Slow Cooker Carne Asada Recipe - 10 Minute Prep! (2024)

Everything you love about carne asada made easier with a crockpot! ThisSlow Cooker Carne Asada is so tender, juicy, full of flavor, and topped with the best, homemade pico de gallo.

This Slow Cooker Carne Asada Recipe is one of our mostpopular recipes (originally posted March 18, 2016), so I’ve updated it to include a how-to video! Enjoy!

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  • What cut of beef to use
  • What spices to use
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If you love slow cooker carne asada, you’ll also love: slow cooker enchilada soup, slow cooker enchilada quinoa, crockpot mexican chicken, and slow cooker carnitas.

I’ve made this recipe TWICE in the last two weeks. That’s how much I love thisSlow Cooker Carne Asada Recipe.♡

You guys have heard of Taco Tuesday, right?

Well, Trevor and I never actually remember to partake in Taco Tuesday ON Tuesday, so now we just call it Taco Night any time we have something that resembles a taco for dinner.

We started doing this a few weeks ago and what started out as ONE Taco Night. . . turned into two Taco Nights. . . then three. . . then. . .

Slow Cooker Carne Asada Recipe - 10 Minute Prep! (2)

You get the idea. We’ve been having lots of Taco Nights, but you guys, the thing is, how can you NOT have Taco Night when things like thisSlow Cooker Carne Asada exist?!

While it might not be 100% authentic (um I’m pretty sure carne asada isn’t typically cooked in a crockpot 😉 ), the flavors are totally spot on, it’s crazy quick and easy to throw together, the steak getsridiculously juicy and wonderful in the crockpot, and helloooo it’s a pretty darn healthy, well rounded meal!

Add that with corn tortillas + cotija (or lets be real, I just used crumble feta) + the BEST freshpico de gallo and you’ll be having Taco Night e.v.e.r.y. night.

Slow Cooker Carne Asada Recipe - 10 Minute Prep! (3)

You guys know that I’m typically not a steak eater. If I had to chose between a chicken breast and a burger, I’d pick the chicken breast 9 times outta 10.

Especially when I go out for Mexican food, hold the steak, and give me all those chicken nachos, chicken enchiladas, and chicken fajitas.

That being said, I can’t get enough of thisjuicy, steak-y Slow Cooker Carne Asada.

It all starts with beef and a flavor bomb spice rub.

What cut of beef is used for carne asada?

Today, we’re using flank steak. It’s affordable, it’s delicious, and it gets super tender in the crockpot.

Win. Win. Win!

What spices are in carne asada?

  • Smoked paprika
  • Cumin
  • Chili powder
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Onion powder
  • Garlic powder
  • Dried Oregano

The spices gets whisked together with olive oil and then gets rubbed on the flank steak.

THEN, the spice rubbed steak cooks low and slow in the crockpot with freshly squeezed orange juice, lime juice, lemon juice, soy sauce (trust me), and vinegar.

How long does it take to cook carne asada?

6 hours! And you’ll come home to the most fabulous smelling kitchen and the most tender carne asada.

Plus, bonus, you making the spice rub, and juicing a few citrus fruits literally takes less than 10 minutes, so BOOM! You had dinner ready in less than 15 minutes!

Now, there are definitely two stars in this recipe: the steak (obvi) and the pico de gallo.

Slow Cooker Carne Asada Recipe - 10 Minute Prep! (4)Whatever you do, do NOT skip making your own pico de gallo. It’s SO easy and ohmygosh it adds so much texture and brightness to the steak.That’s. It.

Ridiculously juicy, perfectly spiced, amazing Slow Cooker Carne Asada✔️

Fresh, bright Pico de Gallo✔️

Now all that’s left is the assembly!

I love this with corn tortillas and a little sprinkle of cotija(orcrumbled feta if you’re keepin it real 😉 ), but the carne asada also makes for some fantastic hard shell tacos and quesadillas (with pepperjack cheese, of course). It’s up to you!

However you decide to serve this, thisSlow Cooker Carne Asada is so quick and easy to make, full of flavor, and is topped with the best, freshest pico de gallo!

