How To Make The Best Steak Tacos
Amazing citrus-marinated grilled steak tacos dont have to be complicated .
This quick and easy recipe requires just a few everyday ingredients to make flavorful, juicy flank steak tacos.
Although you do need to build in time for the marinade portion of the recipe, the good news is once that hour is up, flank steak is freaky fast.
The steak cooks in less than 10 minutes.
What Is The Best Meat To Use For Steak Tacos
Costa Vida uses sirloin steak. One of the benefits of sirloin steak is that it is a more tender cut of beef and doesnt need to marinade too long. You could use skirt steak or flank teak but they are a tougher cut of meat and would need to marinade for longer, I would recommend overnight. If you dont have that long to marinade you could also use a Rib Eye or a New York steak which only needs to marinade a few hours. I highly recommend using sirloin steak.
Why Youll Love This Recipe
One of my favorite restaurants to visit each time I go to Utah is Costa Vida. Nine times out of ten I get their steak tacos, they really are the best steak tacos. Recently I was invited to a blogger night at the restaurant and they shared with us their steak taco recipe. I was so excited!!I
I couldnt wait to try them out at home and they are just as delicious when I make them at home as when I had them in the restaurant. Besides being delicious, they are super easy to make at home.
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Tips For The Best Steak Tacos
- Always slice the steak against the grain for the most tender slices. Slicing with the grain results in chewy steak.
- For extra flavor and tenderness, in a bit of citrus juice and olive oil for 30-60 minutes before grilling.
- Always rest the steak after it cooks so the juices can redistribute throughout the steak. This step is so important and often skipped.
- Think about the size of the slices or chunks. Tacos are eaten with your hands, so make the steak bite-sized.
Easy Skillet Steak Tacos
Tacos are one of the best foods out there and these steak tacos are no exception!
They are brimming with bright lime flavor and delicious seasonings, the hint of honey in the marinade helps the steak sear beautifully, and the toppings that crown them are the perfect finishing highlight.
The key here is just to pick out good quality steak. I recommend looking for sirloin with a generous amount of marbling or using prime grade. Marbling is the fat swirled throughout the steak, more marbling means more flavor and a more tender piece of meat .
I think its safe to say these tacos will quickly become a family favorite! They take little effort yet finish with big flavor.
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How Can I Make Flavorful Steak Tacos Without A Marinade
Using top sirloin in this steak taco recipe is only half the battle to achieve flavorful steak tacos. Without the use of a penetrating marinade, we need to use a dynamic spice rub. This spice rub consists of chili powder, ancho chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, ground coriander, and my secret ingredient, Knorr® Granulated Beef Bouillon.
If youve been following me for long, you know I love Knorr® Granulated Bouillon. In fact, when I was contacted by Knorr®, I already had 32-ounce jars of Knorr® Granulated Beef Bouillon which I purchased at my local Super King found in the international/Hispanic aisle.
Knorr® Granulated Beef Bouillon enhances the flavor of the steak tacos with its concentrated beefy flavor. It just adds that little oomph to elevate the recipe to restaurant delicious. It is my secret ingredient that I use in practically all of my recipes including soups, stews, sauces, pastas, casseroles, vegetables, etc. I use it in my Crockpot Beef and Broccoli, Baked Ziti, Honey Balsamic Beef,Beef Stew,Beef Enchiladas,Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches,Lasagna,Crockpot Chili, Crockpot Pot Roast and on and on! So, if you want to instantly elevate your cooking, use Knorr® Granulated Beef Bouillon.
Now, lets have some fun! Check out my steak tacos recipe post on Instagram for details about entering a chance to win a Visa gift card!
What Pan Should I Use
Set yourself up for success by cooking the steak in a solid, heavy bottom pan such as a cast iron skillet. I love cast-iron because it gets super-hot without ruining the pan, retains and distributes heat evenly, is naturally non-stick once seasoned and allows steak to sear and release easily while still leaving just enough tasty brown bits behind to be scooped up to flavor the dish.
I love my super high quality Staub and Le Creuset. Their enamel interior doesnt require additional seasoning and resists staining, dulling, wear and tear. They are a one-time pricey purchase that will last a lifetime. You can also go with a more economical, trusty skillet like this one which also works very well but it will need to be seasoned and always rubbed with vegetable oil after using.
If you dont already have cast iron pan, you can use a super-hot heavy-bottom stainless-steel skillet . Stainless steel pans also heat evenly but they are more prone to sticking, so you will need to use more oil to cook your steak in. I love my Le Creuset Stainless Steel Pan with a limited lifetime warranty but this more economical pan also has excellent reviews.
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Tips For Making The Perfect Steak
- Medium well: 145F-155F.
