Grilled Flank Steak Tacos

It doesn’t get much better than a loaded taco does it? Especially on a hot day with a cold drink. These grilled flank steak tacos are a new favorite taco recipe and a must for summer!

Tacos are a staple in our house when we want an easy meal. We love throwing together some protein, veggies, cheese, and sauce in a tortilla or a bowl. They come together quickly, are versatile, and always hit the spot.

But these grilled steak tacos might take the cake. I had some leftover corn salad and was wondering what to do with it. My husband had also picked up some steak from the store. With some other ingredients we had on hand, here we are.

The real star of the show is the marinated steak. It’s sweet from the coconut aminos, spicy from the spices, and a little tangy from the lime juice. After grilling it, it comes out super juicy and tender. It might be the only way I marinate steak now.

Combined with the other ingredients – some freshness from the corn, tomatoes, and avocado, crunchiness of the cabbage the flavor combination is perfect.

Best steak for tacos

Flank steak is a great choice for tacos. It comes from the cow’s lower-bottom abdominal muscle and is a lean piece of meat. While it does have a decent amount of muscle fibers, it still has a great flavor. Marinating it, cooking it over high heat for not too long, and cutting it into thin pieces helps it become tender. Make sure to cut against the grain when slicing it.

You don’t want to overcook it or it will become too tough and chewy. I suggest medium-rare at most. Flank steak is also reasonably priced and can be easy to find.

Ingredients

• flank steak – marinated and quickly grilled to come out super tender!
• homemade steak marinade – a mix of coconut aminos, lime juice, garlic, chili powder, paprika, cumin, and red pepper flakes
• corn tortillas
• shredded cabbage – for some crunch
• corn salsa – a mix of fresh sweet corn, diced tomatoes, red onion, avocado, and jalapeno
• tomatillo salsa
• cotija cheese – for a touch of saltiness
• fresh cilantro

How to make flank steak tacos

1. Make the steak marinade. Mix together the marinade ingredients in a jar.
2. Marinate the steak. Add steak to a baking dish or plastic bag and pour over the marinade, making sure to evenly coat all sides. Marinate for at least 30 minutes, up to 2 hours.
3. Prep your remaining ingredients while the steak marinades. Make your corn salsa and shred your cabbage. Place in the fridge until ready to use.
4. Grill your steak. Take the steak out of the refrigerator and let it come up to temperature. While it is doing so, light your grill to medium-high heat (around 400-450 degrees). Once hot, place steak close to direct heat and grill for 3-5 minutes. Flip and cook for another 3-5 minutes depending on how thick your steak is, or until internal temperature reaches 130-135 degrees (for medium-rare). Let rest for 5-7 minutes.
5. Optional – warm your tortillas. If desired, you can heat up your tortillas so they are pliable. On a gas stove, light to low-medium heat. Put tortillas directly over the flames and cook for 15-30 seconds, flip, and cook another 15-20 seconds. The edges might get a little charred, but that’s okay! You can also heat them up in a hot cast iron skillet on the stove by placing them in the pan and heating them for 30 seconds on each side. Repeat with each one. Wrap them in a kitchen towel to keep them warm.
6. Build your tacos. Assemble your tacos by filling your tortillas with a little shredded cabbage, a few pieces of steak, some corn salsa, tomatillo salsa, a sprinkle of cotija cheese, some cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice.
7. Enjoy!

Steak taco marinade

The star of these grilled steak tacos is flank steak marinade. It’s the perfect combo of sweet, spicy, and tangy. And it pairs perfectly with the taco fillings.

Steak taco marinade:

• coconut aminos – this adds a nice sweetness to the recipe
• fresh lime juice – for some tangy and helps tenderize the meat
• fresh garlic
• chili powder
• cumin
• paprika
• red pepper flakes – for a little spice
• salt and pepper

Simply add all the ingredients to a measuring cup or jar and mix well to combine. Add steak to a sealable airtight container or bag and pour over the marinade, making sure to evenly coat the steak.

How long should you marinate steak for?

Marinating steak is a great way to infuse flavors and so help tenderize the meat. Using citrus in your marinade helps break down the meat, but you don’t want to do it for too long. I suggest marinading this for 1-2 hours, and a maximum of 6 hours. After 6 hours, the acid can break down the beef and ruin the texture of the meat.

How do you cut flank steak for steak tacos?

To cut steak for tacos, slice it against the grain into thin strips. Cutting against the grain cuts through the muscle fibers and gives you more tender meat that is easier to chew. You can leave it in thin strips or cut it into bite-size pieces for tacos.

What to serve with flank steak tacos

While these beef tacos can be a complete meal on their own, here are some of our favorite taco sides:

• rice
• beans
• tortilla chips
• guacamole and salsa

More taco recipes

• crispy baked turkey tacos
• fish taco bowls
• chicken taco casserole
• cheesy taco pasta

If you love quick and easy meals and want to learn how to build a balanced plate, check out our FREE How to Build a Balanced Plate Guide!