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Flank steak that is rubbed in spices and slow cooks with peppers, jalapeño, and onions all day to tender and juicy perfection! This recipe is easy and will become a family favorite!
I made these carnitas when I first started my blog. They were an instant family favorite. But… my photography needed a makeover. Here is the picture before:
I remember trying to take this picture. I had only been blogging for three months! It was in the hallway on the stairs. I didn’t know how to use my camera or turn off the flash! So I covered the flash with my hand and took the picture! ? I think it is safe to say I have come a long way. And learned how to use my camera a little better!
Anyway. Now that you have had a good laugh and realize that anything is possible, let’s talk about these carnitas.
If I am going to make shredded beef it has to be perfect. I don’t want the beef to be dry or chewy. It has to be melt in your mouth tender and full of flavor. That is why I LOVE this recipe!
A flank steak slow cooking all day in a spice rub with a combination of peppers, jalapeño, and onions. The beef creates its on juices while it cooks and is so unbelievably tender. It doesn’t get much better than that!
This recipe is the perfect way to make beef carnitas for your family. You will not believe how amazing the flavor is and it is so tender. This is one of my husbands favorite recipes. In fact, he is devouring two as we speak.
The beef is so flavorful and juicy that it tastes great by itself. You can add minimal toppings to add some fresh flavors like avocado, diced tomatoes, or even some cilantro. These are AMAZING! I know that you are going to LOVE them just as much as our family does. 🙂
Slow Cooker Beef Carnitas Tacos
Flank steak that is rubbed in spices and slow cooks with peppers, jalapeño, and onions all day to tender and juicy perfection! This recipe is easy and will become a family favorite!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 8 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Flank Steak other cuts can be substituted but flank steak is best
- 1 yellow onion chopped
- 1 green bell pepper chopped
- 1 red bell pepper chopped
- 1 seeded jalapeno chopped
Spice Rub:
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp garlic
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
For Serving:
- corn tortillas
- avocado slices
- cilantro
- your favorite salsa
- limes
Instructions
- Mix together all spices in a small bowl. Rub the spices all over your flank steak. Place your steak at the bottom of your crock pot.
- Cover the steak with the chopped onions, bell peppers and jalapeno pepper. Turn heat on LOW and cook for 8 hours.
- After 8 hours, remove meat from crock pot and shred with a fork. It should be incredibly easy to shred. You can either stick the shredded meat back in the pot for another hour or serve as is.
- To serve, heat your corn tortillas in a skillet on the stove. Spoon some carnitas on a tortilla then top with salsa, avocado, cilantro and a squeeze of lime.
Nutrition
Serves: 8
Calories173kcal (9%)Carbohydrates4g (1%)Protein25g (50%)Fat6g (9%)Saturated Fat2g (10%)Cholesterol68mg (23%)Sodium364mg (15%)Potassium482mg (14%)Fiber1g (4%)Sugar2g (2%)Vitamin A763IU (15%)Vitamin C34mg (41%)Calcium33mg (3%)Iron2mg (11%)
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods and portion sizes per household.
Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic
I have made this recipe many times for family and for potluck and always tender and tasty! And so EASY!
Thank you!
I was so excited to try this recipe, and my house spelled delicious as it was cooking. The meat was so tender and fell apart easily. I was so dissapointed when I tried it and it was so bland. I’m not sure what went wrong 🙁
Tried the beef carnitas and they were great everybody loved it will definitely do this again. Thanks leroy
On the slow cooker beef carnivals. It doesn’t need any liquid? Thanks
You are correct! No need to add liquid! It will turn out so juicy and tender every time! Hope you love it! XOXO
I made this recipe for our Mexican Christmas dinner. It was amazing!! Left out peppers and just added all spices to the slow cooker, no rub. it turned out scrumptious….definitely a repeat.
For the garlic, did you use salt or powder? Didn’t know which one to use.
Alyssa probably used garlic powder, or granulated garlic, due to it being a rub.
The recipe already calls for salt.
What if you don’t have a slow cooker. I had one but couldn’t seem to get it to work right for me so I gave it away.I am old and used to doing things on top of stone or in the oven. Any suggestions
Do you need to add any water or broth?
I know this post was made a few years ago but I would like to offer small lesson in the Spanish language.
Carnitas by definition is pork so what you are calling Beef Carnitas you are actually calling Beef Pork. This is actually more along the lines of Barbacoa.
Thanks Shellie, I thought this recipe was great but the carnitas thing bothered me The pictures were great too!!
I made this for our dinner this evening. I only had a one pound shoulder roast beef and I used my rice cooker to make this. It is so flavorful and I skipped on the jalapeños, and it still was amazing. Thank for sharing this recipe. This is a keeper.
I only have 1 pound of flank steak, should I cut the cooking time in half?
If you are using a large slow cooker it may cook it faster, otherwise the cooking time should remain about the same.
Silly question, but what do you do with the peppers, onions and jalapenos?
Do you think brisket (sp) would work ?
Just wondering how many the 2 lbs of steak serves after being shredded?
I would say 6-8 people.. 🙂
I made these and they were soo good!!
I’m having to use a different meat as well and worry that it will stick to the pot. Do you think, had you not added the broth, this would have been the case when you did it?
Trying this recipe this weekend! Looks delish and Mexican is my favorite! Thanks for sharing. Have a wonderful week.
Michelle
Great photo, Alyssa! This recipe sounds really yummy! 🙂
Wow- that sounds very tasty!!
I’d love for you to share it on Wonderful Food Wednesday at http://www.athometake2.com.
thanks for sharing.