Chipotle Orange Brisket Tacos with Jalapeno Lime Slaw

For these Chipotle Orange Brisket Tacos, slow cooking brisket in a flavorful chipotle orange sauce until it is fall apart tender and then slightly crisping the shredded beef under the broiler, results in a rich and meaty, sweet and slightly spicy filling that is perfect when paired with crunchy and bright Jalapeno Lime Slaw.

I like to consider myself a bit of a taco aficionado. I have never met a taco I didn’t like. So needless to say, it’s not easy for me to pick my favorite taco. From spicy shrimp tacos to crispy fried fish tacos or even the classic crunchy beef tacos… there are so many different kinds and they all have so much to offer. But I’m going to go out on a limb here, and say that I think these Chipotle Orange Brisket Tacos with Jalapeno Lime Slaw might just be my favorite of all time.

These tacos are so good, that I made them when we had a few friends over to celebrate my birthday this year. These tacos are so good, that everyone kept going back for more, piling up their plate with seconds and even thirds. These tacos are so good, that when Steve took his first bite (about 10 minutes after everyone else had already been devouring theirs, I might add – I think he was probably busy messing around mixing himself another margarita or something), he very loudly, and with a mouth still full of food, exclaimed “Whoa… These are really good!”

And these tacos are so good, that I am making them again this weekend for a little pre-Cinco de Mayo celebration we are having with family. To say I am excited about eating these babies again is an understatement. I am over the moon thrilled! And I secretly hope there is lots leftover so I can snack on Chipotle Orange Brisket Tacos with Jalapeno Lime Slaw for the following week.

How Do You Cook Chipotle Orange Brisket Tacos in the Crock Pot?

So how do you make these Chipotle Orange Brisket Tacos? My secret to super flavorful and ultra tender, fall apart beef is to cook the brisket in the slow cooker. I know, for someone who has a nice, new pellet grill smoker in my backyard, I should probably be telling you to smoke the brisket for 12+ hours. But honestly, I just love cooking large cuts of meat in my crock pot. They end up so tender and juicy, plus the crock pot allows you to add whatever flavors and helps them really cook all of the way into the meat, so every bite is as flavorful as the next.

Plus cooking this Chipotle Orange Brisket could not be any easier with just a few steps:

• Prep the Brisket: The first step to a perfectly tender crock pot brisket is to prepare the meat. If there is a large amount of the fat cap still on the meat, first trim this down so that only a very thin layer remains. You may be able to skip this step if you brisket came pre trimmed. Next season the brisket liberally on both sides with salt and pepper or your favorite brisket seasoning. You will want to use a seasoning that is pretty simple so the flavors don’t compete with the chipotle and orange we will be adding. I used our favorite Killer Hogs TX Brisket Rub, which is a blend of coarse salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
• Sear the Brisket: You may be tempted to skip this step, but it is really super important. Searing the brisket on each side will help to develop a caramelized crust on the fat and meat. This adds so much flavor to the meat once cooked. To sear, just heat a large pan over high heat. Add the meat fat side down first, sear about 5 – 7 minutes, then flip and do the same on the other side.
• Cook for 7 – 8 Hours: Once the brisket is seared, we let the slow cooker do it’s work. Add everything to a large crock pot and cook on low for about 7 – 8 hours, until the meat is super tender. A fork should easily slide through.
• Broil the Meat: After the brisket is cooked, I like to shred the meat and then sear it under the broiler for about 10 minutes. This will help caramelize little bits of the meat and the remaining fat, leaving you with meat that is tender, but with a few little crispy bits and edges. It is truly the perfect combination.
• Serve: After the meat takes a trip under the broiler, I add it back to the crock pot with the juices. Serve these Chipotle Orange Brisket Tacos immediately, pilled high in corn or flour tortillas and topped with a variety of choose your own toppings.

How Should I Serve Smokey Orange Brisket Tacos?

My favorite topping to pair with these tacos is a spicy Jalapeno Lime Slaw. The slaw uses a light lime vinaigrette dressing, making it bright, citrusy, and crunchy as the perfect contrast to counter the heavy, rich brisket. These Chipotle Orange Brisket Tacos with Jalapeno Lime Slaw can be served just as is or piled up with any of your other favorite tacos toppings.

