Craving the vibrant flavors of authentic Mexican street food right in your kitchen? Look no further than these incredible Mexican Street Tacos, featuring juicy, flavorful carne asada. Street tacos, a cornerstone of Mexican cuisine, are known for their simplicity and bold taste, and this recipe brings that beloved experience straight to your dinner table. Get ready to discover how easy it is to create restaurant-quality mexican street tacos with a secret ingredient that elevates the flavor to a whole new level!
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overhead view of carne asada mexican street tacos, in a double layer of crispy corn torillas and sprinkled with cilantro and onion.](Authentic Mexican Street Tacos with Carne Asada)
What are Mexican Street Tacos?
Mexican street tacos, or tacos de calle, are a true taste of Mexico’s culinary heart. Unlike their Tex-Mex counterparts, authentic street tacos are all about simplicity and fresh, high-quality ingredients. Typically served on small corn tortillas, they feature a variety of fillings, from grilled meats like carne asada and al pastor to flavorful stews and vegetarian options. The beauty of mexican street tacos lies in their minimal toppings – usually just diced onion, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime – allowing the star of the show, the filling, to truly shine. They are the perfect embodiment of deliciousness in its most unpretentious form, capturing the essence of Mexican street food culture.
Why Carne Asada Street Tacos are the Best
Among the vast array of mexican street tacos, carne asada reigns supreme for many. Carne asada, meaning “grilled meat,” is typically made with thinly sliced steak that’s marinated and grilled to perfection. The smoky char of the grill combined with the savory marinade creates an irresistible depth of flavor that’s hard to beat. When nestled in warm corn tortillas and topped with the classic cilantro and onion, carne asada mexican street tacos offer a truly satisfying and authentic taste experience. The tender, flavorful beef, combined with the simple freshness of the toppings, makes carne asada street tacos a quintessential and beloved choice for street food enthusiasts.
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overhead view of carne asada mexican street tacos in a double layer of corn tortillas sprinkled with chopped onion and cilantro](Close-up of Authentic Carne Asada Mexican Street Tacos)
The Secret to Flavorful Carne Asada: Beer Marinade
What sets this mexican street tacos recipe apart? The secret lies in the marinade – specifically, the addition of Mexican beer! Using beer in the marinade for carne asada is a game-changer. The beer acts as a natural tenderizer, breaking down the fibers of less expensive cuts of steak like flank or skirt steak, resulting in incredibly juicy and tender carne asada. As the beer cooks down, the alcohol evaporates, leaving behind a subtle, earthy flavor that complements the spices and enhances the overall depth of the dish. This simple yet brilliant trick ensures your carne asada mexican street tacos will be bursting with flavor and have that authentic street taco tenderness.
Easy Steps to Make Carne Asada Mexican Street Tacos
Making these delicious mexican street tacos at home is surprisingly easy. Here’s a simple breakdown:
- Prepare the Carne Asada: Start by dicing your steak and combining it with a flavorful marinade. This recipe features a blend of cumin, garlic powder, salt, pepper, serrano pepper, diced tomato, white onion, and the secret ingredient – Mexican beer! Let the carne asada marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to an hour for even deeper flavor.
- Cook the Carne Asada: Heat canola oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Pour in the marinated carne asada mixture and cook, stirring occasionally, until all the liquid has evaporated and the beef is cooked through and slightly browned. This usually takes around 20 minutes.
- Warm the Tortillas: While the carne asada cooks, warm your corn tortillas. You can toast them on a comal or griddle, char them over an open flame for a smoky flavor, or simply microwave them wrapped in a damp towel.
- Assemble Your Street Tacos: For authentic mexican street tacos, use two corn tortillas per taco for extra strength and texture. Fill each double tortilla with a generous amount of the cooked carne asada.
- Add the Classic Toppings: Keep it simple and authentic with diced white onion and fresh cilantro. A squeeze of lime juice just before serving is the perfect finishing touch.
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straight ahead view of five carne asada mexican street tacos being sprinkled with fresh cilantro. the easy mexican recipe is topped with fresh onion as well, and two light blue bowls are barely visible towards to the top-right of the image.](Preparing Authentic Mexican Street Tacos with Fresh Cilantro)
Tips for Perfect Mexican Street Tacos
- Tortilla Choice Matters: Authentic mexican street tacos are always made with corn tortillas. Look for high-quality corn tortillas for the best flavor and texture.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Skillet: Cook the carne asada in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the skillet, which can steam the meat instead of browning it.
- Get Creative with Toppings (Optional): While traditional mexican street tacos are simple, you can offer a variety of salsas, pickled onions, or a dollop of guacamole for those who like to customize.
- Serve Immediately: Mexican street tacos are best enjoyed fresh and hot, right after the carne asada is cooked and the tortillas are warmed.
These carne asada mexican street tacos are incredibly flavorful, easy to make, and perfect for a weeknight dinner or a fun Taco Tuesday feast. Bring the taste of authentic mexican street tacos to your home kitchen and enjoy the vibrant flavors of Mexico! Don’t forget to rate this recipe if you loved it!
