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    Home » Recipes » Beef » Slow Cooker Ancho Beef Tacos

    Slow Cooker Ancho Beef Tacos

    Last Updated November 9, 2022. Originally Posted November 3, 2017 By Maggie Unzueta

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Slow Cooker Ancho Beef Tacos takes the fuzz out of dinner. It’s flavorful and absolutely delicious Mexican food done in a snap.
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Slow Cooker Ancho Beef Tacos is an easy and yummy recipe that brings flavor to your table. Mexican food has never been better. By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

    Two beef tacos topped with onions and cilantro served on a white plate.

    My friends, working from home has its advantages and disadvantages. There are days when I don’t leave the house. While that might seem really cool to some of you, (not fighting commuter traffic or gossip at the office), it can sometimes border on the side of weird. The walls don’t talk back, and the people I socialize with (as opposed to my imaginary friends) are in the form of mini thumbnail pics on Facebook. That’s why each week, the hubs and I pack up our stuff and catch a ferry across the Bay to downtown San Diego to work. It’s a great way to get out of the house, dodge a few speedboats and see people in real life. On those days, I usually stick something into the slow cooker and return home to the magical smells of this wonderful kitchen invention. On one of my last trips off Coronado Island, I made Slow Cooker Ancho Beef Tacos.

    Hand holding a dried ancho chile over a bag of more chiles.


    Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
    To make the sauce, you need to reconstitute dried ancho chiles.

    Think of this as similar to bringing grapes back to life from raisins – only spicier and not so sweet. This is done by cutting the stems off with Kitchen Scissors, then slicing them lengthwise, and removing the veins and the seeds inside.

    Then, in a handy dandy stockpot, add water and the cleaned chiles. Bring them to a boil. Turn off the heat, and let sit for 10 minutes.

    Beef and sauce cooking in a slow cooker.

    To the bottom of the slow cooker, add the sauce. I added strips of skirt steak without chopping into pieces. Once it is cooked, the meat will be very tender, and you will be able to shred with a fork. It’ll get totally forked. 😉 However, you can use chopped stew meat, even a cut up beef roast. Don’t forget to carefully turn to coat the meat.

    Cooked beef in an ancho sauce and in a slow cooker.

    Last but not least, heat up a dozen corn tortillas and serve with lime wedges (the only acceptable wedgie in our house). Slow Cooker Ancho Beef Tacos are delicious and full of flavor. Top with fresh, diced onions and cilantro. Reserve a small portion for your own future snack. Hope you enjoy!

    A hand holding a beef ancho taco over more tacos.

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    Two beef tacos topped with onions and cilantro served on a white plate.

    Slow Cooker Ancho Beef Tacos

    Slow Cooker Ancho Beef Tacos takes the fuzz out of dinner. It’s flavorful and absolutely delicious Mexican food done in a snap.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dinner
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 4 hours
    Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 493kcal
    Author: Maggie Unzueta

    Ingredients

    • 5 chile ancho stems and seeds removed
    • Water
    • 1 1/2 cup beef broth divided
    • 3 Garlic cloves
    • 1/2 teaspoon whole oregano
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
    • 2 large roma tomato quartered
    • 1/2 white onion rough chopped
    • Salt
    • Pepper
    • 2 jalapeños or serrano peppers finely diced
    • 1 ½ pounds beef skirt steak or flank steak
    • 10 Corn Tortillas
    • Cilantro chopped (optional)
    • White onion diced (optional)
    • Lime wedges optional

    Instructions

    • Add chile ancho and water to a large stockpot.
    • Bring to a boil.
    • Turn off heat, and let sit for 5 minutes.
    • Discard water.
    • Transfer rehydrated chile to a blender.
    • To the blender, also add ½ cup beef broth, garlic, oregano, cumin, tomatoes, onion, salt, and pepper.
    • Blend until smooth.
    • Taste for salt.
    • Pour chile ancho sauce, remaining beef broth, and jalapeños to the bottom of the slow cooker.
    • Stir to combine.
    • Add beef to the slow cooker.
    • Carefully turn to coat the beef on all sides.
    • Set slow cooker on high for 4 hours or on low for 6 hours.
    • Warm tortillas.
    • Top tortillas with the cooked ancho beef, cilantro, raw diced onions, and drizzle with lime juice.
    • Enjoy!

    Notes

    Top tortillas with the cooked ancho beef, cilantro, raw diced onions, and drizzle with lime juice.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 493kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 347mg | Potassium: 1045mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 7948IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 82mg | Iron: 5mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @MamaMaggiesKitchen or tag #MamaMaggiesKitchen!

    Slow Cooker Ancho Beef Tacos is an easy and yummy recipe that brings flavor to your table. Mexican food has never been better. By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

    Filed Under: Beef

    About Maggie Unzueta

    Maggie Unzueta is the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer, videographer, and creator of In Mama Maggie's Kitchen. She has been developing easy and authentic Mexican food, Mexican-inspired recipes, and traveling tips since 2010. From family recipes to her extensive travels throughout Mexico, she brings traditional Mexican flavors from South of the Border and into your kitchen. Maggie has been featured in notable culinary websites and other media outlets. For more details, check out her About page.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. JUAN CARLOS

      November 8, 2017 at 6:39 am

      5 stars
      MAGNIFICA RECETA¡¡¡¡¡ YO AGREGARÍA UNOS TROCITOS DE PIÑA A LA COCCIÓN PARA MEJORAR EL SABOR.

      GRACIAS SALUDOS A TODOS

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        November 8, 2017 at 9:16 am

        La piña le da un toque muy sabroso. Gracias y provecho!

        Reply
    2. Kristen Onate

      July 11, 2021 at 6:26 pm

      So my husband is Mexican and I’ve been really wanting to find some easier recipes to start cooking to keep the culture in the family and this sounds perfect and easy enough! Can’t wait to try it!!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        July 19, 2021 at 2:21 pm

        Your husband is going to love this recipe. Super tasty!

        Reply

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