Unlock the secret to quick and perfectly cooked ground beef with our Instant Pot guide! Whether you're whipping up tacos, spaghetti, or a savory chili, the Instant Pot transforms the cooking game for ground beef. In just a few simple steps, you'll have beautifully browned, flavorful meat ready to elevate your favorite dishes. Say goodbye to stovetop splatters and learn How To Cook Ground Beef In Instant Pot.
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Why This Recipe Works
- Speedy Cooking: It's super quick, making dinner ready in no time.
- Versatility: This ground beef recipe works for both fresh and frozen ground beef, so it's very convenient.
- Flavorful Ground Beef: Cooking in the Instant Pot keeps the beef juicy and flavorful.
- Multi-Use Preparation: It's a simple way to prepare beef that can be used in many different recipes.
📋 Ingredients
- Ground Beef (Fresh or Frozen): Is the main ingredient for cooking ground beef.
- Water: Is added when cooking in an Instant Pot to create steam, ensuring the meat cooks evenly and stays juicy.
- Salt and Pepper: Enhance the beef's natural flavors, making each bite tastier.
- Onion Powder: Adds a sweet and savory depth to Instant Pot ground beef, enhancing the meat's natural flavors without the need for fresh onions.
- Garlic Powder: Infuses the ground beef with a rich, aromatic warmth, elevating the overall taste complexity of the dish effortlessly.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
🔀 Substitutions & Variations
- Ground Turkey: Replace the ground beef with ground turkey to create a lighter, slightly sweeter version. Simply mix a pound of ground turkey with the same spices and cook with a cup of water in the Instant Pot. This version offers a cleaner taste and is perfect for those looking for a healthier option.
- Ground Chicken : Swap the ground beef for ground chicken for a tender and subtly flavored dish. Combine a pound of ground chicken with a cup of water and seasonings, cooking it in the Instant Pot.
🔪How To Cook Ground Beef In Instant Pot If Fresh?
Step One: Add the fresh ground beef, water, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to the Instant Pot.
Step Two: Set the Instant Pot to "Manual" mode and cook for 15 minutes.
Step Three: Once the timer goes off, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then use the quick release to release any remaining pressure.
Step Four: Carefully open the lid after releasing the pressure. Use a colander to drain any excess liquid from the beef. Your Instant Pot ground beef is now ready to be used in your favorite recipes or served as is, alongside your choice of side dishes. Enjoy!
🔪How To Cook Frozen Ground Beef In Instant Pot
If you've forgotten to thaw ground beef before cooking, don't worry, you can cook frozen ground beef! The Instant Pot can help. The amount of water or broth you'll need for cooking frozen ground beef will depend on how much ground beef you're cooking.
Step One: Place the frozen beef in the Instant Pot. Add onion powder, garlic, powder, salt, pepper, and water or beef broth, using one cup of liquid for every pound of ground beef you're cooking.
Step Two: Adjust the Instant Pot to "Manual" mode. Set the timer for 25 minutes (an increase from the initial 15 minutes is necessary because you are going to cook the frozen meat).
Step Three: Release Pressure
- Natural Release: After the pressure cooking time ends, allow the pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes. This step ensures that the meat remains juicy.
- Quick Release: Next, use the quick release method to release any remaining pressure. Carefully turn the valve to "Venting," watching out for the steam.
Step Four: Open the lid once all the pressure has been released. Drain any excess liquid from the beef by transferring it to a colander.
Step Five: If your recipe requires brown ground beef, activate the "Sauté" function on your Instant Pot after draining. Add a little oil and sauté the cooked ground beef until it reaches the desired level of browning, approximately 5-7 minutes.
Step Six: Your ground beef is now thoroughly cooked and ready to be served as it is, or used in your favorite recipes!
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Freshness Matters: Make sure the beef is bright red; brown spots mean it's starting to go bad.
- Break It Up: Once you add the beef to the pot, break it apart with a wooden spoon to cook evenly.
💭 FAQs
Allow the Instant Pot ground beef to cool to room temperature before storing. Place it in an airtight container and refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking. Consume within 2-3 days for optimal freshness.
For longer storage, freeze the ground beef in a freezer-safe bag or container. Label with the freezing date and store for up to 2-3 months.
Yes, it's advisable to drain excess fat after cooking ground beef, especially if you're aiming for a leaner dish. After browning the meat, use a slotted spoon to transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate, which will absorb the excess grease.
To avoid clumping, break up the meat into smaller pieces as it cooks. Some cooks find that using a potato masher helps achieve evenly sized crumbles.
Ground beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) to ensure it's safe for consumption. Using a meat thermometer is the most accurate way to check this.
Yes, you can cook ground beef without additional oil, especially if it's not extra-lean. The fat rendered from the meat during cooking is usually sufficient to prevent sticking.
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How To Cook Ground Beef In Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 1 Pound Ground Beef Fresh or Frozen
- 1 Cup Water
- ½ Teaspoon Onion Powder
- ¼ Teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ¼ Teaspoon Black Pepper
- ¼ Teaspoon Salt
Instructions
For Fresh Ground Beef
- Add the fresh ground beef, water, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to the Instant Pot.
- Set the Instant Pot to “Manual” mode and cook for 15 minutes.
- Once the timer goes off, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then use the quick release to release any remaining pressure.
- Carefully open the lid after releasing the pressure. Use a colander to drain any excess liquid from the beef.
- Your Instant Pot ground beef is now ready to be used in your favorite recipes or served as is, alongside your choice of side dishes.
- For Frozen Ground Beef
- Place the frozen beef in the Instant Pot.
- Add onion powder, garlic, powder, salt, pepper, and water or beef broth, using one cup of liquid for every pound of ground beef you’re cooking.
- Adjust the Instant Pot to “Manual” mode. Set the timer for 25 minutes (an increase from the initial 15 minutes is necessary because you are going to cook the frozen meat).
- After the pressure cooking time ends, allow the pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes.
- This step ensures that the meat remains juicy.
- Next, use the quick release method to release any remaining pressure.
- Open the lid once all the pressure has been released.
- Drain any excess liquid from the beef by transferring it to a colander.
- If your recipe requires brown ground beef, activate the “Sauté” function on your Instant Pot after draining.
- Add a little oil and sauté the cooked ground beef until it reaches the desired level of browning, approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Your ground beef is now thoroughly cooked and ready to be served as it is, or used in your favorite recipes!
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