Instant Pot Shredded Beef Tacos

Growing up, we used ground beef every time we had tacos for dinner. Crunchy taco shells were also a favorite. Now that I have my own family, we change things up a bit.

A few weeks ago, we made Instant Pot chicken tacos, and they were a huge hit with our friends and family.

Luckily, I’d already started thinking about making this Instant Pot Shredded Beef Tacos recipe. Before sharing it, I wanted to try it a few times to make sure it was exactly as I’d imagined.

The meat had to be perfectly tender and juicy, because nobody likes dry, bland taco meat. Not to mention, it had to be super easy to shred.

The taco meat needed to appear as though it had slow cooked all day even though it was pressure cooked. Lucky for me, these Instant Pot Shredded Beef Tacos have turned out perfectly every single time. Here’s how I make them!

How to Make Instant Pot Shredded Beef Tacos:

These shredded beef tacos are a cinch to prepare. The only downside is the cook time. It’s a bit on the longer side, so it’s a good idea to start this dish well before everyone gets hungry. Trust me, it’s worth the wait!

• Start by cutting the beef into chunks about 1-2 inches in size. Trim any large pieces of fat off the meat. Any fat running through the meat is fine. It will impart flavor and dissolve as the beef cooks.
• After the meat is cut, place the pieces into a large bowl and mix with the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Toss it to coat, and set aside.
• Next, set the Instant Pot on “Saute”. Let it get hot, then add the vegetable oil. Canola or avocado oil will also work, but we prefer vegetable or canola for this recipe.
• After the vegetable oil is hot, add the onions. Give them a good stir for a minute or two, just long enough for them to soften. Then, add the beef and garlic.

• Stir the beef mixture until all sides of the meat have browned, then turn off the Instant Pot. Add the taco seasoning, beef broth, and tomatoes and green chiles.
• Close the lid and and set to sealing. Cook the beef for 40 using the Meat/Stew setting.
• If your pressure cooker doesn’t have that setting, use manual pressure on high for the same amount of time.
• After the beef cooks for 40 minutes, allow the pressure cooker to complete a full natural release before removing the lid.
• Once the natural release is complete, open the lid and use two forks to shred the beef. Don’t be alarmed at the amount of liquid in the Instant Pot. It’s supposed to be there.
• Instant Pot shredded beef tacos are meant to mimic tacos you’d purchase from a street vendor. Those beef tacos are typically held in their juices until they’re served.
• Serve the shredded beef in tortillas, taco shells, on chips, or alongside your favorite toppings!

Tips for the Perfect Instant Pot Shredded Beef Tacos:

• The best cut of meat that I’ve found for these Instant Pot shredded beef tacos is a chuck pot roast. A chuck pot roast has just enough marbling which softens the meat as it cooks. The beef will be juicy, tender, and pull apart with ease. I’ve also used a beef tender roast, and it worked well.
• Don’t skip the step about seasoning the meat. Salt helps break down the fibers in the meat making it easier to chew. Not to mention, the extra seasoning gives the meat a boost of flavor!
• Our recipe uses one package of taco seasoning. However, if you prefer a more robust flavor, use an additional package of seasoning. Just a word of caution, adding additional seasoning packets will add more sodium.

Other Taco Recipes to Try:

• Mahi Mahi Tacos
• Turkey Tacos
• Grilled Shrimp Tacos with Chipotle Sauce
• Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos