If you’re on the lookout for a delicious weeknight meal that’s as simple as it is satisfying, these Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajita Tacos are sure to hit the spot!
These Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajita Tacos are packed with vibrant colors and flavors. Plus, most of the action is happening on a sheet pan so you have very limited dishes. That’s a major win!
These tacos are not only dairy-free and gluten-free, but also fit perfectly into a paleo lifestyle, making them a great choice for anyone sitting at your table. You’ll love the perfectly seasoned shrimp, the tender veggies, and the option to top your tacos however you choose!
Ingredients:
Mini Bell Peppers
Red Onion
Serrano Pepper
Avocado Oil
Kosher Salt
Freshly Ground Black Pepper
Peeled, Deveined, and Tail-Off Shrimp
Chili Powder
Garlic Powder
Smoked Paprika
Ground Cumin
Fresh Oregano Leaves
Limes
Flour Tortillas
Avocados
Fresh Cilantro
Salsa
Step-by-step:
step one: prep the sheet pan
Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
step two: prep the veggies
Place the sliced bell peppers, onion, and serrano on the prepared sheet pan. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of the avocado oil, ½ teaspoon Kosher salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper and toss until well combined.
step three: par-cook the veggies
Spread into an even layer and par-cook until softened, about 10 minutes.
step four: season the shrimp
Meanwhile, pat the shrimp very dry and place in a bowl. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons avocado oil 1 ½ teaspoons Kosher salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, the chili powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cumin, fresh oregano, and lime zest and toss until well combined and the shrimp is evenly coated. Set aside until the veggies have par-cooked.
step five: add shrimp to the pan and roast
Remove the veggies from the oven and add the shrimp to the pan. Toss until just combined and spread into an even layer. Place back into the oven and continue to roast until the shrimp is cooked through, about 10 minutes.
step six: heat the tortillas
One at a time, place the tortillas in a dry (no oil) stainless steel skillet over medium heat and cook for about 30 seconds on each side. You can also do away with the skillet, and char the tortillas directly over a gas flame for a few seconds using tongs.
step seven: assemble the tacos and serve!
To serve, spread the mashed avocado on the bottom of a tortilla and top with the shrimp fajitas. Finish with a sprinkle of cilantro, a drizzle of salsa, and a lime wedge for squeezing.
Recipe FAQs:
Can I serve these without tortillas?
Sure! This shrimp would taste amazing over a bowl or rice, as a tostada, or even on top of a salad. Feel free to get creative!
is this recipe dairy-free or gluten-free?
Both! Plus, this recipe can be fully paleo depending on the tortillas you choose to use.
are these tacos spicy?
I wouldn’t say these fajita tacos are spicy! They have plenty of flavor, but the spice level is pretty mild. If you want to kick it up a notch, you can choose to serve with a spicier salsa! You can also avoid using the serrano pepper if you want to skip the heat.
I hope you love these quick and simple Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajita Tacos! Let me know what you think after you try them.
1-poundmini bell peppersstem removed and thinly sliced into rounds
1cuphalved and thinly sliced red onion½ large onion
1serrano pepperstem removed and thinly sliced into rounds (optional)
4tablespoonsavocado oildivided
2teaspoonsKosher saltdivided
1teaspoonfreshly ground black pepperdivided
1 ½poundspeeleddeveined and tail-off shrimp (36/40)
2teaspoonschili powder
1teaspoongarlic powder
1teaspoonsmoked paprika
½teaspoonground cumin
1tablespoonfinely chopped fresh oregano leaves
Zest of ½ lime
For Serving:
10flour tortillas
2avocadosmashed
¼cupfreshly chopped cilantro leaves
Salsafor topping
1limecut into wedges
Instructions
Make the Shrimp Fajitas:
Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
Place the sliced bell peppers, onion, and serrano on the prepared sheet pan. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of the avocado oil, ½ teaspoon Kosher salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper and toss until well-combined. Spread into an even layer and par cook until softened, about 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, pat the shrimp very dry and place in a bowl. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons avocado oil 1 ½ teaspoon Kosher salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, the chili powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cumin, fresh oregano, and lime zest and toss until well combined and the shrimp is evenly coated. Set aside until the veggies have par cooked.
Remove the veggies from the oven and add the shrimp to the pan. Toss until just combined and spread into an even layer. Place back into the oven and continue to roast until the shrimp is cooked through, about 10 minutes.
Assemble the tacos:
One at a time, place the tortillas in a dry (no oil) stainless steel skillet over medium heat and cook for about 30 seconds on each side. You can also do away with the skillet and char the tortillas directly over a gas flame for a few seconds using tongs.
To serve, spread the mashed avocado on the bottom of a tortilla and top with the shrimp fajitas. Finish with a sprinkle of cilantro and a drizzle of salsa, and a lime wedge for squeezing.
If you want quick, simple, freakin’ delicious tacos for dinner, these steak bite tacos are it. With tender steak and your favorite toppings, they’re buttery and savory all at once. This steak taco recipe is also a great make-ahead meal for a busy weeknight taco night or big parties because you can prep a massive batch of steak at one time. When you’re ready to make your steak bite tacos, just pop the steak in your warmer oven while you prep your fixings!
In my opinion, Taco Tuesday should be a national holiday. I love tacos and have made lots of variations because there’s just something about easy steak tacos that is so satisfying.
The best thing about these flavorful steak tacos is the bite size steak pieces make them super easy to eat. No more taking a bite and having all the taco filling fall right out! Also, the garlic butter in this recipe is insane. It makes this recipe next level.
Steak: I’m going with New York strip steaks or ribeyes here, but if you’ve got another cut in mind, feel free to sub it in. I’m testing out a new seasoning on the steaks today, it’ll be available to you soon! Alternatively you can use your favorite steak rub, or a simple salt, pepper, garlic mixture. Then, we’ll add in some minced garlic and parsley while cooking.
Tacos: Because you can’t have a proper taco without shredded cheese (I used Jack cheese), chopped fresh cilantro, diced white onions and warm tortillas.
Garlic Butter: Here’s the part of the recipe that gives these easy steak tacos tons of flavor. We’ll melt unsalted butter and mix it with more minced garlic, chopped fresh chives, red pepper flakes and kosher salt.
The Best Way to Warm Up Tortillas
We all know it’s a good idea to warm up tortillas for tacos, because no one wants a tortilla that flakes and falls apart while you’re eating. But what’s the best way to do it?
Here’s my favorite method, which you can use any time you’re making tacos. Place a dry cast iron skillet on the grill while I’m making the other components of the recipe. For corn tortillas, keep the skillet dry; for flour tortillas, add a little bit of butter to the skillet so they brown up.
Heat the tortillas for about 30 seconds per side. Once they start to bubble up, they’re ready to flip or pull off. You can also place your tortillas directly on the grill grates and heat them for 15 to 30 seconds per side. Once you’ve heated up all your tortillas, keep the warmed tortillas in foil, or wrapped in a damp dish towel inside an airtight container.
