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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Course: Main

Cuisine: Mexican

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

FAQs

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

Grease the grates of your grill with oil. 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.

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.

Do you cut carne asada before or after cooking? ›

  1. It depends on what result you want, but the usual answer is "after."
  2. Cutting meat is all about the tradeoff between browning on the outside and tenderness on the inside. ...
  3. Carne asada in particular is usually made with thin pieces of skirt steak, which is a cut of meat that gets jaw-numbingly chewy if it's overcooked.
May 21, 2015

How many pounds of meat do I need for carne asada? ›

How Much Carne Asada per Person? You'll need approximately ½ pound of meat per person served, although your guests can easily eat more if the carne asada is the star of the show and not a topping or addition to a more filling meal.

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.

Does liquid need to cover meat in slow cooker? ›

There is no need to cover the meat in liquid when cooking with a slow cooker, you only need enough liquid to cover the base of the slow cooker as the meat and vegetables will release liquid as they cook.

What happens if you don't put liquid in a slow cooker? ›

Not adding enough liquid can lead to burning.

If you're planning on allowing your meal to simmer for several hours, be sure you monitor the level of liquid you use. "Liquid will evaporate during the slow-cooking process," Leung said. "It's important to add enough liquid to ensure the bottom of your dish doesn't burn."

Is 4 hours on high the same as 8 hours on low in a slow cooker? ›

The difference between "High" and "Low" on slow cookers seems to differ with every brand and model. One thing that is consistent, though, is that food takes seven to eight hours to reach a simmer point (around 210°) on low; versus three to four hours on high.

What is the secret ingredient to tenderize meat? ›

Less than a teaspoon of baking soda ensures that your steak remains juicy and tender—even after a speedy marinade. While other recipes demand hours of marinating, this baking soda hack makes a flank steak or any other fibrous cut of beef ready to sear after just an hour.

Why is my carne asada tough? ›

Even though this is a simple steak to cook, many people get it wrong because it is easy to overcook, can be tough when cooked and sliced wrong, and don't know the concept of slicing against the grain on a bias.

What is the best meat for carne asada? ›

The BEST cuts for the Mexican version of the dish we all know and love are either skirt steak or flank steak. Personally, I prefer skirt steak (pictured). It's more tender and flavourful than flank and can be cooked well done (for those who prefer well) without getting tough and chewy.

What is carne asada marinade made of? ›

What Is Carne Asada Marinade? Orange juice, lemon juice, and lime juice add fruity flavor to this marinade. Soy sauce lends a rich, savory flavor to the steak. This marinade includes cilantro, garlic, chili powder, cumin, paprika, pepper, and oregano.

What is served with carne asada? ›

Guacamole, rice, corn, chips and salsa are all great sides to serve with Carne Asada Tacos. Here are a few of my favorite Mexican side dishes to try! Grilled Stuffed Peppers – toss these on the grill, right alongside the carne asada. They're so easy to make & always a crowd pleaser!

Can you marinate carne asada for too long? ›

Don't marinate much longer than 12 hours or the muscle fibers can break down and become mushy. Marinate long enough. I recommend marinating the carne asada for the maximum 12 hours. This will infuse the steak with TONS of flavor and optimal juiciness.

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 do you make carne asada less tough? ›

I used flat-iron steak as it has more marbling (fat that keeps the meat moist and flavorful). The key to getting these cuts of meat tender and juicy is: a long marination time, not cooking it above medium-rare (even medium), and slicing it thinly against the grain.

Is carne asada cooked rare? ›

I generally advocate using a thermometer, and, if you've got one, the very center of this steak should register 110°F (43°C) or so when you pull it off (carryover cooking will bring it up to a medium-rare 125 to 130°F/52 to 54°C).

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