Oh. And be warned, these are j.u.i.c.y. so this isn’t a great “first date” meal, unless you don’t mind juice running down your chin. 😉

Slow Cooker Carne Asada Recipe - 10 Minute Prep! (5)Happy Taco Night!

– Jennifer

What’s your favorite dish that you’d like me to turn into a crockpot dish? Show me the yummy!

Slow Cooker Carne Asada Recipe - 10 Minute Prep! (6)

Slow Cooker Carne Asada Recipe

4.97 from 184 votes

Everything you love about carne asada made easier with a crockpot! This Slow Cooker Carne Asada is so juicy, tender, and topped w/ the best pico de gallo!

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 6 hours

Yield: 4 people

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Equipment for this recipe

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Ingredients

Carne Asada

  • 2 pounds flank steak
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt more to less to taste (I use about 1 teaspoon)
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice about 1 orange
  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice about 1 lime
  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice about 1 lemon
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce or gluten free alternative
  • 2 tablespoons white vinegar

Optional Additions

  • pico de gallo
  • corn tortillas
  • avocado
  • Cotija or crumbled feta

Recipe Video

Instructions

Carne Asada

  • In a small bowl, whisk together spices, then stir in the oil.

  • Rub half the spice mixture on one side of the flank steak.

  • Flip over and rub the rest of the spice mixture on the other side.

  • Whisk together the orange juice, lime juice, lemon juice, soy sauce, and vinegar.

  • Grease a crockpot and pour in half of the juice mixture.

  • Place the steak in the crockpot and pour the rest of the juice over the top.

  • Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours.

  • Once cooked, remove steak from crockpot and let sit for 5-10 minutes.

  • Using a serrated knife, thinly slice the steak against the grain.

  • Gently place steak back in crockpot and mix with juices.

  • Serve with corn tortillas, pico de gallo, avocado, and cotija!

  • Take 5 seconds to rate this recipe below. We greatly appreciate it!

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STORING

Room Temp:N/A

Refrigerator:3-4 Days

Freezer:3 Months

Reheat:Stovetop or microwave until warm.

*Storage times may vary based on temperature and conditions

Notes

*If you're gluten free, be sure to use a GF soy sauce or tamari instead!

Nutritional information does not include optional toppings or tortillas.

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Nutrition Information

Nutrition Facts

Slow Cooker Carne Asada Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 407 Calories from Fat 162

% Daily Value*

Fat 18g28%

Saturated Fat 5g31%

Cholesterol 136mg45%

Sodium 1232mg54%

Potassium 907mg26%

Carbohydrates 6g2%

Sugar 2g2%

Protein 50g100%

Vitamin A 425IU9%

Vitamin C 18.2mg22%

Calcium 63mg6%

Iron 4.6mg26%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

*Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on products used.

Keywords: carne asada crockpot style, crockpot carne asada

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Tag @showmetheyummy on Instagram and hashtag it #showmetheyummy

Course: Main

Cuisine: Mexican

Slow Cooker Carne Asada Recipe - 10 Minute Prep! (2024)

FAQs

How long does carne asada need to be cooked for? ›

And then place the carne asada on the grill. Close the grill's lid and cook on each side for about 3 to 4 minutes, for medium-rare. If you want medium, I would go for 4-5 minutes per side. Remove from the grill and rest the meat for 10 minutes before slicing into it.

How much liquid do you put in slow cooked meat? ›

How much liquid do I add? Water or liquid is necessary to create steam. When cooking meat or poultry, the water or liquid level should cover the ingredients to ensure effective heat transfer throughout the crock. Some manufacturers of slow cookers recommend adding liquid to fill the stoneware 1/2 to 3/4 full.

What is the secret to slow cooking meat? ›

So you should roast at as low a temperature as you have the time for, and make sure that the internal temperature of the meat never gets above 60°C (140°F). Then it will be perfect every time. This means that you can actually get the best red meat by cooking it at a little below 60°C (140°F) for many hours.

Do you cut carne asada before or after cooking? ›

After the carne asada is grilled, it is important that you let it rest 10 minutes before thinly slicing against the grain on a diagonal.

