Texas, my Texas. How wonderful and great you are. Thank you for inspiring these Instant Pot Texas-Style Brisket Tacos.
Texas has given me so many things in life that I am so grateful for– and these Brisket Tacos are one of them. If you’ve never visited Dallas, Texas before– I encourage you to hop on the next flight and head straight to Mia’s for its brisket tacos. Holy yum!! Mia’s Tex Mex is a Dallas staple and arguably the best in town but it’s especially known for its brisket tacos.
Mia’s won’t let me forget about the brisket tacos, lightly toasted flour tortillas topped with Monterey Jack, sautéed onions, poblano peppers and brisket bathed in its own gravy. Two tacos come to an order, surrounded by refried beans, rice, and a simple shredded salad. The best part? The side of that brisket gravy that sits in the center for dipping. Woah. Word on the street is that in the 90’s these were actually an off-the-menu item only served on Wednesdays. They’d serve them until they sold out and it wasn’t until customers lined out the door for brisket tacos that they finally added them to the menu. Thank goodness they did that! [Source: Dallas Observer]
So, yeah, you know me. I have an admiration to recreate dishes like these in my own kitchen to healthify it up on a regular old weeknight. No way will I ever try to compete with my beloved Mia’s, but I will say they turned out absolutely fantastic!! And I know you and your family will just love this dish!
If you are using grain-free tortillas (I always use my favorite Siete Foods Cassava Tortillas) these Instant Pot Texas-Style Brisket Tacos are 100% paleo-approved. Or, if you are doing a Whole30, opt for lettuce cups to keep this dish compliant! It’s clean and absolutely delicious!!
Instant Pot Texas-Style Brisket Tacos

Ingredients
For the Sauce:
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tsp dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup coconut aminos
- 1/4 cup beef broth
- 1/2 tsp chipotle chili powder
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
For the Brisket:
- 3 lbs flat cut brisket
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
For the Tacos:
- 2 medium sized poblano peppers, sliced
- 1 medium white onion, sliced
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- tortillas, for serving
- 2 tbsp cilantro, freshly chopped, for serving
- 2 limes, cut into wedges, for serving
Instructions
Make the Sauce:
- In a bowl, combine all of the for the sauce ingredients and whisk to combine. Set aside.
For the Brisket:
- Trim excess fat from brisket and cut into 3 even large chunks. Season with kosher salt and pepper on all sides.
- Set Instant Pot to the "sauté" function. Once it is hot, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and sear the brisket in batches, so as to not overcrowd the IP until a golden brown crust has formed on all sides, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer browned brisket to a plate. Continue searing brisket until all pieces browned.
- Once all the brisket is browned, turn Instant Pot to "off". Pour the sauce into the Instant Pot and nestle the brisket into the sauce. Lock lid onto the Instant Pot, making sure the vent is sealed. Press the "manual" and then set the time to 60 minutes. Walk away from the IP and let it do it's thing! ( Note: If your IP doesn't have a manual button, set it to 'high pressure').
- When the cook time is complete, release the pressure manually by carefully turning the valve. When all of the pressure has been released, remove the lid and transfer brisket to a rimmed baking sheet (do not discard the remaining liquid in the IP). Using two forks, shred the brisket.
- Ladle about 3/4 cup of the remaining juice from the Instant Pot over the meat and toss to coat. The brisket will start to absorb the liquid. Add an additional 3/4 cup of liquid to the meat and toss to coat one last time.
- With the remaining liquid still in the Instant Pot, set the Instant Pot to the "sauté" function and bring to a rapid boil. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the gravy thickens and reduces, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and use for serving.
For the Tacos:
- During the last 10 minutes of the brisket cook time, sauté the peppers and onions. Heat a skillet, preferably cast iron, over medium high heat with olive oil. Once hot, add the poblano peppers and onions. Saute, tossing occasionally, until the vegetables are slightly tender, about 7 minutes.
- Assemble tacos by filling warmed tortillas with the brisket, poblano peppers and onions. Top with freshly chopped cilantro and a slice of lime and serve with a side of the gravy and a wedge of lime.
Notes
- In a bowl, combine all of the for the sauce ingredients and whisk to combine. Set aside.
- Trim excess fat from brisket and cut into 3 even large chunks. Season with kosher salt and pepper on all sides.
- Heat a large pan over medium high heat with oil sear the brisket in batches, so as to not overcrowd the pan until a golden brown crust has formed on all sides, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer browned brisket to crockpot. Continue searing brisket until all pieces browned.
