Succulent Crock Pot Flank Steak with Pinto Beans and Zesty Tomatillo Sauce

Ingredients

- 1 ½ pounds flank steak
- 1 ½ cups pinto beans, rinsed and drained
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 large onion, diced
- 1 bunch cilantro, chopped (reserve a handful for garnish)
- 2 limes, juiced
- 6 tomatillos, husked and chopped
- 2 serrano peppers, seeded and minced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups water
- 1 tablespoon chicken bouillon powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

1. Prepare the Beans:
- Soak the pinto beans in water overnight, if possible. If not, a quick soak method is to bring them to a boil for 2 minutes, then let them sit for 1 hour.

2. Brown the Bacon:
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crisp. Remove bacon from the skillet and set aside on a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the bacon fat in the skillet.

3. Sear the Steak:
- Increase the skillet heat to medium-high. Sear the flank steak for 2-3 minutes on each side in the remaining bacon fat, just until browned. This seals in the juices for extra flavor.

4. Prepare the Sauce:
- In a blender or food processor, combine the tomatillos, serrano peppers, and garlic. Blend until smooth.

5. Layer Ingredients in the Crock Pot:
- Place the seared flank steak at the bottom of the crock pot.
- Sprinkle the diced onion over the steak, followed by the soaked and drained pinto beans.
- Pour the tomatillo mixture over the beans.

6. Season and Cook:
- Add the bacon, 2 cups of water, chicken bouillon powder, black pepper, lime juice, and half of the chopped cilantro.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours (PT6H/PT8H) or until the beans are tender and the steak is fall-apart tender.

7. Finish and Serve:
- Before serving, stir in the remaining cup of water if needed to achieve desired sauce consistency.
- Garnish with the reserved chopped cilantro.
- Serve warm with lime wedges on the side.

Total Time

PT8H30M
8 hours and 30 minutes

Type of Dish

Dinner

Keywords

Flank steak, Pinto beans, Crock Pot recipe, Slow cooker dinner, Tomatillo sauce, Mexican-inspired dish, Easy dinner recipe, Cilantro and lime, Tender beef, Comfort food

Recipe Yield

Feeds 4 adults

Calories

Total Calories: 2,200

#SucculentSteak #EasySlowCooking #ComfortFood #MexicanFlavors #CrockPotMagic