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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.
Thank you Kristen for your simple guide to cooking ground beef. What if I want to season the meat prior to cooking in the instant pot? Also just a recommendation for your audience to wash the meat prior to cooking. Lol 🤗
You are welcome. As for seasoning, you can sprinkle over frozen meat OR when you break up your meat, add seasonings then.
Hello Ms Kristen,
This recipe is my go-to on a weekly basis practically. Grocery stores usually have a ground beef sale frequently, but it is usually in a value pack. I confess that I don't usually have as much freezer space available as I would like, so this is a good way to cook up the fresh beef and stage it for dishes during the week. I usually saute it after the cook to get those leftover bits in pot after draining. Thank you!
Im a newbie and was excited to try the steam method to cook a pound of ground elk for my dog. Followed you instructions exactly, yes the meat was fully thawed, after first round raw... after 6 more minutes... still bloody. And yes, im cooking on HIGH. So sad
Hi Tracy! I am sorry for your disappointment. If your meat was not frozen in an even layer (instead of in thick ball or oval) that may have been the reason the elk needed longer. It may also help to use a digital thermometer to see if the elk had reached a safe temperature to eat--sometimes a pink hue will still exist even once well-done.
This is a great method if you are using cooked ground meat. What if I just want to thaw it? Like for meatloaf or meat balls?
Hi Kita! I don't recommend using this method for thawing meat--just like I don't recommend using the microwave for thawing meat. It can change the texture and cause bacteria to grow. I would instead suggest, placing the meat in a bowl of cold water in the fridge, that speeds up the thawing process a bit.
Tracy, I had the same experience with my first attempt but then I just put it back in for a few minutes. I think that block of meat may have been thicker than an inch. Today I tried it with meat of a different shape but put 10 minutes on the Instant Pot. The temperature was up to 190 degrees or so after that 10 minutes, so I definitely could have used less time.
I just received my instant pot for Mother's Day! I am so thrilled to use it. I want to make chili tonight however my ground beef was frozen and your post about how to defrost the ground beef is awesome advice.
I am so glad you found this post to save dinner--I am excited for you to use your instant pot as well. Please reach out with any questions!
I'm lazy and I don't care about excess fat (in fact I'd probably eat it purposely). Can I just put the meat directly in the pot without the trivet?
Also do you think it'd be problematic to add olive oil along with water?
Hi Josh, I would let the meat sit up on a trivet. Ground meat cooked in water will absorb the water and lose flavor--but feel free to save the cooking liquid to use in soups, etc
Very helpful! Thanks so much!
So glad these tips helped 🙂
Do you think this would work with ground chicken as well? Or would the cook times differ?
It works perfectly with ground chicken and turkey if frozen in flat disk. If it is thicker, you can saute afterwards super quickly to finish cooking through.
My husband likes 80/20 sauted with taco seasoning and that's it. He will eat that alone as a meal. He doesn't drain the fat. I want to cook this in the IP early in the day and let it sit on warm until he eats it about 4-5 hours later. How would you do this? Thank you!
Hi Renee. I would then place 1 cup of liquid in the bottom of your inner pot. Season with 1-2 tablespoons taco seasoning and mix well. Add your frozen meat and cook as directed--you will just need to break it up before you eat it. Another idea is to saute fresh beef until just browned, pour in water and taco seasoning and cook for 5 minutes on high pressure. I hope that helps.