Get stoked for life
This sauce is FYR!
an all-new line created for live fire cooking
Born from a deep passion for food and flavor. Whether you’re grilling in the backyard or live fire cooking around the world, we have what you need to transform every meal into an adventure.
First thing: that freakin’ delicious butter. In a small bowl, mix together 12 ounces of unsalted butter (which equals 24 tablespoons of butter), 2 tablespoons minced garlic, 1.5 tablespoons chopped chives, 1.5 tablespoons red pepper flakes and 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Then, set the garlic butter to the side until you’re ready to use it.
Next, cut two New York strip steaks or ribeye steaks into bite-sized cubes. Slather those small pieces of steak with oil, then generously season with a steak rub. I’m testing out a new rub today, but you can alternatively use 1 tablespoon kosher salt, 1 tablespoon black pepper and 1 tablespoon garlic powder. Place the steak bites in the fridge until you’re ready to grill.
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, about 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Place a cast iron skillet on the grill, then add in the steak. Sear the steak on all sides, then add in 2 tablespoons minced garlic and 1.5 teaspoons chopped parsley. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the steak is tender and done to your liking, then pull off the heat.
To finish our steak bite tacos, place a cast iron skillet on the grill over medium heat. Add a tortilla to the pan, warm for 30 seconds, then flip and top with a handful of shredded Jack cheese. Place the steak, diced white onion, chopped cilantro and butter sauce on the tortilla, then fold it over to crisp up. Cook the steak bite taco until the cheese is melted and the tortilla is crispy.
Pull off, finish with a squeeze of lime juice, serve and enjoy!
What to Serve with Steak Bite Tacos
Since this steak bite taco recipe is quick and easy, you’ll want to do the same with your sides. Everyone’s always stoked about chips and salsa or guacamole, which would be a great starter for these steak tacos. You could do a simple slaw on the side, with lots of lime and scallions, or some blistered shishito peppers. Refried beans and rice are also simple staples!
Leftovers and Reheating
If you’ve got leftovers of these steak bite tacos, store the steak in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to eat, reheat them in a large skillet on the stovetop or grill at medium heat. Store the garlic butter in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. To reheat, warm up in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, then slather over everything.
What’s another cut of beef I can use for steak bite tacos?
Skirt steak, flank steak and sirloin steak are all great options. You’ll get great beefy flavor whatever you choose!
What are some other ideas for toppings?
Another reason I love tacos: they’re so versatile! If you’re looking for other toppings, sour cream, cotija cheese, corn salsa, salsa verde, red onion, and homemade salsa or pico de gallo would all be great additions to your taco bar.
What’s better, flour tortillas or corn tortillas?
You can use either in this steak bite taco recipe! Basically, all you need to know is that corn tortillas are firmer and have an earthier flavor. Flour tortillas are softer and sweeter. My opinion: you can’t really go wrong.
Get The Cookbooks!
Flavor X Fire & FOOD X Fire
By Derek Wolf
All the major tastes—salty, sour, sweet, bitter, and umami—are explored in depth, along with an investigation of other components you should consider when it comes to flavor, such as aroma, heat, and texture.
These freakin' delicious steak bite tacos are buttery and savory all at once. Perfect quick and simple recipe for taco night!
Course Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutesminutes
Cook Time 25 minutesminutes
Total Time 40 minutesminutes
Servings 4people
Calories 1099kcal
Author Derek Wolf
Ingredients
Steak:
2NY Strips or Ribeyescut into bite sized cubed
1tbspKosher Salt
1tbspBlack Pepper
1tbspGarlic Powder
Neutral Oilas needed
2tbspMinced Garlic
1tbspChopped Parsley
Tacos:
2cupsShredded Jack Cheese
Chopped Cilantrogarnish
Diced White Onionsgarnish
Flour or Corn Tortillas
Garlic Butter:
12ozUnsalted ButterMelted
2tbspGarlicMinced
1.5tspRed Chili Flakes
1.5tbspChivesChopped
1tspKosher Salt
Instructions
Steak and Butter:
Add all the ingredients for your butter to a bowl and mix. Set to the side until ready to use.
Slather your cubed steak with oil and generously season with salt, pepper and garlic powder or your favorite steak rub. Set in the fridge until ready to cook.
Preheat a grill to medium-high heat (about 375F).
Add a cast iron skillet to the grill and add in the steak. Sear off the steak on all sides, then add in minced garlic and chopped parsley. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the steak is tender and done to your liking, then pull off the heat.
Tacos:
Add a cast iron skillet over medium heat to preheat.
Add a tortilla and cook one side then flip and top with a handful of shredded cheese. Add the steak, cilantro, onion and butter sauce to the tortilla, then fold it over to crisp up. Cook until the cheese is melted and the tortilla is crispy.
Pull off, serve and enjoy!
Notes
The Best Way to Warm Up TortillasWe all know it’s a good idea to warm up tortillas for tacos, because no one wants a tortilla that flakes and falls apart while you’re eating. But what’s the best way to do it?Here’s my favorite method, which you can use any time you’re making tacos. Place a dry cast iron skillet on the grill while I’m making the other components of the recipe. For corn tortillas, keep the skillet dry; for flour tortillas, add a little bit of butter to the skillet so they brown up. Heat the tortillas for about 30 seconds per side. Once they start to bubble up, they’re ready to flip or pull off.You can also place your tortillas directly on the grill grates and heat them for 15 to 30 seconds per side. Once you’ve heated up all your tortillas, keep the warmed tortillas in foil, or wrapped in a damp dish towel inside an airtight container.
This collection of favorite dishes by the 2024 Presidential nominees, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, will leave you wanting more. From Tacos to Meat Loaf, there’s a delicious recipe for everyone.
This collection of favorite dishes by the 2024 Presidential nominees, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, will leave you wanting more. From Tacos to Meat Loaf, there's a delicious recipe for everyone.
These Vegan Ground Beef Tacos need to be on the menu for your next taco night. Juicy vegan beef infused with Mexican lager and tequila to make taco meat that’s bursting with flavor! All you need is 8 simple ingredients and your favorite taco toppings.
These Vegan Ground Beef Tacos need to be on the menu for your next t aco night. Juicy vegan beef infused with Mexican lager and tequila to make taco meat that’s bursting with flavor! All you need is 8 simple ingredients and your favorite taco toppings.
We decided it was time to add a Classic Vegan Ground Beef Taco recipe. They’re the perfect introductory tacos for new vegans, skeptical family and friends, or when you’re craving something that tastes as close to the real thing to street tacos as possible.
Enjoy a quick, simple weeknight dinner, or serve it to a crowd for family get-togethers!
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Taco Meat:
Aromatics: Onion and fresh garlic add a savory depth of flavor to the taco meat.
Cilantro: Adds freshness that balances the richer flavors in the vegan beef mixture. For the most robust flavor, use both fresh cilantro leaves and stems.
Vegan beefless grounds: Our favorite beef to use is by the brand Impossible, but feel free to use your favorite vegan beefless grounds brand.
