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Have a pound of ground beef sitting in your fridge or freezer and need it to cook fast for dinner? This Instant Pot Ground Beef method is the easiest, most hands-off way to get fully cooked ground meat on the table, whether it's fresh or frozen solid.
Just like the Instant Pot can safely cook frozen chicken breast, and frozen pot roast, it can be used to safely cook frozen ground meat. Perfect for those nights you are craving tacos but forgot to pull the meat out from the freezer!
Kristen's Keys for Instant Pot Ground Beef
A few things to know before you start help to ensure you get the most bang for your buck when it comes to this method for Instant Pot Ground Beef.
- Use a trivet. This keeps the meat from sitting in liquid, allows fat to drain away, and prevents a burn notice from occurring.
- Remove ALL packaging. Be sure all plastic, styrofoam, or any other packaging is completely removed from the frozen meat. If not, run under cold water just long enough to peel it off.
- Thickness matters. These times are tested for ground beef frozen in a ¾-1 inch thick slab (the most standard package sizes for ground beef sold at grocery stores). If you have a thicker slab of beef, you will need to increase the cook time.
- Think beyond ground beef. Yes, this recipe is for Instant Pot Ground Beef, but it works for ground chicken, ground turkey or ground pork.
- Season after cooking. You'll get better flavor and more even seasoning once the meat is broken up.
How to Cook Ground Beef in the Instant Pot
Whether you are just learning to use the Instant Pot or a seasoned user, this next section will walk you through the process.
- Prepare Inner Pot. Add 1 cup of cold tap water to the Instant Pot for a 3- or 6-quart model or 1½ cups for an 8-quart model. Then place in a metal trivet or rack inside the inner pot.
- Add Meat. Place the frozen ground beef (or meat of choice) on the trivet, ensuring all packaging is removed from the meat.
- Set Cook Time. Place the lid on the inner pot and ensure the vent knob is sealed. Using the pressure cook or manual button, set to cook on high pressure for 20 minutes for frozen beef OR 6 minutes if thawed/fresh.
- Let Pressure Release. Once the cooking time has elapsed, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes. This ensure the meat finishes cooking and keeps it from becoming tough.
- Check the Internal Temperature. Using a digital meat thermometer, check to ensure the beef has reached at least 160°F (chicken, turkey, and pork should reach 165°F). If not, pop the lid back on the Instant Pot and set to cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
- Remove Meat. Carefully remove the meat from the instant pot and place it in a large mixing bowl and discard the cooking liquid and fat that drained off the beef.
- Break it Up and Use as Desired. Use a spatula to break up the ground meat and use it just as you would for any recipe calling for browned or cooked ground beef. Hello, Sloppy Joes or taco night.
How to Sauté Ground Beef in the Instant Pot
If your ground meat is fresh or thawed, you can opt to sauté the meat using the sauté function. It is nearly the same as browning the meat on the stove, but saves dishes if you're finishing the recipe in the Instant Pot--think Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff, Instant Pot Chili, or Instant Pot Hamburger Helper.
- Heat Oil. Hit the sauté function on the Instant Pot and then hit Adjust to change the heat to normal heat. Add in a bit of oil and let heat 1-2 minutes.
- Sauté Beef. Add the ground meat, and allow to cook, breaking the meat up into small pieces as it browns.
- Drain Grease. Once the ground beef is cooked thoroughly, which takes about 6-7 minutes, turn the Instant Pot OFF by hitting cancel, drain excess grease, and continue with your recipe.
Troubleshooting and Timing Notes
If your ground meat didn't cook exactly as expected, these tips may help.
- This method is tested with standard packages of ground beef sold from the grocery store meat section. Not bulk packages or tubes of ground meat. Tubes are thicker and need about 25 minutes.
- Buying meat in bulk? Portion into 1 pound amounts and shape into 1-inch thick slabs so it cooks evenly every time.
- Cooking more than 2 pounds of meat? Increase the cook time by 5 minutes.
- Don't cook more than 3-4 pounds at once. Overcrowding slows pressure buildup and affects safety.
