Name: Instant Pot Carne Asada
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 2 tablespoons white vinegar; 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (about 1 orange); 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (about 1 lime); 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 1 lemon); 1/4 cup soy sauce (or gluten free alternative); 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1 teaspoon cumin; 1 teaspoon chili powder; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 2 pounds flank steak (sliced against the grain into thin strips (about 1/4 inch thick)); Taco fixings: tortillas, guacamole, pico de gallo, crumbled feta, sour cream, etc. (for serving)

Ingredients

This recipe is so simple I’m guessing you have most of these ingredients on hand already!

Olive Oil and White Vinegar – the base for the marinade. Oil adds moisture while the acidity in vinegar helps break down the meat so its extra tender and can soak in more flavor.

Orange Juice, Lime Juice, and Lemon Juice – adds additional acidity to the marinade to break down and flavor the meat. I like to use freshly squeezed juice but pre-squeezed will work as well.

Soy Sauce – adds just the right amount of salty, umami flavor.

Smoked Paprika, Cumin, Chili Powder, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Dried Oregano, Salt, and Pepper – our seasoning blend! This sweet, spicy seasoning mix is what gives the carne asada its signature flavor.

Flank Steak – this is the classic cut of beef to use for carne asada, but other cuts will work as well.

Tortillas, Guacamole, Pico de Gallo, Cotija or Feta, Sour Cream, etc. – for serving!

Pro tip

To make your carne asada gluten-free, simply sub the soy sauce for a gluten-free variety!

How to make

Have you ever been able to cook steak in just 6 minutes? Now you can!

Whisk together olive oil, vinegar, orange juice, lime juice, lemon juice, soy sauce, paprika, cumin, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper until combined.

Stir in steak then cover and let sit at room temp for 30 minutes or in the fridge for up to 8 hours.

Pour the steak and marinade into your instant pot then cover and lock the lid and cook on HIGH pressure for 6 minutes.

Allow a natural release for 15 minutes, flip the valve to release the remaining pressure, then serve and enjoy!

finished instant pot carne asada being served

Pro tip

Letting the instant pot naturally release for 15 minutes allows the pressure cooker to gradually reduce its pressure. This helps the meat from becoming tough.

What meat to use

The most common cut of beef to use for carne asada is flank steak…which is what we’re using for this recipe! It’s relatively affordable and cooking under pressure makes it perfectly tender.

If flank steak isn’t available, feel free to use a different cut of beef such as skirt steak. Keep in mind, a cheaper cut of beef may not get as tender.

How to store

Store leftover carne asada in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for 2-3 months.

To reheat, thaw in the fridge if frozen then microwave to warm and serve as desired!

– Jennifer

Instant Pot Carne Asada

What is carne asada?

Ingredients

How to make

How long does it take for carne asada to cook?

What meat to use

How to serve carne asada

What to serve with carne asada

How to store