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 pretty healthy, too!

Why Should You Give This Recipe a Try?

I know how tempting it can be to order from your favorite taco truck or get some takeout, but I’m telling you, making steak tacos from scratch is a much better option.

Here’s why:

• It’s totally customizable, so think about all the pairings you can come up with — from the type of tortilla (or lettuce) wrap to the kind of meat and all sorts of toppings. 
• You only need a handful of ingredients, which are most likely just hiding away in your fridge or pantry. 
• It doesn’t take a pro to make this dish great. Making steak tacos is as simple as chopping up the meat, tossing in the seasonings, and putting them all together.

Cooking the Steak in 3 Ways

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

1. Grilling: This is the best method, in my opinion. Grab an aluminum foil, throw your steak pieces in, and grill for about 3 to 5 minutes. Using the grill chars the edges of the steak and adds some smoky flavor.
2. Broiling: If you don’t feel like going to your backyard and firing up the grill, that’s OK. You can broil them. Use your oven and cook it for about 2 to 4 minutes or until the chunks turn brown
3. Pan-frying: The last method is using a pan. Sear your steak for about a minute or 2 to add some crisp to the other layer. Then, continue cooking for about 3 to 4 minutes.

Pro Tip: A good thing to keep in mind is that the cooking time will vary depending on how thin or thick your steak cut is. Usually, the thicker the slice of meat, the longer. 

Fill Them Up With Your Fave Toppings

With your steak chunks done, move them onto your prepped tortilla wraps, before topping them with more yummy fixings.

But wait! What garnishes should you use? Since we’re talking about Mexican tacos here, it’s only right that we use traditional Mexican ingredients, like:

• Cotija cheese, for that salty, crumbly goodness
• 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 little bit of sweet & tangy flavors

Just reading this list is already making my mouth water. But, if you’re not a fan of either one or more of these items, go ahead and take them out. Replace them with something else if you’d like. 

These are your steak tacos, after all.

TACO ‘bout a Great Meal

Now that you know how simple it is to make a great taco at home, why would you ever want to order in or get street food? 

So, get your bottom off the couch and into the kitchen to start cooking!

Mexican Steak Tacos

Yield: 8

Prep Time: 14 minutes

Cook Time: 6 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Make epic Mexican steak tacos at home in under 20 minutes. Enjoy melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness without all the fuss!

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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. Grab your chopped steak chunks and pat them dry. Then, 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 chunks 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 bit 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. 
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 bits 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.