Street tacos are a taste of pure joy – delicious, amazing, and utterly mouthwatering! Imagine sinking your teeth into tender steak, bursting with zesty lime and a hint of spice, perfectly complemented by fresh tomatoes, creamy avocado, and crisp onions. It’s a savory explosion you’re guaranteed to love!
These street tacos are not just packed with incredible flavor; they are also surprisingly simple to make. The secret lies in the marinade, which tenderizes the steak and infuses it with mouthwatering juices in just an hour! If you’re a taco enthusiast like me, you’re always on the lookout for new ways to enjoy this classic dish. While you’re here, be sure to explore other fantastic taco recipes like taco-stuffed avocados, Baja fish tacos, and ground beef tacos – each one a unique and delightful taco experience!
Close-up of flavorful street tacos with fresh toppings.
Street Tacos vs. Regular Tacos: What’s the Difference?
Street tacos have surged in popularity, becoming a beloved staple of Mexican cuisine worldwide. But what exactly sets them apart from “regular tacos”? The primary difference lies in the tortillas. Authentic street tacos are traditionally served on smaller-sized tortillas, often corn tortillas. This size originated from street vendors and food trucks, where portability was key. The smaller tortillas allowed people to easily hold and eat the tacos with one hand while navigating bustling streets. Hence, the name “street tacos” was born!
Despite their smaller size, street tacos are never short on flavor or fillings. Vendors pride themselves on generously stuffing these little tortillas with delicious ingredients. Unlike some “regular” tacos, you typically won’t find fillers like lettuce or excessive amounts of tomatoes in street tacos. Instead, the focus is on high-quality, flavorful meat and simple, fresh toppings that enhance the taste of the star ingredient – the marinated steak.
Don’t let the “street food” origin fool you into thinking street tacos are complicated to prepare at home. In fact, the marinated steak can be prepped in advance, making this recipe incredibly convenient for a quick and satisfying dinner. Making street tacos at home is as easy as 1-2-3: marinate the steak, quickly cook it, and pile on your favorite fresh toppings. Prepare yourself – one street taco will hardly be enough; they are utterly addictive!
Essential Ingredients for Street Tacos
The magic of these street tacos lies in the simple yet powerful combination of ingredients. While “simple,” “quick,” and “easy” might not always be associated with juicy, tender steak, this recipe beautifully brings them all together. The key is to not skip the marinating step! This process transforms an ordinary steak into a restaurant-quality delight, bursting with flavor. Refer to the recipe card below for precise ingredient measurements.
- Flank steak or skirt steak: The cut of steak is crucial for achieving that tender, authentic street taco texture. Flank steak and skirt steak are excellent choices because they are flavorful and become incredibly tender when marinated and cooked quickly. Remember, marinating is non-negotiable for the best results!
- Soy Sauce: Soy sauce forms the savory base of our marinade, adding umami depth and helping to tenderize the steak. For a richer flavor, consider using a high-quality soy sauce.
- Worcestershire sauce: This sauce is the secret weapon in the marinade, bringing a complex blend of savory, tangy, and slightly sweet notes that perfectly complement the other flavors.
- Lime: Fresh lime juice is essential for that signature zesty street taco tang. It brightens the marinade and adds a refreshing citrusy note to the steak. Freshly squeezed lime juice is always preferred, but bottled lime juice can work in a pinch. You’ll need about 2 tablespoons.
- Minced garlic: Garlic is a foundational flavor in Mexican cuisine, adding a pungent and savory element to the marinade. Freshly minced garlic cloves are ideal, but pre-minced garlic can also be used. Typically, ½ teaspoon of minced garlic equals one clove.
- Cilantro: Fresh cilantro provides a bright, herbaceous counterpoint to the richness of the steak and marinade. While optional for the marinade itself, it’s highly recommended as a fresh topping to finish your street tacos.
- Chili powder: Chili powder adds a touch of warmth and mild spice to the marinade without making it overly hot. It contributes to the overall depth of flavor.
- Cumin: Cumin is a quintessential spice in many taco recipes, lending a warm, earthy, and slightly smoky flavor that is characteristic of authentic street tacos. Don’t omit this spice!
- Salt and pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance all the other flavors. Adjust the amount to your personal preference.
- Flour or corn tortillas: For truly authentic street tacos, opt for small corn tortillas. However, small flour tortillas also work well. Ensure you are using the smaller street taco size tortillas, not the larger burrito-sized ones.
Step-by-Step Guide: Making Your Street Tacos
Here’s where the magic truly happens – and you’ll be amazed at how easy it is to create restaurant-quality street tacos in your own kitchen! As emphasized earlier, the marinade is the cornerstone of this recipe. Investing a little time in marinating the steak will reward you with incredibly flavorful and tender meat.
