Easy Instant Pot Brisket Tacos

Brisket is one of my all time favorite things to eat! When cooked properly, brisket should be tender and full of flavor and can be enjoyed alone, on a BBQ brisket sandwich, or my favorite way…on a brisket taco! These easy Instant Pot Brisket Tacos are so easy to make and are full of flavor! Add some cheese and my favorite quick pickled red onions, and they are to die for!

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you click a link and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission!

I love brisket, and usually cook mine on our smoker…if you have a smoker, you should check out my Easy Smoked Brisket HERE! Smoking a brisket takes some effort, so when I’d like to cook a brisket, but don’t really have the time to babysit it on the smoker, I like to use my Instant Pot to cook brisket. Brisket is a tougher cut of beef, so it requires low, slow cooking so all of the tissues break down. Cooking brisket in the Instant Pot or any pressure cooker is a great way to get a ton of flavor into your brisket while keeping it moist at the same time. It’s delicious on its own, but my favorite way to enjoy brisket is in the form of brisket tacos! The delicious beef brisket is perfect when paired with queso or your favorite cheese and some quick pickled red onions on a warm tortilla! If you don’t care for pickled red onions, just skip them and add your favorite toppings, like salsa, salsa verde, cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, slaw, jalapenos or whatever you like!

What do you need to cook brisket in the Instant Pot?

• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tsp dijon mustard
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• ¼ cup beef broth
• ½ tsp chili powder
• ½ tsp cumin
• 3-4 lb. flat cut brisket
• 2 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• Instant Pot or other electric pressure cooker

How to Cook Brisket in the Instant Pot

• Start by mixing the first 6 ingredients together in a bowl and set aside.
• Trim extra fat from brisket and cut into 3 pieces.
• Season the 3 pieces with salt and pepper.
• Set your Instant Pot to saute and add 2 tbsp. of olive oil.
• Once the oil is heated, brown each piece of brisket on all sides, then turn your Instant Pot off.
• Add the sauce that you mixed together in the first step to the Instant Pot.
• Place the brisket pieces on top of the sauce mixture.
• Place the lid on your Instant Pot and lock the seal in place.
• Set your IP to manual and cook for 60 minutes. If there is no “manual” button, choose high pressure.
• Once the cook time has finished, allow the pressure to naturally release for 15 minutes.
• Manually release the remaining pressure and remove the lid away from your face.
• Remove the brisket pieces and either shred them or cut them into pieces.

How to Make Quick Pickled Red Onions

What you’ll need…

• 1 medium red onion, sliced thin
• 1 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp. sugar
• 1 ½ tsp. kosher salt
• Pint sized Mason Jar or other sealable container

Instructions…

• Mix the apple cider vinegar, sugar and kosher salt together in a Mason jar or bowl.
• Add the sliced red onion.
• Place the lid on the Mason jar and seal tightly.
• Store in refrigerator for at least one hour before using.
• Refrigerate after opening.

Print