Slow Cooker Carne Asada Taco Boats: Your Ultimate Guide to Flavorful & Easy Weeknight Meals with Old El Paso
As the leaves begin to turn and the back-to-school rush takes full swing, finding delicious, family-friendly dinner solutions that don’t monopolize your evening can feel like a quest for the holy grail. Enter the slow cooker – a true culinary hero that transforms meal prep into an effortless art. This time of year, its magic is simply unmatched, making it an indispensable appliance in any busy kitchen.
The inventor of this ingenious device, Irving Naxon, truly deserves a standing ovation. His creation has undeniably simplified countless lives, turning complex recipes into dump-and-go wonders, and allowing us to enjoy home-cooked meals even on the most hectic of weekdays. We are indeed very grateful for the gift of stress-free cooking!
Embracing the Back-to-School Season with Delicious Ease
The transition back to school often brings a whirlwind of activity. From early morning alarms and packed lunches to after-school homework, sports practices, music lessons, and tutoring sessions, parents quickly find their evenings stretched thin. Social media feeds are flooded with adorable first-day pictures, a testament to the fact that this busy season is upon us once again. It feels like summer just flew by, leaving us craving comfort and convenience in our daily routines.
Amidst this hustle and bustle, the thought of preparing a wholesome, tasty dinner can be daunting. This is where a well-planned slow cooker meal shines brightest. Imagine the relief of walking through the door after a long day, knowing that dinner is already simmering away, filling your home with enticing aromas. No more frantic chopping or last-minute scrambling; simply scoop and serve! This culinary strategy frees up invaluable time, allowing you to help with homework, attend a school event, or simply unwind with your family, undisturbed by the demands of dinner preparation. If you haven’t yet, investing in a slow cooker is a game-changer you’ll be endlessly thankful for.
SAVE THESE SLOW COOKER TACOS TO YOUR FAVORITE PINTEREST BOARD!
Discovering the Fun of Old El Paso Taco Boats
While shopping for taco shells recently, I stumbled upon a brilliant innovation: the Old El Paso Taco Boats! These aren’t your typical flat tortillas or brittle hard shells. Their unique boat-like shape is a revelation, providing a sturdy, easy-to-hold vessel that prevents your delicious fillings from tumbling onto your plate with every bite (a common taco predicament, especially for us messier eaters!).
These taco boats aren’t just practical; they’re incredibly fun to assemble and eat. Paired with the rich, slow-cooked carne asada and a medley of fresh toppings, they transform a simple weeknight meal into an interactive family experience. Every bite is packed with an explosion of flavor, and the individual customization means everyone gets their taco boat just the way they like it.
Support Education with Box Tops for Education
Beyond the culinary delight, choosing Old El Paso products offers an additional benefit: supporting your local schools! Many Old El Paso items, along with other General Mills products, feature Box Tops for Education. Simply clip these Box Tops from the packaging, and your child’s school can redeem them for 10 cents each, earning up to $20,000 per school year. It’s an incredibly simple yet impactful way to contribute to your community, helping schools fund essential resources like books, gym equipment, and educational programs. Look for the Box Top logo on your next shopping trip at Albertsons or your local Safeway store!
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Slow Cooker Carne Asada Taco Boats
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. flank steak
- 1 15- ounce jar chunky salsa a little less than two cups
- 1 10- ounce can diced tomatoes with chiles
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Taco Boat Assembly
- 1 12 count package Old El Paso Mini Soft Tortilla Taco Boats
- 1 16- ounce can Old El Paso Refried Beans heated according to package directions
- 1 cup cooked brown rice
- assorted taco toppings – shredded Mexican cheese chopped lettuce, diced tomato, diced avocado
Instructions
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Begin by preparing your slow cooker. Turn the appliance on to high heat, allowing it to preheat as you gather your ingredients.
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In the preheated slow cooker, combine the chunky salsa, diced tomatoes with chiles, ground cumin, garlic powder, chili powder, dried oregano, paprika, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Stir these ingredients thoroughly until they are well combined, creating a rich and aromatic base for your carne asada.
