instant pot including the water. It is just that simple. Keep in mind you need at least 1 cup of liquid any time you use a pressure cooker.
  • Then seal the instant pot and cook on high pressure for 15 minutes.
  • Finally, once it has finished cooking, do a quick release and then use a spoon to break up the taco meat.

That’s all there is to it and this recipe will be ready to serve to all your friends and family. Trust me, after you make taco meat in a pressure cooker, you’ll never make it on your stove top again.

Keep reading for the complete recipe.

Topping ideas

  • shredded cheese
  • sour cream
  • onion
  • diced tomatoes
  • salsa
  • guacamole

I enjoy making a taco bar so that everyone can have what they like on their tacos shells.

What to serve with instant pot tacos:

  • Instant Pot Spanish Rice- This is so easy and much better than any of those box mixes. Make extra to freeze for another easy side dish later.
  • Pressure Cooker Refried Beans Save money and enjoy flavor packed refried beans with this simple recipe. This is another great recipe that you can freeze for easy dinners later.
  • Mexican Corn on the Cob – Street corn is amazing with so many layers of flavor. This is a must try with tacos.
  • Easy Arepas – I love serving the taco meat with cheese on top of easy arepas.

For more easy ideas, check out even more side dishes for tacos.

Instant Pot Taco Meat Recipe (5)

Tips and tricks:

  • Keep in mind you need at least 1 cup of liquid any time you use a pressure cooker.Don’t skip the water.
  • Substitute beef broth instead of water for even more delicious flavor. If you decide to make instant pot ground beef tacos without salsa, I would suggest using beef broth to add flavor.
  • You can use ground turkey instead of ground beef in the recipe. The ground turkey takes on the flavor from the taco seasoning. It is delicious as well.
  • Learnhow to make homemade taco seasoning. You will save a lot of money by making this in bulk. Plus, I love knowing exactly what ingredients are in the seasoning.
  • If you need a pressure cooker, I love the 8 quart Instant pot . However, you might like the 6 quartsize if you have a smaller family size. We have the Instant Pot Brand and have been pleased with it.
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Can you thaw meat in an instant pot?

If you forgot to thaw your ground beef for this recipe, don’t worry. The instant pot is great at taking frozen food to a wonderfully cooked dinner in no time at all.

You can put the frozen ground beef directly into the pressure cooker. If you are using frozen meat, you will need to increase the pressure cooking time to 35 minutes.

This will allow extra time for the meat to thaw and cook for thisrecipe.

Thanks to this fast and easy way to cook frozen meat, there really isn’t any excuse not to make this. I love that I can literally grab the meat from the freezer and still have a fast dinner.

Can you brown meat in an instant pot?

One of my favorite features of the instant pot is the saute function. The sauté setting allows the instant pot to work just like a pot on the stove top.

You can use this feature if you prefer to brown the meat instead of using the pressure cooker feature.

I always cookinstant pot taco meat on the pressure cooker option but this feature works great for recipes that do require browned ground beef.

Make easy instant pot tacos!

It is one of of our favorite instant pot recipes. Anyone can make this and get dinner on the table fast.

This is a great meal to make when you are tempted to get takeout. You can literally have this ready and on the table in less time than eating out. It is cheaper too and we think tastes better.

Give it a try today. I think your family and friends will enjoy it. It definitely does not disappoint.

Instant Pot Taco Meat Recipe (8)

Print this Instant Pot Taco Meat Recipebelow:

Instant Pot Taco Meat Recipe (9)

Review

Pin Print

Easy Instant Pot Taco Meat

4.99 from 53 votes

You must try making ground beef tacos in an instant pot. It is quick and easy to make pressure cooker taco meat that doesn’t require browning first.

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings 6

Cuisine Mexican

Course Main Course

Calories 222

Author Carrie Barnard

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds lean ground beef
  • 1 cup salsa
  • 3 tablespoons taco seasoning
  • 1 cup water

Instructions

  • Place the ground beef (raw) in the Instant pot.

  • Pour the salsa on top and sprinkle with the taco seasoning.

  • Pour the water around the beef.

  • Add the lid and set the valve to sealing.

  • Set the pressure for 15 minutes.

  • Do a quick release to release the pressure. Then use a spoon to break up the taco meat.

  • If the mixture is too watery, switch the instant pot to the sauté setting and cook off the excess liquid.

