This recipe makes it so easy to have yummy carne asada ready to eat in a pressure cooker. It's faster than cooking it the traditional way, turning out super tender, very flavorful meat, great for tacos, burritos, or just plain by itself. I've made hundreds of different versions, and this is my personal favorite, you'll enjoy it too! This recipe is a game changer. It's great for weeknights because it's quick and prep is minimal. I've even taken it to my book club, and I've received so much praise for it; even some people asked for the recipe! Shucks!

The magic of this pressure cooker carne asada is in the marinade. I'm using freshly squeezed orange and lime juice because it's amazing, but use whatever you like! The key is to balance the flavors—the salty soy sauce, the warm spices (cumin and chili powder), the earthy oregano. harmony! I know it sounds a bit finicky, but it's not. And believe it or not, I'm not even a foodie and I succeeded.

Pressure Cooker Carne Asada

Name: Pressure-Cooker-Carne-Asada
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Instant-Pot
Ingredients: 1 lb Flank steak; 1/4 cup Lime juice; 1/4 cup Orange juice; 2 tbsp Soy sauce; 1 tbsp Olive oil; 2 cloves, minced Garlic; 1 tsp Cumin; 1 tsp Chili powder; 1 tsp Oregano; 1/2 tsp Salt; 1/4 tsp Black pepper; 1/2 cup Beef broth

This pressure cooker carne asada recipe is a quick and easy way to make tender, flavorful carne asada. The marinade adds incredible depth of flavor and the pressure cooker makes the meat unbelievably tender.

⏳ Yield & Time

Yield: 4 servings

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

📖 Instructions

First things first, prep your beautiful beef! Pat the flank steak dry with paper towels. This is super important for a good sear later.
Next, time to get those flavorful marinades going. In a large bowl, whisk together the lime juice, orange juice, soy sauce, olive oil, garlic, cumin, chili powder, oregano, and salt and pepper. I often add a pinch of cayenne for a little extra kick, but that's just me!
Now, it's time to get our hands dirty (or should I say, our tongs?). Add the steak to the marinade, making sure every inch of it is coated. Let this yummy concoction sit for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours in the fridge – the longer it marinates, the tastier it gets! I usually let it marinate overnight, purely for convenience, but also, it really does make a difference!
Get that pressure cooker ready! Add 1/2 cup of beef broth to your pressure cooker. Trust me on this broth, it adds tons of flavor!
Carefully place the marinated steak into the pressure cooker. You might need to use your tongs. It can sometimes be a little challenging to fit a larger piece of meat, but keep at it!
Secure the lid, and set your pressure cooker to high pressure. Cook for 15-20 minutes, depending on the thickness of your steak. Remember, thicker steaks need longer cook time. I almost always end up cooking a bit longer, but hey, we'll get into more details later.
Once the cooking time is up, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then perform a quick release of any remaining pressure. I know, it might sound scary, but it's an essential part of the process.
Remove the steak carefully from the pressure cooker, and place it on a cutting board. Let it rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing. This is like, crucial to get the best texture!
While the steak is resting, it's time to give that yummy juice a little love. Remove the excess fat from the pressure cooker if there is any. I usually use a spoon for that.
Now, heat up a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add some more oil if needed. It's time for the finishing touches; get that sear!
Place the steak in the skillet and sear it for about 1-2 minutes per side, until it’s nice and golden brown. This is more for show than function, but hey who doesn't like a beautiful sear?!
Once seared, slice the steak against the grain into thin strips. This is important for tenderness. And now, my friends, that is how you pressure cook a Carne Asada that is simply, amazingly perfect!

📝 Notes

For extra flavor, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the marinade.
If you don’t have a meat mallet, you can just use the flat side of a knife to tenderize the steak before marinating it.