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image of Realistic top down mise en place of flank steak beef broth onion garlic lime juice chili powder cumin paprika cilantro salt pepper mini corn tortillas salsa and avocado arranged on a white marble kitchen counter with healthy clear glass bowls and rustic brown wooden kitchen sets under soft diffuse daylight
katya bou

Easy Crock Pot Street Tacos Recipe

This incredibly easy Crock Pot Street Tacos recipe delivers huge flavor with minimal effort, perfect for weeknight dinners with fall-apart tender beef imbued with garlic, cumin, and lime zest.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 380

Ingredients
  

For the Beef
  • 3 lbs flank steak or chuck roast trimmed and cut into 2-inch chunks
For the Spice Blend
  • 1 cup beef broth low sodium
  • 2 limes juice of, plus zest of 1 lime
  • 1 medium yellow onion roughly chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 Tbsp chili powder
  • 1 Tbsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp dried oregano Mexican oregano if available
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
For Serving
  • mini corn tortillas as needed
  • fresh cilantro chopped
  • white or red onion diced
  • cotija cheese crumbled
  • salsa verde
  • avocado sliced

Equipment

  • Slow Cooker
  • cutting board,
  • Mixing bowl
  • Baking sheet
  • skillet,

Method
 

  1. If using a large cut of beef, trim any excessive fat and cut it into robust 2-inch pieces. This allows the meat to easily absorb the cooking liquid and seasonings. Place the beef chunks and the chopped onion and minced garlic directly into the bottom of your slow cooker.
  2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the beef broth, lime juice, lime zest, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. This pre-mixing step ensures the flavors are evenly distributed before they hit the meat.
  3. Pour the spice and broth mixture evenly over the beef and aromatics in the slow cooker. Ensure the meat is mostly submerged. Secure the lid tightly. Cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours, or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours. The goal is for the meat to be easily shredded with two forks, transforming tough cuts into tender bites.
  4. Once the cook time is complete, carefully transfer the beef chunks from the slow cooker to a large cutting board using a slotted spoon. Reserve the cooking liquid (the rich consomé) in the slow cooker. Use two forks to shred the meat completely.
  5. For the ultimate street taco texture, transfer the shredded meat to a baking sheet. Toss the meat with about 1/2 cup of the reserved cooking liquid to keep it moist. Broil on high for 3-5 minutes, until the edges of the beef are slightly caramelized and crispy, mimicking that authentic outdoor cooking experience.
  6. Warm your mini corn tortillas in a dry skillet for 30 seconds per side until pliable and slightly charred, or quickly fry them in a little butter for extra flavor. Fill each tortilla with the slow-cooked beef, then top immediately with fresh cilantro, diced onion, cotija cheese, salsa verde, avocado slices, and a squeeze of lime.

Nutrition

Calories: 380kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 35gFat: 15g

Notes

Pro Tips & Variations: The crisping step is key for authentic texture. For more authentic flavor, replace lime juice/zest with bitter orange juice or a blend of orange juice, lime, and vinegar. Add jalapeño or chipotle for spice. For vegan version, substitute beef with jackfruit or sweet potatoes and black beans, use vegetable broth. Chuck roast is ideal for tenderness. Serving Suggestions: Top with creamy Mexican crema or slaw. Serve with rice, beans, or corn salad. Storage & Reheating: Store shredded beef and liquids separately in fridge for up to 4 days. Freeze with liquid for up to 3 months. Reheat in skillet with broth or microwave. Reheat thawed in crock pot on warm. FAQs: Best cut is chuck roast for tenderness. Chicken can substitute, cook breasts 3 hrs low, thighs 4 hrs. No need to sear. Prevent dryness with fatty cut and enough liquid. For birria, add ancho/guajillo chiles and tomato paste.
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