Favorite Instant Pot Taco Meat (Whole30 Paleo Keto) 
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Favorite Instant Pot Taco Meat (Whole30 Paleo Keto) – the best and easiest recipe for Instant Pot Taco Meat! This totally clean version is quick, flavorful, and family friendly!
Hey there, it’s Instant Pot Monday! This week’s recipe is a classic family favorite. My version of Instant Pot Taco Meat includes only clean real ingredients and is a cinch to make. We love it for taco night and the leftovers are also great for lunch during the week.
So let’s be real…tacos are usually a quick and easy option, whether making them in the Instant Pot or on the stovetop. The reason I love Instant Pot Tacos is because I can make the meat ahead of time if needed and the pot will keep it warm (much like a crockpot.)
I’ve replaced the store bought taco seasoning packet with my own homemade taco & fajita seasoning and added some onions and peppers to the ground meat. When made in the Instant Pot, the taco meat comes out so tender and full of great flavor from the sauce. I love the result in the Instant Pot but this could easily be made on the stovetop as well. Serve in tacos, over salad, in burrito bowls, or in your favorite Mexican dish. It’s so versatile and also great for meal prep!
How to Make Instant Pot Tacos
First, make your taco seasoning! I love this homemade version because I can use it in so many things and it doesn’t contain any MSG, extra sodium, or other additives found in the store bought packets.
Brown your ground meat in the Instant Pot using the saute function. Try Butcher Box for the best organic, grass-fed meat delivered right to your door!
While the meat is browning, chop the onions and peppers.
Add everything to the pot and set for 8 minutes!
Instant Pot Taco Meat Variations
Instead of ground turkey or beef, try venison or ground chicken.
Add one cup of your favorite salsa or canned diced tomatoes in place of the tomato sauce.
Bulk up the mixture with additional veggies such as finely diced mushrooms, zucchini, or carrot – just add to the pot!
Meal Prep tip: prepare taco bowls with taco meat, cauliflower rice, and your favorite toppings.
Looking for a meatless taco recipe? Try these Quinoa Black Bean Tacos.
Other Ways to Use Instant Pot Taco Meat
Make a giant taco salad! Greens, taco meat, salsa, sauteed peppers, black olives, and avocado is my favorite combo.
Use it in a Mexican layer dip – layer refried beans, guacamole, taco meat, sour cream, and top with chopped lettuce, cheese, and chopped tomatoes.
Make Taco Quinoa Stuffed Peppers or Taco Stuffed Pepper Soup.
Add it to chili.
For More Instant Pot Tacos Recipes, Check Out:
Instant Pot Shredded Mexican Beef
Instant Pot Salsa Verde Chicken
Instant Pot Cool Ranch Chicken
If you try this or any of my recipes, please share your pics! Tag me on Instagram, @tastythin.
Favorite Instant Pot Taco Meat (Whole30 Paleo Keto)
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground turkey or beef
- 1/2 cup finely diced onion
- 1/2 cup finely diced bell pepper, any color
- 1 cup unsalted tomato sauce
- 3 tablespoons homemade taco & fajita seasoning, see recipe below
- 1 teaspoon avocado or olive oil
- fresh cilantro (optional)
Instructions
- Using the saute function on your Instant Pot, brown the meat in the oil. Turn off saute function.
- Add the remaining ingredients and stir to combine. Set pot for 8 minutes on Manual function.
- When cycle is complete, quick release the pressure (or wait 10 minutes for natural release.) Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired.
Nutrition
Did you try this recipe and love it? Please leave your rating and review below!
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Vegetarian
Dairy Free
27 Comments on “Favorite Instant Pot Taco Meat (Whole30 Paleo Keto)”
Loved this beef. I really enjoyed the added flavor from the tomato sauce.
What a great recipe! I was looking for something to spice up the taste of my beef and this did just that.
I tried using ground turkey and really liked the way all the “seasonings” spruced up the taste. Good flavor!!!!
I tried it, but as soon as it came up to pressure I got a burn notice. Luckily I was right there and turned it off and released the steam before it was completely ruined. I followed the recipe exactly as stated.
Oh no, the burn warning is a serious bummer! 🙁 Sometimes there doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason to why that happens. Usually it’s due to not having enough liquid in the pot or some food stuck to the bottom. I’ve made this recipe several times without any issue so I hope you’ll give it another try!
I added a little chicken broth to avoid the burn message, and so far I’ve had no more issues
This is my new go to taco meat recipe! Very flavorful and a family favorite!😊
Awesome! Thanks, Heather!
What would be the serving size for the macros calculated above?
Hey Kandis – this is based on approximately 1/2-3/4 cup serving size. Thanks!
If using ground beef, do you drain it after cooking? Thank you!
Hi Chris, use your best judgment here…if it’s a leaner ground beef, you probably won’t need to. But if there’s a lot of fatty liquid, I would drain it.
Hello! I am tracking my macros any idea of how many net carbs? Thank you!
Hey Aly – according to the nutrition calculator I use, each serving (about 1 cup) contains 4 grams of carbs. Hope that helps!
High or low pressure?
Hey Nicole, use high pressure if your IP has that option!
I’m new to IP cooking. What’s the benefit of using the IP over traditional pan cooking for taco meat?
Hey Mark, a couple reasons…I like to use the IP method if I’m making the taco meat ahead, that way it switches to the warm function and is ready to go when you want to eat. Also, I often make IP taco meat when I’m meal prepping because it’s totally hands off, so I can be cooking/prepping other things without having to tend to something on the stove. The stovetop method is still definitely great for a quick throw together dinner!
This was an absolute hit with my family! We used it to make our own healthier version of walking tacos. I didn’t have any peppers on hand, so I added a can of diced green chiles. Thank you!!
Anne, thanks for the review! SO glad your family enjoyed the recipe, it’s definitely an easy one to change up too!!
Do I add Water and if i do, when? I’m new to instant pot but everything i read says you need liquid to cook things.
Hi there! No water necessary. The tomato sauce is sufficient!
This recipe is excellent! Easy, healthy, and quick. I don’t have an instant pot, so I used my pressure cooker and it came out perfect.
Hi! If I wanted to double or triple the recipe would I increase the cooking time? I like to batch cook and freeze some portions. Thanks!
Hey Christa – No need to increase the pressure cooking time since the meat is already cooked. This is a great recipe to double and freeze for later!
This turned out delicious. I’ve tried other spice mixes for homemade taco seasoning and nothing turned out this good. Thanks for the recipe! It will definitely make for an awesome stay at home Friday night dinner 🙂 Also- are those home made tortillas or store bought? They look really tasty.
Easy, tender, flavorful. This turkey meat tastes way too good to be this healthy! Wouldn’t change a thing about the recipe. We are adding this to our meal prep rotation!