- Well done: 155F+.
What Are The Best Sides For Tacos
Thats why were going to help you take your taco evenings to the next level by providing you with 11 delicious taco side dishes.These sides, which range from sweet potatoes from Mexico to excellent Spanish rice, are guaranteed to delight any gathering.1.Sweet Potatoes from Mexico The second item is chips and salsa.3.
Elote 4.Corn Pudding .5.Roasted Pepper Salad 6.
coleslaw with a Mexican flair Guacamole is number seven on the list.
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Is Flank Or Skirt Steak Better For Tacos
There are some variances between the two beef cuts. Flank steak is a leaner choice that has a rich, meaty taste that is hard to resist. Skirt steak has a similar deep meaty flavor to flank steak, however it has more rough fibers than flank steak. The meat should only be cooked to rare or medium-rare doneness if you dont want it to be unpleasantly chewy.
Make Sure Youre Shopping For The Best Taco Seasoning Options For The Most Satisfying Taco Tuesdays Yet
Taste of Home
While there are plenty of unique spice blends out there for stocking your spice rack, we bet theres one you always have on hand: taco seasoning.
This envelope of spicesincluding cumin, chili powder, onion and paprikais the special ingredient you need to transform a pound of ground beef into an easy supper or a container of cream cheese into a tempting taco dip.
Yet each time we venture to the store, we look at the aisle full of these spice packets and seem to grab one at random. Since each envelope is priced around a dollar and advertises similar ingredients, it can be really hard to choose the brand that suits your taco preferences and cooking style.
But you know our Test Kitchen wants to know whats best! So our crew tested nine popular brands.
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Beef Steak Soft Tacos
Try this steak taco recipe on Tuesdays or any night of the week. Marinated and grilled steak in a flour tortilla with your choice of toppings.
Try this steak taco recipe on Tuesdays or any night of the week. Marinated and grilled steak in a flour tortilla with your choice of toppings.
- 2 beef Shoulder Steaks Boneless, cut 3/4 inch thick
- 12 small flour tortillas, warmed
- 2/3 cup prepared Italian dressing
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- Thinly sliced lettuce, chopped tomato, dairy sour cream, guacamole
Cooking:
How To Make Flank Steak Tacos
Start your flank steak tacos by creating your spice rub.
In a dish large enough to fit most of the steak, add the cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, garlic powder, coriander, cayenne pepper, kosher salt, and pepper.
Mix all of the spices together to make your dry rub, and get your grill or broiler heating up to medium-high heat.
Then youll make sure to coat your steak evenly on both sides, let it marinate for at least 30 minutes, then throw it on the grill for about 4 minutes a side for medium-rare, or until youve reached desired doneness.
Next, take your sliced onion and red pepper and drizzle them with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper, then wrap up in a tin foil boat. Toss them on the grill in the tin foil for about 10 minutes.
Once you remove the steak from the grill or oven, let it rest for a few minutes, then slice it into thin strips.
Remove the veggies and theyll be slightly caramelized and delicious. You can toss your tortillas on the grill for about a minute as well to warm them up, or warm them on the stove.
Youre ready to assemble your tacos! Take the warmed tortillas, and layer steak, grilled veggies, and any toppings of choice.
Finish them off with a squeeze of fresh lime juice and cilantro, and enjoy your Flank Steak Tacos!
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The Best Cut Of Steak For Tacos
The best steak cut for tacos is usually either flank steak, skirt steak, or top round steak.
However, this is largely going to depend on your personal preference and if youre a fan of either of these cuts.
The reason I find that they are the best is that they are easy to find in grocery stores, they are affordable, and have a good flavor.
These cuts of meat also have the most meat per pound which is important if youre making tacos for an army or just feeding your family either way, there is no point wasting expensive steak on tacos!
Flank steak is the perfect option for tacos because it has a rich flavor, is easy to cut into strips, and cooks up well when youre making shredded beef tacos.
Its also lean, which means its an easy cut of meat to cook since it doesnt usually include much fat.
Other great choices include hanger steak , chuck steak , and sirloin steak .
If youre cooking for your family, consider using ground beef. Its easy to make and is usually everyones favorite option when it comes to tacos.
Flank and top round steaks are leaner cuts of meat so they tend to have a milder flavor. However, these steaks cook up well because they are easy to shred with your fingers.
I prefer to use flank steak because of the price, texture, and taste.
You can expect to pay around $10/lb for this cut of meat if its on sale.
However, feel free to use other cuts such as Fillet Mignon, Sirloin, and T-bone steak if youre feeling flush!
