Slow Cooker Chile-Crusted Flank Steak with Avocado
Tender flank steak coated in a spicy, smoky chile rub, served with creamy avocado slices for a protein-packed, Whole30-friendly dinner. This mexican-inspired slow cooker (whole30) ready in about 255 minutes pairs flank steak, ground cumin, chili powder for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 410 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1.25 lbs flank steak
- 1.5 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 medium, sliced avocado
- 1, cut into wedges lime
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat flank steak dry with paper towels, then rub evenly with cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Step 2: Place steak in slow cooker and cook on LOW for 4 hours until tender and easily pierced with a fork.
- Step 3: Rest steak for 10 minutes before slicing against the grain, then serve with avocado slices and lime wedges.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow Cooker Chile-Crusted Flank Steak with Avocado take to make?
Total time is about 255 minutes (15 min prep + 240 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Slow Cooker Chile-Crusted Flank Steak with Avocado?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep flank steak from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow Cooker Chile-Crusted Flank Steak with Avocado?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Slow Cooker Chile-Crusted Flank Steak with Avocado for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Slow Cooker Chile-Crusted Flank Steak with Avocado whole30?
Yes — this recipe is tagged whole30 based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★☆☆☆
Didn't come together the way I expected. Flavors were flat.
