These Easy Instant Pot Carne Asada Tacos are a game-changer for busy weeknights, delivering tender, flavorful steak in under 30 minutes. Whether you are hosting a festive taco night or prepping protein for the week, this versatile recipe ensures a delicious Mexican-inspired meal every time.
Table of Contents
Why You Will Love This Recipe
You will love this recipe because it is incredibly quick and easy, requiring very little prep work while still delivering restaurant-quality results. The Instant Pot ensures the steak is perfectly tender and loaded with citrusy, savory flavor, making it versatile enough to use in tacos, nachos, or even hearty burrito bowls.
Personal Experience & Testing
I have spent a lot of time testing different ways to get that authentic carne asada flavor without spending hours over a hot grill. In my first few attempts, I tried cooking the steak whole in the pressure cooker, but I found that slicing it before cooking allowed the marinade to penetrate the meat much more effectively. I also experimented with various marinade times; while a full two hours is great for deep flavor, I discovered that even a short 20-minute soak provides a significant flavor boost if you are in a rush. One of my favorite discoveries during testing was the broiling step. I tested a batch served straight from the pot and another with a quick 1-minute blast under the broiler; the difference in texture was night and day. The broiler adds those slightly crispy, caramelized edges that perfectly mimic the high heat of a traditional grill.
Ingredients
- 2 Lbs Flank Steak
- 1/2 Yellow Onion Sliced
- 1/2 Cup Chicken Stock or Water
- 1 tablespoon Lime Juice
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
- 1 tablespoon Honey
- 5 Cloves Minced Garlic
- 1 tablespoon Chili Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Oregano
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Sea Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
- 24 Flour Tortillas (Taco Size)
- Fresh Cilantro
- Homemade Salsa
- Shredded Mexican Cheese (Optional)
- Sour Cream (Optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Start by slicing the flank steak against the grain into thin strips and place them into a large prep bowl.
- Add the sliced yellow onion, lime juice, lemon juice, honey, minced garlic, chili powder, oregano, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper to the bowl.
- Stir the ingredients well to ensure the meat is evenly coated, then cover and marinade in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes or up to 2 hours.
- When you are ready to cook, add the marinated steak, onions, and all liquid from the bowl into the Instant Pot along with the chicken stock or water.
- Secure the lid and turn the steam release nozzle to the Seal position.
- Cook on High Pressure for 4 minutes, then allow for a natural release for 10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, perform a quick release for any remaining pressure. Once the pin drops, carefully open the lid.
- Remove the steak from the Instant Pot, drizzle with a small amount of the excess cooking liquid, and then dice or shred as desired.
- Once your steak is prepared, serve it inside warm tortillas with your favorite optional toppers.
Expert Tips / Pro Tips
The most important tip for success is the proper slice. It is vital that you slice the flank steak against the grain when cutting the raw meat. This shortens the muscle fibers, making the final result much more tender and easier to chew. For an extra layer of flavor, I highly recommend the broiling method. Place your cooked, shredded meat on a baking sheet and broil on high for about 1 minute until the edges are slightly crisp. Just keep a close eye on it so it doesn’t dry out!
Variations & Substitutions
While flank steak and skirt steak are the traditional choices for this dish, you can substitute them with a sirloin steak if that is what you have on hand. For the cooking liquid, chicken stock is my preferred choice for flavor, but beef stock, vegetable stock, or even plain water will work. If you want a more intense citrus profile, try adding a splash of orange juice to the marinade. For those who enjoy a bit of heat, feel free to add a teaspoon of cayenne pepper or some diced jalapeños to the pot.
Serving Suggestions
These tacos are best served with simple, fresh toppings that let the flavor of the meat shine. I recommend fresh cilantro, a dollop of salsa, or a bright pico de gallo. You can also customize your tacos with guacamole, sour cream, shredded Mexican cheese, or crisp lettuce. If you have leftovers, this carne asada works beautifully in a Mexican-style salad, over a bed of cilantro lime rice, or as the protein in a walking taco bar for parties.
Storage, Freezing & Reheating
Store any leftover carne asada in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When you are ready to eat it again, I recommend reheating the steak in a skillet on the stovetop over medium heat just until it is warmed through to preserve the texture. You can also use a microwave if you are in a hurry. If you want to freeze the cooked meat, place it in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months and thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Nutrition Information
| Metric | Value |
| Serving Size | 3 Tacos |
| Calories | 689 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 78.7 g |
| Protein | 44.2 g |
| Total Fat | 20.3 g |
| Saturated Fat | 8.5 g |
| Cholesterol | 62 mg |
| Sodium | 1407 mg |
| Fiber | 0.6 g |
| Sugar | 5.4 g |
For more of the best dinner recipes, check out my:
=> Easy Instant Pot Taco Meat Recipe
=> Air Fryer Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breasts
=> Homemade Air Fryer Bagel Bites Recipe
=> Grilled Hawaiian Bbq Chicken Recipe
Make sure to tag me @tastyrecipes.info on Instagram and leave a review below if you make this easy instant pot carne asada tacos. To pin this recipe and save it for later, you can use the button on the recipe card, the buttons above or below this post, or on any of the photos above. Happy baking!
FAQ
What cut of meat is carne asada?
The most traditional and flavorful cuts for carne asada are skirt steak and flank steak. While you can use other cuts like sirloin, these two provide the best texture and taste for Mexican-inspired dishes.
Does an Instant Pot make meat tender?
Yes, the Instant Pot is a pressure cooker that uses high heat and pressure to break down the connective tissues in meat very quickly, resulting in extremely tender and soft steak.
What is the difference between carne asada and carne picada?
The main difference is the way the beef is prepared. Carne asada consists of sliced or whole steaks that are grilled or pressure cooked, while carne picada is finely minced or chopped beef that is typically braised.
Easy Instant Pot Carne Asada Tacos
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Start by slicing the flank steak against the grain into thin strips and place them into a large prep bowl.
- Add the sliced yellow onion, lime juice, lemon juice, honey, minced garlic, chili powder, oregano, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper to the bowl.
- Stir the ingredients well to ensure the meat is evenly coated, then cover and marinade in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes or up to 2 hours.
- When you are ready to cook, add the marinated steak, onions, and all liquid from the bowl into the Instant Pot along with the chicken stock or water.
- Secure the lid and turn the steam release nozzle to the Seal position.
- Cook on High Pressure for 4 minutes, then allow for a natural release for 10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, perform a quick release for any remaining pressure. Once the pin drops, carefully open the lid.
- Remove the steak from the Instant Pot, drizzle with a small amount of the excess cooking liquid, and then dice or shred as desired.
- Once your steak is prepared, serve it inside warm tortillas with your favorite optional toppers.