When making these Chipotle Orange Brisket Tacos for a crowd, I also like to serve them with a variety of additional toppings so everyone can pick their favorites. Some recommendations include:

• Corn or flour tortillas (I prefer corn for a more traditional taco)
• Shredded cheddar or monterey jack cheese
• Sour cream
• Salsa
• Jalapeno slices
• Sliced avocado
• Pickled red onions
• Extra lime wedges

Looking for More Taco & Mexican Inspired Recipes for Your Fiesta?

These Chipotle Orange Brisket Tacos with Jalapeno Lime Slaw would be the perfect dish for your next Mexican fiesta or Cindo de Mayo celebration. If you are looking for more taco or Mexican inspired recipes, check out some of my favorites:

• Chili Lime Shrimp Tacos with Strawberry Avocado Salsa
• Pulled Pork Carnitas Tacos with Jalapeno Lime Brussels Sprout Slaw
• Oven Baked Crispy Beef and Cheese Tacos
• Crispy Buffalo Chicken Tacos with Creamy Celery Ranch Slaw
• Brussels Sprouts and Ricotta Crispy Tacos
• Pineapple Habanero Hot Sauce

And don’t forget the cocktails!

• Strawberry Blood Orange Margarita Pitcher
• Blackberry Margarita Spritzer
• Easy Palomas by the Pitcher
• Spicy Blood Orange Margarita

Enjoy!

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Chipotle Orange Brisket Tacos with Jalapeno Lime Slaw

Slow cooking brisket in a flavorful chipotle orange sauce until it is fall apart tender and then slightly crisping the shredded beef under the broiler, results in a rich and meaty, sweet and slightly spicy Chipotle Orange Brisket Taco filling that is perfect paired with crunchy and bright Jalapeno Lime Slaw.

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time8 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Total Time8 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: Mexican

Keyword: brisket, chipotle, lime, orange, slaw, spicy, tacos

Servings: 10

Ingredients

Chipotle Orange Brisket

• 1 14.5 oz can of fire roasted tomatoes
• 1 onion (chopped)
• 4 cloves garlic (chopped)
• 2 chipotle peppers in adobe (chopped)
• 1 cup orange juice
• ½ tsp cumin
• 1 tbs olive oil
• 3 ½ lb brisket
• salt and pepper or brisket seasoning
• 1 whole orange (cut into 8ths, keep the peel on)

Jalapeno Lime Slaw

• ¼ c extra virgin olive oil
• 1 lime (juiced)
• 1 tbs honey
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 3 cups shredded green cabbage
• ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
• ½ cup sliced green onions
• 2 jalapenos (seeded and sliced)

Optional Toppings

• Corn or flour tortillas
• Shredded cheddar or monterey jack cheese
• Sour cream
• Salsa
• Jalapeno slices
• Sliced avocado
• Pickled red onions
• Extra lime wedges

Instructions

Chipotle Orange Brisket

• Trim excess fat from brisket if needed. Season brisket generously on both sides with salt and pepper or brisket seasoning (see note). Add oil to a preheated pan, sear the brisket over high heat about 5 – 7 minutes per side, searing fat side down first.
• While brisket sears, add tomatoes (with their juice), garlic, chipotle peppers, and cumin to large crock pot. Add seared brisket to crock pot fat side up.
• In hot pan used to sear brisket, add onion and cook for 2 - 3 minutes. Deglaze with orange juice, scraping any brown bits from the pan. Transfer the onions and orange juice to the crock pot. Add cut oranges on top of beef.
• Set to low and cook for 7 – 8 hours until meat is very tender. You should be able to insert a fork with little to no resistance.
• Once brisket is cooked, remove from crock pot, reserving liquid. Shred brisket into chunks and place under preheated broiler for about 10 – 15 minutes. Watch closely, meat should begin to char on the edges, but not burn.
• Remove orange chunks from sauce (squeezing any extra liquid out gently). Then return brisket to crock pot with liquid. Stir to combine and serve piled up in tortillas topped with Jalapeno Lime Slaw and other toppings.

Jalapeno Lime Slaw

• While the brisket cooks, make the slaw by combining cabbage, cilantro, green onions, and jalapenos in a large bowl.
• In a small bowl, mix olive oil, lime juice, honey, and salt. Pour dressing over slaw and stir.
• Slaw can be made up to several hours in advance. Refrigerate until ready to eat.

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Notes

For the brisket seasoning, you will want to use a seasoning that is pretty simple so the flavors don’t compete with the chipotle and orange. I use my favorite Killer Hogs TX Brisket Rub, which is a blend of coarse salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. You can also just keep it simple with salt and pepper.