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    Home » Real Food » Instant Pot » Instant Pot Steak Fajitas

    Instant Pot Steak Fajitas

    By Kristen Chidsey | 22 Comments | Published June 17, 2022 | Updated June 17, 2022 *This post may include amazon links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    Skip the smoking skillet and effortlessly make delicious Instant Pot Steak Fajitas using an inexpensive cut of beef and the Instant Pot. This recipe for Instant Pot Fajitas comes together fast to create a flavorful family meal.

    Skip the smoking skillet and effortlessly make delicious Instant Pot Steak Fajitas using an inexpensive cut of beef and the Instant Pot.

    Steak Fajita mixture served on corn tortillas topped with cheese and sour cream.

    Fajitas in the Instant Pot?

    Fajitas are classically made on a searing hot skillet with thin strips of meat, peppers, and onions.

    However, we can skip the smoking skillet (and the smell that comes with it) and make delicious steak fajitas using the instant pot.

    The advantage of making steak fajitas using an electric pressure cooker is that you can use a less expensive cut of meat and still have delicious results!

    Notes on Ingredients

    Ingredients for Steak Fajitas labeled on counter.
    • Steak: For the meat, you can use sirloin or flank steak. Keep in mind sirloin is often less expensive and easier to find.
    • Peppers: Use any combination of bell peppers you like--red, yellow, and/or green. I personally love using a variety of colors for visual pop. Plus red and yellow peppers add a sweeter flavor, while a green bell pepper adds a nice fresh flavor.
    • Onion: Use a yellow, white, or sweet large onion for fajitas. I don't recommend red onions for this recipe, as they don't get as tender as white onions when pressure cooked.
    • Beef Broth: Use low-sodium beef broth for the thin cooking liquid. For this recipe, you will only need to use ½ cup for a 3 or 6-quart instant pot or ¾ cup for an 8-quart model. As you may know from my Instant Pot Basics, you need at least 1 cup of liquid to cook in a pressure cooker. HOWEVER, the juice that the raw onions and peppers release will provide enough liquid to cook these Steak Fajitas.
    • Fajita Seasoning: I use my homemade blend of fajita seasoning which is made with smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cumin. You can use store-bought seasoning or even taco seasoning to flavor these fajitas.
    • Limes: Do not overlook this addition! Adding both the juice and zest of fresh limes will brighten up all the flavors of the fajitas, and the acid from the lime juice will make the flavors pop in your mouth.

    How to Make Instant Pot Steak Fajitas

    • Place your sirloin or flank steak into the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes, as this will make it much easier to thinly slice.
    • After freezing, slice the steak into ½-inch strips going against the grain.
    Sirloin Steak thinly sliced on cutting board.
    • Turn the Instant Pot to saute, add in a bit of oil and let it heat.
    • While the oil is heating, toss the sliced steak with fajita seasoning to coat.
    • Once the oil is heated, add about half the seasoned meat to the Instant Pot in a single layer. You don’t want to overlap the meat, or you won’t get nice caramelized edges on the beef.
    • Saute the strip of steak for 1-2 minutes per side, to JUST brown.
    • Once the meat is seared on both sides, remove the steak from the inner pot and place it on a plate.
    • Repeat the process with the remaining meat, adding in an additional teaspoon of oil if needed.
    Side by side photo before and after searing steak in Instant Pot.
    • Turn off the saute function and add the beef broth to the inner pot and scrape, scrape, scrape all the browned bits off the bottom of the inner pot. That will prevent a burn notice from occurring and help to flavor the fajitas.
    • Add the seared steak back to the inner pot and top with the sliced onion and peppers.
    • Sprinkle the peppers and onions with a bit more fajita seasoning for additional flavor.
    Side by side photo of seared steak in instant pot before and after topping with onions and peppers.
    • Place the lid on the Instant Pot and be sure the venting knob is pointed to sealed.
    • To set the cooking time, hit Manual or Pressure Cook and set to cook on high pressure for 2 minutes.
    • Once the cooking time has elapsed, let pressure release for at least 10 minutes, which will keep the meat super tender.
    Cooked steak and pepper in instant pot.
    • Remove the steak and pepper mixture to a serving bowl, using a slotted spoon.
    • Add the lime zest and juice to the fajita mixture and stir to incorporate.
    Instant Pot Fajita mixture topped with lime zest on platter.

