Budget Carne Asada (Instant Pot + Slow Cooker)
Carne Asada is one of those meals that just hits differently—juicy, flavorful, and packed with bold, zesty spices. But let’s be real, who has time to babysit a grill or stovetop all day? That’s where this Instant Pot and Slow Cooker Carne Asada comes in.
It gives you all the deep, rich flavors of traditional carne asada with zero hassle. Just toss everything in, let it do its thing, and boom—you’ve got tender, fall-apart beef that’s perfect for tacos, burrito bowls, or just piling onto a plate with some fresh guac. Plus, it’s a budget-friendly way to enjoy a restaurant-quality meal at home!
Ingredients:
- Chuck roast – A big part of what makes this a more budget-friendly recipe is it uses chuck roast instead of flank steak. Flank steak is traditional for carne asada and delicious…but even at Walmart it was over $11 a pound! Chuck roast is still more expensive than ground meat but more budget-friendly at $7-8 at my local Walmart. A denser and tougher meat, we will cook it for a long time to get it nice and tender!
- Oil – I used olive oil, but avocado oil works well too!
- Salt – Regular table salt.
- Pepper – Ground black pepper.
- Chili powder
- Dried minced onion
- Paprika
- Cumin
- Minced garlic – Fresh minced garlic. I prefer to buy it pre-minced, to save time, like this one in Walmart.
- Salsa – Use something saucy like a salsa roja, not a dry chunky pico de gallo.
- Lime juice
- Chopped cilantro
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Whole30 + Paleo + Keto – No added sugars, grains, or dairy, just real food goodness!
- Dairy-free + Gluten-free + Nut-free – A simple, allergen-friendly meal that everyone can enjoy.
- Easy + Budget-Friendly – Whether you use the Instant Pot or slow cooker, this is a true set-it-and-forget-it recipe that won’t break the bank.
- Meal Prep Magic – Make a big batch and enjoy leftovers all week in different ways!
What Makes This Carne Asada Special?
This isn’t your average carne asada that needs hours of marinating and a grill. Instead, we’re using an Instant Pot or slow cooker to break down a budget-friendly chuck roast into juicy, pull-apart deliciousness.
The magic happens with a flavor-packed seasoning mix: chili powder, cumin, paprika, dried minced onion, fresh garlic, and the secret weapon—salsa! It adds just the right balance of acidity and richness to make this meat absolutely drool-worthy. A squeeze of fresh lime juice at the end brightens everything up, and a sprinkle of cilantro adds that final punch of freshness.
How to Serve Your Carne Asada:
This tender, flavorful beef is crazy versatile. Here are some of my favorite ways to use it:
- Taco Night – Load it into lettuce or coconut wraps (Whole30) or grain-free tortillas (Paleo) for an easy Whole30 and Paleo taco night.
- Burrito Bowls – Serve over Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice with avocado, salsa, and some fresh greens. Add Ranch or Cilantro Lime Ranch to top!
- Stuffed Sweet Potatoes – Sounds crazy, but trust me—this combo is a game changer, especially when drizzled with Cilantro Lime Ranch.
- Salad Topper – Throw it on a big salad with a zesty dressing for a protein-packed meal. Add Ranch or Cilantro Lime Ranch to top!
- Egg Scramble – Use leftovers to add bold flavor to your morning eggs.
Cooking Options: Instant Pot vs. Slow Cooker
- Instant Pot: Perfect for when you need it to cook more quickly. Just 10 minutes prep, then leave it on high pressure for 90 minutes, and you’ve got fall-apart carne asada ready to go.
- Slow Cooker: If you love a low-and-slow approach, this method is for you. Set it on low for 6-8 hours and let all those flavors deepen while you go about your day.
This Carne Asada is proof that delicious, Whole30, Paleo, and keto-friendly meals don’t have to be complicated or expensive. Minimal effort, maximum flavor, and a recipe you’ll want on repeat every week—what’s not to love? Grab your Instant Pot or slow cooker and let’s make this ridiculously good carne asada!
Other Mexican-inspired Dishes You Will Love!
All of my recipes are gluten-free + dairy-free. Many are also Paleo and/or Whole30 as well!
- Crispy Air-Fryer Tacos
- One-Pan Taco Pasta
- Whole30 Copycat Chipotle Bowl
- Gluten-free Dairy-free Enchiladas
- Whole30 Chili con Queso Dip
- Paleo Chicken Taquitos
- Whole30 Enchilada Dip Bake
- Mexican Inspired Lasagna (Casserole or Skillet)
Budget Shredded Carne Asada
Equipment
- 1 Instant Pot or Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon salt see notes for time-saving seasoning hack!
