Easy Instant Pot Taco Meat {Slow Cooker, Stove Top Options}

This Instant Pot Taco Meat recipe is packed full of flavor and delicious with corn tortillas, gluten-free flour tortillas, lettuce cups, or even on top of bed of lettuce for a healthy taco salad bowl. It’s easy to make with an electric pressure cooker, on the stovetop, or in a slow cooker. 

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Closeup of beef tacos in a white bowl next to an Instant Pot

Why You’ll Love this Instant Pot Beef Taco Recipe

One of my favorite dishes to make for my family is tacos. We eat it at least once a week on Taco Tuesday, of course. And really there’s no reason not to because I have the easiest recipe to make it. This Instant Pot Taco Meat recipe is made with ground beef (substitute ground turkey if you like) and has a layer of umami flavor that will have your kids coming back for seconds and thirds. We never have leftovers when we make Instant Pot Tacos.

I love to make Instant Pot beef tacos when we’ve got company over for dinner – friends, family, friends of my kids (aka it can feed an army of neighborhood kids and teenagers – just double the recipe). It’s such a crowd favorite, especially when we set up the taco bar. Take that, Chipotle…

About the Ingredients

  • Garlic and onion powder – This duo provides a flavorful base, and you can use fresh garlic (2 cloves) or fresh onion (1/2 onion, finely chopped)
  • Ground beef – 85% lean works best but 75% lean or even leaner ground beef 
  • Chicken or beef broth – Homemade bone broth is ideal as it provides beneficial protein, amino acids and so many other nutrients. If using store-bought, check it’s free of added sugar
  • Salsa verde – Either canned or fresh green salsa will work
  • Spices – Use taco seasoning or make your own with the spices in this recipe, such as cumin, oregano, black pepper, and salt
  • Cilantro – Optional but adds so much flavor to this dish

How To Make Taco Meat in the Instant Pot – Step by Step

This Instant Pot Taco Meat recipe is so easy to make. Just start out browning the beef a bit, and then add the seasoning spices. Pressuring cooking it in the Instant Pot helps to lock in the flavors, so it tastes like it’s been cooking for hours in a slow cooker but you’ll be able to get dinner on the table in about 30 minutes.

Instant Pot Option

1. Gather ingredients together.
 
Closeup of salsa verde, ground beef, spices, and ingredients to make beef tacos
 
2. Turn on the Saute button on the Instant Pot, and add oil and dd ground beef and cook until lightly brown.
Closeup of ground beef cooking in an Instant Pot
 
3. Add garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, oregano, salt, black pepper, and half of the chopped cilantro. Stir until mixed well.
 
Closeup of spices getting added to ground beef in an Instant Pot
 
4. Turn off Saute function. Add broth and salsa verde. Put lid on and close pressure value. Select the Manual high pressure / pressure cooking for 10 minutes.
 
Closeup of salsa verde getting added to ground beef in an Instant Pot
 
5. When Instant Pot beeps, turn the pressure value and let it depressurize for a Quick Release. Check the consistency of the meat. You might want to put the Instant Pot on Saute mode to cook the beef a bit longer to reduce the liquid. Add garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, oregano, salt, black pepper, and chopped cilantro. Stir until mixed well.
 
Closeup of cooked beef taco meat in an Instant Pot
 
6. Open the lid and stir well, and add lime juice. Scoop out using a ladle into a bowl. Garnish with remaining cilantro and serve up with your favorite toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, and corn tortillas.
 
Closeup of beef taco meat garnished with avocado and jalapeno next to a bowl of rice
 

Stovetop Option

  • Heat oil in a medium pan over medium heat.
  • Add ground beef and cook until lightly brown.
  • Add garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, oregano, salt, black pepper, and half of the chopped cilantro. Stir until mixed well.
  • Add broth and salsa verde, and simmer for about 5-10 minutes. 
  • Check the consistency of the meat. You might want to cook the beef a bit longer to reduce the liquid.
  • Once done, garnish with the remaining cilantro and serve up with your favorite toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, and corn tortillas. 

Slow Cooker Option

  • In a slow cooker, add oil, ground beef, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, oregano, salt, black pepper, broth and salsa verde. 
  • Cook on low heat for 4-5 hours or high heat for 2-3 hours. 
  • Check the consistency of the meat. You might want to cook the beef a bit longer to reduce the liquid.
  • Once done, garnish with cilantro and serve up with your favorite toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, and corn tortillas. 
Overhead view of beef tacos in a white bowl next to a plate of corn tortillas

Can I use frozen beef?

You can use frozen beef in this recipe. Omit the step to brown the meat first. Add oil, ground beef, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, oregano, salt, black pepper, broth and salsa verde to the pot. Put on the lid and set to Manual high pressure for 15 minutes. It takes about 10-12 minutes for the Instant Pot to come to pressure. When it’s done, turn the pressure valve to depressurize for a Quick Release. Use a wooden or meta spatula to break up the meat and separate. If needed, turn on the Saute mode on the Instant Pot to cook longer if meat is still pink. 

Can I use taco seasoning?