- Once all the brisket is browned, set crockpot to low for 6-8 hours. Pour the sauce into the crockpot and nestle the brisket into the sauce. Place the lid on top and let it cook.
- When the cook time is complete, remove the lid and transfer brisket to a rimmed baking sheet (do not discard the remaining liquid in the crockpot). Using two forks, shred the brisket.
- Ladle about 3/4 cup of the remaining juice from the crockpot over the meat and toss to coat. The brisket will start to absorb the liquid. Add an additional 3/4 cup of liquid to the meat and toss to coat one last time.
- Transfer the remaining 2 cups of liquid from the crockpot to a small pot. Bring liquid to a rapid boil. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the gravy thickens and reduces, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and use for serving.
42 Comments
Anna
February 22, 2023 at 4:30 amHot d*mn these were good! I’m not a huge brisket fan, so I think I’ll use a roast next time, but we loved the recipe!
Alex
February 22, 2023 at 1:06 pmyay! glad you loved!
Katelyn
October 19, 2022 at 6:46 pmWould this work in a Dutch oven if cooked on low on the stovetop in lieu of a slow cooker? (Hoping so!!) If yes, any guess on cooking time and are there any adjustments you’d suggest? (I prefer stovetop to slow cooker but will borrow a crockpot if you don’t think a Dutch oven is a good idea 😉)
Alex
October 19, 2022 at 8:37 pmIt would work, or it could go from stovetop to oven in a dutch oven for best results, like I did here:
https://thedefineddish.com/bottle-of-wine-braised-brisket/
Katelyn
October 20, 2022 at 5:53 pmThank you – I’ll try it this weekend and will plan to do it similarly to the bottle of wine braised brisket method (that recipe is SO good …it’s actually why I’m trying another brisket recipe of yours!!!)
Nadia W.
September 8, 2022 at 12:39 amI’ve made A LOT of your recipes but this one was INSANELY delicious. I used a Chuck Roast and did the Crock Pot Method for 7 hours. It was so tender, so juicy, so savory and the smell in my house is epic! This is a new family favorite. Will 100% make these any time we crave them. My 1 year old also loved it. I served her plate quesadilla style so she got the shredded meat with some cheese on a Siete Tortilla and she ate 2 of them!
Adrian T.
May 1, 2022 at 11:34 pmHi! My butcher was out of brisket today. Would chuck roast be a similar comp? And anything you would change? Thanks!
Alex
May 2, 2022 at 5:04 pmyes that would be a great alternative here or flank steak.
Alexis
April 14, 2022 at 2:32 amI followed the recipe exactly and used a crockpot. After six hours on low there was hardly any liquid left and the meat is tougher than expected. I see this issue mentioned a couple of times above. What are we missing?
AM
April 12, 2022 at 7:33 pmThis recipe has great flavor, but it turned out WAY TOO SALTY. I used half the amount of meat but kept the rest of the ingredients the same, which could have accounted for the extra saltiness. Is there a way to ensure this doesn’t happen again–perhaps cutting the coconut aminos in half and adding extra broth or using a low-sodium beef broth instead?
Alex
April 13, 2022 at 11:44 amHi! yes, definitely half the other ingredients (especially the salt) if you half the meat. 1.5 lbs of meat with 2 tsp of salt is *a lot* so that’s definitely why you had that issue here!
Allison
April 28, 2022 at 4:56 amI’m obsessed with these tacos. Thank you for sharing them!
Chelsea
March 30, 2022 at 6:00 pmI am so excited to make this! I was hoping to make it in my dutch oven on the stovetop instead of a slow cooker – what timing would you recommend?
Heather
February 27, 2022 at 11:12 pmMade this recipe via the crockpot version and it did not turn out at all. Meat was dry leather. Followed recipe verbatim. Sadly, this one was a miss.
Carla Poore
February 11, 2022 at 3:55 pmDo you saute the onions and poblano peppers?
Derek
January 20, 2022 at 1:32 amWe made this recipe tonight in our crock pot and it was absolutely delicious. The only thing we changed was the portion of brisket itself. We cut a 3lb trimmed brisket flat in half and used 1.5lb of meat while keeping all other ingredients the same. It made plenty of meat for our family and we still have leftovers.
Sally
May 27, 2022 at 11:07 pmI have made this recipe for the last few years and it is hands down the most requested by my family!!!! I add a dash of liquid smoke to mine. Thank you so much for creating such an amazing recipe! ❤️
YoBro
January 16, 2022 at 10:17 amWhen it’s too cold out to use the smoker, this is great way to get your brisket craving satisfied, in about one tenth the time too. My only change was to chop/cube and then pan sear the brisket at the end. Adds some crispy bits to your tacos. Think burnt ends!