- Prepare the steak and marinade: Begin by cutting the flank steak or skirt steak into bite-sized pieces, about 1-inch in size. This ensures even marinating and quick cooking. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, freshly squeezed lime juice (from one lime), minced garlic, cilantro (if using in the marinade), chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
- Marinate the steak: Add the cubed steak to the marinade, ensuring it’s well coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to 2 hours for even more intense flavor. The longer marinating time allows the flavors to penetrate the steak and tenderize the meat.
- Cook the steak: Heat a medium-sized skillet over medium-high heat. Once the skillet is hot, add the marinated steak along with the marinade. Cook for approximately 5-7 minutes, or until the steak is cooked through and no longer pink. Be careful not to overcook the steak, as it can become tough. The goal is to achieve perfectly cooked, tender steak.
- Assemble your street tacos: Warm your tortillas according to package directions. Place a generous portion of the cooked steak in the center of each tortilla. Now comes the fun part – adding your desired toppings! Traditional street taco toppings are simple and fresh, allowing the flavor of the steak to shine. Popular choices include chopped white or red onions, diced tomatoes, fresh cilantro, a squeeze of lime juice, and creamy avocado or guacamole. Cotija cheese is another authentic topping for a salty, cheesy finish.
Delicious Street Taco Variations
One of the best things about street tacos is their versatility! Once you master the basic recipe, you can easily customize them to your liking with different toppings and serving styles. Here are some tasty variations to try:
- Street Taco Salad: Looking for a lighter option or want to skip the tortillas? Transform your street tacos into a vibrant salad! Simply place the marinated and cooked steak over a bed of your favorite salad greens. Add your choice of street taco toppings, and you have a delicious and satisfying steak taco salad.
- Guacamole Topping: Elevate your street tacos with a dollop of creamy, homemade guacamole. The richness of the avocado perfectly complements the savory steak and adds another layer of flavor and texture. Try this homemade guacamole recipe for a perfect pairing.
- Street Taco Rice Bowl: Create a hearty and complete meal by serving the flavorful street taco steak over a bed of Mexican rice. Add your favorite toppings, and you have a satisfying and customizable street taco rice bowl.
- Larger Tortillas: If you find yourself overstuffing your street tacos (it’s easy to do!), don’t hesitate to use slightly larger tortillas. While not strictly “street taco” size, using a larger tortilla can make assembly and eating a bit easier, especially if you love generous fillings.
- Chicken Street Tacos: Want to switch up the protein? Chicken breast works wonderfully as a substitute for steak in this recipe. Simply marinate and cook the chicken breast using the same method as the steak for delicious chicken street tacos.
Storing and Reheating Leftover Street Taco Steak
Good news – you can absolutely store and enjoy leftover street taco steak! Here’s how to keep your leftovers tasting their best:
- Refrigerating: After cooking, let the steak cool slightly, then transfer it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
- Freezing: For longer storage, freeze the cooked steak. Place it in an airtight freezer-safe ziplock bag or container. You can freeze the steak for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
- Reheating: To reheat, thaw the steak if frozen. You can gently microwave the steak until heated through, or reheat it in a skillet over medium heat until warmed. Once reheated, it’s ready to be used in tacos, salads, or rice bowls!
Side Dishes
Mexican Rice
23 mins
Dressings, Sauces, and Dips
Restaurant Style Salsa
10 mins
Dressings, Sauces, and Dips
Guacamole
15 mins
Bread
Homemade Corn Tortillas
30 mins
Amazing Street Tacos
4.32 from 16 votes
By: Alyssa Rivers
Street Tacos are delicious, amazing, and oh so mouthwatering. I cannot stop thinking about these! They are SOO delicious. You will want to gobble these all up at once!
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
Servings: 6 tacos
Ingredients
Optional Toppings:
- chopped tomatoes
- chopped red onion
- avocado diced
- cilantro chopped
- cotija cheese
Instructions
- Cut the flank steak into one-inch pieces. In a medium-sized bowl add the soy sauce, Worcestershire, juice from one lime, garlic, cilantro, chili powder, cumin, and salt and pepper.
- Add the steak and let marinate in the fridge for 1-2 hours.
- Heat a medium sized skillet to medium high heat. Add the steak and marinade and cook for about 5-7 minutes or until no longer pink.
- Put the steak in the center of your tortilla with desired toppings.
Video
Nutrition
Calories: 121kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 18gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 1154mgPotassium: 338mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 112IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 28mgIron: 2mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!
