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
- Total Time: 7 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: Serves 10 1x
Description
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.
Ingredients
For the Carnitas:
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons cumin or smoked cumin
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, or more to taste
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ 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.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 7 hours
- Category: dinner
- Method: slow cooker
- Cuisine: American, Tex-Mex, Mexican
Keywords: steak, carnitas, tacos, slow cooker, beef, tacos
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
- Mango Salsa Recipe
- Simple Santa Fe Rice with Cilantro and Garlic
- Cafe Rio Black Beans
- Simple Salsa Verde Recipe
- The Best Blender Salsa Ever
- Chunky Fresh Tomato Salsa
- Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing (Great on Tacos)
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.
Clancy
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!
Melissa
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!!!
Jessica Price Adlard
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!
Melissa
LOL, yep, a little late. BUT I'll probably do another group soon! I'll let you know if I do. Thank Jessica!
Mireya Gray
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.
BariBelle
So you don't put any liquid in the crockpot?
Melissa
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!
Talullah
This looks great, and I'm totally going to try it, but "carnitas" = pork, so you should probably edit the name of the dish.
Melissa
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!
Debbie
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?
Melissa
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!
Traci
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.
T ham
Can you freeze this? If yes before or after you cook?
Melissa
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!
Neely
Do I put and water in the crock pot?
Melissa
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
Karli
Does the meat need to be frozen or thawed out?!
Melissa
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!
Marijke
This is such a fabulously delicious recipe!!!! Thanks for sharing and giving me the best idea for making elk!
Melissa
I used so much elk making this recipe... it's really such a great use for it! And I made it for so many people and just never mentioned it was game meat! No one could even tell 🙂 So glad you liked it!
Katie
Did you fry the corn tortillas in this recipe? It looks delicious!
Melissa
Yes ma'am! And my oh my are fried corn tortillas good! Here's the recipe/how to: https://www.blessthismessplease.com/2012/12/homemade-hard-corn-taco-shells.html
katie
Awesome! Thanks! I love this blog btw. I stumbled on it via pintrest and I think i pinned almost every recipe I coukd. I love to cook and everything looks amazing!
Melissa
Thanks so much Katie. Today's my Birthday and you totally just made it great!
Katie
Aww, glad I could do that for you! Happy Birthday! 🙂
Jeni
I have to ask, I cook with my slow cooker all the time and always use liquid. Should there be a liquid, or is it really just the meat and veggies? This looks delicious, but I'm worried about that detail.
Melissa
Great question! That totally depends on your slow-cooker and it's instructions. I've made this at least a dozen more times since posting the recipe and it works great. My crock pot doesn't need all the liquid... and the meat does make some of it's own. I say find your instruction manual online and see what it says, but if it's ok to do, then I know it works! Good luck 🙂
veronica @ diets
This recipe looks delicious. I am always looking for new healthy slow cooker recipes. I have set some goals to eat healthy and workout and creating this plan has really helped me reach my goals. It is about setting goals and sticking to them and there are some great support tools to help you succeed.
Sarah
Hi. What's a crockpot? Is it a cast iron pot that goes into the oven or an electric slow cooker? (I'm from that foreign speaking place- the UK ;)) I am really excited about your 2 week plan. Maybe you could include a shopping list! I know its a cheeky request!
Melissa
An electric slow cooker is what I used in this recipe... do you have access to one?!
TJ
I'm trying this one tonight... but since I'm so late getting started I'm going to put it in my pressure cooker 🙂
Becki
We have been following your 2 week plan for our resolution to eat clean! This is the recipe I'm making today! I love that you use your left-overs for other meals too--thanks for doing the planning for us!
Rob and Marseille
you need to link you taco shells to this page. oh yum I really want to fry up some corn taco shells!
Veronika&George
Ok you've convinced me... I need a crockpot! Yum! Between these and broccoli cheese soup!
Melissa
How did you not get one for your wedding. We got 5, and I'm not even kidding. I should have given you one 🙂
Kiana
Ohhhh! This recipes looks good! I will join you! We try our best to eat whole foods anyway!