Homemade Carne Asada Con Chile Verde (Slow Cooker Recipe)

🔥 “This dish disappeared faster than I could serve it! The tender beef in tangy green chile sauce is absolutely addictive.”
This authentic Carne Asada Con Chile Verde features melt-in-your-mouth beef simmered in a homemade tomatillo salsa with peppers, onions, and spices. Perfect for taco nights, burrito bowls, or family fiestas!
Why This Recipe Works
✅ Restaurant-quality at home – Better than takeout!
✅ Slow cooker magic – Tender beef with minimal effort.
✅ Double-duty salsa – Use it as a marinade or dip!
✅ Freezer-friendly – Make a big batch for easy meals.
Ingredients
For the Carne Asada:
- 3 lbs beef butt (or chuck roast), cubed (keep some fat!)
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp lemon pepper
- ¼ tsp ground oregano
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 cups Salsa Verde (recipe below)
- ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- 2 (4 oz) cans diced green chiles
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
For the Salsa Verde: (Makes ~3 cups)
- 12 tomatillos, husked & rinsed
- 4 garlic cloves
- 2 jalapeños, stemmed (seeds = spicy!)
- 1 serrano pepper, stemmed
- ½ small yellow onion, chopped (reserve other half)
- 2 cups water
- ¼ cup cilantro, finely chopped
- 1 tsp salt
(Serve with: warm tortillas, lime wedges, avocado, cotija cheese!)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Make the Salsa Verde (30 mins)
- In a pot, boil tomatillos, garlic, jalapeños, serrano, and half the onion in 2 cups water until they float (~30 mins).
- Strain, reserving ¾ cup of liquid.
- Blend boiled veggies with remaining onion, cilantro, salt, and reserved liquid until smooth.
2. Sear the Beef (15 mins)
- Season beef cubes with salt, black pepper, lemon pepper, oregano, and garlic.
- Sear in a hot skillet (no oil needed—the fat renders out) for 10 mins until browned.
3. Slow Cook to Perfection (3.5–4 hrs)
- Transfer beef to a slow cooker.
- Add Salsa Verde, cilantro, cumin, green chiles, and onion. Stir well.
- Cover and cook:
- HIGH for 30 mins → then LOW for 3–3.5 hrs (until fork-tender).
Serving Suggestions
🌮 Taco Bar: Serve with warm corn tortillas, diced onions, and lime.
🍚 Bowl Style: Over cilantro-lime rice with black beans.
🥑 Garnish: Fresh avocado, radishes, or crumbled queso fresco.
Pro Tips
🔹 No slow cooker? Braise in a Dutch oven at 300°F for 3 hours.
🔹 Extra depth? Char the tomatillos and peppers before boiling.
🔹 Too spicy? Remove jalapeño seeds or use poblano peppers.
🔹 Meal prep: Freezes beautifully for up to 3 months!
Prep Time: 45 mins | Cook Time: 4 hrs | Total Time: 4 hrs 45 mins
Servings: 8 | Calories: ~320/serving