Instant Pot Flank Steak Tacos

Name: Instant Pot Flank Steak Tacos
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 tbsp olive oil; 1/3 cup beef broth; 1 lb flank steak; Salt & pepper, to taste; 2 tbsp soy sauce; 1 tbsp lime juice; 1 tbsp taco seasoning; 2 cloves minced garlic; Corn tortillas; Pico de gallo; Red cabbage; Cilantro; Avocado

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These Instant Pot Flank Steak Tacos are an easy and delicious weeknight dinner idea. The flank steak is tender, juicy and flavourful!

Ingredients and substitutions

Olive oil – use any neutral cooking oil like canola or vegetable oil.
Beef broth – vegetable broth can also be used. If you’re in a pinch, use a beef bouillon cube dissolved into boiling water.
Flank steak – flank steak is the star of this recipe, but feel free to substitute it for a different cut of steak or even ground beef. Cooking time may vary based on the substitute.
Salt & pepper – to taste.
Soy sauce – tamari or coconut aminos are the best substitutes for soy sauce.
Lime juice – fresh or bottled lime juice are both good. Lemon juice will work if it’s all you have on hand.
Taco seasoning – use store-bought taco seasoning or make your own using a combination of chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, crushed red pepper flakes, dried oregano and paprika.
Garlic – fresh or jarred minced garlic is recommended but you can also use garlic salt or garlic powder.

To serve

Corn tortillas – flour tortillas or hard-shell corn tortillas would also be good. For a low-carb option, serve your flank steak tacos in lettuce cups.
Pico de gallo – use store-bought pico de gallo or make your own fresh. Jarred or fresh salsa would also be good here.
Red cabbage – coleslaw or Mexican street corn would be yummy as well.
Avocado – use fresh avocado or guacamole.
Cilantro – leave this off if you’re not a fan of cilantro.

How to make flank steak tacos in the Instant Pot

Step 1: Cook the flank steak.

Add all ingredients except for toppings to the Instant Pot in the order in which they are listed. Place lid on Instant Pot and make sure valve is set to seal. Press the pressure cook button and set to high, then cook for 10 minutes. Instant Pot will take about 5-10 minutes to come to pressure then pressure cook for 10 minutes.

Step 2: Slice up the steak.

Let the Instant Pot do a natural pressure release for 10 minutes then release any remaining pressure. Open the lid when pressure gauge has dropped and the lid opens easily. Remove steak from Instant Pot and slice very thinly against the grain.

Step 3: Add back to the pot with the juices.

Step 4: Assemble your tacos and serve!

Serve steak over corn tortillas with shredded cabbage, pico de gallo, cilantro and avocado. Enjoy!

What to serve with tacos

These Instant Pot flank steak tacos are delicious on their own – but there are also so many Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes you can serve on the side! If you’re looking for ideas on what to serve with your flank steak tacos, here are some of my favourite options:

Chips and salsa or guacamole
Seven-layer bean dip
Street corn salad
Mexican rice
Empanadas
Jicama and mango coleslaw
Refried beans

When it comes to the toppings, the options are basically limitless. It’s also a great way to clear out your vegetable crisper! Some of my favourite toppings include guacamole, green onions, pickled red onions, black beans, salsa, corn with cotija cheese, sour cream and lime crema.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which cut of steak is best for tacos?

The best steak cut for tacos is flank steak! Flank steak is one of the leanest cuts of steak to purchase and is known as the most versatile cut of meat. It’s versatile because it can be grilled, broiled or sautéed super easily. If you aren’t able to get your hands on flank steak, the next best options to use for this recipe are skirt steak, hanger steak and sirloin steak (although the cooking times will vary).

How do you cut the steak?

After the Instant Pot flank steak has cooked on high pressure for 10 minutes, slice it up. Make sure to slice it against the grain so it retains its juices and doesn’t dry out.

Does it need to be marinated?

Since you’re using the Instant Pot to cook your flank steak tacos, you don’t need to marinade the steak ahead of time. Jut add the seasonings (beef broth, salt, pepper, soy sauce, lime juice, taco seasoning and garlic) to the Instant Pot before cooking and the meat will absorb the flavours while it cooks. After you’ve sliced the steak, toss it in the juices to get even more flavour.

Storing and reheating

If you have any leftovers of these flank steak tacos, store the toppings and flank steak separately in the fridge for up to 5 days. Storing everything separately will ensure that all the various components stay as fresh as possible.

When you’re ready to enjoy your tacos, warm up your tortillas in the microwave for a few seconds or in the oven for a couple minutes. Reheat the flank steak in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes or in a pan on the stovetop, then assemble your tacos fresh!

Freezing the leftover steak

Leftover Instant Pot flank steak will freeze well in an airtight container or Ziploc bag for up to 3 months. To keep the steak as fresh as possible, make sure it’s stored with little to no air exposure. This will ensure that the steak doesn’t dry out, lose its flavour or get exposed to freezer burn. Let the steak defrost in the fridge overnight then reheat as normal and use to make your yummy flank steak tacos.

More Instant Pot taco recipes

Meal prep tools for this recipe

The Instant Pot DUO Plus 60 is the version I use in this recipe.
Grab some glass meal prep bowls if you need to store any leftover tacos.
Freeze leftover steak in glass microwave-safe bowls for up to 3 months.
I get all my grass-fed beef from Butcher Box, conveniently delivered to me frozen.