How do you know when carne asada is fully cooked? ›

4 Most Important Carne Asada Temperature Tips:
  1. Cook quickly over high heat.
  2. Use a Thermapen® to spot-check temperatures.
  3. Pull at 125°F (52°C) for medium-rare doneness. Skirt steak is best-served medium-rare or medium (pull at 130°F [54°C] for medium doneness)
  4. Rest for 5 minutes before slicing thinly against the grain.
May 9, 2017

How do you know when Asada is done? ›

Cook to a minimum internal temperature of 145°F as measured with a food thermometer. Remove from skillet and place on cutting board, cover loosely with foil and allow the Carne Asada to rest for a minimum of 3 minutes. Slice against the grain for maximum tenderness.

What happens if there is not enough liquid in a slow cooker? ›

Not adding enough liquid can lead to burning.

"It's important to add enough liquid to ensure the bottom of your dish doesn't burn." If your meal does burn, the chef said to avoid scraping the bottom of the pot while stirring and serving because it can give the entire dish a burnt flavor.

Should liquid always cover meat in slow cooker? ›

To keep a pot roast from drying out, your slow cooker needs liquid to create a moist environment, and that can include meat or vegetable stock, wine or water. This doesn't mean the meat should be submerged; a cup or two of liquid will be enough, since the cooker is covered and liquids stay trapped inside.

Does meat need to be covered in liquid in a slow cooker? ›

Because your slow cooker will have a tightly sealed lid, the liquid won't evaporate so if you're adapting a standard recipe, it's best to reduce the liquid by roughly a third. It should just cover the meat and vegetables.

Why can't you put raw meat in a slow cooker? ›

If you simply pop some raw meat in your slow cooker, it won't have a chance to brown, which adds some much-needed flavor and cuts down on plenty of unappealing grease. Instead, you're better served by browning raw meat in a skillet before adding it to the slow cooker with your other ingredients.

Do I need to sear beef before putting in a slow cooker? ›

Searing meat before slow cooking adds flavor through caramelization, but it's not mandatory. If you skip searing, you might miss some depth of flavor, but the slow cooker will still cook the meat thoroughly.

Is it better to slow cook meat on low or high? ›

Foods take different times to cook depending upon the setting used. Certainly, foods will cook faster on high than on low. However, for all-day cooking or for less-tender cuts, you may want to use the low setting.

Why is my carne asada so tough? ›

Your steak is chewy and tough most likely because the cut of steak was not tender to begin with. Another reason your steak is chewy and tough could be that you overcooked or undercooked the steak. Your steak could also be chewy and tough because you didn't let it rest long enough after cooking it.

What do you eat with carne asada? ›

Carne asada is often served with salads, including Russian-style potato salad. In Nicaragua, Chimichurri is also a popular condiment, where carne asada is usually served with red beans and rice called gallo pinto, sweet plantains and cabbage salad.

How long should you grill carne asada? ›

Add your steak to the grill and cook for 7-8 minutes per side or until it reaches 120F internal for medium rare. Once done, pull the steak off the grill and let rest for 10 minutes.

Can carne asada be a little pink? ›

Sear for 3 to 5 minutes per side (charred on the outside but still pink on the inside, especially with flank steak). If you want to use a meat thermometer: Pull the meat off the grill at 115-120°F for rare, 125°F for medium rare and 140°F for medium.

How often should you flip carne asada? ›

Grilling at high temperatures

Cook for 2 1/2 minutes and flip. Cook for another 2 1/2 minutes and flip again. Continue to repeat this until 125ºF-130ºF internal temperature has been reached (for medium-rare), about a total of 10 minutes. Cook for longer if you prefer a more done steak.

How hot to grill carne asada? ›

Preheat your grill to 450°F. Season flank steak on both sides with salt and pepper. Place the steak onto hot grill grates and cook until the internal temperature reaches 145°F on an <a href="https://www.charbroil.com/instant-read-digital-thermometer-4867720">instant-read thermometer</a>, 3 to 5 minutes per side.

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