    Serving Suggestions

    Serve this steak fajita mixture on warmed corn or flour tortillas. Top the mixture as desired, with sour cream, shredded cheese, sliced avocado, and/or minced cilantro.

    I love to pair Instant Pot Steak Fajitas with one of the following side dishes as well.

    • Tex-Mex Corn Salad
    • Chips and Homemade Guacamole
    • Instant Pot Spanish Rice
    • Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice
    Instant Pot Steak Fajita Mixture served on flour tortillas topped with cheese and sour cream.

    Need more inspiration for planning meals that your family will love? Sign up for my FREE Meal Plans and each week you will get a meal plan with a shopping list.

    If you tried this recipe for Instant Pot Steak Fajitas, I would love for you to leave a comment and review below.

    Steak Fajitas served on corn toritllas.

    Instant Pot Steak Fajitas

    Make tender, delicious steak fajitas using the Instant Pot and an inexpensive cut of beef.
    4.61 from 43 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Mexican, Tex Mex
    Prep Time: 7 minutes
    Cook Time: 8 minutes
    Pressure Build-Up and Release: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 153kcal
    Author: Kristen Chidsey

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound sirloin steak roast or flank steak
    • 1 tablespoon fajita seasoning divided
    • 2 teaspoons oil divided
    • ½-3/4 cup low-sodium beef broth
    • 1 large yellow or white onion thinly sliced
    • 3 large bell peppers (any color) thinly sliced
    • 2 limes zested and juiced
    Prevents your screen from going dark while preparing the recipe.

    Instructions

    • Place the full cut of meat into the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes, as it will be easier to slice. After freezing, slice the steak into ½-inch strips against the grain. Season the meat with ½ tablespoon of the fajita seasoning.
    • Turn the Instant Pot to Saute and add in 1 teaspoon of oil and let heat.
    • Once the oil is heated, add half the seasoned meat to the Instant Pot in a single layer. Saute for about 1-2 minutes per side, to JUST brown the steak. Remove the seared meat from the inner pot and place it on a plate. Repeat the process with the remaining meat, adding in an additional teaspoon of oil if needed. Once browned, remove the steak to the plate with the first batch, and drain off any grease if needed.
    • Turn the Instant Pot off by hitting cancel, Add in ½ cup beef broth for a 3 or 6-quart Instant Pot or ¾ cup for an 8-quart model. Use a wooden or metal spatula to scrape up any browned bits off the bottom of the inner pot.
    • Add the seared beef back to the inner pot. Top the meat with the sliced onion and sliced peppers. Sprinkle the additional ½ tablespoon of fajita seasoning over the pepper and onions.
    • Seal instant pot, being sure vent knob is pointed to sealed. Set to cook on High Pressure for 2 minutes. Once cooking time is finished let pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, to keep the meat tender.
    • Remove the meat, onions, and peppers to a serving platter using a slotted spoon. Add the zest and juice of the limes and toss to coat.
    • Serve the fajita mixture as desired on tortillas or over rice with your favorite toppings.

    Equipment Needed

    • Electric Pressure Cooker (6 or 8 quart)

    Notes

    Fajita Seasoning: I use my homemade blend of fajita seasoning which is made with smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cumin. You can use store-bought seasoning or even taco seasoning to flavor these fajitas.
    Storage: Store leftover steak fajita mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. 
    Leftover Cooking Liquid: The extra cooking liquid makes a great flavoring when preparing rice in the Instant Pot. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 153kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 46mg | Sodium: 184mg | Potassium: 531mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 2579IU | Vitamin C: 113mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 2mg
    Liked this Recipe? Tag me Today!Snap a picture and tag #amindfullmom on Instagram - I would love to see!

