Slow Cooker Steak Tacos
Easy slow cooker steak tacos recipe, homemade with simple ingredients. Loaded with tender beef strips, chili powder, garlic, lime juice, peppers, onions.
We are always in the mood for tacos in our home, and this recipe makes them so easily accessible. I can prep them before the work day, and then come dinner time, everything is ready to go. This Slow Cooker Barbacoa Beef is another delicious option and these Slow Cooker Refried Beans would complete either meal perfectly.
How To Make Slow Cooker Steak Tacos Recipe From Scratch?
- Brown meat– Until no longer pink.
- Drain grease– But only half of it.
- Transfer remaining grease and browned meat- To the slow cooker.
- Make cornstarch slurry– And pour into the crockpot.
- Add remaining ingredients– This includes diced tomatoes, onions, chili powder, cumin powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper.
- Mix– Until combined.
- Cover- And cook.
- Add green peppers and lime juice– Near the end.
- Garnish– With cilantro
- Enjoy! Serve in tortillas with toppings.
What Sides To Serve With Skirt Steak/ Flank Steak Tacos?
Corn in just about any form is a great side with tacos such as corn salsa, corn on the cob, Mexican street corn, corn casserole, or this Slow Cooker Creamed Corn.
Serve rice like cilantro lime rice, white rice, brown rice, Mexican rice, or whatever your favorite rice may be. You can use it inside or alongside the tacos.
Chips and dip such as salsa or guacamole are perfect companions as well.
Steak Taco Marinade/ Seasoning
The ingredients for the steak seasoning are listed below, and these seasoning can be turned into a marinade by mixing in some oil, vinegar, lemon juice, and lime juice until it’s a thick paste.
- 1 tbsp Chili powder
- 1 tsp Cumin powder
- 2 tsp Garlic powder
- 1 tsp Onion powder
- Salt, To taste
- Pepper, To taste
What Is The Best Steak For Tacos? What Kind Of Steak Do Mexican Restaurants Use?
Mexican restaurants, while they vary, usually use of these types of meat:
- Sirolin beef
- Ribeye steak
- Flank steak
- Skirt steak
How Do You Make Steak Tender?
Using a marinade that contains acid is a great way to tenderize the beef. Also, cooking it low and slow in the slow cooker is another great method for creating tender steak.
Variations For Mexican Beef
Add herbs and seasoning– Such as parsley, Mexican Oregano, cilantro, or ancho chile powder.
Topping options– Lettuce, guacamole, pico de gallo salsa, corn salsa, cilantro, sour cream, shredded cheese.
Mix in some white wine– For another layer of flavor.
Add orange juice– For a subtle citrus flavor.
Make it a salad– Serve the beef over a salad instead of tortillas.
Make it a pasta– Serve it over your favorite pasta such as rotini, spaghetti, shells, fettuccine, etc.
Add it to soups– Add the leftovers to your favorite tomato or broth-based soup for a Mexican twist.
Use as a topping- On flatbread or pizzas.
Use it in a wrap– Create a Mexican beef wrap and add lettuce, tomato slices, and rice if you like.
Tips And Techniques For Street Tacos
Use unsalted butter and low sodium broth– To prevent the meat from becoming too salty.
Do I have to brown the meat? Yes, do not skip this step. It helps to create a nice texture on the outside and helps retain the juices inside the meat. It also allows meat to get really tender in the slow cooker since it is already partially cooked.
Drain half the grease– Because this prevents the meat from being too oily and the seasoning from being diluted in flavor.
Whisk the broth and cornstarch separately– Because this prevents the cornstarch from clumping on the meat.
What size crockpot to use? Use a 6 quart or larger so that the meat has enough space to cook properly.
What setting to cook the taco beef on? Cook on high heat for 2 hours and 30 minutes, and then again on high heat for 1 hour after adding the green peppers.
Adjust amount of seasoning– Use more or less whatever herbs and seasonings you like or dislike.
Don’t add green peppers in the beginning– Because they will become over-cooked and start disintegrating.
Storage
Refrigerate– In a sealed container for up to 3 days.
Freeze– In a freezer safe bag or container for up to 1 month.
Reheat– From thawed, in the microwave or on the stovetop.
More Slow Cooker Beef Recipes
- Slow Cooker Roast Beef
- Slow Cooker Beef Stew
- Slow Cooker Pot Roast
- Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwich
- Slow Cooker Mississippi Pot Roast
Slow Cooker Steak Tacos
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp Butter, Unsalted
- 1 tbsp Oil
- 2 pounds Sirolin beef or Ribeye steak or Flank steak or Skirt steak, Cut into thin strips
- 1/2 cup Beef broth, Low sodium
- 1 tbsp Cornstarch
- 1 can Diced tomatoes with green chiles, 14.5 oz. can
- 1 cup Onion, Sliced
- 1 tbsp Chili powder
- 1 tsp Cumin powder
- 2 tsp Garlic powder
- 1 tsp Onion powder
- Salt, To taste
- Pepper, To taste
- 1-2 cups Green peppers, Sliced
- 1-2 tbsp Lime juice
Instructions
- Heat butter and oil in a large nonstick pan over medium-high heat.
- Add beef strips and brown meat and cook until no longer pink.
- Drain half the grease only.
- Transfer this browned meat and remaining grease in a slow cooker (6 quart or larger).
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together broth and cornstarch until mixture is smooth.
- Pour this mixture in the crockpot.
- Add diced tomatoes, onions, chili powder, cumin powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper and mix until combined.
- Cover and cook on High heat 2 hours and 30 minutes.
- Uncover and gently mix in green peppers.
- Cover and cook for on High heat for another 1 hour.
- Uncover and mix in lime juice.
- Garnish with cilantro, if you like.
- Serve in hard or soft tortillas with toppings of your choice. Enjoy!
Notes
- Read all my tips above.
- Leftovers can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheated in the microwave or stovetop.
