Flank steak tacos are a classic Mexican dish loaded with tender, grilled flank steak marinated in a sweet and spicy mix. Then, tortillas are filled with beef, avocado, onions, cotija cheese, cilantro, and lime for the flavor of Mexico in every bite.
Flank steak is just about the best meat for tacos in the world. Tender and juicy, you've probably had it at Mexican restaurants. You'd have seen it listed as carne asada. These tacos take that tender, juicy beef and classic Mexican spices to create tacos that will have everyone coming back for more.
This was inspired by our grilled flank steak recipe and pairs well with pinto beans, Spanish rice, salad, and all your other favorite Mexican dishes.
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Why You’ll Love This Flank Steak Taco Recipe
With tender, juicy flank steak, authentic Mexican seasonings, and delicious toppings, there's a lot to love about these tacos. They're perfect for a weeknight Taco Tuesday or any party.
- It's a budget-friendly meal. Flank steak isn't particularly expensive.
- It uses simple ingredients you can find at any grocery store.
- It's full of authentic Mexican flavor.
- It's an easy recipe that only takes a few minutes to make. The most time-intensive part is letting the beef marinate.
Ingredients
For the Marinade
- Orange Juice
- Brown sugar
- Olive oil
- Worcestershire sauce
- Cilantro - chopped
- White onion - diced
- Garlic - minced
- Apple cider vinegar
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Chili powder
- Oregano
- Cumin
For the Tacos
- Flank steak
- Flour tortillas
- Chopped cilantro, avocado, onions, cojita cheese, and lime wedges.
See the recipe card at the end of the post for exact quantities.
Flavor Variations and Substitutions
- For a spicier version of this recipe, add jalapenos to the marinade.
- You can use flour or corn tortillas. Both work!
- Try frying your tacos in a little oil before adding your toppings for crispy, golden shells.
- Use any of your favorite toppings on these tacos.
If you love Mexican recipes like this one, check out our steak quesadillas or sheet pan chicken fajitas.
How To Make Flank Steak Tacos
Combine the marinade ingredients in a 1-gallon freezer bag or bowl and mix well.
Add the flank steak, shake to coat, and refrigerate for 1 hour or overnight.
Let the flank steak sit at room temperature while your grill heats to medium-high. Then, grill the flank steaks until the internal temperature reaches 135 degrees.
Let the steak rest to redistribute the juices, then cut against the grain to make slices.
You can top your tortillas with flank steak, cheese, and the toppings listed in the recipe, or with your favorites.
Hint
While you can marinate the steak for as little as an hour, it will be most flavorful and tender if you let it marinate for a day. I highly recommend marinating for at least four hours.
Storage
Only make as many tacos as your family and friends will eat. Then, refrigerate any leftover steak in an air-tight container for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze it for up to 3 months in an air-tight, freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag with as much air removed as possible.
To reheat the flank steak, defrost it. Then heat it in a skillet over medium-low heat until heated through.
What To Serve With Flank Steak Tacos
These tacos make the perfect addition to a larger meal with all your favorite sides. Try them with:
Tips
- Instead of using just orange juice. I like to use an orange punch that contains orange, tangerine, and lemon juices.
- Marinating your steak for a full 24 hours will make it super tender and give it the most flavor.
- Grill your flank steak on high heat to quickly cook the outside while keeping the inside tender.
- Remove your flank steak from the grill as soon as it reaches an internal temperature of 135 degrees to avoid overcooking.
FAQ
Flank steak is a cut of beef steak from the abdomen of the cow. It's a long, flat cut with significant grain known for its chewiness and bold flavor.
There are three keys to tender flank steak. First, marinade it for at least 8 hours. This breaks down the protein fibers for a more tender steak. Next, grill or cook it on high heat for a short amount of time. This cooks the outside quickly and brings the internal temperature to between 125 and 130 degrees. Finally, slice your flank steak against the grain to reduce chewiness.
All of your favorite taco toppings will work for flank steak tacos. There's really no wrong choice.
Yes, it is. Carne asada is grilled and sliced beef. It's usually made with flank steak, flap steak, or skirt steak.
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Flank Steak Tacos
Ingredients
Flank Steak Marinade
- 1 cup orange juice
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ cup cilantro chopped
- ¼ cup white onion diced
- 2 teaspoons garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon cumin
Tacos
- 2 pounds flank steak
- 8 6-inch flour tortillas
- chopped cilantro, avocado, onions, cotija cheese, and lime wedges - topping
Instructions
- Add all the marinade ingredients to a 1-gallon freezer bag. Mix until well combined, and add flank steak.
- Coat flank steak in marinade and refrigerate for 1-24 hours.
- Remove flank steak from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature for 15-20 minutes.
- Preheat your gas or charcoal grill to medium-high heat, about 425℉. (or grilling pan on the stove on medium-high heat). Remove flank steak from marinade and remove any onions or cilantro that may be attached. Grill the flank steak for 3-4 minutes on each side or until it reaches 135℉ internal temperature.
- Remove from the grill and cover. Let the flank steak rest for 5-10 minutes.
- Slice against the grain and add steak to the tortillas. Serve with your favorite toppings, and enjoy.
Notes
- Marinating your steak for a full 24 hours will make it super tender and give it the most flavor.
- Grill your flank steak on high heat to quickly cook the outside while keeping the inside tender.
- To avoid overcooking, remove your flank steak from the grill as soon as it reaches an internal temperature of 135 degrees.
Nutrition
*All nutrition information provided is automatically calculated and is an estimate and will vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact numbers on your ingredients, I would recommend calculating them with your prefered nutrition calculator.
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