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Carefully cut the flank steak. To ensure maximum tenderness, slice the steak across the grain into thin strips, then further cut these strips into manageable pieces, approximately 1-2 inches in length.
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Add the prepared flank steak pieces to the slow cooker, ensuring they are fully coated in the flavorful sauce. Mix gently to distribute the meat evenly.
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Cover your slow cooker and let the carne asada cook on high for 3 to 4 hours. The beef will become incredibly tender and infused with all the delicious Mexican-inspired spices.
Assembly
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To assemble your taco boats, start by spreading a small amount of heated Old El Paso Refried Beans (prepared according to package directions) into the bottom of each Old El Paso Mini Soft Tortilla Taco Boat.
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Next, add a layer of cooked brown rice, followed by a generous portion of the tender, flavorful slow-cooked carne asada. Finally, invite everyone to customize their boats with an array of assorted taco toppings, such as shredded Mexican cheese, crisp chopped lettuce, fresh diced tomato, and creamy diced avocado.
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Pro Tips for Perfect Slow Cooker Carne Asada Taco Boats
Creating the perfect balance of flavor and texture is key to an unforgettable meal. When it comes to spice, remember that tastes vary widely within a family. For our household, where some prefer a milder kick and others a fiery heat, I typically aim for a medium spice level in the slow cooker. This allows everyone to enjoy the meal without feeling overwhelmed. The combination of half a teaspoon of chili powder and the inherent chiles in the diced tomatoes provides a delightful warmth without turning anyone into a fire-breathing dragon – just the right amount of zest for a universally enjoyable experience.
A crucial tip for serving these delicious taco boats is to use a slotted spoon when adding the carne asada. This helps drain excess liquid, ensuring that your Old El Paso Mini Soft Tortilla Taco Boats remain firm and delightful, rather than becoming soggy. The hearty nature of flank steak, cooked to tender perfection, means it holds up beautifully to slow cooking, absorbing all the vibrant flavors of the salsa and spices.
Don’t worry if you end up with any luscious leftover sauce or extra meat! They are absolutely fantastic served over Old El Paso Mexican Rice or simple brown rice. This makes for another quick and tasty meal the following day, ensuring no deliciousness goes to waste.
Explore More Mexican-Inspired Family Favorites
If your family shares a love for Mexican cuisine, these slow cooker carne asada taco boats are just the beginning! Here are a few other fantastic recipes that are sure to be cleared off the plates with no leftovers in sight:
Skillet Mexican Street Corn
A vibrant and creamy side dish, this Skillet Mexican Street Corn brings the irresistible flavors of elote right to your dinner table. Sweet corn is combined with a zesty mix of cilantro, cayenne, fresh lime, and crumbled Cotija cheese, creating a truly addictive accompaniment.
Chicken Enchilada Bites
Perfect for appetizers, game days, or a light meal, these Chicken Enchilada Bites are bursting with flavor. Tender chicken is wrapped in tortillas and smothered in a rich green chile enchilada cream sauce, offering a delightful and easy-to-eat treat.
Loaded Huevos Rancheros
For a hearty breakfast or brunch that truly satisfies, look no further than Loaded Huevos Rancheros. Crispy tortillas are piled high with savory refried beans, flavorful Potatoes O’Brien, tangy salsa, perfectly cooked eggs, and melted cheese – a truly satisfying start to any day.
Simplify Your Weeknights with Old El Paso
Embrace the convenience and flavor of your slow cooker this year, especially during those demanding weekdays. By pairing your trusted slow cooker with the versatile and high-quality range of Old El Paso products, you can effortlessly create delicious meals that everyone at the table will love. Old El Paso ingredients, readily available at your local Albertsons Safeway store, are designed to make weeknight dinner solutions simple, flavorful, and incredibly fun.
Don’t forget the incredible opportunity to earn money for schools through the Box Tops for Education program. By clipping Box Tops from Old El Paso packaging and other General Mills products, you’re directly contributing to educational resources and programs, making every meal a chance to give back.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Albertsons Safeway and Old El Paso. The opinions and text are all mine.