Mexican Steak Tacos in Under 20 Minutes

If 20 minutes is all you’ve got to prepare yourself a nice meal, these Mexican steak tacos ought to do it. They’re sweet, tangy, savory, and bonus… they’re packed with wholesome ingredients, too!

Why Should You Give This Recipe a Try?

I get how tempting it is to order from your favorite taco truck or grab takeout, but trust me, making steak tacos from scratch is a way better option. Here’s why:

• You can get creative with pairings — from the type of tortilla (or lettuce wrap) to your toppings.
• You only need a handful of ingredients, most of which are probably hiding in your fridge or pantry.
• You don’t need to be a pro to make this dish. It’s as simple as chopping the steak, cooking it, and filling your tortillas with different toppings.

Cooking the Steak in 3 Ways

So, if you’re ready to give this recipe a whirl, let’s start by preparing your steak, and I’ve got three methods for you to choose from.

1. Grilling: Grab some aluminum foil, toss your steak pieces in, and grill for about 3 to 5 minutes. Grilling chars the edges of the steak and adds a delicious smoky flavor.
2. Broiling: Alternatively, you can broil instead. Use your oven and cook it for about 2 to 4 minutes, or until the slices turn brown.
3. Pan-frying: For the last method, grab a pan or skillet and sear your steak for about 1 to 2 minutes per side to form a crust, then continue cooking for another 3 to 4 minutes.

Keep in mind that cooking times will vary depending on how thick or thin your steak cut is. Generally, the thicker the slice, the longer it will take.

Let’s TACO ‘Bout Toppings!

Once your steak chunks are ready, place them onto your prepared tortilla wraps, then pile on the tasty fixings.

But wait! What garnishes should you use? Since we’re making Mexican tacos, it’s only right to include traditional ingredients, like:

• Cotija cheese, for that salty, crumbly flavor
• Sour cream, for added richness
• Guac or sliced avocados, for those healthy fats
• Salsa and/or corn salsa, for a fresh and smoky element 
• Hot sauce, for some kick
• Cilantro, for added herbs
• Pickled red onions, for a touch of sweetness and tanginess

If you’re not a fan of any of these items, feel free to remove them and replace them with something else that you prefer. These are your steak tacos, after all.

Mexican Steak Tacos

Yield: 8

Prep Time: 14 minutes

Cook Time: 6 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Don't order takeout anymore — instead, make your own epic Mexican Steak Tacos at home in under 20 minutes!

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Ingredients

Steak and spice rub:

• 1 ½ pounds of sirloin (chopped into cubes)
• 1 tablespoon EACH of chili powder and ancho chili powder
• 1 teaspoon EACH of garlic powder, ground cumin, brown sugar, and onion powder
• ½ teaspoon EACH of dried oregano, ground coriander, and smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper (optional, only if you want the heat)
• 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
• Salt and ground black pepper (to taste)

Toppings:

• 8 corn tortillas (or any type of tortilla you prefer)
• 1 tub of sour cream
• 1 pack of cotija cheese
• 1 jar of store-bought guacamole
• 1 jar of store-bought salsa
• 1 jar of pickled red onions
• Chopped cilantro (for garnish)
• Hot sauce of your choice (optional)

Instructions

1. Get your sirloin steak, pat them dry, and chop them into bite-sized cubes. Leave them on the cutting board as you make your spice rub. 
2. Mix your herbs, spices, salt, pepper, and brown sugar in a bowl until everything is well combined.
3. Toss your steak cubes in a large bowl and drizzle them with some vegetable oil.
4. Toss in the rest of your spice rub and make sure that every piece is coated. 
5. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes as you prep your toppings. 
6. Once your steak has marinated for a bit, get a cast iron skillet and pour in the rest of your vegetable oil.
7. Warm it up for about 2 minutes before searing your steak for 1 to 2 minutes per side. 
8. Continue cooking the steak until it has browned completely (around 3 to 5 minutes). Note: Don’t overcook your steak because it will take out all the juices.
9. Once your steak cubes are cooked to your liking, carefully pile them on top of your tortilla wraps, followed by the rest of your toppings.
10. For the final touch, garnish your tacos with your chopped cilantro, and you’re ready to take the first bite.

Notes

Image credit to @taconlime.

Featured image credit to @mytr.eats.