Wow the Instant Pot is such a lifesaver in my kitchen. Its like you dont gotta hover over the stove for hours and still end up with bland food. If youre busy or just lazy, you can toss a bunch of stuffs in the pot and boom dinner is ready. Ground beef works great in it cause it adapts to whatever dish you pick, tacos, chili, pasta, you name it.
In this post we gonna show you how ground beef and an Instant Pot are the perfect team. From thick chilis to gooey pasta or even stuffed peppers that actually turn out good, these recipes is super easy and they taste great too. We’ll also throw in tips on picking the right beef, bust some cooking myths you might’ve heard, and answer questions you’re probably thinking. Whether you cook everyday or you’re just tryin it out, theres something cool for you to try.
Benefits of Cooking Ground Beef in an Instant Pot
Cooking ground beef in an Instant Pot has a ton of perks especially if you got a jam packed schedule. First, it cooks real fast. Normally youd brown meat in a pan for like 10 minutes or more, then wait on your sauce and stuff but with an Instant Pot you brown it right inside, then hit pressure cook and your meal can be done in like 20 or 30 minutes.
Next the flavor is way better. The pressure trap juices so your spices and oils stay locked in the meat. That makes it super juicy instead of that dry bland stuff.
And dont forget how versatile ground beef is. You can make American comfort food like meatloaf or shepherds pie, or go global with Asian stir fries or Mexican enchiladas. The Instant Pot helps you do it all with almost zero fuss.
Top Ground Beef Instant Pot Recipes
Now that you get why this is awesome, let’s look at some recipes that might make your mouth water. Theyre simple, quick and full of flavor. Pick one, follow the instructions, and enjoy what you made.
1. Instant Pot Ground Beef Chili
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans drained and rinsed
- 2 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Set Instant Pot to sauté then brown the ground beef.
- Add onion and garlic and cook till soft.
- Stir in tomatoes beans chili powder cumin salt pepper.
- Seal lid, pressure cook high for 15 minutes.
- Let natural release 10 minutes then quick release any left.
Advice: You might throw in bell pepers or use different beans to mix it up.
2. Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meat Sauce
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon basil
- Spaghetti for 4 servings
Directions:
- Sauté beef onion garlic till meat is brown.
- Mix in crushed tomatoes, paste, oregano, basil, salt pepper.
- Break spaghetti in half, push under sauce.
- Pressure cook on high for 8 minutes.
- Quick release, stir and serve.
Advice: You can try zuchini or spinch in it for extra veg.
3. Instant Pot Beef Tacos
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 cup beef broth
- Taco shells
- Optional toppings: cheese, lettuce, salsa
Directions:
- Sauté beef onion garlic till brown.
- Stir in taco seasoning and broth.
- Seal lid, pressure cook high for 10 minutes.
- Quick release, fill shells and top as you like.
Advice: Try addin bell pepers for fajita style or use tortillas if you want burritos.
4. Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoon flour
- Egg noodles for 4 servings
Directions:
- Sauté beef then add onion garlic mushrooms.
- Pour in broth and pressure cook 5 minutes.
- Do quick release, stir in flour mixed with water, then sour cream.
- Serve over noodles.
Advice: Maybe eat with green beans or simple salad.
5. Instant Pot Meatballs
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups marinara sauce
Directions:
- Mix beef breadcrumbs cheese egg garlic salt pepper.
- Shape into balls, place on rack in pot.
- Pour sauce over, seal lid and cook 10 minutes.
- Serve over spaghetti or in subs.
Advice: Put it on garlic bread or eat with salad.
6. Instant Pot Stuffed Bell Peppers
Ingredients:
- 4 bell peppers
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
Directions:
- Cut tops off peppers, remove seeds.
- Mix beef rice tomatoes seasoning salt pepper.
- Stuff peppers, stand them in pot with 1 cup water.
- Close lid, pressure cook high for 12 minutes.
- Let natural release then serve.
Advice: You could use turkey or do a veggie quinoa mix too.
Tips for Cooking Ground Beef in an Instant Pot
Here are some quick tips so you dont get stuck or end up with a burn notice.
Choosing the Right Ground Beef
Pick the fat percent: extra lean (90/10) if you wanna be healthy but it may be dry, lean (80/20) is a good balance, regular (70/30) is juicy but kinda greasy.
Browning Ground Beef
Use the sauté mode and break the meat up real good so it browns everywhere. That browning gives you that nice Maillard taste.
Avoiding Common Mistakes
Make sure you have enough liquid or the pot will think about burn notices. Dont fill over the max line and follow the recipe closely.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Whats the best ground beef to use in an Instant Pot?
I’d say an 80/20 blend since its not too lean or too greasy.
Can i use frozen ground beef in Instant Pot?
Yes, but add like 5 more minutes of pressure time and be sure you got enough liquid.
How long do i cook ground beef in the Instant Pot?
About 10 minutes high pressure after browning, but you should check your recipe for the exact time.
What do i do if my Instant Pot shows a burn notice?
Do a quick release, open the lid, scrap off the stuck bits on the bottom, add more liquid then restart it.
Can i make healthy ground beef recipes in the Instant Pot?
Yeah, just choose lean beef, load it up with veggies and use brown rice or whole wheat pasta.
Conclusion
Cooking ground beef in an Instant Pot open up a ton of possibilities from quick weeknight dinners to big family feasts. Give these recipes a shot, change them to fit your taste, and dont forget to brag about your cooking wins with friends and fam.
ground beef instant pot recipes
Equipment
- 1 Instant Pot
- 1 Measuring cups
- 1 Measuring spoons
- 1 Wooden spoon or spatula
- 1 Cutting board
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 cups egg noodles
- 1 cup sour cream
- to taste salt and pepper Adjust seasoning as needed.
- for garnish fresh parsley, chopped Optional, for garnish.
Instructions
- Set your Instant Pot to the sauté function. Once hot, add the ground beef and diced onion. Cook until the beef is browned and the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Stir in the minced garlic and sliced mushrooms. Cook for an additional 2 minutes until the mushrooms are softened.
- Add the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, paprika, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir well to combine.
- Add the egg noodles on top of the mixture but do not stir. Just press them down gently into the liquid.
- Close the Instant Pot lid securely and set the valve to the sealing position. Select the manual or pressure cook setting on high pressure for 5 minutes.
- After the cooking time is complete, carefully do a quick release of the pressure by turning the valve to the venting position. Once the pressure is fully released, carefully remove the lid.
- Stir in the sour cream until well combined and creamy. If necessary, adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper.
- Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley if desired.