Street tacos are an absolute delight, bursting with incredible flavors that will leave you craving more! Imagine sinking your teeth into tender steak, brightened with zesty lime and a hint of spice, perfectly complemented by fresh toppings like tomatoes, creamy avocado, and crisp onions. It’s a savory experience you’re guaranteed to fall in love with!
These street tacos are not only packed with flavor but also surprisingly easy to make at home. The secret is in the marinade, which tenderizes the steak and infuses it with mouthwatering juiciness in just an hour! If you’re as obsessed with tacos as I am, you’re in for a treat. Expand your taco repertoire with some equally delicious recipes like taco-stuffed avocados, Baja fish tacos, and classic ground beef tacos – each one is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
Close-up of street tacos loaded with toppings like cilantro and onions.
Street Tacos vs. Regular Tacos: What’s the Difference?
Street tacos have surged in popularity, becoming a beloved staple for taco enthusiasts everywhere. But what exactly sets them apart from “regular” tacos? The main difference lies in the tortillas. Street tacos traditionally use smaller-sized tortillas, typically corn, although flour is also common. This smaller size has a practical origin: street vendors and food trucks designed them to be easily held and eaten with one hand while navigating busy streets – hence the name “street tacos.”
Despite their smaller tortillas, street tacos are never skimpy on fillings. Vendors aim to pack as much flavor as possible into each taco! Another distinguishing feature is the simplicity of toppings. You typically won’t find lettuce or shredded cheese in authentic street tacos. Instead, the focus is on the quality of the meat and fresh, vibrant toppings like cilantro, onions, and salsa. Don’t mistake this simplicity for a lack of flavor or complexity. Street tacos are all about highlighting the core ingredients.
One of the best things about street tacos is how convenient they are to prepare, especially when using marinated steak. Much of the prep work can be done ahead, making dinner assembly a breeze. This recipe is incredibly straightforward, broken down into just three simple steps: marinating the steak, cooking it to perfection on your stovetop, and then loading up those tortillas with fresh, flavorful toppings. Trust me, one street taco will never be enough – you’re going to adore these as much as I do!
Ingredients for Authentic Street Tacos
It might seem surprising that something described as “simple, quick, and easy” can also deliver incredibly juicy and tender steak. But these street tacos prove exactly that! The key is taking the time to properly marinate the steak. This step is crucial for achieving that mouthwatering, restaurant-quality flavor right in your own kitchen. Be sure to check out the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the complete list of ingredient measurements.
- Flank steak or skirt steak: The cut of steak matters! Flank or skirt steak are ideal for street tacos because they are flavorful and become wonderfully tender when marinated and cooked quickly. Remember, marinating is essential!
- Soy Sauce: Using a good quality soy sauce really enhances the umami flavor of the marinade.
- Worcestershire sauce: This is a secret weapon in the marinade! Worcestershire sauce adds depth and complexity, bringing all the flavors together beautifully.
- Lime: Fresh lime juice is key for that signature zesty street taco flavor. You’ll need the juice of about one lime, or roughly 2 tablespoons.
- Minced garlic: Fresh garlic cloves are always best, but pre-minced garlic works in a pinch. Generally, ½ teaspoon of minced garlic is equivalent to one clove.
- Cilantro: Fresh cilantro adds a bright, herbaceous note. This is optional in the marinade but essential as a topping!
- Chili powder: Chili powder provides a mild warmth and classic taco flavor without being overly spicy.
- Cumin: Cumin brings an earthy, warm spice that is essential for authentic taco flavor. Don’t skip this!
- Salt and pepper: Season generously to taste! Salt and pepper are crucial for balancing and enhancing all the other flavors.
- Flour or corn tortillas: For true street tacos, opt for smaller tortillas. Avoid burrito-sized ones as they are too large. Both corn and flour tortillas work well – choose your preference!
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Street Tacos
Here’s the part you’ve been waiting for – making these incredible street tacos is surprisingly EASY! I can’t emphasize enough how important the marinating step is. It transforms the steak and elevates these tacos from good to absolutely amazing. Trust me, the little bit of planning ahead is totally worth it!
- Prep the Steak and Marinade: Slice the flank steak into bite-sized, one-inch pieces. In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, lime juice, minced garlic, cilantro, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
- Marinate the Steak: Add the steak pieces to the marinade, ensuring they are well coated. Cover the bowl and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or up to 2 hours for even more flavor.
- Cook the Steak: Heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated steak and all the marinade to the hot skillet. Cook for approximately 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the steak is cooked through and no longer pink. Be careful not to overcook, as you want the steak to remain tender.
- Assemble Your Street Tacos: Warm your tortillas according to package directions or by lightly charring them on a hot skillet or open flame for extra flavor. Place a generous amount of the cooked steak in the center of each tortilla. Now comes the fun part – add your desired toppings and get ready to enjoy the best street tacos ever!
Delicious Street Taco Variations
One of the great things about street tacos is their versatility. You can easily customize them to your liking by playing with different toppings or even changing up the base recipe! Here are a few tasty variations to try:
- Street Taco Salad: Want to skip the tortillas? No problem! This marinated steak is fantastic served over a bed of your favorite salad greens. Add all your favorite taco toppings for a delicious and healthy steak taco salad.
- Guacamole Topping: Take your street tacos to the next level by adding a dollop of creamy homemade guacamole! It adds richness and cool flavor that perfectly complements the spiced steak.
- Street Taco Rice Bowls: Transform these street tacos into satisfying rice bowls! Serve the flavorful marinated steak over a bed of Mexican rice for a heartier meal. Add beans, corn, or your other favorite bowl components.
- Larger Tortillas: If you find yourself overstuffing the smaller street taco tortillas (it happens!), feel free to use slightly larger tortillas. This makes them easier to handle and less prone to tearing.
- Chicken Street Tacos: Want to switch up the protein? Chicken breast works wonderfully in this marinade too! Simply substitute chicken breast for flank steak and follow the recipe as directed.
Image of Mexican rice in a bowl, a side dish suggestion for street tacos.
Storing and Reheating Leftover Street Taco Meat
Yes, you can definitely store leftovers and enjoy them later! Here’s how to keep your leftover street taco meat tasting fresh and delicious:
- Refrigerating: Once the steak is cooked and cooled, place it in an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
- Freezing: For longer storage, freeze the steak. Place it in an airtight freezer-safe ziplock bag or container. You can freeze the cooked steak for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
- Reheating: To reheat, thaw the steak in the fridge if frozen. Then, you can simply microwave the meat until heated through, or gently reheat it in a skillet over medium heat. Once warmed, 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
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Amazing Street Tacos Recipe
4.32 from 16 votes
By: Alyssa Rivers
Street Tacos are truly amazing and incredibly mouthwatering. Once you try them, you won’t be able to stop thinking about them! They are absolutely delicious and you’ll want to devour them all!
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!
