This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure policy here.
Moist, tender and flavorful, this Instant Pot Shredded Beef Taco meat is quick, easy and delicious! It can be used in tacos, enchiladas, taquitos, burritos, etc.
Instant Pot vs. Crock Pot
I’ve been asked whether I think the Instant Pot is replacing the slow cooker and my answer is NO! I love both of them and I think there is a place for them both in the kitchen. Although the end result is pretty much the same, delicious food, they serve different purposes and provide a different way for getting that delicious end result.
I use my slow cooker when I want to get dinner started early in the day so that when I walk in the door later that day, dinner is ready and waiting for me. The Instant Pot can make the same delicious recipe (one that normally takes 6-8 hours) and do it in under an hour but you need to be available an hour before you want to eat to get it in the pot and cooking.
So your schedule for the day would depend on which piece of equipment you use. The Instant Pot has a slow cooker function but I haven’t used it and I’m hearing that it is not the Instant Pot’s best feature. I still use my favorite slow cooker.
What Kind of Meat Should I Use?
For Instant Pot Shredded Beef Tacos, I use a chuck roast but you can also use a top blade roast or shoulder roast. You want a boneless roast.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Beef. (See above)
- Seasoning. Salt, chili powder, garlic, cumin, Mexican Oregano
- Salsa. Use your favorite brand of salsa or picante sauce. You can use fresh or canned.
- Beef Broth
- Oil. I use olive oil but you can also use vegetable oil. It is used for browning the meat.
How to Make Instant Pot Shredded Beef Tacos
- Meat. Cut your meat up into 2 inch pieces to help it cook quicker and more evenly.
- Season the meat with chili powder and salt.
- Add oil to the Instant Pot and turn to saute. Allow the oil to heat up.
- Brown the meat in the hot oil in the Instant Pot. Add in onions and saute them too.
- Cook. Add in remaining ingredients, add your lid and set your Instant Pot to the meat setting for 35 minutes. Do a natural release. Unlock lid and shred.
Serve this with:
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make this in a slow cooker?
Use my recipe for Crock Pot Shredded Beef Tacos which can be found here.
How long does it REALLY take to cook in an Instant Pot?
When cooking in the Instant Pot you must all take into account the time it takes for the Instant Pot to come to pressure, the actually cooking time and then the release time. For this recipe, the total cooking time is about 55 minutes.
What is Picante Sauce?
Picante sauce is a jarred salsa that is smoother in texture than fresh salsa. Either will work for this recipe.
Is an Instant Pot the same thing as a pressure cooker.
An Instant Pot is an electric pressure cooker. A pressure cooker is used on the stove top and can also be used for this recipe.
Tips from Leigh Anne
- Slow Cooker Method: If you want to cook this in the slow cooker I recommend using an actual slow cooker, not the slow cooker feature on the Instant Pot.
- This is the Instant Pot that I use.
- I own three of these slow cookers.
Check out more of my favorite Instant Pot and Crock Pot recipes:
Instant Pot Shredded Beef Tacos
Ingredients
- 3-4 lb. chuck roast cut into 2 inch pieces
- 1 Tbsp chili powder
- 1 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup onion diced
- 2 Tbsp tomato paste
- 6 garlic cloves diced
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1/2 cup picante sauce salsa
- 1 cup beef broth
- cilantro for garnish
- limes to squeeze over top
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine cubed meat with chili powder and salt. Toss to coat.
- Press the “Saute” button on the Instant Pot and add the olive oil.
- Add in onions and saute until softened.
- Add in tomato paste, garlic, cumin and Mexican oregano. Stir for about a minute.
- Add in seasoned meat.
- Pour in salsa and beef broth
- Cover and lock the lid.
- Press “Keep Warm/Cancel” on the Instant Pot and then press the “Meat/Stew” button to switch it to the pressure cooking mode. Set cook time to 35 minutes.
- Let the pressure release naturally.
- Unlock lid and remove meat. Shred with two forks. Use leftover liquid as a gravy if desired
- Add any additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Top with chopped cilantro and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
Tips & Notes:
Recommended Products
Nutrition Facts:
Loriel Smith says
Leigh I am so excited to try this on Saturday when we have company! I am doing mine in the slow cooker and have a quick question, I see in the photos there are red onions on top so I’m wondering if they are cooked with red onions or a different variety? Thx!!
I just discovered your site earlier today and I LOVE IT!
Leigh Anne says
I just used the red onions as a garnish on the tacos along with cilantro, the meat is not cooked with red onion. Hope you enjoy it! SO glad you found me.
Libby Bays says
I’m with everybody else..how do you do it in the crock pot? The instant cooker directions are way more involved then the crock pot. Do you follow all those directions first and then add to the crock pot or do you simply put the meat in the crock pot and then add everything on top of it. Was going to make tonight but now can’t bc I’m not sure what to do!
Leigh Anne says
Libby, The instructions on how to do it in the slow cooker are included in the recipe at the bottom of the post. I just brown the meat first and then put all the ingredients in the slow cooker. Enjoy!
Megan says
Shouldn’t it be the opposite, 4-5 hours on high or 6-7 on low for the crock pot conversion?
Laurel says
Hi what is the recipe for the slow cooker- I only see instructions for the instant pot. Thanks
Leigh Anne says
Cook it 4-5 hours on low or 6-7 on high
Angie says
we get the time but how do we cook this on a crock pot?
Leigh Anne says
Angie, I have updated the recipe to make it easier to understand.
Amber says
I so wish I knew how to convert your recipes for my cuisineart pressure cooker. I have a high pressure and a low pressure, and I seriously debate selling the dang thing, and buying an instapot so I can make your recipes. I am NOT comfortable using it, so I don’t like to take chances of it being too dry 🙁
Leigh Anne says
Amber, Sorry I can’t be more help in that area as I have never used any other kind of InstaPot. Do you have a slow cooker, you can do the recipe in that.
Shannon says
How long should the meal be in the crock pot?
Thank yo!\u!
Leigh Anne says
Cook it 4-5 hours on low or 6-7 on high
Dana says
Wouldn’t the 4 to 5 hours be for the high setting and the 6 to 7 hours be on low for the low setting.
Leigh Anne says
Dana, That is correct and the recipe has been changed to reflect that.
Evelyn says
How would you do this in a crock pot?
Leigh Anne says
Cook it 4-5 hours on low or 6-7 on high