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This Crockpot Carne Asada makes taco night easy and full of flavor. The beef cooks on low until it is tender enough to shred. Everything comes together perfectly right in the crockpot. I usually start it earlier in the day and let it cook while we do everything else. It is a reliable slow cooker dinner that keeps things simple and yummy.
👉 You need to try my Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Pasta for comforting, familiar flavors.
This crockpot carne asada is made with flank steak, citrus, spices, tomatoes, and green chiles cooked on low until tender. The beef shreds easily and mixes into a flavorful sauce. It is an easy hands-off way to make taco meat at home. This recipe works well for weeknights and leftovers.
Why you’ll love this recipe…
This recipe is amazing because it is flavorful without requiring you to sit at the stove. At the end the beef shreds easily, and the sauce builds as it cooks. It is easy to serve and flexible for different meals.
⏰ Total Time: About 7 hours
🍂 Perfect For: Taco night, busy weeknights
🛒 Key Ingredients: Flank steak, lime, tomatoes
🍽️ Servings: 4
🥄 Skill Level: Easy
🧊 Storage: Refrigerator friendly
👉 My Slow Cooker Green Chili Ranch Chicken with Potatoes & Carrots is another hands-off dinner I make on busy days.
Made With Love,
Table of Contents
- What You’ll Need for Crockpot Carne Asada
- Full Ingredients List
- Swaps & Substitutions
- About What This Costs
- How to Make Crockpot Carne Asada
- Crockpot Carne Asada Variations
- Tips and Tricks
- Recipe FAQs – Crockpot Carne Asada
- Serving Suggestions
- Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating
- How I Use the Leftovers
- More Great Slow Cooker Dinners
- Crockpot Carne Asada Recipe
What You’ll Need for Crockpot Carne Asada
- Flank steak: Becomes tender and easy to shred after cooking.
- Diced green chiles: Add mild heat and flavor.
- Fire roasted tomatoes: Build the base of the sauce.
👉 When I want another comforting slow cooker meal, my Slow Cooker Alfredo Tuscan Chicken is a great pick.
Full Ingredients List
- 1 lb flank steak
- 1 can diced green chili peppers
- 14 oz can fire roasted tomatoes
- ½ onion, finely chopped
- Juice of 1 lime
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
🔒 The printable recipe card below includes the full ingredient list and exact amounts — perfect for saving or printing for later.
Swaps & Substitutions
- Use less cayenne if you prefer mild heat.
- Add extra lime juice if you want a brighter flavor.
- Serve the beef sliced instead of shredded if preferred.
About What This Costs
Estimated total cost: $10–13
Servings: 4
Estimated cost per serving: About $2.50–3.25
This estimate is based on average US grocery prices and may vary depending on location, store, and seasonal pricing.
How to Make Crockpot Carne Asada
Step 1: In a small bowl or bag, combine the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
Step 2: Rub the spice mixture evenly over the flank steak.
Step 3: Add the fire roasted tomatoes to the bottom of the slow cooker, followed by the diced green chiles, chopped onion, and lime juice.
Step 4: Place the seasoned flank steak on top of the mixture.
Step 5: Cover and cook on LOW for 7 hours or on HIGH for 4–5 hours.
Step 6: Shred the steak and stir it well into the sauce before serving.
🔒 The step-by-step instructions are also available in the printable recipe card below — don’t forget to save it for later!
Crockpot Carne Asada Variations
- Serve in tortillas, bowls, or over rice.
- Add toppings like shredded lettuce or cheese.
- Use leftovers for burritos or quesadillas.
👉 You are going to love my Slow Cooker Meatless Chili Mac.
My Pro TipS
Tips and Tricks
- Cooking the beef on low gives the best texture.
- Shredding the beef helps it absorb more flavor.
- Fresh lime juice balances the spices.
Recipe FAQs – Crockpot Carne Asada
Yes, cooking on high for 4–5 hours works well.
Flank steak shreds well, but similar cuts can also be used.
Yes, it reheats well and keeps its flavor.
👉 Slow Cooker Shredded Beef is another great pick for meal prepping.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve in tortillas with burrito-style toppings.
- Spoon extra sauce over the meat before serving.
- My Easy Red Beans and Rice is a great side.
Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating
- Fridge: Store leftovers for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze shredded beef for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: Warm gently until heated through.
👉 Slow Cooker High-Protein Chicken & Veggies is yummy dinner for planning ahead.
How I Use the Leftovers
- Make tacos or burrito bowls the next day.
- Use the beef in quesadillas.
- Serve over rice for a quick lunch.
More Great Slow Cooker Dinners
Slow Cooker
Slow Cooker Alfredo Tuscan Chicken
All Recipes
Chicken Noodle Pasta (Slow Cooker)
Meatless
Meatless Chili Mac (Slow Cooker)
Pin this one so it’s ready when you need it.
Crockpot Carne Asada
Ingredients
- 1 lb flank steak
- 1 can diced green chili peppers
- 14 oz can fire roasted tomatoes
- ½ onion, finely chopped
- Juice of 1 lime
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Mix garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
- Rub seasoning into the flank steak.
- Add tomatoes, green chiles, onion, and lime juice to the slow cooker.
- Place steak on top.
- Cook on LOW for 7 hours or HIGH for 4–5 hours.
- Shred steak and stir well before serving.
Notes
- Adjust cayenne for desired heat level.
- Shredding helps the beef absorb more sauce.
- Serve in tortillas or bowls.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I started off a little late in the day so I browned the beef first and then set set everything in the crockpot.. I went a little easy on the cayenne tho.. Served with all the fixings.. Love to find new recipes for the crockpot so a big thank you for this one! This was so yummy!!!!