This Instant Pot Ground Beef is so easy to make – read on for ideas on how to use it, plus how to pressure cook frozen ground beef!
Ingredients and substitutions
- Extra-lean ground beef – another ground beef variant that isn’t extra lean will work but will affect the nutritional information. You can also use this recipe to make ground turkey, chicken, pork, etc.
- Beef broth – beef broth is best but vegetable broth will work in a pinch.
How to cook ground beef in the Instant Pot
Step 1: Prep your ingredients.
Step 2: Brown the ground beef.
Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and add the ground beef. Break it up with a spoon, season with salt and pepper, and sauté until browned.
Step 3: Cook on high pressure.
Add the beef broth to the Instant Pot and cook on high pressure for 2 minutes.
Step 4: Serve and enjoy!
Do a quick release of the pressure, drain the liquid and serve!
What to make with ground beef
Ground beef is such a versatile ingredient for so many lunch and dinner recipes! If you’re looking for Instant Pot ground beef recipes, here are some ideas:
- Make chili cheese fries
- Add leftover ground beef to these Big Mac tater tot nachos
- Work it into a casserole dish
- Add it to tacos or quesadillas
- Make a hearty chili
- Turn it into stuffed peppers
Frequently Asked Questions
If you forgot to thaw your ground beef, the good news is that you can cook your Instant Pot ground beef straight from frozen! The cooking instructions from frozen are fairly simple. Just skip the sauté step in the cooking instructions and pressure cook for 12 minutes. Do a natural pressure release and you’re done!
I typically just season the ground beef with salt and pepper, but you can add in any seasonings of your choice. Try out this homemade taco seasoning if you’re going to be using the beef to make tacos!
Yes! This ground beef Instant Pot recipe will work for any kind of ground meat like ground chicken, turkey or pork.
Nope! While some recipes call for using a trivet, it’s not required for this recipe.
Storing and reheating
Store any leftover Instant Pot ground beef that you won’t be using immediately in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the fridge. It’s a great option for meal prep! When you’re ready to use your ground beef, you can warm it up in the microwave for 2 minutes or heat it up in a pan on the stovetop.
Freezing this recipe
If you want to extend the life of your ground beef, you can freeze the cooked ground beef for up to 3 months in airtight containers or freezer-safe Ziploc bags. Make sure the beef has fully cooled before packing it up.
Let it defrost in the fridge overnight then reheat as normal and use it to make any Instant Pot ground beef recipes. You could also directly sauté the meat from frozen in a pan on the stovetop until heated throughout.
More Instant Pot beef recipes
- 15 Easy Instant Pot Ground Beef Recipes
- Instant Pot Beef Bourgiugnon
- The Easiest Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli
- 30 Instant Pot Beef Recipes Your Family Will Love
Meal prep tools for this recipe
- Grab some glass meal prep bowls if you plan on turning the ground beef into your weekly lunches.
- I get all my meat from Butcher Box, conveniently delivered to me frozen.
- Use these Ziploc bag holders if you’re marinating the beef then freezing it for future use.
- Freeze this recipe in glass microwave-safe bowls for up to 3 months.
Instant Pot Ground Beef {Fresh or Frozen}
Ingredients
- 1 lb extra-lean ground beef
- 1/2 cup beef broth
Instructions
Fresh
- Heat Instant Pot on saute mode. Add ground beef, breaking up and browning for 3-4 minutes. Season with salt & pepper to taste. Turn off saute mode and pour in beef broth.
- Place lid on Instant Pot and make sure valve is set to seal. Press the pressure cook button and set to high, then cook for 2 minutes. Instant Pot will take about 5-10 minutes to come to pressure then pressure cook for 2 minutes.
- Do a quick release of the pressure on the Instant Pot by flicking the switch at the top with a spoon. Open the lid when pressure gauge has dropped and the lid opens easily. Serve ground beef with a slotted spoon, draining liquid. Enjoy!
Frozen
- Add ground beef and beef broth. Place lid on Instant Pot and make sure valve is set to seal. Press the pressure cook button and set to high, then cook for 12 minutes. Instant Pot will take about 5-10 minutes to come to pressure then pressure cook for 12 minutes.
- Let the pressure naturally release, then open lid once the pressure gauge has dropped. Turn Instant Pot to saute mode. Break up beef with a spoon, then season with salt & pepper to taste. Saute for 3-4 minutes until beef is browned. Serve ground beef with a slotted spoon, draining liquid. Enjoy!
