Crockpot Carne Asada Recipe

Introduction

This Crockpot Carne Asada is a flavorful and tender slow-cooked beef dish perfect for tacos, bowls, or any Mexican-inspired meal. Using a slow cooker makes it incredibly easy to prepare while developing deep, rich flavors. Whether you choose chuck roast or flank steak, the result is deliciously juicy meat with crispy caramelized edges.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs lean beef chuck roast (or flank steak, fully trimmed)
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped
• 2 tbsp fresh orange juice
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 2 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
• 1 tbsp ancho chile powder (or regular chili powder)
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/4 tsp oregano

Instructions

1. Step 1: Make the marinade by combining orange juice, lime juice, soy sauce, ancho chile powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, paprika, and oregano in a small bowl.
2. Step 2: Place the chuck roast or flank steak in the bottom of the slow cooker. Add the chopped onion and garlic on top of the meat.
3. Step 3: Pour the marinade evenly over the meat, onions, and garlic.
4. Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Chuck roast will take closer to 8 hours, while flank steak will be done around 6 hours. The meat should be fork tender and easy to shred.
5. Step 5: Remove the meat from the slow cooker. Use two forks to shred chuck roast, or thinly slice flank steak for larger pieces.
6. Step 6: Preheat your oven or grill to 450°F (230°C). Spread the shredded or sliced beef on a foil-lined baking sheet and drizzle with some of the cooking liquid.
7. Step 7: Cook the beef for 15-20 minutes (7-10 minutes for flank steak) until the edges caramelize and become crispy. Add more cooking liquid if needed during this step.
8. Step 8: Serve the carne asada as tacos, bowls, or your favorite Mexican dish.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, marinate the meat in the spice mixture overnight before cooking.
• Swap chuck roast with flank or skirt steak for a quicker cook time and different texture.
• Add fresh cilantro and diced onions as toppings for a fresh burst of flavor.
• Use the leftover cooking liquid to keep the meat moist when reheating or serving.

Storage

Store leftover carne asada in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm gently in a skillet with a splash of the reserved cooking liquid to keep the meat tender and juicy. You can also freeze cooked meat for up to 3 months and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other cuts of beef for this recipe?

Yes, flank steak, skirt steak, or even brisket can be used. Keep in mind that cooking times may vary, with tougher cuts like chuck roast requiring longer cooking for tenderness.

How do I achieve crispy edges without drying out the meat?

After slow cooking, spreading the shredded meat on a foil-lined baking sheet and drizzling with some cooking liquid before broiling or grilling helps caramelize the edges while keeping the meat moist and flavorful.

Crockpot Carne Asada Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 143 reviews

This Crockpot Carne Asada recipe transforms lean beef chuck roast or flank steak into tender, flavorful meat perfect for tacos or bowls. Marinated with fresh orange and lime juice, soy sauce, and a blend of spices, the meat slow cooks until fork tender and then crisps up in the oven for a delicious caramelized finish.

• Author: Marco
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 7 hours 30 minutes
• Total Time: 7 hours 45 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat

• 2 lbs lean beef chuck roast (or flank steak, fully trimmed)

Marinade & Seasonings

• 2 tbsp fresh orange juice
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 2 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
• 1 tbsp ancho chile powder (or regular chili powder)
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/4 tsp dried oregano

Vegetables

• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped

Instructions

1. Make the marinade. In a small bowl, combine the fresh orange juice, lime juice, low sodium soy sauce, ancho chile powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, paprika, and oregano to create a flavorful spice mixture.
2. Prepare the meat and aromatics. Place the chuck roast or flank steak in the bottom of the slow cooker. Add the chopped onion and garlic on top of the meat.
3. Add the marinade. Pour the prepared marinade evenly over the meat, onions, and garlic in the slow cooker, ensuring the beef is well coated with the spices and juices.
4. Slow cook the beef. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. Chuck roast will take closer to 8 hours to become fork-tender, while flank steak typically needs around 6 hours.
5. Shred or slice the cooked beef. Once tender, remove the beef from the slow cooker and use two forks to shred it. If using flank steak, you have the option to slice it thinly instead for larger pieces.
6. Crisp the edges for texture. Preheat your oven (or grill) to 450°F (230°C). Spread the shredded beef on a baking sheet lined with foil, drizzle with some of the reserved cooking liquid to keep it moist, and roast for 15-20 minutes if using chuck roast, or 7-10 minutes for flank steak, until the edges caramelize and crisp up.
7. Serve and enjoy. Taste the crispy carne asada and add a little extra cooking liquid if desired. Serve it hot as a filling for tacos, bowls, or your favorite Mexican-inspired dishes.

Notes

• Use lean beef chuck roast for the most tender and flavorful results; flank steak works well but may cook a little faster.
• Low sodium soy sauce helps control the salt level but you can adjust seasoning to taste after cooking.
• Allow enough time for slow cooking — the key to tender carne asada is patience.
• If you don’t want to use the oven to crisp the beef, you can also sear shredded meat quickly in a hot skillet for a similar effect.
• Leftover carne asada stores well for up to 3 days refrigerated or can be frozen for longer storage.

Keywords: Crockpot Carne Asada, Slow Cooker Carne Asada, Beef Tacos, Mexican Beef Recipe, Easy Carne Asada