This slow cooker cilantro lime beef is flavorful & so tender it falls apart. You can also make this healthy low-carb, paleo, whole30 beef recipe in your slow cooker.
Updated 2019 with Instant Pot instructions
The Sauce
In my opinion, the really makes this recipe. The sauce is paleo, whole30, and low-carb. Yes, it’s still low-carb even though it includes both orange juice and lime juice. If you’re using the slow cooker, you do not need to add the 1/2 cup of beef broth. You might be tempted to add it because it won’t look like there’s enough sauce when it starts to cook. Trust me, there is. There’s no need to add any additional liquid to this recipe outside of the ingredients listed. For the electric pressure cooker (Instant Pot) you need the 1/2 cup of broth in order for the appliance to pressurize.
What Cut Of Meat To Use
I used flank steak. Sirloin steak, tenderloin steak, skirt steak, or rib steak are also great choices. The great thing about using the low & slow method for this cilantro lime beef recipe is that pretty much any cut of meat can be cooked until falling-apart-tender. Heck I have even made this recipe using a chuck roast.
How To Serve This Meat
Shred the meat and use it as stuffing for sweet potatoes, in a salad, lettuce wrap, or of course in a tortilla, in enchiladas…the sky is the limit!
You’ll know the meat is done cooking when it shreds very easily with a fork. For me that meant After 8 hours on low using the slow cooker and 30 minutes in the pressure cooker. I know rule of thumb is 20 minutes per pound for the Instant Pot but my meat took a little longer for it get the point of falling apart tender.
I used a 6-quart slow cooker or Instant Pot for this recipe.
PrintSlow Cooker Cilantro Lime Beef
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 mins
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds beef
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 1/2 cup low-sodium beef broth (for Instant Pot)
- 1 tablespoon oil (for Instant Pot)
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro for garnish
Sauce:
- 3 limes, juiced (approximately 6 tablespoons)
- 1 orange, juiced (approximately 1/3 cup)
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt (or more)
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
Slow Cooker
- Add beef, onion & bell to the slow cooker.
- In a small bow, mix together sauce ingredients. Pour pour on top of food in slow cooker making sure all ingredients are covered. Stir to mix well.
- Cook HIGH 3-4 or LOW 6-8 hours.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro.
Instant Pot
- Turn on the IP and select Sauté. Once hot add oil to the pot.
- Add the beef and sear a few minutes each side until browned. Remove from the pressure cooker.
- Add onions, bell pepper and cook 3-5 minutes or until soft. Add garlic and cook an additional minute.
- Pour in beef broth, lemon juice, and lime juice. Deglaze the bottom of the pressure cooker by scraping all the bits off with a wooden spoon. Add oil, chili powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir to mix well.
- Add beef back to the pot. Close lid and seal valve. Set high pressure and cook for 20 minutes per pound of beef. When cook time is up, let the Instant Pot release it’s pressure naturally.
- Remove meat from pressure cooker. Shred, and place back in until ready to serve.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro.
Notes
Instant Pot: cook 20 minutes per pound of beef
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 4 hours
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 389
- Sugar: 3.4 g
- Fat: 27.1 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Carbohydrates: 7.3 g
- Fiber: 1.3 g
- Protein: 28.3 g
- Cholesterol: 103.1 mg
This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive money if you make a purchase using one of the links. For more about my disclosure policy see here: https://fitslowcookerqueen.com/about/disclosure-policy/
[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”iaZySUes” upload-date=”2021-07-20T15:52:25.000Z” name=”Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Beef” description=”This cilantro lime beef is flavorful & so tender it falls apart. Make this healthy low-carb, paleo, whole30 carne asada in your slow cooker or Instant Pot.” player-type=”default” override-embed=”default”]
Nala
Saturday 22nd of April 2023
I was planning to make this in the Instant Pot or do you think a slow cooker is best?
Shannon Epstein
Sunday 23rd of April 2023
Personally I always prefer the slow cooker:-)
Jenny
Friday 3rd of January 2020
What cut of meat do you purchase please?
Fit SlowCooker Queen
Friday 3rd of January 2020
I used flank steak but you can also use sirloin, skirt, etc. I updated the recipe to include a section about the meat.
Suehaz Ramirez
Thursday 2nd of January 2020
Hi
can i do a dry rub with the ingredients and leave it over night, then cook it in the slow cooker with the juices? hoping this will infuse the flavor more?
Fit SlowCooker Queen
Thursday 2nd of January 2020
Absolutely that sounds like a fantastic idea!
Stephanie
Saturday 13th of April 2019
Do you think you could freeze this meal and reheat?
Fit SlowCooker Queen
Thursday 2nd of May 2019
Absolutely!
H.D. Carter
Tuesday 10th of July 2018
Did you marinade or season your meat and if so with what?
Fit SlowCooker Queen
Tuesday 10th of July 2018
Nope just the ingredients listed. Enjoy!