Beef Enchiladas | Instant Pot recipe by Pressure Cooking Today (2024)

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These Instant Pot Shredded Beef Enchiladas feature tender and juicy beef wrapped in soft flour tortillas in a just-spicy-enough sauce with melty Mexican cheese.

Beef Enchiladas | Instant Pot recipe by Pressure Cooking Today (1)

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These are a family favorite any time of year, thanks to delicious shredded Instant Pot beef, lots of cheese and a delicious sauce that’s not too spicy and kid-friendly.

We’ve been making shredded beef in the Instant Pot for years, and found the perfect ingredients for a flavorful enchilada sauce for this recipe.

This is one of our go-to Instant Pot beef recipes because it’s so versatile. If you like tacos, burrito bowls, or Mexican-inspired salads, you’ll be making this shredded beef on repeat!

Update: We make these enchiladas all year long, and so we’ve updated the post with new tips and photos to help you make it at home!

Beef Enchiladas | Instant Pot recipe by Pressure Cooking Today (2)

INGREDIENTS YOU NEED

Here’s what you need for the most flavorful homemade enchiladas in an Instant Pot:

  • Chuck beef roast. This is a tough cut of beef that benefits from pressure cooking so it turns soft and shredded.
  • Broth. Use beef broth for the strongest beef flavor, or chicken in a pinch.
  • Vinegar. Just a touch of apple cider vinegar is nice to add some acid to your enchiladas.
  • Salsa. You can use your favorite store-bought salsa!
  • Spices. Use a mix of cumin, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
  • Cornstarch. This is key for thickening up your enchilada sauce.
  • Tortillas. You can use corn or flour.
  • Cheese. Look for the blend of Mexican shredded cheeses.
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Beef Enchiladas | Instant Pot recipe by Pressure Cooking Today (4)

How to Make Shredded Beef Enchiladas in an Instant Pot

This easy recipe will work in any brand of electric pressure cooker, including the Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi, or Power Pressure Cooker XL.

Start by combining the sauce ingredients in the pressure cooking pot. You’ll need the broth, vinegar, salsa, cumin, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper.

Then add your beef and secure the lid on the Instant Pot. Cook on High Pressure for 75 minutes, then let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes before releasing the remaining pressure with a quick release.

Remove the lid, then transfer the beef to a bowl, leaving the juices inside the pressure cooking pot. Using two forks, shred the beef into small pieces. You can discard any fat as you work, or use a turkey baster or fat separator to remove liquid fat from the cooking liquid.

Next, combine the cornstarch with water in a small bowl. Add this slurry mixture to the liquid in the pressure cooker and select Saute. Cook the liquid, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens.

Add a half cup of the sauce to the bowl of shredded beef, and spread another half cup over the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish greased with cooking spray.

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Now, to fill your enchiladas, work with one tortilla at a time and fill it with a third of a cup of shredded beef. Add a tablespoon of cheese to each tortilla. Then place the rolled enchiladas in the baking dish, seam side down.

Once all of your tortillas are rolled and in the baking dish, pour additional sauce over the top. Sprinkle everything with the remaining cheese and bake at 350°F for 20 to 30 minutes. The enchiladas are done when they’re bubbly, hot, and starting to brown in places around the edges.

Remove the baking dish from the oven and let them cool for 5 to 10 minutes before serving them with sour cream, guacamole and salsa.

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Important Tips for Making Beef Enchiladas

  • After cooking, this beef shreds very well. It makes great tacos or enchiladas—we often cook leftovers a different way than I served them initially.
  • The cooking liquids make a thin enchilada sauce. If you like a thicker sauce, you can add more cornstarch mixture or cook the sauce on Saute to reduce it more. You could also use your favorite store-bought enchilada sauce.
  • After you add the cornstarch mixture, be sure to return the sauce to a simmer to make sure all of the starch is fully cooked.
  • If you can’t tell whether your beef is fully cooked, use an instant-read thermometer to verify your beef is at least 145°F in the thickest part.
  • If you want to remove more fat from your sauce, make the shredded beef a day ahead and refrigerate the meat and juices overnight. The next day, remove the fat the when it’s solid.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Shredded Beef Enchiladas

What toppings go with enchiladas?

Serve these enchiladas with sour cream, guacamole, and salsa. Or any of your favorite Mexican toppings!

What’s the best cut of meat to make beef enchiladas?

We recommend using beef chuck roast for these enchiladas. It’s a large, inexpensive, tough cut of beef that turns juicy and tender in the Instant Pot.

Can I use store-bought enchilada sauce?

Yes, you can substitute your favorite enchilada sauce! To do this, I’d skip the salsa and the seasonings altogether and I’d try to keep as much enchilada sauce as possible on top of the chuck roast.