Light Mexican lager: Deepens the richness of the taco meat and adds a slight malt flavor. We like to use Modelo or Corona.
Tequila: Infuses the beef with a subtle smoky flavor and brightens the overall flavor.
Spices: You’ll need your favorite taco seasoning blend and black pepper. Depending on your spice preference you can opt for a mild or spicy taco seasoning – both work well in this taco meat!
Toppings: If you want to keep it classic, serve your beef tacos with cilantro, diced white onion, and a squeeze of lime juice. Or, take them to the next level with added vegan shredded cheese, vegan sour cream, salsa, guacamole, shredded lettuce, and/or pickled veggies!
Sauté onions. Heat the oil in a medium pan over medium heat. Once warm, add the diced onions and sauté until translucent, about 4 minutes.
Add cilantro and garlic. Once the onions are translucent, add the chopped cilantro and minced garlic. Cook for another minute, stirring constantly.
Add vegan grounds. Stir in the beefless grounds and cook for 3-4 minutes or until browned and crispy on the outside.
Season. Sprinkle the beef mixture with 2 teaspoons of taco seasoning and cook for another minute, stirring often.
Add beer. Pour in half of the light Mexican lager and mix through. Cook, mixing often, until no liquid remains. Repeat with the remaining beer, simmering again until no liquid remains.
Add tequila. Pour in half of the tequila and mix through. Cook mixing often, until no liquid remains. Repeat with the remaining tequila, simmering again until no liquid remains.
Season as desired. Once the liquid has fully cooked off, season with black pepper and additional seasonings to taste.
Serve. Serve vegan ground beef immediately while warm in tortillas with toppings of choice. Enjoy!
Serving Suggestions
Stuffing this vegan taco meat into your favorite warm tortillas and enjoying these tacos as a main dish is the obvious choice, but this vegan beef can be used to make so much more than just tacos! Feel free to use it to make Vegan Taco Salads, Nachos, Quesadillas, Burrito Bowls, Taquitos, Enchilada Casserole and more!
Vegan Side Dishes that Pair Well
There’s nothing better than tacos paired with a few delicious sides! Here are a few of our favorites:
Leftover taco meat will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Before storing, allow the taco meat to cool to room temperature to prevent condensation buildup.
Reheat leftovers in the microwave or in a skillet on the stovetop until warmed through, and serve as desired.
Make sure you tag us on Instagram @sweetsimplevegan and @consciouschris and hashtag #sweetsimplevegan if you make this recipe. We love to see your photos!
These Vegan Ground Beef Tacos need to be on the menu for your next taco night. Juicy vegan beef infused with Mexican lager and tequila to make taco meat that’s bursting with flavor! All you need is 8 simple ingredients and your favorite taco toppings.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon oil
½ large white onion, diced
½ cup finely chopped cilantro (stems included)
12 oz vegan beefless grounds (we used Impossible)
6 cloves garlic, minced
12 oz light Mexican lager (we like Modelo or Corona)
Sauté onions. Heat the oil in a medium pan over medium heat. Once warm, add the diced onions and sauté until translucent, about 4 minutes.
Add cilantro and garlic. Once the onions are translucent, add the chopped cilantro and minced garlic. Cook for another minute, stirring constantly.
Add vegan grounds. Stir in the beefless grounds and cook for 3-4 minutes or until browned.
Season. Sprinkle the beef mixture with 2 teaspoons of taco seasoning and cook for another minute, stirring often.
Add beer. Pour in half of the light Mexican lager and mix through. Cook, mixing often, until no liquid remains. Repeat with the remaining beer, simmering again until no liquid remains.
Add tequila. Pour half of the tequila in and mix through. Cook, mixing often, until no liquid remains. Repeat with the remaining tequila, simmering again until no liquid remains.
Season as desired. Once the liquid has fully cooked off, season with black pepper and additional seasonings to taste. The taco seasoning we used had enough salt, so we did not need to add any more.
Serve. Serve vegan ground beef immediately while warm in tortillas with toppings of choice. Enjoy!
Notes
Storage: Leftover taco meat will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Before storing, allow the taco meat to cool to room temperature to prevent condensation buildup.
Freezing: Store in the freezer after cooling completely for up to 3 months.
Reheating: Heat in a microwave or in a skillet on the stovetop until warmed through, and serve as desired.
If you’re a taco lover, these crispy summer carnitas tacos are for you. Crispy pulled pork in a warm tortilla, topped with refreshing, crisp sweet corn salsa and an herby jalapeño crema drizzled on top. So delicious and flavorful! Who loves tacos!! I’m very much raising both hands for these crispy carnitas summer tacos right […]
If you’re a taco lover, these crispy summer carnitas tacos are for you. Crispy pulled pork in a warm tortilla, topped with refreshing, crisp sweet corn salsa and an herby jalapeño crema drizzled on top. So delicious and flavorful!
Who loves tacos!!
I’m very much raising both hands for these crispy carnitas summer tacos right now. Crispy, juicy shredded pork on warm tortillas with crumbled cotija cheese, corn salsa and a jalapeno crema are calling my name. Always.
Yes, always. Tacos are always calling my name but these ones specifically?
Wowza.
Tons of flavor. Tastes super fancy. Are easy to throw together.
Definitely pleases a crowd!
Right now we’re in the midst of enjoying summer foods and preparing for football season parties and this is a recipe that works double time.
It’s both!
It can be a weeknight meal on a busy school night.
Or it can feed a crowd on a college football Saturday.
I’ve shared so many different recipes with pulled pork here for you. We love carnitas because crisping them in the oven right until they get that classic crunch is EVERYTHING.
If you’re a texture freak like I am, you know that it makes the dish. It’s the step you don’t want to skip!
Depending on the day, I may braise my pork on the stovetop but I most often use the slow cooker. It’s just the easiest and requires the least babysitting in my life right now.
But no matter what, I crisp the shredded pork in the oven before we enjoy it. Definitely the best part.
A quick salsa like this is a staple in our weeknight meals. I like using fresh corn that I slice right from the cob. It’s so sweet and super crunchy! Along with the corn, I add in:
Diced jalapeno
Diced shallot
And diced mango (!!!)
Chopped cilantro
Lots of lime juice
A big pinch of salt
Yes please!
I could eat this with a spoon! It’s perfect on the tacos but also so delicious served on grilled chicken or with rice or even thrown inside of a quesadilla!
The sweet and crisp and refreshing combo is absolutely perfect. (more…)
There’s no party like a taco party. And I say that because every taco night feels like a party, especially with the best taco recipes. Warm tortillas, freakin’ delicious proteins, your favorite toppings — it doesn’t get much better than that.
That’s probably why I’ve made many, many taco recipes over the years. So, I’ve rounded up my favorite taco recipes so you can find your go-to Taco Tuesday dinner.
First, I’ll start with what I love about tacos. It’s because you can go all-out a special occasion, make an easy recipe for family dinner or just throw together your favorite homemade tacos for any meal. Breakfast tacos or burritos, anyone? There’s really something for everyone!