Alex
January 16, 2022 at 6:33 pmheck yes sounds amazing!
Jennifer Newsom
December 16, 2021 at 1:15 amBest recipe on Pinterest. (At least of the many I have tried.) made once exactly as described and it was perfect. Made it several more times “, often with the wrong kind of mustard, 1/4 boullion cube instead of broth, and soy sauce instead of aminos and just eyeballed all the measurements. Still tasted great. Have used both small and large briskets with same amount of sauce. That works too!
Hailey
July 27, 2021 at 2:24 amThis is literally my #1 favorite recipe to cook. The flavor and texture always amaze me!
I love it so much that next week I’m making it for my family on vacation. If I’m doubling the recipe do I adjust the cooking time? Thanks for your help! I appreciate it.
Alex
July 27, 2021 at 2:05 pmHi Hailey,
So happy you love this one as much as I do. If you are doubling in the InstantPot, I’d add another 15-20 mins on the timer! I haven’t yet tried it, but think this will be perfect to ensure it all gets cooked and shreddable!
Belisa Waldrop
July 11, 2021 at 8:16 pmI made this exactly as noted. Super easy and the ingredients were easily on hand. They were delish, just like Mia’s in Dallas, TX. I will definitely fix again and again. Husband also gave it a huge thumbs up!!!!
Faith
April 15, 2022 at 1:02 amCan you use a slow cooker instead I don’t have a instapot
Alex
April 18, 2022 at 3:46 pmYes! The slow cooker instructions are in the notes at the bottom of the recipe. Enjoy!
Becky
June 6, 2021 at 11:02 pmSo delicious! Would it work to make ahead of time and freeze?
Alex
June 7, 2021 at 12:21 pmDefinitely, this one freezes well.
Werner
May 11, 2021 at 5:18 pmIf we don’t eat beef, would pork shoulder/butt work as a good alternative?
Alex
May 11, 2021 at 7:33 pmhi Werner.. i think it should taste pretty good with pork shoulder/butt!
Amy
April 22, 2021 at 1:45 amSo good!! Everyone in our family liked them! I did the crockpot method. We will definitely be making again!! Love all your recipes!!
tave harvey
March 23, 2021 at 3:03 amthis recipe was amaze , such great flavor !Also a great recipe for a family dinner, keep doing what your doing !Your recipes rock!
Kelly
February 18, 2021 at 2:17 amIf we can’t find brisket right now is there an alternative cut you would recommend?
Alex
February 19, 2021 at 5:40 pmflank steak would be great!
Jessica P
February 5, 2021 at 2:24 amI made these a while back and finally made them again tonight, and I don’t know why I waited so long! Super easy recipe, and the sauce thickened up so well. Can’t wait to make it again!
Alex
February 5, 2021 at 12:18 pm🙂
Delicious Instant Pot Recipes Ready in 30 Minutes or Less - Camille Styles
February 20, 2019 at 11:01 am[…] Texas-Style Brisket Tacos, The Defined Dish […]
Tommy Sanborn
December 14, 2020 at 9:35 pmThe recipe has me add a total of 1/2 cup liquid, but at the end has me taking out 1 1/2 liquid. What am I missing? I didn’t notice this until after I started searing the meat.
Alex
December 14, 2020 at 11:58 pmThe meat will release its juices as it cooks so there should be plenty by the end of the cook time to pour over the meat and to create the gravy. Enjoy!!
Jessica Wojtkiewicz
October 19, 2020 at 11:17 pmOh my goodness, this was AMAZING. I loved the sauce so much. I do have a question for you though… after the 60 minutes of cook time, the brisket was a little difficult to shred. Should I cook it under pressure for longer next time? Thanks!
thedefineddish
October 19, 2020 at 11:17 pmYes, it seems that some IPs take a little longer. It’s so hard to know with these gadgets because 60 minutes for me was melt fall apart. If that happens to you, do an extra 15-20 minutes next time.
@teramcgreal
October 19, 2020 at 11:17 pmHi Alex! New to my Instant Pot and to brisket. I have an enormous one from butcher box that I’ll looking to use. I’m guessing it’s about 6 pounds. How much additional time do I add to the instant pot assuming everything is doubled? Hoping it freezes well for easy taco nights!
Whitney Arce
January 13, 2021 at 4:04 pmThese were so great! Such great flavor and were a big hit with the whole family! I’ve been wanting to try these but recently got a brisket from my butcher box and knew this was what I wanted to try. Definitely will make again!