How to Cook Frozen Ground Beef in the Instant Pot
Pressure-cook frozen ground beef in the Instant Pot using a trivet and a short high-pressure cook, then sauté to break up and brown.
Equipment
- Instant Pot
- trivet or steam basket
- Instant-read thermometer
- Spatula or spoon
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 2 poundsground beef
- 1 cupwater
- Salt and Pepper
- Taco seasoningoptional
Instructions
Instructions
- Place a trivet or steam basket inside the Instant Pot inner pot.
- Pour 1 cup water into the inner pot.
- Place the 2 pounds of frozen ground beef on top of the trivet. Do not try to break it apart; if a piece is too long to fit, split that piece in two so it sits on the trivet.
- Close and lock the lid and set the sealing valve to "Sealing."
- Set the Instant Pot to cook at High pressure for 23 minutes.
- When the cook cycle finishes, let the pot sit for a 5-minute natural pressure release, then carefully move the valve to "Venting" to release any remaining pressure. Open the lid when the float valve drops.
- Use an instant-read thermometer to check the meat temperature; it should read 160–165°F.
- Remove the meat from the pot to a bowl. Pour off and discard most of the cooking liquid, but reserve a small amount of that liquid to prevent sticking when you finish the meat.
- Select Sauté on the Instant Pot. When the pot is hot, return the meat and break it apart with a spoon or spatula. Cook and stir until the meat is browned and no pink remains. Add a little of the reserved cooking liquid as needed to prevent sticking or to moisten the meat.
- Season the finished ground beef with salt, pepper, and optional taco seasoning to taste.
- Turn off the Instant Pot and serve the beef or use it in your recipe.
Notes
I recommend using a frozen slab of 1 or 2 pounds of meat. If it is bigger, the center will not cook properly and may remain frozen.
Don’t forget to add at least one cup of water to the bottom of the pot to keep the meat from drying out.
This recipe is for at least one pound. If using less than a pound, cook it for 15 minutes. It can always be further cooked by sautéing.
The internal temperature of the ground beef when done should be no less than 160-165 degrees Fahrenheit.
If the meat is still pink afterward, sauté it. Do not try to put it back in the Instant Pot again; crumble it and use the saute function to continue to cook it.
Don’t forget to add at least one cup of water to the bottom of the pot to keep the meat from drying out.
This recipe is for at least one pound. If using less than a pound, cook it for 15 minutes. It can always be further cooked by sautéing.
The internal temperature of the ground beef when done should be no less than 160-165 degrees Fahrenheit.
If the meat is still pink afterward, sauté it. Do not try to put it back in the Instant Pot again; crumble it and use the saute function to continue to cook it.