Do I Have To Warm Tortillas For Steak Tacos
Before you pile your toppings into your steak street, tacos, I HIGHLY recommend warming the corn tortillas. Warm tortillas elevate any steak tacos to a whole new level. Not only are the tortillas softer and the ideal non-jarring, melt-in-your mouth temperature, but the flavors are accentuated when warmed. If you attempt to use room temperature or cold tortillas, youll find their temperature isnt nearly as appetizing and they arent as pliable and soft. Lower quality corn tortillas are also likely to break if not warmed first.
You can easily warm your tortillas for these steak tacos in SECONDS using any of my below methods: open flame, skillet, microwave or oven, with the microwave being the quickest.
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What Can I Make Ahead
This steak taco recipe comes together super quickly but you can still get a jump start on dinner by prepping the steak and the toppings:
- Steak: chop the steak and toss it with the spice rub. Cover tightly and refrigerate for up to 48 hours before cooking. Remove steak from the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking.
- Poblano crema: can be made and stored up to 3 days in advance.
- Salsa: can be made and stored up to 3 days in advance.
- Avocado crema or guacamole: can be made and stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days IF you transfer the crema/guacamole to an airtight container and place a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the crema before adding the lid. This will delay oxidization/browning that occurs when the surface of the crema comes in contact with air.
Tenderloin And Filet Mignon
Filet mignon has an air of sophistication surrounding it. Often one of the most expensive and impressive cuts of meat you can order at a steakhouse or your nearby butcher, this cut is known for its melt-in-your-mouth texture. It’s cut from the loin of the cow, near the top midsection, as Beef It’s What For Dinner explains. As part of the loin, it’s long and narrow until its end is sliced off, creating the much-loved filet mignon.
You might have noticed the high price tag of filet mignon. True Beef Organic explains that the part of the cow from which this cut comes only makes up 1% of the animal. It’s likely not something the average person can eat every day, though with its silky texture, you just might want to.
Now you’re more than welcome to use filet mignon in steak tacos. You will end up with a pure beef flavor and a silky tenderness. But the rare qualities of filet mignon lend it to a simpler presentation: seared on both sides, seasoned with salt and pepper, and enjoyed with a carb and a vegetable. It’s a fantastic cut of meat, so there’s no way we could put it at the bottom of our list. But this is a famous cut of steak for a reason, and drowning out the flavor by putting it into steak tacos might do this cut a disservice.
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Can Chuck Steak Be Used For Tacos
Tacos are made using meat, and what sort of beef do you use? Steak tacos may be made with virtually any cut of steak, but I believe that thin-cut chuck steak is the best choice for this dish. These high-quality steaks cook rapidly and absorb a tremendous amount of flavor from the marinade, plus they are far less expensive than other cuts.
Which Steak Is Best For Tacos
Because they are the most popular choice for tacos, skirt steaks are a good choice.They have a distinct, meaty taste and are quite inexpensive.This is the primary ingredient in most carne asada recipes.Theyre also simple to prepare, wonderfully lean, and a fantastic complement for a flavorful marinade or sauce.Because they are the most popular choice for tacos, skirt steaks are a good choice.
They have a distinct, meaty taste and are quite inexpensive.This is the primary ingredient in most carne asada recipes.Additionally, they are simple to prepare.Culinary styles are defined by particular ingredients, cooking techniques, and recipes.
Cuisines are typically connected with a certain culture or geographic location.Various regional food preparation traditions, customs, and ingredients are frequently combined to produce meals that are exclusive to a particular regions cuisine.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culinary art, which is ideally lean and makes an excellent complement for a superb marinade
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Are Flank Steaks Tender
Flank steak is a kind of meat that is not strictly a steak. Instead, the stomach muscles of the animal are used to produce this famous cut of beef. Its a tasty piece of meat, but its also quite lean, with hardly little fat to speak of. Despite its roughness, if you know how to prepare it properly, it can be delicious and delicate.
What Is The Difference Between Street Tacos And Regular Tacos
Street Tacos have gotten more and more popular over the years. The difference between these and regular tacos is that these are typically in smaller tortillas. The reason they are smaller is that when people ordered them off of the vendor carts or food trucks, they wanted them to be able to hold the taco with one hand while walking down the street. Hence the name street tacos.
Typically filled completely full of ingredients street tacos are never lacking in flavor! Street tacos are different because you typically dont have any lettuce or tomatoes. But dont think that this makes street tacos complicated to make. In fact, I love that these tacos can be prepared ahead of time with the marinated steak. Because of this, it is a recipe thats so easy to throw together once it is time for dinner! This meal takes just 3 easy steps! You marinate the steak, cook it up on your stove, and add in the fresh toppings. You will not want to stop after just one and you are going to love these as much as I do!!
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