If you do this, make sure you use enough liquid like broth or water so your pot can come to pressure. If your sauce doesn’t have enough liquids or if it contains thickeners, it’s much more likely you’ll get the burn notice.

Can I freeze leftover shredded beef?

Yes, you can freeze fully cooled cooked beef in an airtight container for up to 6 months. I love to make a big batch of meat and freeze the leftovers with some of the cooking liquid for later.

If I don’t have a dinner planned, I like to freeze meat in individual portions. I often have kids and grandkids dropping by for a meal, so I never know how much I’ll need at one time. Freezing meats in single portions allows me to pull out one serving for a quick lunch for me or several servings when someone shows up unexpectedly.

I also like to keep single portions of Cilantro Lime Rice on hand for these last-minute meals as well.

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Other Ways to Serve Instant Pot Shredded Beef

We like to serve this shredded Instant Pot beef in tacos, as burrito bowls, or over a salad. It’s a versatile dish that the entire family loves.

If you like thisShredded Beef Enchiladas recipe, you might also like myPork Tamale recipe, myCafé Rio Style Sweet Pork Tostada recipe, or myCilantro Lime Chicken Taco Salad recipe. You may also like the pork, chicken, and steak options available inThe Electric Pressure Cooker Cookbook.

You might also like these recipes from my food blogger friends:

Beef Enchiladas | Instant Pot recipe by Pressure Cooking Today (10)

More Instant Pot Beef Recipes

Try these other pressure cooker recipes with beef for dinner tomorrow night:

  • Homemade Beef Stew is a hearty wintertime dinner that’s perfect on a chilly night.
  • No-Grill Instant Pot Hamburgers bring the flavors of a barbecue indoors, no smokey grill necessary!
  • Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli Recipe is a snappy weeknight meal with tender greens and beef that’s better than take-out.

Do you LOVE this recipe?
Leave us a review below to tell us why!

Beef Enchiladas | Instant Pot recipe by Pressure Cooking Today (11)

Shredded Beef Enchiladas | Instant Pot recipe

Yield: 10 enchiladas

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Additional Time: 55 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

This recipe for Instant Pot shredded beef enchiladas features juicy and tender beef in a homemade enchilada sauce with rolled flour tortillas and melted Mexican cheese.

Ingredients

  • 3-pound chuck beef roast
  • 1 1/2 cups beef broth
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 cup salsa
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 3 tablespoons water
  • 10 6-inch flour or corn tortillas
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend

Instructions

  1. Mix together the broth, vinegar, salsa, cumin, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper in the pressure cooking pot. Add the beef. Select High Pressure and set the timer for 75 minutes. When the cook time ends, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then finish with a quick pressure release. When the valve drops, carefully remove the lid.
  2. Remove the beef from the pressure cooker and shred with two forks, and discard any fat as you shred. Use a turkey baster or fat separator to remove excess fat from the cooking liquid.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water and add to the liquid in the cooking pot. Select Sauté and cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce is thickened slightly.
  4. Spray a baking dish* with nonstick cooking spray
  5. Mix 1/2 cup of the sauce with the shredded beef. If desired, spread another 1/2 cup sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking pan.
  6. Fill each tortilla with 1/3 cup of the shredded beef mixture and 1 tablespoon cheese. Roll up and place seam side down in the pan.
  7. Pour sauce over the enchiladas (you may not need to use all the sauce.)
  8. Top with any remaining cheese and bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes until bubbly and hot. Let the enchiladas rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
  9. Serve with sour cream, guacamole and fresh salsa, optional.

Notes

* A 9x13-inch pan will fit 10 enchiladas; and 8x8-inch pan will fit 5. I prefer to only make as many enchiladas as I think we'll eat in one sitting.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield: 10Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 826Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 161mgSodium: 695mgCarbohydrates: 101gFiber: 4gSugar: 2gProtein: 65g

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Beef Enchiladas | Instant Pot recipe by Pressure Cooking Today (2024)

FAQs

How long does it take to cook beef in a pressure cooker? ›

The cooking time depends on how much beef you have. I like to assume 20 minutes for every pound of meat. So, for my 3-pound beef chuck, I will need to cook at high pressure for 1 hour. After the hour, I release the pressure and shred the tender beef.

What is the secret to non soggy enchiladas? ›

To prevent your tortillas from tearing or becoming soggy, quickly fry each corn tortilla in any oil you like for about 10 seconds on each side, until it starts to get crispy but is still pliable. This will add a barrier that will keep the tortilla from absorbing too much sauce, and also adds a little extra flavor.

How long does pressure cooking take? ›

It can take around 10 minutes or longer depending on: the quantity of food, the temperature of the food (cold or frozen food delays pressurization), the amount of liquid, the power of the heat source and the size of the pressure cooker.

