This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.
This slow cooker flank steak recipe gives you perfect, flavorful shredded beef with only 5 minutes of prep. Inspired by the Cuban beef recipe, ropa vieja, flank steak is slow cooked with tomatoes and garlic for the ultimate slow cooker dinner.
When slow cooked, flank steak transforms into a tender and flavorful shredded beef that you can use in tacos, on top of salads, or in bowls for an easy weeknight meal.
This slow cooker flank steak is one you can prep before work and have ready when you get home, or choose this air fryer flank steak for a faster option.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super easy – A slow cooker recipe that’s a full meal in one. Takes 10 minutes to prepare.
- Budget-friendly – Flank steak is a more affordable cut of meat and when it’s slow cooked and shredded, it’s super tender and flavorful.
- Steak bowls – Use the shredded beef however you want, or make these into a full meal with rice, beans, and corn.
- A meal prep hero – No boring flavors here! This recipe freezes and reheats extremely well.
- Family friendly – The perfect flank steak with tomatoes! This recipe is easy to edit to your taste in different ways.
For more easy slow cooker recipes that are favorites here, don’t miss the crockpot Tuscan chicken, crockpot pesto chicken, or pot roast without wine!
Table of Contents
Ingredients
Here are details on what to look for at the grocery store or ingredient edits you can make to the recipe. Amounts for each are posted in the recipe card below.
- Flank steak – A long, lean flat cut of beef, it’s generally tough but when slow cooked in tomatoes and spices, it becomes tender and easy to shred with a ton of flavor. You can also use it in flank steak tacos or flank steak fajitas. It’s great with a 3 ingredient steak marinade.
- Canned crushed tomatoes – Crushed tomatoes are a mix of diced tomatoes and puree, perfect for slow cooking with beef.
- Spices – Ropa vieja is full of flavor so we use a lot of the same spices here like oregano and cumin. Smoked paprika adds a hint of smokiness that goes well with the tomatoes and flank steak.
- Fresh garlic – Fresh garlic and shallots add a ton of flavor.
- Additions – If you want to add more vegetables, bell peppers, corn, and beans are easy to add to the slow cooker, or place on top in bowls after cooking. Simply slice 1-2 bell peppers and add them in with the steak, if desired.
Flank Steak Substitutes
Can’t find flank steak? Substitute it with skirt steak, flat iron steak or hanger steak. Skirt steak is the most direct substitute for flank steak, but flat iron steak has a similar flavor and texture and hanger steak, with more fat, can be very flavorful. If serving a larger crowd, chuck roast will also work with this recipe is is great when slow cooked on low for 8 hours.
How to Make Slow Cooker Flank Steak
Step 1: Combine all the ingredients for the flank steak in a slow cooker.
Step 2: Cook on low heat 6-8 hours or until tender and easily shredded with a fork.
Recipe Tip
How long do you cook flank steak in the slow cooker? Since flank steak is a leaner meat, cooking on low allows the meat to break down until it’s tender and falls apart very easily. This also allows the meat to sit with the spices and imparts extra flavor. If in a rush, you can cook on high for 2-3 hours, but the meat won’t be as flavorful as a longer slow cook.
Serving Suggestions
I love to turn this slow cooked flank steak into steak bowls with lots of veggies and toppings. Here are a few great additions to serve with this.
- Mango or pineapple – Adds brightness and acidity.
- Corn – Pairs extremely well with the tomatoes and other flavors.
- Black beans – Perfect for additional protein.
- White rice – Use simple microwavable rice or this Spanish brown rice.
- Lettuce – Adds some crunch and greens.
- Bell pepper – You can add this into slow cooker to soften, or serve on top for a crunchy texture.
- Avocado – A cooling compliment to the warm flavors.
Side dish ideas – You can always pair this with a salad like this spinach salad with chickpeas, mac and cheese with cream cheese.
Serve as tacos – Pair with mozzarella queso and tortillas for shredded flank steak tacos. Or make these instant pot steak tacos for something a little faster, ready in 40 minutes.
Storage Information
This is one of the best meal prep recipes you can make. It freezes and reheats extremely well. Here are a few tips.
Refrigerator – Store the flank steak with the spiced tomato sauce in the fridge for up to 4-5 days in an air-tight container. Reheat in the oven, microwave, or on the stovetop.
Freezer – Freeze laying flat in a plastic storage bag, or in a glass freezer container. Can be frozen for up to 5 months. To defrost, leave overnight in the fridge or place the storage bag in warm water for about 30 minutes. Reheat as usual.
Recipe FAQ
Though not always the same, flank steak can sometimes be called London broil (this is sometimes top round or sirloin tip), bavette (flap steak), or jiffy steak. If you see any of these at the grocery store instead of flank steak, as the butcher to help clarify for you – but all should work when slow cooked.
After slow cooking, flank steak should easily fall apart when pulled between two forks, however I find the strands can be rather long and sometimes difficult to chew. If you pull the flank steak out as a whole, run your knife against the grain of the meat and chop into smaller pieces for a better bite.
Flank Steak Recipes
Beef
Air Fryer Flank Steak
Beef
Instant Pot Steak Tacos
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 review in the recipe card! Don’t forget to tag me @thedizzycook on Facebook and Instagram, and follow along on Pinterest for more great recipes!
Slow Cooker Flank Steak
Ingredients
- 2 pounds flank steak
- 14 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 7 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 shallot, chopped
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, I used diamond, less for another brand
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients for the flank steak in a slow cooker and cook on low heat for about 6-8 hours or until the beef shreds easily with a fork. Taste and adjust any seasonings.
- For easier shredding, pull the whole flank steak out of the slow cooker and use a chefs knife to chop against the grain of the meat into smaller pieces. Serve by itself or in bowls.
Notes
- For Cuban beef-inspired flank steak bowls – add 1 1/2 cups cooked corn, 1 14oz can black beans, washed and drained, 2 cups cooked white rice, 1 cup chopped mango, and fresh cilantro for garnish.
- Flank steak can be substituted with skirt steak or hanger steak.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I was a recipe tester for this and it’s amazing! Have made for the past year and love the bowls too. Great high protein dinner that’s easy.