Recipes That Love This Method
Instant Pot ground beef works perfectly in the following recipes:
Instant Pot Ground Beef
Video
Ingredients
- 1-2 pounds ground meat, beef, turkey, chicken, or pork
Instructions
- Pour 1 cup cold tap water into a 3 or 6-quart instant pot or 1½ cups of cold water for an 8-quart instant pot. Add a trivet and place frozen or fresh ground meat directly on trivet, ensuring all packaging has been removed. If desired, sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Place the lid on the Instant Pot and ensure the vent knob is locked into place or pointing to the sealed position. Using the manual or pressure cook button, set to cook on HIGH pressure for 20 minutes if frozen, 6 minutes if fresh.
- Once the cook time has elapsed, let the pressure release naturally for at least 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, you can release the remaining pressure by using a long spoon to knock the vent knob from sealed/locked to venting, using caution to stand back from the steam. Check the temperature of the meat with a digital thermometer. If not at 160℉ (for beef) or 165℉ (for turkey, chicken, or pork). place the lid back on the Instant Pot and set to cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
- Once cooked fully, carefully remove the meat from the inner pot, placing it into a large bowl. Discard the cooking liquid from the inner pot. For the meat, break it up into bite-sized pieces and season as desired. Use in any recipe calling for cooked ground beef.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
The recipe indicates that the instructions apply to a 3 or 6 qt electric pressure cooker, thought he list of equipment states a 6 or 8 quart capacity. Can you clarify? Thanks.
Hi! I am not sure where you are only seeing this is for a 3 or 6-quart. The recipe instructions state: Use 1 cup water for a 3 or 6-quart instant pot and 1.5 cups for an 8-quart model. Feel free to use any size you have 🙂
I use 3# of tube frozen ground beef often when i pressure cook them - i have found 35 min works well. Thought this might be helpful to someone. Yes it does take a little longer to get to pressure, but during set up i start the water on saute so the inside is already getting hot. I feel like that helps. Cant beat browning a bunch of ground beef without baby sitting a skillet! I enjoy your page!
Thanks for sharing, Michelle! 🙂
Thank you, thank you!
I cannot stand to sauté ground beef because of back problems.
This technique will allow me to cook ground meat for other dishes. I had to quit searing meats and sautéing aromatics a long time ago but could never work around sautéing ground beef. When I searched for some way to cook ground beef in an Instant Pot, Google showed your recipe close to the top of the results. I was afraid I would have to look through thousands or hundreds of thousand of results, but luckily I didn’t.
I am thrilled you found this recipe! And I love knowing it helps make your life a bit easier. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for sharing this easy recipe. I have fibromyalgia pain & can't stand at the stove to brown beef any more. It's very helpful and I can still add the flavorings I need.
I am so very happy to help you manage your chronic illness. I know what it is like to need to adapt to living with a disease. Sending you hugs and love!
Hi!
This just saved my toddler and me lunch!
I was looking for this part you mentioned.
“Check the internal temperature with meat thermometer--it should be at least 160 degrees. If it is not, seal again and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. *See my notes at end of the post to troubleshoot why your meat would need longer to cook. “
I thawed my beef using your method but I broke it up and kept sautéing and added veggies and did chili for a further 25 mins Instant Pot on High Pressure.
So I guess in these cases - temp measuring is optional?
But awesome saving method ! Thank you
You are correct if you are sauteeing and pressuring cooking the meat after thawing, no need to check the temperatures.
I haven't tried this yet, but going by the comments, it will be no problem. Basically, I just wanted to thank you for making my life easier!
So simple and yet so many things I can do just with this simple recipe. Love the instructions and turned out perfect. Thank you!
You are so welcome Shelley! It is so nice to have this as a back-up option on those days you need to cook frozen meat.
I absolutely love my instant pot, it makes everything so easy and quick. I sent my granddaughter one but hers will do that hot air cooking almost made me order another one. Your recipes are just awsome, thanks for publishing them.
Thank you Pam! I really appreciate your kind words!
Great information! I have had my instant pot for almost two years and I used it once! so now i’m excited to learn!