Yes, you can. Be sure to omit the cumin, oregano, and black pepper. Use salt to your taste. Personally, I prefer to use my own spices over taco seasoning mixes to cut out additives and preservatives.

Can you make beef taco meat ahead of time and freeze it?

Yes. This Instant Pot beef taco meat recipe is great for meal prep as you can batch cook several portions and freeze for later. Or save any leftover chicken tortilla soup in the freezer. Allow the soup to cool fully before transferring to an airtight container and freezing for up to 3 months. Note: Do not freeze fresh cilantro or any toppings with this recipe. Serve it up fresh after you’ve reheated it.

Is this beef taco meat healthy?

Not only is this recipe gluten-free and dairy free, but thanks to the ground beef, bone broth, and spices, it’s packed full of protein and nutrients. It’s the perfect protein for your favorite Mexican-inspired dishes.

What is best to serve with this Instant Pot taco meat recipe?

Serve with lettuce cups, crunchy corn taco shells, corn tortillas, gluten-free flour tortillas, or even on top of a bed of lettuce or salad greens for a healthy taco bowl. Top with cheese, sour cream, tomatoes, avocado chunks, fresh salsa, or any of your favorite taco bar toppings.

Top Tips for Instant Pot Tacos

  • If your family likes their taco meat a little more or less spicy, feel free to adjust the spice levels. It will not affect the cooking time.
  • If you are cooking for a smaller crowd, you can easily half the recipe. If you are cooking for a large gathering or would like to freeze any leftovers, feel free to double the recipe.  Because it cooks the food at pressure, there is no need to adjust the cooking time when you change the size of the recipe. It will take a longer or shorter time for the Instant Pot to come to pressure, but this happens on its own.
  • Serve with lettuce for a paleo option or gluten free taco shells for a gluten free option.
  • You can freeze the cooked ground beef. Once ground beef is fully cooked, place in a bowl and cool in the refrigerator. Store in the freezer for up to 4 months.
Closeup of beef taco meat next to an Instant Pot

More Instant Pot Meals

Did you try this Instant Pot Taco Meat? Don’t forget to rate the recipe and comment below to let me know how it went. You can also FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

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Instant Pot Taco Meat on a plate in lettuce wrap

Instant Pot Taco Meat

Don’t Mess With Mama
Make beef tacos your who family will love with this easy Instant Pot Taco Meat with real food ingredients and packed full of flavor. 
4.98 from 49 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Time to Pressurize 12 minutes
Total Time 32 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 6 servings
Calories 254 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Instant Pot electric pressure cooker

Ingredients
 
 

Instructions
 

  • Gather your ingredients together.
    Ingredients for Instant Pot Taco Meat
  • Turn on the Saute button on the Instant Pot, and add oil and add ground beef and cook until lightly brown.
    ground beef in a pan
  • Add garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, oregano, salt, black pepper, and half of the chopped cilantro. Stir until mixed well.
    ground beef and seasoning in a pan
  • Turn off Saute function. Add broth and salsa verde. Put lid on and close pressure value. Select the Manual high pressure / pressure cooking for 10 minutes. It takes about 12 minutes for the Instant Pot to come to pressure, so add that to your total time.
    pouring salsa verde onto cooked ground beef
  • When Instant Pot beeps, turn the pressure value and let it depressurize for a Quick Release. Check the consistency of the meat. You might want to put the Instant Pot on Saute mode to cook the beef a bit longer to reduce the liquid.
    cooking ground beef in a pot
  • Open the lid and stir well. Scoop out using a ladle into a bowl. Garnish with remaining cilantro and serve up with your favorite toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, and corn tortillas. 

    a bowl of taco meat

Notes

The actual cook time is 20 minutes in the Instant Pot but it takes about 12-15 minutes to come to pressure to start cooking.
Stovetop Option
  • Heat oil in a medium pan over medium heat.
  • Add ground beef and cook until lightly brown.
  • Add garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, oregano, salt, black pepper, and half of the chopped cilantro. Stir until mixed well.
  • Add broth and salsa verde, and simmer for about 5-10 minutes. 
  • Check the consistency of the meat. You might want to cook the beef a bit longer to reduce the liquid.
  • Once done, garnish with the remaining cilantro and serve up with your favorite toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, and corn tortillas. 
Slow Cooker Option

  • In a slow cooker, add oil, ground beef, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, oregano, salt, black pepper, broth and salsa verde. 
  • Cook on low heat for 4-5 hours or high heat for 2-3 hours. 
  • Check the consistency of the meat. You might want to cook the beef a bit longer to reduce the liquid.
  • Once done, garnish with cilantro and serve up with your favorite toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, and corn tortillas. 

Nutrition

Calories: 254kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 13gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 54mgSodium: 646mgPotassium: 282mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 177IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 22mgIron: 2mg
Keyword instant pot taco, taco meat recipe
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5 Comments

  1. Hi.. i see diced tomatoes in the instructions but not in the ingredients list. What size can if tomatoes? Thanks! Making this right now and it smells wonderful already!!

  2. The recipe mentions adding diced tomatoes, corn and black beans after you saute. Do you add a whole can of diced tomatoes with juice? I don’t want to have taco meat with too much liquid. Thanks, this looks delicious!