How to pressure cook meat with Instant Pot? ›

To cook diced meat in the Instant Pot:
  1. Season your meat as you normally would.
  2. Heat a little oil using the Sauté function and sear the meat.
  3. Add 1 1/2 cups of liquid (water, stock, etc.).
  4. Cook for 20 minutes (per pound of meat) at high pressure for large chunks and 15 minutes (per pound of meat) for small chunks.
Nov 1, 2020

Do you cover meat with liquid in pressure cooker? ›

While you may cover meat almost completely for a conventional braise, use just enough liquid for the cooker to reach pressure – during pressure cooking the meat will release it's own juice and braise in that flavorful liquid, instead.

Is it better to slow cook or pressure cook beef? ›

This completely depends on the type of meat you are planning on cooking. Because slow cookers take longer to cook, they are better suited to breaking down fat in meat while adding moisture. So if you are planning on cooking a whole rump beef, then a slow cooker is a better choice.

Is it better to cook enchiladas covered or uncovered? ›

Assemble the remaining enchiladas. Then spread any remaining sauce evenly over the top of the enchiladas, followed by any extra cheese. Bake. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes, until the enchiladas are cooked through and the tortillas are slightly crispy on the outside.

Are enchiladas better with corn or flour? ›

Corn tortillas go well with Mexican dishes like tacos, enchiladas, and tamales. They are also perfect for use in tostadas, sopes, and quesadillas. Flour tortillas are often used in burritos, fajitas, and chimichangas. They are also great for making quesadillas, sweet dishes like dessert tacos, and breakfast burritos.

How to keep enchiladas from getting hard on the bottom? ›

Some recipes suggest spreading a little sauce (½ cup for a 3-quart baking dish) on the bottom of the pan before adding enchiladas. This keeps the tortillas from sticking to the pan or getting tough on the bottom.

What is the equivalent cooking time for a pressure cooker? ›

Take the total cooking time of the recipe and divide it by 3. So, for a dish that has a total cook time of 30 minutes in the oven, you'll need to cook it for 10 minutes in the Instant Pot®. Similarly, a recipe that takes an hour to cook in the oven, would need 20 minutes in the Instant Pot®.

Can you overcook meat pressure cooker? ›

It's tough, less flavorful, and dry. How to tell if your meat is way overcooked in the pressure cooker? It's tenderized, but dry and flavorless (without the sauce). Some people call this the distinct “pressure cooker taste”.

Is pressure cooking faster than baking? ›

Water and steam transfer heat better than air. That's why pressure cooking is faster than baking.

How many minutes to pressure cook beef? ›

Cook Time Chart for: Beef, Pork, Lamb, Turkey and Chicken
Meat, PoultryCook Time, (minutes)
Beef, pot roast, rump, round, chuck, or brisket, 3 to 4 lbs. (1.4 to 1.8 kg)45-60 (15 mins per pound)
Beef, ribs, short, for grilling15
Beef, ribs, short, for stewing25
Chicken breasts, with bones, 2 to 3 lbs. (0.9 to 1.4 kg)8-10
27 more rows

How much water do you put in a pressure cooker when you re cooking meat? ›

Pour in at least two cups of water; use 1 to 2 cups more if the beef is a tough cut or to reach the minimum amount recommended by the pressure cooker's manufacturer. Seal the lid and bring the cooker up to full pressure over high heat. Reduce the heat to low, maintaining full pressure, and cook for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

What meats can you pressure cook? ›

You can still pressure cook leaner pieces – like eye of round and top sirloin – but these work best if they've been stuffed, shredded or rolled (with other ingredients). Best cuts of beef to use: Chuck steak, Round Roast, Shoulder, Pot roast, Ribs, Brisket, Oxtail.

How long does it take to can beef in a pressure cooker? ›

For hot and raw pack jars of meat, process pints for 75 minutes and quarts for 90 minutes. Dial-gauge pressure canner - process jars at 11 pounds pressure (altitudes of 0 to 2,000 ft) or at 12 pounds pressure (altitudes of 2,001 to 4,000 ft).

How long does it take for meat to become tender in a pressure cooker? ›

Steam penetrates food easily under pressure. So connective tissues in cubes of beef for soups or stews soften in 15 minutes or less, and a pot roast will be medium-rare in 30 minutes.

Can you pressure cook beef too long? ›

Unfortunately, once you overcook a piece of meat in the pressure cooker, there's no going back. You'll be left with a pile of dry, crunchy, tasteless fibers and no amount of additional pressure cooking is going to put that moisture back into the meat. Earlier, I explained how ingredient size affects the cooking time.

Do you have to put water in a pressure cooker when cooking meat? ›

Pressure cookers require liquid, usually water, to generate steam. “Jiggle top” cookers need a minimum of one cup of water, while valve cookers need at least half a cup. Put food in the cooker first, then add water.

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