And that something for everyone extends to how much you can vary tacos. You can go with corn tortillas and flour tortillas, or even crispy shells. You can cook up steak tacos, tacos al pastor, chicken tinga tacos, a smashburger take on classic ground beef tacos, fish tacos, shrimp tacos and so much more.
Then, don’t even get me started on the ways you can create your own taco seasoning mix or put out a variety of toppings — the possibilities are endless.
Tips for Making the Best Tacos
With all this variation, you want to make sure you’re set up for success. Here are my suggestions to make sure you deliver the best taco night.
Tortillas: First, you’ve got to decide if you’re going with soft shells or hard taco shells. I’m a soft corn tortilla guy myself, given the texture, flavor and ability to prepare them according to your personal preference. Whether you’re using corn tortillas or flour tortillas, make sure you heat them up in a dry skillet first so they don’t break on you. Dumping the contents of your perfect taco all over your plate before you even take a bit is the worst!
Proteins: When you’re picking your protein, double-check the cooking time. Ingredients like pork shoulder or chicken thighs will take longer than steak (though check your marinating times!), ground beef, ground chicken or fish taco recipes. So, make sure you’re allowing the right amount of time to cook your delicious taco filling.
Toppings: Here’s where your imagination can run wild. Refried beans, sour cream, pico de gallo, cotija cheese, diced red onion, fresh cilantro, avocado — the list goes on. Don’t forget the lime wedges and your favorite FYR hot sauce!
Seasonings: For homemade taco seasoning, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder and ground cumin are great to have on hand, plus chiles to kick up the heat a notch.
A Note on Chiles
There are tons of different types of chiles out there. To make sure you’ve got the right spice level so you hit family favorite status, you can always check the spice level of chiles on the Scoville scale. The Scoville scale, named for Wilbur Scoville, measures the heat level in hot peppers. Good old Wilbur’s scale ranges from 0 to 16 million Scoville Heat Units (SHU). Zero is no heat, 16 million is burn your mouth maximum heat. Pick your chiles accordingly!
Get stoked for life
This sauce is FYR!
an all-new line created for live fire cooking
Born from a deep passion for food and flavor. Whether you’re grilling in the backyard or live fire cooking around the world, we have what you need to transform every meal into an adventure.
Cheesy Gordita Crunch tacos are the best copycat recipe! Insted of ground beef, a spicy grilled steak, with the best flavor, gets tucked into a a crispy tortilla stuffed into a soft tortilla with melty cheese.
This showstopper of a taco recipe features marinated pork and an infusion of fresh flavors from the chile-pineapple marinade and homemade jalapeno salsa.
Anybody else up for cooking a pile of pork slices on a rotating spit? Taking our tacos to the next level with this Hatch Chile Mezcal Pork Tacos recipe!
The possibilities for taco side dishes are almost as endless as the tacos themselves. Given that, chips and salsa, Mexican rice or cilantro-lime rice, a simple slaw with lots of green onions and lime juice are all great options. Finally, add in a classic margarita and your taco party is complete.
Leftovers and Reheating
Keep your filling in an airtight container in the fridge for three days. Some proteins, like pork shoulder or brisket, taste even better the day after you make them. When you’re reheating, you want to make sure the meat doesn’t dry out. The best way to do this is to reheat in a large skillet over medium heat with a little bit of liquid.
For the longer-cooking proteins like pork shoulder, chicken thighs or brisket, definitely! But I’d stick to stovetop for quicker-cooking ones like steak, ground beef, fish or shrimp.
How do I adjust the spice level?
For chiles, you can remove the ribs and seeds to take the heat down a notch (or keep ’em in if that’s what you’re into). That’s because the ribs and seeds are where most of the spice lives. You can also reduce or increase the amount of chiles or spicy pantry ingredients like chili powder.
Should I use corn or flour tortillas?
I’m sure people could spend hours debating this one. Basically, all you need to know is that corn tortillas are firmer and have an earthier flavor. Then, flour tortillas are softer and sweeter. My opinion: you can’t really go wrong.
Get The Cookbooks!
Flavor X Fire & FOOD X Fire
By Derek Wolf
All the major tastes—salty, sour, sweet, bitter, and umami—are explored in depth, along with an investigation of other components you should consider when it comes to flavor, such as aroma, heat, and texture.
These Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Tacos are here to be your weeknight hero! It will take just a few minutes to throw everything into your slow cooker, then you will have a warm, delicious meal to please just about any palate at the end of the day!
Though these Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Tacos are simple, they’re super flavorful and filled with fresh ingredients. The slow-cooked shredded chicken is so juicy, plus the slaw has a really unique flavor combination, which takes these tacos up another level!
If you take the time to get the chicken into the crockpot before starting your day, you’re going to come home to a delicious-smelling house! Plus, an incredibly easy and nourishing meal that your whole family will love! The chicken also makes fantastic leftovers to add to a sandwich, salad, or bowl for the next day.
Ingredients:
Red Onion
Garlic
Tomato Paste
Chili Powder
Onion Powder
Kosher Salt
Black Pepper
Low-Sodium Chicken Broth
Mild Green Chiles
Barbecue Sauce
Limes
Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
Avocado Oil Mayo
Pickled Jalapeños
Green Cabbage
Jalapeño
Cilantro
Cassava Flour or Corn Tortillas
Sharp Cheddar Cheese (Omit for Dairy-Free)
Step-by-Step:
Step one: make the sauce
In the bottom of the slow cooker, add the red onion, garlic, tomato paste, chili powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, chicken broth, green chiles, ½ cup of barbecue sauce, and lime juice. Stir to combine.
Step two: Add and cook the chicken
Nestle the chicken thighs into the mixture and cover with the lid. Cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours, until the chicken shreds very easily.
Step three: shred the chicken
Once the chicken is cooked through, using tongs, remove the chicken thighs from the cooking liquid and transfer them to a medium bowl. Using two forks, shred the chicken. Add the remaining ½ cup of the barbecue sauce and stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary. If the mixture seems dry at all, you can add a bit of the cooking liquid back to the chicken and stir to combine.
Step four: make the slaw
In a medium mixing bowl, add the garlic, avocado oil mayo, jalapeno brine, chopped pickled jalapenos, lime juice, salt and pepper. Whisk to combine. Add in the red onion, cabbage, jalapeno, and cilantro; toss the slaw until it is well combined. Set aside in the fridge until you are ready to serve.
Step five: Assemble the tacos, serve, and enjoy!
Serve the warm chicken mixture inside tortillas and topped with a few forkfuls of slaw and a sprinkle of shredded cheddar, if using.
Recipe FAQs:
This really makes a lot of chicken! Is that correct?
Yes! This recipe will yield a big batch of chicken and is intended to serve as a prep-ahead meal for busy school nights that can last for multiple meals, depending on the size of your family.
Can I use a different meat other than chicken thighs?