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon dried minced onion
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
- 2.5 pounds beef chuck roast anywhere from 2-3 pounds works
- 1 tablespoon fresh minced garlic
- 1-1.5 cups salsa
- 1 bunch cilantro
- 1 large lime juiced
Optional Toppings - To Serve
- 1 head romaine lettuce shredded or finely chopped
- 1 cup pico de gallo
- 1 cup guacamole
- 1 package corn tortillas omit tortillas (not Whole30) and turn it into a salad if on Whole30; For Paleo, use Siete tortillas
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine all the dried seasonings (salt-cumin) to make the meat seasoning. Set aside.
- INSTANT POT: In an Instant Pot on Saute, heat oil until hot. While oil is heating, rub the seasoning all over both sides of the roast. Once oil is hot, sear the meat in hot oil both sides for about 5 minutes until browned. Top the meat with the minced garlic and 1 cup salsa. Seal the Instant Pot and cook on Manual High for 120 minutes. Released steam when it is done. Shred into the liquid.
- SLOW COOKER: Place meat in the slow cooker. Rub all over with oil, then rub both sides with the seasoning. Top with minced garlic and 1 1/2 cups salsa. Close the lid and cook on low for 7-8 hours, until fork tender. Shred into the liquid.
- Both methods: Top with the juice from one lime and 1/2 bunch chopped cilantro.
- Serve in tacos, burritos, burrito bowls, or salads. Enjoy!
- STORE leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for 1 week or the freezer for up to 3 months.
This recipe is SO good! I use the packet of taco seasoning to save time and it’s so yummy. Thank you!
Hooray! I’m so happy this one was a big hit, and you used that time-saving hack. It’s actually in my crockpot today as well. Such a good one! Thanks for the review!
Our whole family loves this recipe!! My husband actually last week said it’s one of his favorites. Both kids enjoy it as well. It is so easy to make and full of a lot of flavor! Perfect dinner for our busy nights full of sports/dance activities. (And the house smells delicious all day as it’s cooking). We have done this same recipe with chicken thighs as well and it’s a hit! (Even sent it to my in laws and now they have it in their rotation as well 😃). Thanks for another delicious add in for our rotation that everyone looks forward to!
WOOT WOOT for a family hit! I love that it comes in clutch for busy nights and that it works well with chicken thighs too. And YES that it’s a recipe you have wanted to share. Love it! Thanks for the rave review.
Hi! Making this right now. Is it 90 min or 120 min in the pressure cooker?
My experience has been that it takes 120 minutes (2 hours) in the pressure cooker to really get the pull-apart tender meat. Enjoy!
could this be made with a pork tenderloin instead? the prices of beef right now are crazy so the tenderloin was half the price. Thank you! Love your recipes:)
That’s a great question. I haven’t tested it, but I believe a pork roast could work instead. A tenderloin is generally meant for high short heat cooking like grilling, or roasting for a short period of time, so that might not be the best cut of meat for this method.
So I tried it with the three pound tenderloin and it was amazing! Did it on low for about 8 hours. I guess because it was a large size it worked about the same as a pork roast.
Oh interesting! I’m so happy it turned out well for you. Thank you so much for taking the time to come back and share, so others can follow suit if needed. I appreciate it!
I’ve started meal prepping to help take some stress out of my morning “what to pack for lunch” dilemmas. I made this, and my husband and I had yummy, nutritious lunches all week. They reheated well and never dried out. Perfect recipe! Thank you!! I paired with egg life tortillas, and fruit.
WOOT WOOT that this was the perfect meal prep for your week! I’m so happy to hear it. I agree – super flavorful and moist/tender. Thank you for the review!
Drool worthy! 🤤 It’s a new favorite in our family because it’s tender, packs so much incredible flavor, budget friendly, and so dang easy to make! What’s not to love?! I get compliments and recipe requests on it all the time when I make it for family gatherings, parties, etc.
I adore that this one so quickly has become a go-to for you and has been such a crowd-pleaser! YAY! Thanks so much for the rave review.
Just made this and it is AMAZING!!!! Planning to serve it with the cassava flour tortillas from the cookbook and some pico and avocado! Thank you, Autumn!
I’m so happy you love this one! So flavorful, without a lot of work. Thank you for the review, those help me a ton!