This slow cooker cilantro lime beef brings big flavors without a lot of effort. Beef slow cooks with citrus, garlic, and simple seasonings. The end result is a juicy, versatile beef dish that works for everything from tacos to rice bowls. Instructions to make cilantro lime beef in the Instant pot are also included in the blog post.
Ingredients For Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Beef
- Beef Flank Steak
- Onion
- Green Bell Pepper
- Garlic
- Limes
- Orange
- Oil
- Cilantro
- Seasonings: salt, cumin, chili powder, oregano, pepper
How To Make Cilantro Lime Beef In The Crock-Pot
- Add the beef, onion, and bell to the slow cooker.
- In a small bow, mix together the sauce ingredients. Pour the sauce on top of food in slow cooker.
- Cook on HIGH for 3 to 4 or LOW 6 to 8 hours.
- Remove meat from slow cooker. Shred or slice and place back in until ready to serve.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro.
- Turn on the Instant Pot and select sauté. Once hot, add the oil to the pot.
- Add the beef and sear a few minutes on each side until browned. Remove the beef from the Instant Pot and set aside.
- Add the 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 by scraping all the bits off with a wooden spoon. Add the 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 40 minutes. When cooking time is up, let the Instant Pot naturally release the pressure.
- Remove meat from pressure cooker. Shred or slice and place back in until ready to serve.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Easy slow cooker meal – Minimal prep, hands-off cooking
- Fresh, vibrant flavor – Citrus and cilantro brighten the dish
- Great for meal prep – Perfect for leftovers
- Versatile – Use for tacos, bowls, salads, and more
- Balanced flavor – Savory, tangy, and slightly smoky
- Naturally dairy-free
FAQs & Tips
What cut of beef should you use?
I like to use flank steak for this cilantro-lime recipe. Other options include sirloin steak, tenderloin steak, skirt steak, or rib steak. You can even use a roast like chuck roast.
How do you serve this?
Shred the meat and use it as stuffing for sweet potatoes, or plated with side dishes, in lettuce wraps, tortillas, enchiladas stuffing, etc. The sky is the limit!
How will you know it’s done?
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.
How do you store leftovers?
Store leftover slow cooker cilantro lime beef in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
What size slow cooker did you use?
I use a 6-quart slow cooker or Instant Pot for this recipe.
Shredded Beef Recipes
PrintSlow Cooker Cilantro Lime Beef
This slow cooker cilantro lime beef brings big flavors without a lot of effort. Beef slow cooks with citrus, garlic, and simple seasonings. The end result is a juicy, versatile beef dish that works for everything from tacos to rice bowls. Instructions to make cilantro lime beef in the Instant pot are also included in the blog post.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 mins
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Pressure Cooking, Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Keto, Low-Carb, Paleo, Whole30
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds flank steak
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- handful fresh cilantro for garnish
- 1/2 cup low-sodium beef broth (for Instant Pot)
- 1 tablespoon oil (for Instant Pot)
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
- Add the beef, onion, and bell to the slow cooker.
- In a small bow, mix together the sauce ingredients. Pour the sauce on top of food in slow cooker.
- Cook on HIGH for 3 to 4 or LOW 6 to 8 hours.
- Remove meat from slow cooker. Shred or slice and place back in until ready to serve.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro.
- Turn on the Instant Pot and select sauté. Once hot, add the oil to the pot.
- Add the beef and sear a few minutes on each side until browned. Remove the beef from the Instant Pot and set aside.
- Add the 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 by scraping all the bits off with a wooden spoon. Add the 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 40 minutes. When cooking time is up, let the Instant Pot naturally release the pressure.
- Remove meat from pressure cooker. Shred or slice and place back in until ready to serve.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro.
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
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22 thoughts on “Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Beef”
I was planning to make this in the Instant Pot or do you think a slow cooker is best?
Personally I always prefer the slow cooker:-)
What cut of meat do you purchase please?
I used flank steak but you can also use sirloin, skirt, etc. I updated the recipe to include a section about the meat.
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?
Absolutely that sounds like a fantastic idea!
Do you think you could freeze this meal and reheat?
Absolutely!
Did you marinade or season your meat and if so with what?
Nope just the ingredients listed. Enjoy!
Can I use the pre sliced bottom round?
Yes absolutely
Does the meat need to be cut up before being put into the slow cooker. Sorry, very new to cooking
Nope, it can go straight in whole! The best thing about slow cooking is that the meat will be so tender when it’s done that it will literally shred with a fork. Enjoy!
The meat in the slow cooker is not fully submerged is that okay?
Yup, that’s quite alright. It will still cook properly.
I made this yesterday it was excellent!! I did forgot the juice of an orange so I added 1 bottle of Leinenkugels Grapefruit Shandy and it came out excellent. I also browned the meat first in the broiler to speed up the cooking process. The meat was very tender I was pleasantly surprised.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe! I love your substitutions. I bet grapefruit shandy was fantastic! xShannon
How about using chicken instead of steak?
Absolutely! You will need to lower the cooking time by a hour or so to ensure you don’t overcook the meat.
How full was your slow cooker with this recipe? I’m wondering if i can double it or if i need another slow cooker. Thanks!
Not that full. If you have a 6-quart or larger you can double it no problem.