Chicken thighs are the perfect meat for this recipe because they are so flavorful and juicy! Plus, the timing for this is specifically for chicken thighs. I would recommend another slow cooker recipe if you do not like chicken thighs!
can this recipe be made ahead of time?
The chicken can definitely be made in advance and stored in the fridge! I do recommend making the slaw the day you plan to serve or else it will get too soggy.
how else can I serve this BBQ chicken?
Add the chicken and slaw on top of a tostada, make it into a salad or bowl. Whatever sounds best to you!
I hope you and your whole family love these Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Tacos! Leave a comment after you try them, and let me know what you think!
1cupof your favorite barbecue sauce,divided (I used Noble Made)
2tablespoonsfreshly squeezed lime juice
3poundsboneless skinless chicken thighstrimmed of excess fat
For the Slaw:
1garlic clove,minced
2tablespoonsavocado oil mayo
1tablespoonpickled jalapeno brine
¼cupdrained and chopped pickled jalapenos
1tablespoonfreshly squeezed lime juice
½teaspoonkosher salt
½teaspoonfreshly ground black pepper
½large red onion,thinly sliced
8heaping cups very thinly sliced green cabbage
1small jalapeno,thinly sliced
½cupwell chopped fresh cilantro
To serve:
16cassava flour or corn tortillas, warmed
1 cupgrated sharp cheddar cheese(omit for dairy-free_
Instructions
Make the Chicken:
In the bottom of the slow cooker, add the red onion, garlic, tomato paste, chili powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, chicken broth, green chiles, ½ cup of barbecue sauce, and lime juice. Stir to combine. Nestle the chicken thighs into the mixture and cover with the lid. Cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours, or until the chicken shreds very easily.
Once the chicken is cooked, using tongs, remove the chicken thighs from the cooking liquid and transfer them to a medium bowl. Using two forks, shred the chicken. Add the remaining ½ cup of the barbecue sauce and stir to combine. Taste for seasoning and adjust as necessary. If the mixture seems dry at all, you can add a bit of the cooking liquid back to the chicken and stir to combine.
Make the Slaw:
In a medium mixing bowl, add the garlic, avocado oil mayo, jalapeno brine, chopped pickled jalapenos, lime juice, salt and pepper. Whisk to combine. Add in the red onion, cabbage, jalapeno, and cilantro. Using tongs, toss to combine until the slaw is combined. Set aside in the fridge until ready to serve.
Serve:
Serve the warm chicken mixture inside tortillas and topped with a few forkfuls of slaw and a sprinkle of shredded cheddar.
Notes
This recipe will yield a big batch of chicken and is intended to serve as a prep-ahead for busy school nights that can last for multiple meals, depending on the size of your family.If you are making this recipe in advance, I suggest making the slaw the day you plan to serve it. Because of the salinity in the brine and the salt, it will make the cabbage release excess water and will compromise the texture. We suggest making the slaw the same day you plan to eat the meal.
I’ve professed my love for tacos many times, which is why I’m stoked to introduce you to my recipe for steak and egg tacos. Beyond tacos being so freakin’ delicious, they’re also so freakin’ versatile. Any meal, any topping, any filling — it’s happiness wrapped in a tortilla. That’s why these steak and egg tacos can be a fun breakfast tacos recipe, or really for any time. Breakfast for dinner, anyone?!
The steak in these tacos is next level thanks to Cowboy Charcoal, which burns super hot and clean and is really simple to use. Because it burns so cleanly, the company’s lump charcoal works perfectly for the smoked cilantro chimichurri in this recipe. I’ve gotten really into making smoked butters and chimichurri to boost the smoke flavor in my grilling recipes. When it comes to dropping in coals to flavor the butter, I’m always reaching for Cowboy Charcoal.
These steak tacos get extra oomph in the flavor department thanks to fried eggs, shredded cheese and smoked cilantro chimichurri. Overall, the chimichurri sauce is a great way to add fresh, herby notes to the steak and eggs. A salsa verde would be delicious on these tacos as well!
Steak: We’ll grill a whole ribeye steak (or two, depending on the size of your crowd or your hunger), seasoned with my Bourbon Prime Rub and FYR BLK Hot Sauce as a binder.
Eggs: Grab three or four fresh ones, canola oil for frying, and Everything Bagel Rub for a pit of flavoring, if that sounds good to your tastebuds.
Smoked Cilantro Chimichurri: This version of one of South America’s most beloved cowboy cooking sauces uses parsley, cilantro, red wine vinegar, garlic cloves, red onion, red chili flakes and olive oil to pack an extra flavor punch.
Taco Fixings: Because you can’t have proper tacos without corn tortillas, shredded cheddar cheese and FYR Red Hot Sauce.
Easy Salsa Verde
I know you’re going to love the smoked cilantro chimichurri in this recipe. But, if it’s your fourth or fifth time making these tacos and you want to try a different sauce, here’s a simple take on salsa verde. First, place your cast iron skillet on the grill on medium-high heat, then throw in about a pound of tomatillos (take the husks off first!), half an onion and a sliced jalapeño. Let those veggies grill roast for about 5 minutes, until they’re nice and caramelized. Once they’re finished cooking, blend in a food processor with a handful of cilantro, a couple tablespoons of lime juice and a couple garlic cloves. Serve and enjoy with these tacos, scrambled eggs, chips and more!
Get stoked for life
This sauce is FYR!
an all-new line created for live fire cooking
Born from a deep passion for food and flavor. Whether you’re grilling in the backyard or live fire cooking around the world, we have what you need to transform every meal into an adventure.
These are way more than just egg breakfast tacos. Let’s get grilling, frying and smoking!
Grilling the Steak
First, slather your 1-2 ribeye steaks with 3 tablespoons of Bourbon Prime Rub and enough FYR BLK Hot Sauce to act as a binder. Then, season the ribeye steak with kosher salt, black pepper and garlic powder.
Next, preheat your fire to high heat (around 450 degrees) for direct grilling. Place beef on the grill for about 4-5 minutes of cooking time per side, or until your meat thermometer reads 125 degrees internal temperature. Once the steaks reach temperature, pull the steaks off and let them rest for 10 minutes. Once the resting time is up, thinly slice your steaks.
Frying the Eggs
Add a heavy nonstick skillet — preferably cast iron — to the grill and wait until it’s smoking hot. Then, add some canola oil to coat the pan and let the oil heat until it’s smoking as well. Drop in your 3-4 eggs and fry ’em up to your liking. Finally, top the eggs with Everything Bagel Rub if you desire.
Making the Chimichurri Sauce
First, add all the ingredients for the chimichurri — 1/2 cup chopped parsley, 1/2 cup chopped cilantro, 1/4 cup red wine vinegar, 4-6 minced garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons of finely diced red onion, 1 tablespoon of red chili flakes, kosher salt to taste and olive oil to reach your desired consistency — to a mason jar. Then, toss in a smoldering Cowboy Charcoal coal from the fire (ideally white hot). Cover the jar quickly to encapsulate the smoke, then set it to the side to marinate for 20-30 minutes. Once you’ve reached the end of the marinating time, remove the coal.