     This recipe was originally published in 2018 but updated in 2022 with new photos and a video.

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    About Kristen Chidsey

    Hi, I am Kristen, creator of A Mind "Full" Mom. I believe that making a wholesome family meal does not need to be hard or expensive! I love nothing more than to share with you delicious solutions for your hungry family.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Anna

      July 02, 2020 at 2:17 pm

      Can I just put the meat in the pot without the veggies? I want to stirfry the veggies so they don't get mushy.

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        July 02, 2020 at 2:35 pm

        That works 🙂

        Reply
    2. Carmin Arnold

      October 13, 2019 at 11:20 pm

      Can you make this recipe with steak and chicken together? If so, would any of the other directions change?

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        October 14, 2019 at 6:53 am

        Hi Carmin! You can certainly use both chicken and steak and the directions will stay the same. Just be sure to slice the chicken a bit thinner so that it cooks in 2 minutes time. Enjoy!

        Reply
    3. Judi

      August 01, 2019 at 3:10 pm

      5 stars
      Will the time vary if you use fresh peppers and onions as opposed to frozen?

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        August 01, 2019 at 3:40 pm

        Not at all Judi 🙂 Enjoy!

        Reply
    4. Pam Greer

      May 22, 2019 at 7:59 pm

      5 stars
      Such a great tip to put the meat in the freezer to get nice slices!! I also love that you can use cheaper meats with the Instant Pot - and how quick these yummy fajitas cook up!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        May 23, 2019 at 6:32 am

        I am glad that tip helped!

        Reply
    5. Suzy

      May 22, 2019 at 7:15 pm

      5 stars
      Made this for dinner tonight! Everyone loved it.

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        May 23, 2019 at 6:32 am

        YAY!!! Love it when dinner is loved by everyone!

        Reply
    6. Jackie

      January 25, 2019 at 9:41 am

      5 stars
      Hi, the fajitas sound delicious! I’m using a 6 qt instapot. So I’m thinking I should probably put 1 cup of beer in the instapot?

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        January 25, 2019 at 9:58 am

        Hi Jackie! Yes, you will only need 1/2 cup liquid for a 6-quart and 3/4 cup for an 8-quart. Use either beer or stock. Enjoy!

        Reply
      • Nil

        November 12, 2019 at 7:38 pm

        I used half cup of beer for about 1 pound of flank. Too much in my opinion. Only added onions as far as veggies- the rest was spices

        Reply
        • Kristen Chidsey

          November 13, 2019 at 7:06 am

          Hi Nil! That is good to note if you aren't using peppers as well, it may overpower the meat. Great to adjust for personal tastes 🙂

          Reply
    7. Celena Boudreau

      January 07, 2019 at 8:34 pm

      My instant pot directions say to use at least 18 ounces of liquid (more than 2 cups) of liquid to pressure cook. Your recipe barely uses 1 cup. What gives?

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        January 08, 2019 at 7:44 am

        Hi Celena! The peppers and onions give off excess liquid, making this recipe work.

        Reply
    8. Jennifer

      October 06, 2018 at 1:21 am

      What size instant pot did you use will this work with an 8?

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        October 06, 2018 at 8:52 am

        Absolutely this recipe will work with an 8 quart. All my recipes are designed for the 6 or 8 🙂

        Reply
    9. Jacqueline DiNuoscio

      July 31, 2018 at 4:07 pm

      5 stars
      I see a fajita night in my near future! I love how the Instant Pot makes it so easy!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        July 31, 2018 at 9:20 pm

        Easy indeed

        Reply
    10. Jenn

      July 31, 2018 at 2:42 pm

      5 stars
      YESSS! I have everything I need to make this for dinner tonight! SO HAPPENING!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        July 31, 2018 at 9:39 pm

        WAHOO!!! Enjoy

        Reply

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