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Try Slow Cooker Beef Carnitas Recipe for a meal sure to impress. There are tons of options for this delicious beef carnitas recipe that include tacos, burritos, salads and more!

Beef carnitas tacos in a taco stand
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This recipe is a must try and it is super easy to prepare. The beef is so flavorful and absolutely delicious. If you enjoyed our Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas Recipe. You are going to go crazy over this recipe for crispy beef carnitas.

Your house will smell amazing as the beef recipe is cooked to perfection.  The meat is so tender with just the perfect amount of crispiness on the outside. We love to serve it on tortillas and everyone loves this easy meal! 

Why This Recipe Works

Beef Carnitas takes the guess work out of dinner. This is a great recipe to meal prep with as it can be used with many different recipes. The meat is full of flavor and cooks tender.

If you are looking for the perfect recipe to feed a crowd, make this budget friendly recipe.

Ingredients

Ingredients needed - roast, beef broth, apple cider vinegar, white onion, minced garlic, cumin, pepper, salt, chili powder, fresh limes
  • Roast
  • Beef Broth
  • Apple Cider Vinegar
  • White Onion
  • Minced Garlic
  • Cumin
  • Black Pepper
  • Salt
  • Chili Powder
  • Fresh Limes

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.

Variations Ideas

Feel free to add in fresh herbs or change the seasoning in this recipe. You can add in tsp of paprika or oregano.

  • Use Different Seasoning – For added flavor, mix in some onion powder or garlic powder. Bell Peppers would also be great in this recipe.
  • Change the Meat – You can use pork or chicken with this recipe. Pork and Chicken shred very easily and can be also be used in many different ways.

How to Make Beef Carnitas in a Crock Pot:

  • Step 1 – Add Roast to Slow Cooker – Place the roast in the slow cooker. I used a 6 quart crock pot.
  • Step 2 – Top the roast with ingredients – Place the rest of the ingredients on top. I like to mix in the spice mixture in a small bowl then add the spice rub over the roast.
Adding the ingredients to the slow cooker
  • Step 3 – Cook Roast – Cover and cook on low for 10 hours until the beef is able to shred. Cooking time will vary.
  • Step 4 – Shred the beef – Once the roast is cooked, shred the meat.
  • Step 5 – Heat the Oven – Preheat the broiler.
  • Step 6 – Add beef to cookie sheet – Place the beef on a foil covered cookie sheet.
  • Step 7 – Broil the beef – Broil for 10 minutes or until the beef begins to brown and gets crispy.
  • Step 8 – Serve and Enjoy – Serve on corn tortillas with a slotted spoon and with your favorite taco toppings.

Recipe Tips

  • Squeeze Fresh Lime – use this to squeeze my limes.  It makes it so easy and we use it for lots of recipes. We use it for all sorts of recipes and it save a ton of time. We love fresh lime juice so it gets lots of use.
  • Boil Meat – To get that crispy edges on the meal, we like to broil the meat.
  • Shredding Meat – You can easily shred the beef with two fork. You can also shred meat with a stand mixer.

How to Make Crispy Mexican Beef Carnitas

If you are wondering how you will get that crispiness on the outside. It is simple and only takes a few minutes.

Once the meat is ready, shred it and put under the broiler for just a few minutes. The beef will get brown and crispy and be perfect.

Beef Carnitas in the slow cooker

What Size Slow Cooker to Use?

We used a 6 quart slow cooker. I do not recommend anything smaller than that, but you can use an 8 quart slow cooker as well. See Best Slow Cookers.

Serving Suggestions

Keep it simple with easy sides like beans and rice.

Topping ideas

How to Use Leftovers

The ideas are endless with this delicious beef. I love that the kids think they are eating a new meal when really it is the same shredded beef. I actually hope we have leftovers so I can turn this meat into more wonderful meals.

These are favorite ways to use this Shredded Beef:

  • Make Sandwiches – Mix the shredded beef with some BBQ sauce for a completely different meal idea.
  • Burritos – Wrap the shredded beef in a tortilla topped with refried beans and cheese. This is my kids favorite way to eat the beef and a quick dinner idea.
  • Salads – Shred the beef to top on your favorite taco salad.
  • Bake Potato – Shredded beef on your bake potatoes makes an amazing meal idea.
  • Serve over Rice – This beef carnitas are great served over white rice, brown rice or even cauliflower rice.
Beef carnitas tacos in a taco stand

How to Freeze

Yes, you freeze your leftover Steak Carnitas or uncooked beef carnitas. If you like to meal plan like I do. I like to double the batch and freeze the ingredients in a freezer bag.

I usually do this with my uncooked beef. So I can take the freezer bag and place in the slow cooker when I am ready to prepare.

You can also freeze the leftover beef with the juices. When you are ready to thaw and reheat, place in the slow cooker again.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of Roast to use Beef Carnitas:

When we make beef carnitas we like to use chuck roast. Cooking the roast in the slow cooker makes tender, juicy and full of flavor. Chuck Roast has a nice fat marbling which makes it very tender.
Another option would be to slow cook a flank steak or pork shoulder.

How to Reheat Crockpot Beef Carnitas?

You easily put your beef carnitas slow cooker recipe in the microwave or reheat in a cast-iron skillet. Reheat leftovers over medium high heat.

Can I make this recipe in the instant pot?

Yes, you can make beef carnitas in the instant pot. This is a easy way to cook your favorite carnitas recipe.

Can I use Homemade Taco Seasoning?

Yes, if you prefer you can substitute the seasoning listed with a packet taco seasoning or make your own.

Can I double the Recipe?

Yes, if you have a large enough slow cooker, this is a great recipe to double. If we are feeding a large crowd, this meat is perfect to double.

More Easy Slow Cooker Beef Recipes

More Taco Night Ideas

Let us know if you make this slow cooker beef carnitas recipe by leaving us a comment. We love hearing from you.

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Slow Cooker Beef Carnitas

5 from 17 votes
Try Slow Cooker Beef Carnitas Recipe for a meal sure to impress. There are tons of options for this easy beef carnitas recipe from tacos. salads and more.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 hours
Broil 10 minutes
Total Time 10 hours 20 minutes
Servings 6
Cuisine Mexican
Course Main Course
Calories 570

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place the roast in the slow cooker. I used a 6 quart crock pot.
  • Place the remaining ingredients on top.
  • Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until the beef is shreddable.
  • Shred the beef.
  • Preheat the broiler.
  • Place the beef on a foil covered cookie sheet.
  • Broil for 10 minutes or until the beef begins to brown and gets crispy.
  • Serve on tortillas and with your favorite taco toppings. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Refrigerate the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.  

Nutrition Facts

Calories 570kcal, Carbohydrates 5g, Protein 59g, Fat 35g, Saturated Fat 15g, Polyunsaturated Fat 3g, Monounsaturated Fat 18g, Trans Fat 2g, Cholesterol 209mg, Sodium 795mg, Potassium 1117mg, Fiber 1g, Sugar 1g, Vitamin A 259IU, Vitamin C 8mg, Calcium 79mg, Iron 7mg

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

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  1. Yes, I would cook this on high pressure for 90 minutes in the instant pot with a quick release. Thank you!