  • Serve in your favorite type of tortillas with taco toppings and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

You can use frozen ground beef as well. If you use frozen ground beef, set the pressure to 20 minutes with a quick release.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 222kcal, Carbohydrates 4g, Protein 33g, Fat 8g, Saturated Fat 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat 1g, Monounsaturated Fat 3g, Trans Fat 1g, Cholesterol 94mg, Sodium 508mg, Potassium 647mg, Fiber 1g, Sugar 2g, Vitamin A 325IU, Vitamin C 1mg, Calcium 28mg, Iron 4mg

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More Instant Pot taco recipes:

  • Instant Pot Chicken Ranch Tacos Recipe
  • Pressure Cooker Street Tacos
  • Instant Pot Barbacoa Beef Tacos Recipe
  • Instant Pot Pulled Pork Tacos Recipe
  • Healthy Chicken Tacos Pressure Cooker Recipe
  • Instant Pot Mexican Shredded Beef Tacos Recipe
  • Find all our best Taco Night Ideas
Instant Pot Taco Meat Recipe (10)

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About the Author

Instant Pot Taco Meat Recipe (19)

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

About Carrie Page
Instant Pot Taco Meat Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How long do you cook 2 lb of meat in a pressure cooker? ›

For a whole roast: Cook on high pressure for 20 minutes per pound of meat. For small chunks: Cook on high pressure for 15 minutes per pound of meat.

Can you cook raw meat in an Instant Pot? ›

The Instant Pot is a quicker way to prepare your favorite beef dishes. You can sear, braise, stew, roast or heat your favorite beef cuts in a much shorter amount of time than would be possible on the stove or in the oven. Any cuts good for braising, stewing or sautéing are ideal for the Instant Pot.

Do you add taco seasoning before or after cooking meat? ›

Once the beef is cooked, you want to cook it with the seasoning and liquid on medium low and just until the sauce starts to thicken. Keep an eye on it so it doesn't dry out. Heat up the tortillas before adding the ground beef on top. You can heat them up in the microwave, oven or on a skillet for 1-2 minutes per side.

Can I keep taco meat warm in Instant Pot? ›

The Instant Pot "Keep Warm" setting holds your food at a safe serving temperature without overcooking it. This nifty feature kicks in automatically after pressure cooking and can also be manually activated.

Do you cover meat with liquid in pressure cooker? ›

While you may cover meat almost completely for a conventional braise, use just enough liquid for the cooker to reach pressure – during pressure cooking the meat will release it's own juice and braise in that flavorful liquid, instead.

Can you pressure cook meat too long? ›

Yes, very easily. The temperature inside a pressure cooker is about 250F at full pressure, which can easily overcook meat if you're not careful. It'll be stringy and dry.

What is the best meat to cook in a pressure cooker? ›

You can still pressure cook leaner pieces – like eye of round and top sirloin – but these work best if they've been stuffed, shredded or rolled (with other ingredients). Best cuts of beef to use: Chuck steak, Round Roast, Shoulder, Pot roast, Ribs, Brisket, Oxtail.

Do you add water to taco meat when cooking? ›

Turns out it's essential for giving the proper consistency to the taco meat because those seasoning mixes contain cornstarch, which requires water and heat to create a sauce.

Do you brown meat before adding taco seasoning? ›

To use the seasoning mix, brown 1lb ground meat then add 2 – 2-1/2 Tablespoons seasoning with 1/3 cup broth or water, then simmer until the liquid has thickened and reduced, 1-2 minutes. Easy.

Why add water to taco meat? ›

Without it, the meat would be very dry and crumbly, and it could spill out of your taco shell instead of holding together, an issue you've probably noticed if you make your own taco seasoning blend.

Can you leave food in a pressure cooker overnight? ›

Air from the environment may be able to get into the cooker. Microorganisms: As long as the food is warm enough, it will kill any microorganisms that the air may introduce. But if you leave it overnight and it cools down, the microbes are allowed to multiply, which may make your food unsafe.

Will taco meat dry out in crockpot? ›

Taco meat can dry out if you don't add extra water to the slow cooker. I suggest adding water before turning on the heat.

Can I cook taco meat the night before? ›

Yes, you can cook ground beef in advance for tacos or sloppy joes and then store it for later use. Pre-cooking the meat can save you time and make meal preparation more convenient.

How long should I cook meat in a pressure cooker? ›

I like to assume 20 minutes for every pound of meat. So, for my 3-pound beef chuck, I will need to cook at high pressure for 1 hour.

How long per pound in pressure cooker? ›

Generally, 15 minutes per pound is what I work with. So for 3 pounds of meat, I would cook it for about 45 minutes. This is after searing the meat and bringing it up to temperature. Any vegetables would be completely mush so don't add any of the vegetables you want in the stew.

How long does it take for meat to become tender in a pressure cooker? ›

There's another aspect of pressure cookers to consider too. Steam penetrates food easily under pressure. So connective tissues in cubes of beef for soups or stews soften in 15 minutes or less, and a pot roast will be medium-rare in 30 minutes.

How long does it take to cook 2 pounds of beef? ›

Common Names
Approx weightRare (125 °F)Medium (145 °F)
2 lb31 min42 min
3 lb45 min55 min
4 lb1 hr1 hr 10 min

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