Instant Pot Flank Steak Tacos
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Quick and easy instant pot steak tacos recipe, homemade with simple ingredients. Loaded with melt in your mouth, tender meat, lime juice, garlic, taco seasoning and lots of cilantro. The best street tacos ever!
Tacos are a staple in our house, and these ones are simply the best. The meat is so tender and flavorful, while the lime juice brings a bright acidic flair to compliment it. Make it a taco bar by adding these Ground Beef Tacos (One Pot) and Shredded Chicken Tacos (One Pot) with bowls for all the toppings alongside them.
This Is The Best Steak Taco Recipe!
- Melt in your mouth steak
- Quick and easy prep
- Simple ingredients
- One pot clean-up
How To Make Instant Pot Steak Tacos Recipe From Scratch?
- Add ingredients in instant pot – This includes steak strips, butter, tomatoes with green chiles, lime juice, Mexican seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, salt.
- Mix- Until combined.
- Cook- For 12 minutes.
- Release pressure– Naturally for 5 minutes. Then, do quick pressure release.
- Add cornstarch slurry- To thicken sauce.
- Add veggies– This includes green peppers and onions.
- Cook uncovered– To reduce liquid further.
- Enjoy- Use a slotted spoon to remove meat from pot and fill tacos. Pour some juices and toppings of your choice on top.
Homemade Taco Seasoning
Mix together the following spices and store in a an airtight jar at room temperature for 2-3 months.
- 1 tbsp Chili powder
- 1 tsp Cumin powder
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
- 1 tsp Paprika
- 1 tsp Onion powder
- 1/2 tsp Oregano
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
- 1/4 tsp Red chili flakes
Steak Taco Marinade/Steak taco Seasoning
Combine the following dry ingredients and then add some melted butter or oil, broth, and lime juice to convert the seasoning to a thick marinade.
- 2 tbsp Taco seasoning
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
- 1 tsp Onion powder
- 1 tsp Black pepper To taste
- Salt To taste
What To Serve With Flank Steak Tacos?
Classic choices are:
- Taco shells- Hard or soft
To make a more filling meal, serve it alongside a salad:
Serve with rice:
- Cilantro Lime Rice (One Pot)
- Steamed rice- white or brown
- Coconut Rice (One Pot)
- Pineapple Rice (One Pot)
- Cauliflower rice- Healthier alternative
- Quinoa- Another healthier alternative
Leftovers can be used in so many ways including the following:
- Quesadillas- Use it as a filling in this Best Cheese Quesadilla (One Pan)
- Burritos or burrito bowls
- Wraps
- Sandwiches- Add the steak inside this Grilled Cheese Sandwich (One Pan)
- Salads
- Soup- Add the cooked meat to this Instant Pot Mexican Soup
What Is The Best Steak For Tacos?
I recommend using flank steak for this recipe because it is tender and juicy. Other options would be skirt, sirloin, or ribeye steak.
What Do You Put Inside A Taco (Taco Toppings)?
Sour cream– Full fat is best. You can use plain Greek yogurt as a healthier alternative.
Lettuce– Roughly chopped.
Guacamole– Homemade Easy Guacamole Recipe or store-bought.
Sliced avocados– Use ripe ones.
Tomatoes– Finely chopped.
Onions- Finely chopped red onions are great!
Salsa– Such as Corn Salsa (One Bowl) or Mango Salsa (One Bowl) or Pineapple Salsa (One Bowl) or Pico De Gallo Salsa (One Bowl) or even Strawberry Salsa (One Bowl).
Jalapenos– Finely chopped or you can also use pickled jalapenos.
Cheese– Shredded Mexican cheese blend is delicious.
Fresh herbs- Like roughly chopped cilantro or parsley.
Variations for Mexican Street Tacos
Skirt steak tacos- Use skirt steak instead of flank steak.
Grilled tacos- Marinate the meat and then, grill it for added smokiness and flavor.
Taco salad- Use the meat and peppers on top of a simple green salad instead of in a taco shell.
Taco bowl– Add rice or cooked quinoa to a bowl, and then, add the meat and veggies along with any other toppings you like.
Make it spicy– Add jalapenos, chili flakes, or other spicy peppers.
Add legumes– Spread Easy Refried Beans (One Pot) in the bottom of the shell or add black beans.
Tips And Techniques for Mexican Beef
Soft tacos vs. Hard tacos– Either can be used. I like the crunch of hard taco shells. It also holds the filling more securely than a soft corn or flour tortilla.
Adjust amount of seasoning– Use more or less, based on your preference.
Make a bigger batch- Double or triple the quantities of all the ingredients to serve a crowd.
How to release pressure from the Instant Pot? Let the pot sit undisturbed and allow the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes. Then, do “quick release” to allow remaining steam to escape.
How to thicken sauce for the steak tacos? Mix in the dissolved cornstarch slurry and cook uncovered for a few more minutes to reduce liquid further.
Storage
Refrigerate– In a sealed container for up to 3 days.
Freeze– The steak can be stored in a freezer safe container for up to 1 month.
Reheat– From thawed, in the microwave or on the stovetop.
More One Pot Mexican Meals
- Cheesy Taco Pasta (One Pot)
- Jalapeno Popper Chicken (One Pot)
- Chicken Quesadilla (One Pan)
- Chicken Taco Soup (One Pot)
- One Pot Chicken Pasta (Chicken Fajita Pasta)
- Salsa Chicken (One Pot)
- Salsa Verde Chicken (One Pot)
Instant Pot Flank Steak Tacos
Ingredients
- 2 pound Flank steak, Thinly sliced into half inch strips
- 2 tbsp Butter, Melted, Unsalted
- 1 can Diced tomatoes with green chiles, 10 oz. can
- 1-2 tbsp Lime juice
- 2 tbsp Taco seasoning
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
- 1 tsp Onion powder
- 1 tsp Black pepper, To taste
- Salt, To taste
- 1 tbsp Cornstarch, Dissolved in 1 tbsp water
- 1/2 cup Green peppers, Thinly sliced, Optional
- 1/2 cup Onions, Thinly sliced, Optional
- 2 tbsp Cilantro, Fresh, Roughly chopped, For garnish
Instructions
- In the instant pot (don't turn it on yet!), add steak strips, melted butter, diced tomatoes with green chiles, lime juice, taco seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, salt.
- Mix until combined.
- Put the lid on and now, turn on the pressure cooker. Turn the the valve to “Sealing.” Select “Manual” mode and set timer for 12 minutes.
- When the cook time is over, let the pot sit undisturbed and allow the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes. Then, do "quick release" to allow remaining steam to escape.
- Turn on the "Saute" mode and mix in the dissolved cornstarch slurry.
- Add thinly sliced green peppers and onions (optional).
- Cook uncovered for a few more minutes to reduce liquid further and to make onions and peppers tender (if you added those).
- Garnish with lots of fresh cilantro.
- Use a slotted spoon to remove steaks from pot and fill tacos and pour some juices on top.
- Add toppings of your choice and enjoy!
Notes
- Read all my tips above.
- Leftovers can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheated in the microwave, stovetop or instant pot.
