Step by step directions showing how to cook juicy and tender Instant Pot frozen ground beef. The ultimate weeknight meal secret for cooking frozen ground beef in 20 minutes flat! No thawing needed.
Thanks to the Instant Pot, cooking frozen ground beef is not only safe but also fast and efficient. From Instant Pot whole chicken and Instant Pot pulled pork - the pressure cooker really is a lifesaver for getting the protein portion of your meal cooked and on the table in a flash!
While other Instant Pot frozen ground beef recipes may disappoint (resulting in tough, chewy beef) this method cooks frozen ground beef to perfection!
Our secret method involves cooking the ground beef *partly* through, then finishing it up using the 'sautee' function. The result is tender, juicy, and delicious ground beef - cooked from frozen in 20 minute flat.
Best of all, you can use this Instant Pot frozen ground beef in many different recipes, and we've included two ways to flavor your ground beef so that you can get a little variety in your dinner routine!
Reasons you'll Love this Recipe
- you'll go from frozen ground beef to dinner on the table in just 20 minutes
- this method ensures the beef does not end up tough
- you can flavor the ground beef in two different ways
- it's the ultimate time-saver and easy weeknight meal
Recipe Video
Watch the video below to see how to cook this Instant Pot frozen ground beef! You can find more of my recipe videos on my YouTube channel.
Ingredient notes
- Beef - 1 lb. We have not tested this recipe with larger quantities. You can use fatty cuts of beef as the fat will drip into the water below and is discarded.
- Water - you'll need 1 cup for a 6 quart Instant Pot and 1.5 cups for the 8 quart model
Step by step directions
Pressure Cook
Add 1 cup of water to the insert of an Instant Pot (use 1.5 cups if you have an 8 quart). Add the trivet, and the block of frozen ground beef (removed from the package) on top of the trivet. Put the lid on the Instant Pot, set the valve to 'sealing', and pressure cook on high pressure for 5 minutes.
Note - This cook time worked great for 1 ยฝ to 2 inch thick slabs of ground beef; if your block is thicker, you may need to alter the cook time.
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Release Pressure
When the timer beeps, immediately release the pressure (quick pressure release). Using oven mitts, carefully remove the trivet + ground beef from the Instant Pot and place on a clean plate. Carefully dump out the water from the insert and return to the Instant Pot.
Sautรฉe
Select 'sautee' and add the ground beef plus any seasonings back to the pot. Cook, breaking up the beef with a spatula until beef is cooked through and sauce is absorbed.
Two Flavor Variations
Taco Seasoning
- When returning the ground beef to the Instant Pot to sautรฉe (step 3), add the taco seasoning and โ cup of water.
- Cook until beef is cooked through and sauce has thickened slightly (2-3 minutes).
Korean Beef
- When returning the ground beef to the Instant Pot to sautรฉe (step 3), add garlic, ginger, honey, soy sauce, sesame oil, red pepper flakes and black pepper.
- Cook until beef is cooked through (2-3 minutes).
- Stir in carrots if desired and enjoy over rice or served in lettuce wraps.
Note - see recipe card for exact ingredients and measurements!
FAQ
It works fabulously for ground turkey. We have not tested with ground chicken, but it should work as well!
Yes, however you'll want to release the pressure to flip halfway through, otherwise the exterior of the beef will end up tough while the interior is still frozen. Cook for 5 minutes, release the pressure, then flip so the frozen bits of the beef are on the outside and put the pot back on for another 3 minutes.
No. Because the slow cooker cooks slow, slow cooker manufacturers cannot guarantee that the internal temp of frozen food reaches a high enough temperature to prevent food borne illnesses.
Translation? It is not recommended as it puts food in the danger zone temperature for growth of the bad bacteria. The Instant Pot cooks through quickly and we can ensure our meat is cooked to the proper temperature to kill off the bad bacteria.
Storage
- Fridge - Let cool completely. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freeze - Let cool completely. Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheat- In a frying pan or in the microwave until steaming hot
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Instant Pot Frozen Ground Beef
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef frozen; *see note 3
- 1 cup water
Taco Meat
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- โ cup water
Korean Beef
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger finely grated
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 3 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce
- 1 ยฝ teaspoons sesame oil
- ยผ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- โ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 carrot shredded; optional
Instructions
To Cook Frozen Ground Beef
- Pressure cook - Add 1 cup of water to the insert of an Instant Pot (use 1.5 cups if you have an 8 quart). Add the trivet, and the block of frozen ground beef (removed from the package) on top of the trivet. Put the lid on the Instant Pot, set the valve to 'sealing', and pressure cook on high pressure for 5 minutes. *see note 1
- Release Pressure - When the timer beeps, immediately release the pressure (quick pressure release; see note 2). Carefully remove the trivet + ground beef from the Instant Pot and place on a clean plate. Carefully dump out the water from the insert and return to the Instant Pot.
- Sautรฉe - Select 'sautee' and add the ground beef plus any seasonings back to the pot. Cook, breaking up the beef with a spatula, until beef is cooked through and sauce is absorbed.
Taco meat
- Season - When returning the ground beef to the Instant Pot to sautรฉe (step 3), add the taco seasoning and โ cup of water.
- Sautรฉe - Cook until beef is cooked through and sauce has thickened slightly (2-3 minutes).
Korean beef
- Season - When returning the ground beef to the Instant Pot to sautรฉe (step 3), add all ingredients except for the carrots (garlic, ginger, honey, soy sauce, sesame oil, red pepper flakes and black pepper)
- Sautรฉe - Cook until beef is cooked through (2-3 minutes).
- Add carrots - Stir in carrots if desired and enjoy over rice or served in lettuce wraps.
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Tips:
- We have used both a 6 quart Instant Pot and an 8 quart Instant Pot for this recipe, either works! The trivet used in these photos comes with the Instant Pot and keeps the beef out of the water.
- For a quick pressure release: carefully transition the steam release handle to the 'venting position', taking care to ensure your hands, face, and kitchen cupboards are clear from the steam.
- This recipe also works with ground turkey (same cook times)
- Fridgeย - Let cool completely. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezeย - Let cool completely. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Video
Nutrition Information
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Andrea Jennyc says
I use this method for cooking frozen ground beef or turkey very often (almost once a week) and it works so well! I also make the Korean turkey bowls and taco meat out of the ground meat pretty often too! I usually always cook 2 lbs of ground beef, using the exact same instructions as you listed and it works really well!
Denise Bustard says
Hi Andrea! I'm so happy to hear you love this method, and really appreciate you sharing that it works with 2 lbs of meat, that's so helpful! I really appreciate you taking time out of your day to come back and leave a review ๐