Quick Whole30 and Paleo instant pot taco meat that you can make in less than 20 minutes. Perfect for a low carb lunch, easy Whole30 dinner or Paleo meal prep! This is my favorite freezer friendly protein to keep on hand, or to serve at the next family gathering. It’s easy to double the recipe in the Instant Pot and make a huge batch!
I love my instant pot. The fact that I can make bulk taco meat in it just adds to the love affair I have going on with it. I don’t get annoyingly excited about a lot of things but this contraption is one that’s worth it. It’s saved me more time in just the last few weeks than I can even count. Cheryl, if you’re reading this, bless you. Anyway, enough chit chat.
I made instant pot taco meat the other day and had the protein for my taco salads taken care of so quickly and so easily. I didn’t have to mess with it while it cooked and I was able to chop up and prepare the veggies that would accompany the meat in the time it took to cook. Lunches or dinners for the WHOLE WEEK were done. Just. Like. That.
Honestly, I have no idea how it works as amazingly as it does.
I’ve done this taco meat in my instant pot a bunch of times now. I’ve learned you can remove the meat and drain the excess liquid prior to adding the seasonings, or leave in on sauté for a bit to let the excess liquid steam off. Both work! Just depend on how much time you have. Letting it just steam off before adding the seasoning and closing the lid just leaves you with one less dish to wash by not straining it out.
Super simple, per usual! This meat freezes great so keep it in mind if you want to throw half of the instant pot taco meat in the freezer! Can you guys tell I’m a huge freezer freak yet? You can also double the recipe really easily if you want to make a larger batch!
Other Recipes You’ll Love:
Mexican “Albondigas” Meatball Soup
Chorizo and Butternut Squash Chili
Instant Pot Taco Meat: Meal Prepping Made Easy
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Meat
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 cup diced onion
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
- 1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Cilantro to garnish
Instructions
- Set your instant pot to “sauté mode”
- Add oil, making sure the entire bottom of the instant pot is covered
- Add garlic, diced onion and ground beef
- Break up meat and stir occasionally until it starts to brown
- There will be excess water/grease from the meat, simply remove to drain or leave it sit on sauté mode for 5 minutes and allow the excess liquid to evaporate off
- Then add the rest of the seasonings, stir to combine and cover
- Set the instant pot to “meat” mode for 12 minutes on sealing
- *If making on the stovetop, simply add oil, onions and meat to a large skillet, brown halfway and drain excess liquid. Add in seasoning and finish browning!
Notes
- You can also set it to manual high pressure for 12 minutes as well
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Cathie Buntjer says
So good. This is my go to taco meat from now on. Great for meal prep.
Ana J says
This recipe is a staple in my house! It’s amazing and so versatile…tacos…taco salad…taco meat quesadillas..the world is you oyster!! Just know that this is soooo flavorful and sooo soo good!
paleobailey says
I’m so glad you love it!! Thank you so much!
Julia says
I am making this with ground turkey thawed. Do you think there will be enough liquid from the meat if I cook it in the IP to not burn?
paleobailey says
Hi Julia! Sorry for the late reply here. I’m not sure, to be honest. I haven’t tried it but I would think it would be okay.
Andrea says
Bailey your taco salads always look amazing! Love this recipe, it’s great to know I can make taco meat any time and don’t need a pre made seasoning mix to do it.
paleobailey says
Oh thank you! This is SO great to hear – I love this homemade seasoning mix over the packaged stuff too 🙂 Thank you so much for taking the time to come back and share your feedback – it’s so appreciated! <3 - B
Olivia J says
Seriously love this recipe. Only way I make taco meat now. So juicy and flavorful!
paleobailey says
Amazing! Thank you so much! I’m thrilled you love this recipe! <3 - B
natalie de leon says
Love this recipe. I can never go back to taco seasoning mix again.
Quick question though… has anyone tried cooking a larger amount of meat at once? I need to cook a lot, and am curious to see how much I can safely cook at once.
paleobailey says
I’ve cooked 4 pounds in a large stock pot 🙂 Takes a bit more time, but it worked just fine! I just doubled the cooking time.
Wendy says
How many will one recipe feed? Looks delish!
paleobailey says
If you use 2 pounds of ground beef, it would be about 6 servings (more or less pending how much your family gets out of a pound of ground beef)!
Stephanie says
This has been my go-to recipe for taco meat since I found you on the Whole30 recipe takeover. My whole family loves it. I don’t own an Instapot so I just make it in the cast iron skillet. So much flavor!
paleobailey says
This is awesome!! Thank you so much. This is one of my go-to recipes so I’m so glad your family loves it as well!!
Eyetech75 says
Dont you need a liquid to steam cook in the pressure cooker?
paleobailey says
This recipe releases enough liquid from the beef!
Eyetech75 says
Don’t you have to use water or a liquid in a recipe for the instant pot in order for it to steam? I don’t see it listed in the ingredients.
paleobailey says
This recipe releases enough liquid from the beef!
Kristin says
I set it on the meat setting and it burned!! I saw in the comments the meat setting was low? I didn’t pay attention but mine sets to high on the meat setting. I’m going to vent it and set it to manual low I guess?
paleobailey says
Hi Kristin! So sorry about that – I’ve never heard of that happening. Recently I just read an article about how newer instant pots have a “burn” feature, is yours a newer model by chance?
Ana says
Just made this today! Meal prep for my whole 30 that starts tomorrow…it’s amazing!!
paleobailey says
I’m so glad you like it! Good luck with your Whole30!! <3
Sara says
High pressure or low pressure?
paleobailey says
Hey! I use the “meat” setting (which is low, but still higher than the manual “low” pressure). You could also set it to manual high pressure and do it for about 1/2 the time 🙂
Jess says
Best taco meat EVER! I make huge batches of this in my IP almost every week thanks to you!!
paleobailey says
This is awesome!! Thank you! It’s one of my favorite recipes as well 🙂