These delicious Flank Steak Tacos are perfect for any night of the week. Made with tender steak coasted in a zesty marinade, and finished with fresh toppings, they are sure to become a family favorite.
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Steak tacos
- The homemade marinade infuses the flank steak with a deep, savory flavor that makes these tacos crave-worthy.
- These tacos can be prepared and served in under 30 minutes, making them a practical choice for busy weeknights.
- Flank steak is a budget-friendly cut of meat so you can enjoy restaurant-quality tacos at a fraction of the cost.
Whether you're looking for a quick and easy dinner or want to impress guests at your next gathering, these tacos are the perfect choice.
Ingredients you'll need
Note: This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
📋 Ingredient Notes
- Flank steak - Look for a steak that has a good marbling of fat throughout, as this will help keep the meat moist and tender when cooking.
- Large garlic cloves - Fresh garlic will give the tacos a more intense flavor than dried garlic.
- Fresh orange juice - Juicing a fresh orange will give you a great flavor, but if you have a bottle on hand you can use that instead.
- Fresh lime juice - This adds a bright citrus flavor to the marinade. You will get the best flavor from fresh, but bottled can be used as well.
- White vinegar - White vinegar helps tenderize the steak and adds a tangy flavor to the marinade.
- Olive oil - This helps to keep the meat from sticking to the grill or pan and adds flavor.
- Fresh cilantro - If you're not a fan of cilantro, you can substitute it with parsley or omit it altogether.
- Salt - This not only adds flavor but also helps tenderize the meat.
- Black pepper - You can use freshly ground black pepper or pre-ground depending on what you have on hand.
- Chili powder - This adds a subtle spice to the marinade. You can adjust the amount of chili powder based on your desired level of heat.
- Corn or flour tortillas - Corn tortillas are traditional for tacos, but you can also use flour tortillas if you prefer
- Shredded Monterey cheese - You can also use any other type of cheese you like such as Cheddar or Mexican blend.
- Fresh toppings - Get creative and add your favorite toppings such as pico de gallo, avocado slices, sour cream, sliced red onion, lime wedges, and more.
Before you begin: essential tools
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- Skillet or grill pan
- Gallon storage bag
- Sharp knife and cutting board
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Step by step: instructions
Note: This is an overview of the instructions. The detailed instructions are in the recipe card below.
- Add marinade ingredients in a large zip lock bag or a large bowl, and mix. Add the meat and coat the beef. Seal and refrigerate for 4-12 hours.
- Cook on medium-high heat on a grilling pan or an outdoor grill for 5-6 minutes each side. Rest the steak for 10-15 minutes before cutting.
- Cut into thin slices against the grain. Then assemble tacos by placing sliced meat in a warm tortilla with your favorite toppings with a squeeze of lime.
Your questions answered: FAQs
Look for the lines running across the meat, known as the "grain." You'll want to slice against this grain, making thin cuts at a slight diagonal.
Yes, flank steak can become tender, especially when properly marinated and cooked. The key is to marinate the steak for enough time to allow the acids from the citrus juices and vinegar to break down the muscle fibers.
Yes, while marinating flank steak helps to tenderize and infuse it with flavor, there is such a thing as marinating for too long. Ideally, you should marinate your steak for 4-12 hours. Marinating it beyond 24 hours could result in the meat becoming mushy.
Amira's Tips
- To enhance the flavor of your tacos, make sure that the steak rests. after cooking. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring that every bite is moist and flavorful.
- Make sure to allow the excess marinade to drop off the steak before you add it to the grill.
- The internal temperature of the steak should reach 145 degrees F before you serve it.
- If using a grill pan, you will get grill marks by not moving the steak around too much. Place it down on the hot surface, and only turn it once midway through cooking.
- Lastly, remember to warm your tortillas before assembling the tacos.
Storage and reheating
Storage - Store the leftover steak tacos in an airtight container or plastic bag in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freezing - You can freeze the cooked and sliced flank steak in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. When ready to use, thaw overnight in the fridge.
Reheating - Heat the steak in a skillet with a little bit of vegetable oil over high heat until warmed through.
Make Ahead
To save time and streamline your meal preparation, consider marinating the steak the night before. This not only enhances the flavor but also ensures that your steak is ready to cook when you are.
Perfect pairings: what to serve with
This flank steak taco recipe can be a meal all on its own. However, they also pair well with side dishes such as Rice Cooker Mexican Rice, and you can never go wrong with a side of No Tomato Guacamole along with your favorite tortilla chips.
Adaptable recipe – make it your own!
- Swap out the flank steak with grilled portobello mushrooms for a hearty vegetarian alternative. You can marinate the mushrooms in the same marinade as the steak to keep those flavors consistent.
- London broil is another inexpensive cut of meat that you can use to make these tasty tacos.
- For a lighter option, replace the flank steak with a white fish like tilapia or cod. Adjust the cooking time accordingly, as fish typically cooks faster than beef.
- Add some vegetables by grilling or sauteing some bell peppers and onions to add to your tacos.
- Want more spice in your marinade? Add a diced jalapeno or some red pepper flakes for an extra kick.
- Experiment with different types of cheese such as queso fresco or cotija cheese to add some variety to your tacos.
You might also like
- These Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos are another easy and delicious taco recipe that will make your weeknight dinners a breeze.
- Want to switch things up? These Baja Fish Tacos are the perfect summer meal.
- If you are looking for a dinner idea that you can prep ahead to save time after work, then this Taco Stuffed Peppers recipe is for you.
- Tater Tot Casserole is another easy dish to make for Taco Tuesday when you want something a little different than the normal stuff.
- Flank Steak Pinwheels are cheesy, tender, and bursting with flavor in every bite. Marinated flank steak butterflied and rolled around a delicious filling of melty cheese and spinach.
- Quick and satisfying Steak Bites with Garlic Butter is the answer for dinner tonight. Juicy steak bites seared to golden brown in rich, flavorful, garlicky butter sauce.
I typically cook steak tacos on the stove for midweek meals, but this is also perfect on the grill. This recipe scales up easily, and you can put everything out on the table and let everyone help themselves making it a perfect recipe for entertaining.
Let me know what kind of tacos you usually serve. If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating! Thank you.
Flank Steak Tacos
Ingredients
- 1 ½ flank steak
- For the marinade:
- 3 Large garlic cloves
- Juice of one orange about ½ cup
- Juice of two limes about ¼ cup
- 2 Tablespoons white vinegar
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 1 cup cilantro chopped about half of a big bunch (25g)
- 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
For serving:
- Corn or flour tortillas
- Shredded Monterey cheese
- Pico de Gallo
- Sliced red onions
- Avocado slices
Instructions
- Add all the marinade ingredients in a gallon zip bag and mix well.
- Add the meat and massage through to coat the beef. Seal and refrigerate for 4-12 hours.
- Take the bag out and place on your counter for 15-20 minutes.
- Cook on high for 5-6 minutes each side.
- Remove meat, and place it on a plate then cover loosely with a tented foil. Rest for 10-15 minutes before cutting.
- Transfer flank to a cutting board and thinly slice against the grain.
- Make flank steak tortillas:
- Warm up your tortillas and stuff it with meat topped with your favorite taco toppings.
Nutrition
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