Steak Carnitas Meat in the Crock-Pot
on Jul 03, 2019, Updated Apr 19, 2024
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Smoky and hearty Steak Carnitas Meat in the Crock-Pot is one of the best set-it-and-forget-it meals that’s exquisitely flavored and makes some tender and rich tacos.
Steak Carnitas Meat in the Crock-Pot
What’s better than tacos? There isn’t much that I can think of… Maybe my kids and husband and, on a good day, our new puppy. Right below them on my list of favorite things? Tacos. Obviously. This Crock-Pot recipe will take your taco game to a whole new level, too, so get ready. I could eat these over and over and over again — they just don’t get old.
Perfectly seasoned with some hearty veggies to beef it up (pun intended), these steak carnitas bring some serious flavor to all your favorite Tex-Mex dishes, including tacos (of course), as well as quesadillas, nachos, and big-as-your-face burritos. Plus, this recipe is super-duper flexible. For real — I’ve used this method and spice rub on elk steaks, pork, and lamb, and it goes well on all the things. Just give it a try for yourself to see what I mean!
What’s the difference between barbacoa and carnitas?
Barbacoa comes from the same word as “barbecue,” while carnitas means “little meats.” Barbacoa is often braised meat from a cow head, and carnitas are often made of pork and are fried in their own fat. (Although, my rendition, as you know, uses steak!)
How do you make steak carnitas?
Steak carnitas in the slow cooker are easier than you could imagine. Simply rub the flank steak down with your dry spice rub (recipe below), place it in the Crock-Pot, cover with additional veggies (onion, bell pepper, and jalapeno), and cook on low for 7 or 8 hours. When the time is up, remove the meat from the cooker, and shred in a bowl using two forks. Serve on tortillas for tacos, or on your favorite Tex-Mex meal!
Can you make steak carnitas in the Instant Pot?
You can! You’ll want to be sure to add some beef broth so it doesn’t dry out. Use the “saute” setting for a few minutes before pressure-cooking it for about 30 minutes.
Steak Carnitas Meat in the Crockpot
Ingredients
For the Carnitas:
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin or smoked cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or more to taste
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 pounds flank steak
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 jalapeno, seeded and chopped
Serving Options:
- Corn tortillas
- Shredded lettuce
- Grated cheese
- Tomato
- Sour cream
- Salsa
Instructions
- Mix all of the spices together in a small bowl for the spice rub. Rub the spices into each side of the steak, using all of the mixture.
- Place the spice-rubbed steak in the bottom of the slow cooker. Place the chopped onion, bell pepper, and jalapeno on top of the steak.
- Cook for on low for 7 to 8 hours.
- After the cooking time has lapsed, remove the steak from the Crock-Pot and shred with two forks. Serve immediately, or return to the Crock-Pot for a few hours until you are ready to eat.
- Serve on corn tortillas with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Flank steak is generally a tougher, and therefore cheaper, piece of meat. It’s a great candidate for the Crock-Pot. I have actually used everything from elk steaks to lamb and pork with this recipe, and loved them all. It’s VERY versatile, so use what you have on hand or what’s on sale — if it’s a leaner cut of meat, you may need to add a bit of beef stock at the end to make sure it doesn’t dry out before it’s done cooking.
Nutrition
Complete the meal with some of these sides:
- Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice
- Easy Mexican Black Beans for Tacos
- Homemade Hard Corn Taco Shells
- Cafe Rio Cilantro Lime Rice
- Cafe Rio Black Beans
- Simple Salsa Verde Recipe
- The Best Blender Salsa Ever
- Chunky Fresh Tomato Salsa
- Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing (Great on Tacos)
- Mango Salsa Recipe
This post was originally published in 2012 and has been updated and rephotographed in June 2019.
Smoky and hearty Steak Carnitas Meat in the Crock-Pot is one of the best set-it-and-forget-it meals that’s exquisitely flavored and makes some tender and rich tacos.
Hi Melissa 🙂 Could you use chicken or turkey with these spices do you think? I’m loving your two week summer menu plan! Thank you!
Yes, for sure! I have made it with everything from elk and venison to chicken and pork. It works great! If the meat is on the lean side you might want to add a little chicken stock or something so that it doesn’t dry out while cooking. Enjoy!!!
I’d love to be in on your eat clean group!!! Except I’m about 2 years behind. 🙂 Thanks for your recipes. You are amazing!
LOL, yep, a little late. BUT I’ll probably do another group soon! I’ll let you know if I do. Thank Jessica!
I actually managed to cram my 2 lb. roast into my 2 qt. crock pot! It smells great. My only worry is that it may not be done until late. I started the heat at 1 PM. I turned it up to high at about 4.
So you don’t put any liquid in the crockpot?
The meat makes it’s own juice! If your crock pot says that it needs liquid (they differ) then I’d add a can of diced tomatoes!
This looks great, and I’m totally going to try it, but “carnitas” = pork, so you should probably edit the name of the dish.
Carnitas literally means “little meats”, so steak carnitas are little beef meats! I’m hungry just writing that. Sure they are traditionally pork, but steak is really good too!
since its in the slow cooker could you use a cheap cut roast? Its hard to find flank steak where i live , was thinking maybe eye of round is lean and might work too?
Yes, yes, yes!! I have used all kinds of lamb, beef, and pork roasts with great success! If I think the roast is extra lean that I might add a can of diced tomatoes (with the juice) for a little extra liquid so that it doesn’t dry out or I’ll adjust the cooking time until it is done and tender. I’d for sure make it with whatever you have on hand…. it’s delicious and easy!
I just made this tonight and we all love it. I’ve been looking for a great steak/carnitas recipe for awhile and making it in the slow cooker was almost effortless.
Can you freeze this? If yes before or after you cook?
I think that you could do either… I make it and then freeze the extra already cooked meat to pull out and heat up for a quick dinner! Or you could get it all ready, freeze it, and then dump it in the crockpot on the day you are planning to have tacos. ENJOY!
Do I put and water in the crock pot?
Nope, no low the meat will create it’s own juice! If it’s looking try of you think you want a little you sure can, I also like to add a can of diced tomatoes or salsa if my meat is looking extra lean. Let me know how it turns out! Melissa
Does the meat need to be frozen or thawed out?!
I’ve done it both ways… the spices on the outside sink in more when you start with a thawed piece of meat but if you are short on time I’d still do it frozen. And of course the cooking time is a longer with a frozen piece of meat. Enjoy!