I'll show you how to make healthy Instant Pot turkey taco meat (from frozen!). This method can save you money and you'll always be ready with a quick and easy, kid-friendly meal to put on your dinner table!
Hey peeps! How are all the things? School is probably winding down for most of you so that's always exciting (and hectic, right?). My girls last day is this coming Wednesday - how is it even possible that I'm about to have a middle-schooler on my hands?? I mean... what the actual eff. We also have the movers coming that day, which feels so crazy.
I don't think I've mentioned that we're moving soon, but we are - in just 17 days, in fact. Moving is all the feels - excitement for our new home (Cape Cod!), anxiety over trying to get everything done and definitely so much sadness over leaving Alaska.
If you've ever been here you probably know what I mean. But it isn't only the raw amazingness of the AK, we've also made so many wonderful friends here, it's going to be a tough one for sure.
Boy, hope you guys didn't show up for the laughs today! Sorry, I'll be taking off my melancholy hat now... let's get back to the show!
Ok, so I'm actually super pumped to share this awesome money-saving Instant Pot hack with you guys today! Among the many amazing things that the almighty Instant Pot can do, cooking things directly from frozen is one of them. But did you know that you can even make taco meat from frozen in that thing?! I'm talking about putting in a frozen solid hunk of ground meat (can I make something sound mouth-watering, or what?) and turning it into a super tasty taco filling that the whole fam will be happy to devour. SO MUCH YES.
Here's the super-easy How-To (all the deets are in the recipe card below):
Things I love about this recipe:
- That it isn't just a recipe, but a method - I give you guys my everyday taco filling recipe in the recipe card, but you can use your favorite seasonings here and make your tacos however you like!
- It's freaking easy AF.
- My kids would eat tacos with this filling every single day, so the recipe is a winner with the half-pint crew.
- It's SUCH a money saver! Anytime you see your fave ground meat for sale, stock up!
- No more forgetting to thaw the meat ahead of time - ugh, that's the worst!
- This makes it super easy to always have everything you need for taco filling ready to go. Then you can use it with whatever you have on hand! Out of tortillas but have salad greens in the fridge? Make a taco salad instead! Love that so much.
Hope this post was super helpful to you guys, doing this has been a total game-changer for me!
P.S. - Click here for another great taco filling recipe from my friend, Nancylynn that's made for prepping!
If you make this recipe be sure to snap a pic and tag me @thefoodieandthefix or use #thefoodieandthefix on Instagram so I can check it out! It makes me ridiculously happy to see what you guys are making
*Instant Pot Note!: This recipe has only been tested in the Instant Pot 6 quart duo – If you have an 8 qt, you may need to add more liquid. Haven’t gotten your Instant Pot yet? Get yours here!: Instant Pot 6 qt Duo (affiliate link)
📖 Recipe
How to Make Healthy Instant Pot Turkey Taco Meat (From Frozen!) {21 Day Fix}
Ingredients
Smoky Southwestern Seasoning:
- 1 Tbs chili powder
- 2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (don't skip this!)
- ¾ teaspoon salt
Taco Meat:
- 1 lb lean ground turkey (though this would work with ANY ground meat!)
- 1 cup (8 oz) no sodium tomato sauce or 100% tomato juice
- ½ cup chicken broth or water
- 2 Tbs of the seasoning recipe above (or 3 Tbs of low sodium taco seasoning)
- Optional: Add some chili flakes or diced jalapeno if you want it to be spicy. (add chili flakes to the seasoning or add jalapenos at the end when it's simmering)
Instructions
Seasoning:
- Stir together all ingredients.
Taco meat:
- Put the tomato sauce and broth (or water) in the bottom of your Instant Pot liner, put the block of frozen turkey on top, sprinkle everything with the seasoning and set on manual for 25 minutes, then quick release.
- When it's finished, break up the meat really well with a sturdy spatula and turn on the saute function to let simmer and thicken for a few minutes. Serve with all of your favorite taco fixin's!
Notes
*I updated this recipe with increased liquids to better avoid the burn notice!
21 Day Fix Container Counts per serving: 1 Red
Weight Watchers Freestyle Points: 0 points if you're making this with 99% fat free ground turkey, 4 points if you use 93% fat free
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: ¾ cup of taco meatAmount Per Serving: Calories: 168Total Fat: 8g
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Kathy says
Oops - Saute Function
Kathy Blickenstaff says
I like to cook in bulk and then separate and freeze appropriately with the Food Saver. Makes it easy to just thaw when you need it. Comes in handy when out in our 5th wheel camping for a while. I have made this with 3 lb of turkey and
x3 liquid ingredients. Took quite a while after pressure to incorporate the liquid using the sauce function and then still a bit liquid. Should I cut back on the liquid ingredients when using more than 2 lbs of ground turkey? Also, I used a 6 quart Instant Pot but just bought an 8 quart because I cook in bulk quite a bit.
Thank you
Stephanie says
Hi! Yes, the meat will put out a certain amount of liquid, so the more you use, the more liquid you end up with. I'd definitely cut it back for more than 2 lbs 🙂
Caryl says
Do I make this using high pressure for frozen? Thanks in advance! 🙂
Stephanie says
yep!
Nicole says
Just made this in my 8qt ultra using 1 cup broth + 11oz of V8 juice. It was a little runny but otherwise delish!
Stephanie says
Yay! Glad to hear it!
Mary B says
Hi, I made this in my new Instant Pot (Max) and it stopped part way through with a "Food Burn" warning. I turned it off, stirred it, and restarted on low pressure, and it was able to finish cooking. I am not sure why that happened as I followed the recipe, but next time might run it on low pressure the whole time. Overall I'm just excited about the idea of cooking a meal from frozen!
Stephanie says
Hi! Hmm... I'm not sure! Are you using an 8 quart pot or a 6 qt? Sorry so late with this response, I've been on vacation!
Loree says
Would I need to add more liquid or change the time for a 2lb block frozen? Would it be ok that it doesn’t sit flat? Thanks!
Stephanie says
Hey! I would double the liquid and set it for an extra 10 minutes. 🙂
Kim says
Am I reading this correct? If the meat is not frozen just pressure cook for 1 minute?
Stephanie says
Yes! I usually put it on saute first while I break up the meat with a spatula, then once it's crumbled, 1 minute with a quick release! Easy!
Ashli says
This is a great recipe! Do you change the cook time if your meat isn’t frozen?
Stephanie says
Thank you! And yes, if your meat isn't frozen, it only needs to cook for 1 minute 🙂