Learning how to cook frozen ground beef in the Instant Pot was life changing for me. There have been many nights when I was ready to cook but realized I forgot to defrost the meat. I know that sounds strong. This is one of the reasons I no longer cook with a slow cooker.
You won’t have to worry about remembering to thaw dinner ingredients if you know how to cook frozen ground beef in the Instant Pot. It also eliminates extra dishes and the greasy mess that cooking fresh ground beef on the stove-top creates.
These tips will help you cook or thaw ground beef in any electric pressure cooker, like the Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi, or any other brand.
Here at My Crazy Good Life, we write our recipes so that anyone can easily make them. Lots of tips, details, and even special diet information are included. If you don’t need all the extra information, scroll down to the bottom of the post to see the list of ingredients and how to make Instant Pot frozen ground beef.
As a busy home cook, I know the struggle all too well – defrosting ground beef can take forever! I used to either plan ahead or resort to quick thawing methods that produced dry, tasteless meat. That is, until I discovered the magic of cooking frozen ground beef in the Ninja Foodi. This multi-cooker is a game changer!
With the Ninja Foodi’s pressure cooking and crisping lid combo, you can skip tedious defrosting and still achieve tender, delicious ground beef in no time Interested to learn how? Read on for my foolproof method.
Why the Ninja Foodi Excels at Cooking Frozen Meat
The Ninja Foodi is specially designed to lock in moisture and quickly tenderize meats. Here’s how it does it:
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Pressure cooking The pressurized environment gently forces liquid into the meat to keep it succulent and juicy
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Tenderizing: High heat breakdowns collagen and connective tissue to make ground beef deliciously tender.
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Moisture trapping: Pressure seals in steam so meat stays moist, even when cooked from frozen.
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Even heating: Contents heat evenly, preventing over or undercooked spots.
These unique attributes make the Ninja Foodi the perfect appliance for cooking frozen ground beef.
Choosing the Right Cut
To start, select high quality beef with:
- Bright red color without graying
- 20% fat content for juiciness
- Fine grind that crumbles easily
Avoid beef with large chunks of fat or sinew. Go for 85% lean or higher for health.
##Season Generously
Break up frozen beef into the Ninja Foodi pot and mix in:
- 2-3 minced garlic cloves
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning or herbs like oregano, basil
- 1-2 tsp smoked paprika or chili powder
- 1 tsp each salt and pepper
Allowing time for seasonings to penetrate the meat prevents bland flavor.
##Add Liquid
Add 1 cup beef broth, tomato sauce, or water to help create steam and prevent drying out. The liquid also helps detach fond from the bottom.
##Pressure Cook
Lock the lid and pressure cook on high for:
- 8-10 minutes for crumbles
- 15 minutes for meatballs
The hot pressurized environment forces liquid into the meat to guarantee tenderness.
##Release Pressure and Crisp
Quick release pressure then remove lid. Switch to air crisp at 400F for 5-8 minutes to get crispy, browned exterior.
Flip/toss halfway through. The high heat caramelizes the meat for richer flavor.
##Finish with Flavor
Check for doneness then stir in:
- Splash of vinegar or lemon juice to brighten flavor
- Chopped fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro or chives
- Pat of butter or drizzle of olive oil for richness
Season to taste. Avoid overcooking to prevent dry, grainy meat.
Cleanup Made Easy
Thanks to the nonstick pot, cleanup is a breeze. Simply discard extra grease, give the pot a quick scrub, and it’s ready for the next use.
Recipes to Try
The Ninja Foodi is perfect for endless ground beef recipes like:
- Juicy burgers
- Easy meatloaf
- Zucchini lasagna
- Shepherd’s pie
- Beef tacos
- Meatballs in marinara sauce
Simply skip the defrosting step in your favorite recipe then adjust cook times as needed.
Next time you forget to thaw ground beef, don’t stress. Let the Ninja Foodi work its magic for tender, mouthwatering results with minimal effort. Ditch the defrosting headaches and enjoy delicious dinners in no time!
More Instant Pot ground beef recipes to use with this meat:
These meats can all be used in place of ground beef, turkey, or chicken. The fat content of each will change the way you cook a little—usually, you’ll need to drain the grease from ground beef after it’s done.
How to thaw ground beef in an electric pressure cooker:
- Put the frozen meat in the pot at the bottom. Now put the spices on top of the meat. Add water (1/2 cup) or broth to the pot now. Your Instant Pot may hold up to two to three quarts of water, but you won’t need all of that because the frozen beef will release some water while it cooks.
- Put the Instant Pot’s lid on and lock it. Then, turn the pressure valve to the stopping position. Set the timer for 15 minutes at high pressure for one pound of beef. Twenty minutes of high pressure cooking for two pounds
- When the cooking time is up, turn the pressure valve from Sealing to Venting very slowly to quickly release the pressure. Steam will come out of the valve. When the pressure is gone and the float falls, take off the lid and set it to the side.
- Set your pot to Sauté. Break up the meat into small pieces with a spatula. When you first poke the meat, be careful because the very center will be less cooked and have liquid that could shoot out if you do it too quickly. The meat is done when most of the liquid has evaporated and the beef is brown with no pink left.
- You can make another recipe with this meat (for ideas, scroll to the bottom of this post!), eat it by itself, or put the cooked ground beef in a container that won’t let air in. Cold for up to five days or frozen for up to two months.
- It’s easy to make this recipe twice as big and cook 2 pounds of meat. Be sure and set your cooking time for 20 minutes.
- If the meat has a lot of fat, you might need to drain the extra liquid before sautéing it.
- Spice blends like Italian, taco, and chili should be used instead of the single spices on the recipe card. Use 2 tablespoons of spice blends for every pound of meat.
- Spices may not taste very good when you pressure cook frozen meat with water. When you’re sautéing, don’t be afraid to add more seasoning if you think it needs it.
- You won’t be able to make burgers or meatballs with this meat because the Instant Pot is cooking and thawing it at the same time. Get them ready the old-fashioned way if you want to make those.
BEST HACK EVER: Cooking Frozen Meat in the Instant Pot
FAQ
Can you cook frozen beef in Ninja Foodi?
Can I cook frozen ground beef in an air fryer?
Can I cook frozen beef in a pressure cooker?
How do you cook frozen ground beef on a ninja foodi?
First, add one cup of water to the inner pot of your Ninja Foodi. Next, place one to two pounds of frozen ground beef on a trivet in the pot. Seal the Ninja Foodi and set the time for 20 minutes for one pound of meat or 23 minutes for two pounds of meat. Allow for a natural pressure release for five minutes before releasing any remaining pressure.
How long do you cook meat on a ninja foodi?
Make sure that the meat is flat on the trivet to ensure even cooking. Seal the Ninja Foodi and set the time for 20 minutes for one pound of meat or 23 minutes for two pounds of meat. This will allow enough time for the meat to cook thoroughly and reach a safe internal temperature.
How do you cook frozen ground beef in an Instant Pot?
Pour 1 c. water into your Instant Pot and lower a trivet down. Place 1-2 lbs frozen ground beef on your trivet. Set your steam valve, lid, and steam pressure to high for 5 minutes. Do a natural release for 10 minutes. Lift out ground beef and drain liquid in your pot. Cook your thawed ground beef as you wish.
How do you cook frozen ground beef in a crock pot?
Place a trivet in the bottom of the cooking pot and lay the frozen beef flat on top. Add the crushed tomatoes on top. (It’s OK if some tomatoes fall down, but the majority of the tomatoes should be on top of the frozen ground beef.) Lock the lid in place. Select High Pressure and set the cook time for 10 minutes.