Crockpot Carne Asada Tacos with Cilantro Lime Garlic Sauce…and spicy baked Mexican street fries too. Because loaded tacos are just better. Slow-cooked shredded crispy beef stuffed into warmed tortillas to make the best Mexican street tacos. All made in the slow cooker (along with instant pot and grilling variations). Serve each taco with a creamy cilantro lime garlic sauce, and baked Mexican fries. This fun Mexican fiesta-style dinner comes together easily and is so very delicious. Bonus, the shredded beef is great as a leftover. Pile it high onto your favorite tortilla chips for some delicious nachos or serve it up atop greens for a Mexican inspired salad.

overhead photo of Crockpot Carne Asada Tacos with Cilantro Lime Garlic Sauce

Monday felt like it needed a fun dinner, so taco night it is. But guys, these are not your average tacos. Nope, they’re better, they’re what I’m calling “loaded” carne asada street tacos. They might not be one hundred percent traditional, but they’re fun and delicious.

Perfect for a Monday night…well perfect for any night. But these tacos are sure to livin’ up an average Monday, you know?

With Cinco de Mayo just a week away I wanted to be sure to share a few new Mexican recipes for you all to easily recreate at home. Since many of us are feeling a bit bored at home right now, it’s a great time to have some fun with some Mexican inspired dinners. Something about Mexican food is not only beyond delicious, but always feels fun and anything but fancy, which I kind of love. Tacos are laid back, low key, make yourself a margarita, sip, and eat, kind of food.

And well, right now they’re transporting me to the Mexican sunshine and have me dreaming of a vacation. It’s wonderful…and somewhat torturous at the same time. Soon enough that vacation will happen, but until then, let’s just build up the excitement with Monday night street tacos.

Sound good? Perfect.

pre photo of Carne Asada marinating

The background and the story.

In full disclosure, Carne Asada is always, always a grilled steak taco. So I’m sure many of you might be giving me the side-eye for cooking these up in the slow cooker. But hear me out. For one, it’s not grilling weather up here in the mountains just yet (but I did provide grilling directions). And two? The slow cooker is easy, hands-off, and always leaves me with perfectly tender beef, that shreds nicely.

Just trying to do what’s easiest and what tastes best.

These fun street tacos were inspired by the ever so famous Carne Asada Burrito that’s commonly served up in the San Diego area. My cousin, Abby, who has lived in San Diego for years, loves these burritos. The best part about them? They come “loaded” with grilled carne asada, crema, salsa, cheese, and french fries. Yes, french fries in the burrito.

It’s weird but it’s also genius. So I took that concept, only I created a taco with shredded carne asada, lots of avocado, so much cilantro lime sauce, and fries on top…or on the side, whichever you prefer.

overhead photo of Crockpot Carne Asada meat

Making these Crockpot Carne Asada Tacos is easy, here are the details.

First, pick your cooking method. I used the crockpot, but honestly cooking in the instant pot, or of course grilling, are equally easy and delicious. It all comes down to how much time you have, and or what your preferred cooking method is. So take your pick.

Next, simply combine all of the ingredients. Flank steak, garlic, lots of seasonings, plenty of lime, and a splash of beer. Toss everything together in the bowl of the crockpot and cook until the steak is easily able to shred.

This next step is key. Remove the steak from the sauce, let it rest a bit, then lightly shred it and place it under the broiler. Cooking the steak under the broiler allows the steak to have a chance to caramelize and even become a bit crispy on the edges.

Yes…it’s an extra step, but I do think it’s worth it.

overhead close up photo of Crockpot Carne Asada Tacos with Cilantro Lime Garlic Sauce

While the steak is cooking, get together the toppings.

The fries are simple. Just oven-baked fries seasoned up with chili powder, smoky paprika, and salt. Very simple to make and they come together quickly while the steak is cooking.

For the cilantro lime garlic sauce. It’s a simple mix of plain Greek yogurt (or sour cream), garlic, lots of lime, lots of cilantro, and some green onions too. Not too fancy, but it’s my favorite cooling tangy sauce to serve with a spicy street-style taco.

The rest of the toppings are all up to you. I like to serve with chipotle salsa (my homemade recipe is in the HBH Super Simple Cookbook), lots of lettuce, cilantro, lime, jalapeños, and crumbled salty feta cheese.