Assembling the Steak and Egg Tacos
For the finishing touch on our steak and egg tacos, add a cast iron skillet to the grill over medium heat to preheat. Next, add a tortilla and cook one side, then flip and top with a handful of shredded cheese. Fold the tortilla with cheese over in half, then cook both sides until slightly crispy and the cheese is melted.
Pull the tortilla off the skillet and open it up. Add sliced steak, a fried egg and drizzle the chimichurri on top. Finish with some FYR RED Hot Sauce if you desire. Serve and enjoy!
What to Serve with Steak and Egg Tacos
You could go full breakfast here with hash browns! Or, if it’s lunch or dinner time, try Mexican rice or cilantro-lime rice, tangy slaw or even some grilled shishito peppers.
If you love tacos, make sure to check out my roundup of all my best tacos recipes!
If you have leftover steak tacos, store the steak and individual components separately in airtight containers in your fridge. To reheat, warm up slices of steak and tortillas in a hot skillet until heated through. Assemble your tacos with more of your favorite taco toppings. Enjoy within 2-3 days.
Store the smoked chimichurri sauce in its mason jar in the fridge. Keep it up for a week to add flavor to any other meals you’re making.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of steak?
Definitely! Skirt steak, flank steak, top sirloin steak are all good options for steak and egg tacos. Check out my recommendations for how to cook other types of steak in The Best Grilled Steak Recipes.
I think cilantro tastes like soap. What other herbs can I use instead?
This is totally a thing! If you don’t like cilantro, feel free to use all parsley in this steak and egg taco recipe. You can also toss in some fresh oregano for extra flavor.
Cowboy Charcoal has built a well-earned reputation as some of the cleanest and best stuff around, so you can find it almost anywhere. Check out the company’s store locator to see which hardware stores carry it near you.
Get The Cookbooks!
Flavor X Fire & FOOD X Fire
By Derek Wolf
All the major tastes—salty, sour, sweet, bitter, and umami—are explored in depth, along with an investigation of other components you should consider when it comes to flavor, such as aroma, heat, and texture.
Begin by slathering your steak in FYR BLK Hot Sauce and seasoning with salt, pepper and garlic powder.
Preheat your fire to high heat (around 450F) for direct grilling.
Add your steaks to the grill to cook for about 4-5 minutes per side or until they are 125F internal. Once done, pull the steaks off and let them rest for 10 minutes. Once rested, thinly slice your steaks.
Add a cast iron skillet to the grill and wait until it’s smoking hot. Add some neutral oil to coat the pan and let heat until smoking as well. Drop in your eggs and fry up to your liking. Top with everything bagel rub if you desire.
Smoked Cilantro Chimichurri:
Add all the ingredients for the chimichurri to the mason jar along with a smoldering coal from the fire (ideally white hot). Cover quickly to encapsulate the smoke, then set to the side to marinate for 20-30 minutes. Pull out the coal once done.
Tacos:
Add a cast iron skillet over medium heat to preheat.
Add a tortilla and cook one side then flip and top with a handful of shredded cheese. Fold the tortilla with cheese over in half, then cook both sides until slightly crispy and the cheese is melted.
Pull the tortilla off and open up. Add sliced steak, fried and drizzle the chimichurri on top. Add some FYR RED Hot Sauce if you desire. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Easy Salsa VerdeI know you’re going to love the smoked cilantro chimichurri in this recipe. But, if it’s your fourth or fifth time making these tacos and you want to try a different sauce, here’s a simple take on salsa verde. First, place your cast iron skillet on the grill on medium-high heat, then throw in about a pound of tomatillos (take the husks off first!), half an onion and a sliced jalapeño. Let those veggies grill roast for about 5 minutes, until they’re nice and caramelized. Once they’re finished cooking, blend in a food processor with a handful of cilantro, a couple tablespoons of lime juice and a couple garlic cloves. Serve and enjoy with these tacos, scrambled eggs, chips and more!
If you’re craving more flavor-packed taco nights, you obviously have to try my Grilled Steak Elote Tacos recipe! This taco and corn fiesta brings the best of popular Mexican street food to your next summer cookout.
The steak tacos are super simple to make but also deliver killer flavors that will leave your taste buds salsa dancing. The key to these tacos is marinating the steak as long as possible to maximize flavor and serving everything hot so the cheese is perfectly melty.
The other secret is using the Oklahoma Joe’s Judge Grill. This awesome workhorse makes the process clean and easy, ensuring you grill steak perfectly every time. It always nails that perfect blend of char and smoke, which is why I’m always raving about it.
Now, you’ll love these Grilled Steak Elote Tacos because of all the flavorful components. Marinated and grilled steak with an incredible smoky flavor from the Oklahoma Joe’s Judge Grill complements the natural sweetness of the elote, Mexican street corn, and melted Jack cheese.
In the meantime, the marinated steak brings a depth of flavor that makes these tacos incredibly versatile. You can dress them up or down depending on your vibe. Whether you’re grilling for a family dinner or a summer BBQ, these tacos are definitely going to satisfy any hungry crowd.
Elote is a Spanish word meaning “corn cob”. I’m always playing around with the flavors of Mexican elote, which incorporates corn with some combination of mayo, chili powder, cheese and lime. I’ve added these flavors to make steak elote sliders and elote chorizo dogs. I’ve even made pulled pork elote tacos and elote style chicken wings. All were so freaking delicious and were fun new ways to enjoy all the flavors of elote. Make sure to give them a try!
Easy Steak Tacos Recipe Ingredients Round-Up
Steak – Grab yourself a whole flap steak, which comes from the bottom sirloin and has a looser grain, making it slightly more tender. You’ll marinate the flap meat with some lime juice, cola (trust me on this), hot sauce, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder and a bit of canola oil.
Elote Sauce – For that creamy, tangy elote sauce, you’ll need mayonnaise, sour cream, hot sauce (for a bit of heat) and fresh lime juice.
Grilled Corn – Pick up some fresh corn cobs. You’ll brush them with canola oil and grill them to perfection. Then, you’ll top them with fresh cilantro, diced red onions, mayonnaise, cotija cheese and a sprinkle of Tajin seasoning.
Tacos – Make sure to get flour tortillas for best results and a good amount of shredded Jack cheese to bring everything together. Corn tortillas could also work, but they tend to be smaller and do not hold up as well.
How to Make Grilled Steak Elote Tacos
Steak
First, start by mixing all the marinade ingredients in a bowl. Place steak in a food-safe bag or bowl and pour in the marinade, making sure the steak is thoroughly coated. Seal it up and let it marinate in the fridge for at least 4 hours, although overnight is even better for maximum flavor.
When you’re ready to cook, get your grill up to a high heat (around 450 degrees F) for direct grilling. Take the steak out of the marinade, tossing the excess liquid. Grill the steak on the hot grill for about 4-5 minutes on each side, aiming for an internal temperature of 125 degrees F.