These are not a hardcore classic Carne Asada taco, but they are so darn good, and a taco that everyone will love and have fun eating too.

The steak can be slow-cooked all day, then everyone can build their own tacos for dinner. Easy, fun, and all-around good. And of course, if you have the perfect grilling weather, you can grill the streak too. Perfect for the upcoming summer months!

And with that, who else is getting excited for Cinco de Mayo next week? It’s something to look forward to and we all need that these days. Just add your favorite margarita to round out the meal. Plus extra chips, guacamole, and salsa too. Yummmm. Mexican nights are the best. Enjoy.

overhead photo of Crockpot Carne Asada Tacos with Cilantro Lime Garlic Sauce

I’ve made a number of taco recipes over the past few months. If you’re looking for a few other options, give these a try!

Crispy Chipotle Chicken Tacos with Cilantro Lime Ranch

Mushroom Al Pastor Tacos with Garlic Lime Special Sauce

Slow Cooker Braised Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken Tacos

Lastly, if you make these crockpot carne asada tacos with cilantro lime garlic sauce, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

Crockpot Carne Asada Tacos with Cilantro Lime Garlic Sauce | halfbakedharvest.com
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The Recipe

Crockpot Carne Asada Tacos with Cilantro Lime Garlic Sauce

By halfbakedharvest

This fun Mexican fiesta-style dinner comes together easily and is so very delicious.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 454 kcal

Ingredients

Mexican Fries

Cilantro Garlic Lime Crema

  • zest and juice of 1 lime
  • 1-2 cloves garlic, grated
  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
  • 2 green onions, finely chopped
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Crockpot

  1. 1. In the bowl of your slow cooker, combine the steak, garlic, chili powder, onion powder, paprika, pinch of salt, olive oil, lime juice and zest. Rub the seasonings into the steak. Add the beer. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.

    2. Preheat the broiler to high. Remove the steak from the sauce to a baking sheet. Let rest 10 minutes. Lightly shred. Add 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid, then drizzle on the honey. Transfer to the broiler. Broil for 2-5 minutes, until the streak caramelizes. Watch closely! Toss with additional cooking liquid, if desired.

    3. Meanwhile, make the fries. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

    4. Place the potatoes on a large baking sheet and toss with olive oil, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, and a large pinch of salt. Spread the fries in an even layer. Do not overcrowd the pan, if needed, divide the fries between 2 baking sheets. Transfer to the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, then flip and bake for 15 minutes more.

    5. To make the sauce. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix until combined. Season with salt.

    6. Stuff the carne asada into the warmed tortillas. Top as desired with cilantro, lettuce, avocado, fries, cheese, and additional sauce. Enjoy! 

Instant Pot

  1. 1. Cut the steak into 4 pieces. In the bowl of your instant pot, combine the steak, garlic, chili powder, onion powder, paprika, pinch of salt, olive oil, lime juice and zest. Rub the seasonings into the steak. Add the beer. Cover and cook on high pressure/manual for 8 minutes. Once done cooking, use the natural or quick release function and release the steam.

    2. Preheat the broiler to high. Remove the steak from the sauce to a baking sheet. Let rest 10 minutes. Lightly shred. Add 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid, then drizzle on the honey. Transfer to the broiler. Broil for 2-5 minutes, until the streak caramelizes. Watch closely! Toss with additional cooking liquid, if desired.

    3. Follow the directions as directed above for steps 3-6.

Grill

  1. 1. Place the steak in a 9x13 inch pan. Add the garlic, chili powder, onion powder, paprika, pinch of salt, olive oil, lime juice and zest. Rub the seasonings into the steak. Add the beer. Marinate 30 minutes or in the fridge as long as overnight. 

    2. Preheat your grill or grill pan to high. 

    3. Remove the steak from its marinade and sear the steak for 5-8 minutes, flip and sear another 5 minutes or until your desired doneness is reached. Remove the steak from the grill and allow to rest 10 minutes. Slice steak thinly against the grain.

    4. Follow the directions as directed above for steps 3-6.

overhead photo of Crockpot Carne Asada Tacos with Cilantro Lime Garlic Sauce