Once done, let the steak rest for 10 minutes. Slice steak against the grain and then into bite-sized cubes.
Corn & Elote
Preheat your grill to a medium-high temperature (around 375 degrees F) for direct cooking. Place corn on grill and then let it hang there for 6-8 minutes until the corn kernels are slightly charred. Remove the corn from the grill and cut the kernels off the cob using a sharp knife.
Finally, mix the grilled corn with the other ingredients for the corn mixture in a bowl. Separately, mix all the ingredients for the elote sauce in another small bowl.
Tacos
To begin assembling the tacos, preheat a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Place a tortilla in the skillet and then cook one side before flipping it. Sprinkle a handful of shredded cheese on top, and then fold the tortilla in half with the cheese inside.
Cook both sides until the tortilla is slightly crispy and the cheese is melted. Open the warm tortillas, add the sliced steak, corn salsa and then drizzle the elote sauce on top. Serve up and enjoy. Cheers!
These tacos pair wonderfully with a side of Mexican rice, refried beans or a fresh avocado salad. Consider serving a cold cerveza or a tangy margarita for a refreshing drink. And don’t forget the salsa and guacamole for some extra dipping action!
If you have leftovers, store the steak and elote mixture separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Reheat the steak and elote before assembling more tacos. Alternatively, you can use the leftover steak in a salad or as a topping for nachos, and the elote can be a tasty side dish on its own.
FAQs for Grilled Steak Elote Tacos
What’s the difference between cotija cheese and queso fresco?
Cotija cheese is firmer and saltier, ideal for adding a strong, savory finish to dishes, while queso fresco is softer and milder, perfect for adding a fresh, creamy element.
What is Tajin seasoning?
Tajin seasoning is a popular Mexican spice blend that combines chili peppers, lime and sea salt. In general, it’s a versatile seasoning that adds a tangy, slightly spicy kick to a variety of dishes. Tajin is also commonly used to rim the glass of cocktails like micheladas and margaritas.
What does Elote mean?
“Elote” is the Spanish word for “corn on the cob.” In Mexican cuisine, elote typically refers to Mexican corn, a popular street food. Grilled corn on the cob is slathered with a mixture of mayonnaise, sour cream, cheese (usually cotija), chili powder and lime juice and then often sprinkled with cilantro.
Get stoked for life
This sauce is FYR!
an all-new line created for live fire cooking
Born from a deep passion for food and flavor. Whether you’re grilling in the backyard or live fire cooking around the world, we have what you need to transform every meal into an adventure.
For your next cookout, make some flavor-packed Grilled Steak Elote Tacos—the popular Mexican street food you can make in your own backyard.
Course Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine American, Mexican
Prep Time 30 minutesminutes
Cook Time 1 hourhour
Total Time 1 hourhour30 minutesminutes
Servings 4people
Calories 526kcal
Author Derek Wolf
Ingredients
Steak:
1Whole Flap Steak
2medium Limesjuiced
1cupCola
2tbspHot Sauce
1.5tbspKosher Salt
1.5tbspBlack Pepper
1tbspGarlic Powder
Canola Oilas needed
Elote Sauce:
2.5tbspMayonnaise
1.5tbspSour Cream
1tspHot Sauce
2medium Limesjuiced
Grilled Corn:
3-4Corn on the Cob
2tbspChopped Cilantro
2tbspDiced Red Onions
1.5tbspMayonnaise
1.5tbspCotija Cheese
1.5tspTajin Seasoning
Canola Oilas needed
Tacos:
Flour Tortillas
2cupsJack Cheeseshredded
Instructions
Steak:
Begin by adding all the ingredients for the marinade to a bowl and mixing together thoroughly.
Next, add your steak to a food safe bag/bowl and pour in your marinade. Mix together to coat all the steak. Seal and place in the fridge for at least 4 hours but ideally overnight.
Preheat your fire to high heat (around 450 degrees F) for direct grilling.
Pull your steaks out of the bag and discard any excess marinade.
Add your steaks to the grill to cook for about 4-5 minutes per side or until they are 125F internal.
Once done, pull the steaks off and let them rest for 10 minutes. Once rested, slice your steaks against the grain then into bite size cubes.
Corn & Elote:
Preheat your grill to medium high temperature (around 375 degrees F) for direct cooking.
Grill your corn over the high heat for 6-8 minutes until fully cooked and slightly charred.
Pull off the grill and slice the corn off the cob.
Add the corn to a bowl and mix together with all of the other ingredients for the Grilled Corn.
Finally, mix in a bowl all the ingredients for the Elote Sauce.
Tacos:
Add a cast iron skillet over medium heat to preheat.
Add a tortilla and cook one side then flip and top with a handful of shredded cheese. Fold the tortilla with cheese over in half, then cook both sides until slightly crispy and the cheese is melted.
Pull the tortilla off and open up. Add sliced steak, corn salsa and drizzle the elote sauce on top. Serve and enjoy!
The cowboy butter sliders I made back in June were so freakin’ delicious, I had to try another version of a cowboy butter recipe. Behold: cowboy butter steak tacos! This super easy recipe packs a huge punch thanks to the the hot sauce, garlic, mustard and red pepper flakes in the butter. Plus, they’re tacos. Whether it’s steak, pork, lamb or seafood, tacos are just the best!
Just a couple notes to keep in mind as you get started on this recipe — make sure you marinate the steak in the fridge for at least four hours to get good color and flavor. Also, roast your salsa verde veggies over the fire to get that extra smoky flavor. You’ll be glad you did!
If you’ve been around here for a while, you know I’m a huge fan of cowboy butter. Combining unsalted butter, herbs, garlic, mustard, my FYR GLD Hot Sauce and red chili flakes gives you a sauce that’s out of this world. It’s a compound butter that’s the perfect accompaniment to any meat, so this recipe takes Taco Tuesday to the next level. I use skirt steak in this cowboy butter steak taco recipe, but you can use flap steak, flank steak or even flatiron steak if that’s what you have on hand.
Steak: We’ll marinate 2-3 whole skirt steaks (or whichever steak you choose) in cola soda, FYR BLK Hot Sauce, lime juice, orange juice, sliced white onion and jalapeño.
Cowboy Butter: Unsalted butter, herbs, garlic, mustard, my FYR GLD Hot Sauce and red chili flakes are all you need for a freakin’ delicious sauce to top these tacos.
Salsa Verde: This salsa is made of tomatillos, lime juice, white onions, jalapeños, fresh cilantro and water.
Tacos: Because you can’t have tacos without corn tortillas, shredded cheese, diced onion and chopped fresh cilantro, right?
Cowboy Caviar
While we’re on the theme, cowboy caviar — an easy bean salad — makes a great side dish for these tacos. Toss together a couple of diced tomatoes, a couple of diced avocados, 1 can of drained and rinsed black-eyed peas, 1 can of drained and rinsed black beans, a diced jalapeño, a diced bell pepper and about a cup of sweet corn (you can use frozen if you can’t find fresh). Then, make a dressing of 1/2 cup olive oil, 3 tablespoons of red wine vinegar, 2 tablespoons of lime juice and kosher salt, black pepper and garlic powder to taste. Pour the dressing over the vegetables, stir it all together and serve with tortilla chips.
Get stoked for life
This sauce is FYR!
an all-new line created for live fire cooking
Born from a deep passion for food and flavor. Whether you’re grilling in the backyard or live fire cooking around the world, we have what you need to transform every meal into an adventure.
I’m stoked for you to try this new way to use cowboy butter. We’re taking steak dinner to a whole new level!
Prepping the Steak and Cowboy Butter
Begin by seasoning your skirt steaks with my Chipotle Garlic Seasoning (or your favorite steak seasoning). Then add all the marinade ingredients — 1 cup cola soda, 2 tablespoons of FYR BLK Hot Sauce, juice from 3 medium limes, juice from 1 navel orange, 1/2 cup of sliced white onion, 1 diced jalapeño and 2 tablespoons of canola oil — to a bowl and mix them together thoroughly.
Next, add your 2-3 whole skirt steaks to a food safe bag or bowl and pour in your marinade. Mix everything together to coat all the steak. Seal the bag or cover the bowl, then place it in the fridge for at least 4 hours but ideally overnight.
In a separate small bowl, mix together 2 cups of clarified melted butter, 1/4 cup of chopped parsley, 2 tablespoons of minced garlic, 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard, 1.5 tablespoons of FYR GLD Hot Sauce and 1.5 teaspoons of red chili flakes. This is your cowboy butter! Set that freakin’ delicious sauce to the side until you’re ready to assemble the tacos.
Grilling Your Steaks
Bring your grill fire up to high heat (about 450 degrees Fahrenheit) for direct cooking. After your steaks are done marinating, pull them out of the bag and discard any excess marinade. Place steak on the grill and let them cook for about 4-5 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 125 degrees F.
Once they’re done, pull the steaks off, top with a drizzle of the butter mixture and let them rest for 10 minutes. Once rested, slice your steaks against the grain, then into bite size cubes.
Making the Salsa
Preheat your grill to medium-high temperature (around 375 degrees F) for direct cooking. Grill 5-6 tomatillos, removed from the husk, 2 de-seeded jalapeños and 1/4 of a white onion over the high heat for 6-8 minutes, until the vegetables are slightly charred. Remove them from the grill. Then, add the roasted veggies and the juice of 3-4 medium limes, 1/2 cup of fresh cilantro, 1/2 cup of water and kosher salt to taste to a blender. Blend until smooth, then pour into a small bowl. Set to the side.
Assembling Your Tacos
Place a cast-iron skillet on your grill over medium heat. Add 1 corn tortilla to the skillet, cook one side, then flip the tortilla and top it with a handful of shredded cheese. Fold the tortilla with cheese in half, then cook both sides until slightly crispy and the cheese is melted. Remove the tortilla from heat, open it up, and add your sliced steak and salsa verde. Finally, drizzle that delicious melted butter on top. Serve and enjoy!
What to Serve with Cowboy Butter Steak Tacos
Cowboy caviar with tortilla chips, Mexican rice or cliantro-lime rice, or a simple red cabbage slaw with lots of lime juice and scallions would be delicious to round out this recipe!
Leftovers and Reheating
Store steak, salsa and leftover butter in separate containers in the fridge. The steak will last for 3-5 days in an airtight container. The salsa and cowboy butter should be good for up to a week. To reheat your steak, wrap it in foil to keep it from drying out and place it in a 350-degree oven for about 10 minutes. For the butter, just heat it low on the stovetop until it melts again.
Definitely. Cowboy butter is really just a catch-all term for a spicy garlic butter with fresh herbs. It’s versatile because it can be served melted or as classic cold compound butter. Depending on what flavors you want, you can substitute fresh cilantro or fresh chives for the parsley, and chili powder, paprika or thyme for the red chili flakes.
What are some other uses for cowboy butter?
A cowboy butter sauce recipe opens up all kinds of flavor possibilities. It’s so freakin’ delicious on grilled meats like steak, chicken or pork. You can toss it with pasta and seafood to take your meal up a notch. I also love to drizzle it on bread (cowboy garlic bread, anyone?) or baked potatoes. Try my grilled ribeye with cowboy butter or use your imagination!
What’s better, corn or flour tortillas?
I’m sure people could spend hours debating this one. Basically, all you need to know is that corn tortillas are firmer and have an earthier flavor. Flour tortillas are softer and sweeter. My opinion: you can’t really go wrong. But, I think the flavor of corn tortillas is perfect for these cowboy butter steak tacos.
Get The Cookbooks!
Flavor X Fire & FOOD X Fire
By Derek Wolf
All the major tastes—salty, sour, sweet, bitter, and umami—are explored in depth, along with an investigation of other components you should consider when it comes to flavor, such as aroma, heat, and texture.
Begin by adding all the ingredients for the marinade to a bowl and mixing together thoroughly.
Next, add your steak to a food safe bag/bowl and pour in your marinade. Mix together to coat all the steak. Seal and place in the fridge for at least 4 hours but ideally overnight.
In a bowl, mix together all the ingredients for the Cowboy Butter and set to the side.
Preheat your fire to high heat (around 450F) for direct grilling.
Pull your steaks out of the bag and discard any excess marinade.
Add your steaks to the grill to cook for about 4-5 minutes per side or until they are 125F internal.
Once done, pull the steaks off, top with a drizzle of the butter sauce and let them rest for 10 minutes. Once rested, slice your steaks against the grain then into bite size cubes.
Salsa:
Preheat your grill to medium high temperature (around 375F) for direct cooking.
Grill your tomatillos, jalapenos and onion over the high heat for 6-8 minutes until slightly charred.
Pull off the grill and add the roasted veggies and the rest of the ingredients for the salsa to a blender. Blend until smooth and pour into a bowl. Set to the side.
Tacos:
Add a cast iron skillet over medium heat to preheat.
Add a tortilla and cook one side then flip and top with a handful of shredded cheese. Fold the tortilla with cheese over in half, then cook both sides until slightly crispy and the cheese is melted.
Pull the tortilla off and open up. Add sliced steak, salsa verde and drizzle the cowboy butter on top. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Cowboy CaviarWhile we’re on the theme, cowboy caviar — an easy bean salad — makes a great side dish for these tacos. Toss together a couple of diced tomatoes, a couple of diced avocados, 1 can of drained and rinsed black-eyed peas, 1 can of drained and rinsed black beans, a diced jalapeño, a diced bell pepper and about a cup of sweet corn (you can use frozen if you can’t find fresh). Then, make a dressing of 1/2 cup olive oil, 3 tablespoons of red wine vinegar, 2 tablespoons of lime juice and kosher salt, black pepper and garlic powder to taste. Pour the dressing over the vegetables, stir it all together and serve with tortilla chips.