Whip up a batch of quick 30-minute easy steak tacos that are bursting with flavor and are incredibly delicious.
These yummy tacos are made with the perfect seasoning blend and crunchy veggies that you can to sink your teeth into.
Easy Steak Tacos
These are the best easy steak tacos - you'll never make them any other way!
Are you searching for more Mexican-style recipes? Try my beef taco salad, this wonton taco shells, simple chicken tacos or my incredibly easy and quick steak fajitas.
🛒 Steak Tacos Recipe Ingredients
- Steak - Skirt, flank, sirloin, or hanger steak, sliced into strips for tender, yummy bites.
- Red bell peppers - Adds sweetness and vibrant color to the tacos.
- Brown onion - Has a mild, slightly sweet flavor when cooked.
- Tortillas - Gluten-free, corn tortillas, or hard taco shells are all great.
- Cooking oil - Canola or avocado oil, chosen for their high smoke points.
- Lime juice - Freshly squeezed for bright, tangy flavor.
- Ground cumin - Adds warm, earthy notes.
- Cayenne pepper or chili powder - Provides a spicy kick.
- Salt and black pepper - Enhances and balances the flavors.
- Garlic - Minced for a robust, aromatic touch.
Topping Ingredients
- Fresh cilantro or parsley - Adds a fresh, herbaceous finish.
- Sour cream, crème fraîche, or Greek yogurt - Creamy options to balance the spices.
👩🍳 You'll find the complete list of ingredients below the recipe card.
🥘 How To Make Easy Steak Tacos Step By Step
- Mix all the fajita seasoning and marinade ingredients in a medium bowl. Save 2 tablespoons of the marinade for the veggies. Coat the steak in the remaining marinade.
- Toss the cut veggies with the saved marinade in a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate for one hour, or use sealable plastic bags.
- Heat olive oil in a nonstick or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Discard the marinade or leave for later. Cook the veggies until slightly crisp, about 5 minutes, and set aside.
- Remove the steak strips from the marinade and cook for 5-6 minutes.
- Return the veggies to the pan with the steak, mix, and add lime juice to taste. You can now add back the marinade (optional).
- Warm the taco shells or tortillas in a dry pan until they start to char, about 30 seconds per side, and wrap them in foil to keep warm.
🌮 Topping Ideas
Serve the steak fajitas in the taco shells, adding sour cream, lime wedges, green onions, fresh cilantro, more cayenne, black pepper, avocado crema, and shredded cheese.
Substitutes and Variations
🥩 Steak substitutes: Make ground beef or chicken tacos. Grill shrimp or tofu instead of steak. Adjust the cooking time for shrimp tacos as they are super quick and easy.
🫒 Oil alternatives: Replace canola or avocado oil with olive oil or coconut oil.
🌶️ Spice adjustments: Customize the heat level by increasing or decreasing the amount of cayenne pepper or chili powder in the steak tacos marinade.
🥛 Dairy-free toppings: Use dairy-free yogurt or guacamole instead of sour cream for a dairy-free option.
What are the Best Tortillas for Steak Tacos?
✅ Corn tortillas: These are a great choice for these quick steak tacos. Their firm texture holds up well to the taco fillings and can be crisped in a hot skillet.
✅ Flour tortillas: are a popular alternative. Their soft, pliable texture easily wraps around the steak and toppings.
They have a mild flavor that doesn’t overpower the meat, and they are often preferred for their ability to hold more fillings without breaking.
🔥 How to Warm Tortillas for This Steak Tacos Recipe
- To warm tortillas for steak tacos, heat a dry skillet over medium-high heat.
- Place one tortilla in the hot skillet and cook for about 30 seconds on each side or until it starts to puff up and develop light brown spots.
- To make a batch, stack the tortillas between a damp paper towel and microwave them on high for about 30 seconds or until warm.
- Alternatively, wrap the tortillas in foil and place them in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes.
Rita's Tip
Marinate overnight: Marinate the steak overnight to allow the spices and lime juice to infuse the meat deeply. The meat will be flavorful and tender!
📋 Tips
- High-heat cooking: Use high heat to quickly sear the steak, which helps lock in juices and create a nice crust.
- Rest the meat: After cooking, let the steak rest for a few minutes to retain its juices and improve tenderness.
- Fresh toppings: To enhance the flavor and texture of your tacos, add fresh toppings like cilantro, lime wedges, and diced onions.
- Warm tortillas: Warm them in a dry skillet to give them a slight char and make them more pliable.
👨🍳 Equipment Needed to Make These Easy Steak Tacos Recipe
- Non-stick or cast-iron skillet
- Mixing bowls - various sizes
- Sharp knife
🍱Storage Instructions
- 🍱To Store. Keep leftover steak tacos in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
- 🥶Freezing. Wrap individual tacos tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container; they can be frozen for up to 2 months.
- 🔥To Reheat. Warm tacos in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes per side or microwave for 30-60 seconds until heated through.
What To Serve With Easy Steak Tacos
More Cinco de Mayo Recipes
- Cheesy Mexican One-Pot Beef and Potatoes
- Cabbage and Ground Beef Skillet
- Fish Tacos
- Wonton Taco Shells
- Chipotle Chicken Al Pastor
- Cheesy Sheet Pan Nachos
📖Recipe
Easy Steak Tacos (Steak Fajita Tacos)
Ingredients
For Tacos
- 1 pound skirt flank, sirloin, or hanger steak, sliced into ½ inch strips
- 3 red bell peppers, medium-sized, cut into ½ inch thick strips
- 1 medium brown onion, cut into ½ inch thick strips
- 4 tortillas, corn tortillas or hard taco shells
Steak Fajita Seasonings/Marinade
- 4 tablespoon cooking oil + for cooking, i use canola or avocado oil (higher smoke point)
- 1 ½ tablespoon lime juice, freshly squeezed for best flavor
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, or chili powder
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Toppings
- 1 bunch of fresh cilantro or parsley, for serving
- ½-1 cup sour cream or creme Fraiche, or Greek yogurt for serving
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mix all the fajita seasoning and marinade ingredients. Save about 2 tablespoons of the marinade for the veggies. Add the steak strips and mix until they are well coated.1 pound skirt flank, 4 tablespoon cooking oil + for cooking, 1 ½ tablespoon lime juice, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, 2 cloves garlic
- In a small bowl, mix the cut veggies with the saved marinade. Cover and put in the fridge for one hour. You can also use sealable plastic bags for this step.3 red bell peppers, 1 medium brown onion
- Heat some olive oil in a nonstick or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Discard the marinade and leave for later. Once hot, cook the veggies until they are soft but still a little crisp, about 5 minutes. Set them aside.
- If needed, wipe the skillet clean, add more oil, and cook the steak strips (without the marinade) for 5-6 minutes. They cook quickly because they are cut into small strips.
- Put the veggies back in the pan with the steak and mix everything together. Taste it and add lime juice if you like. You can add the marinade back in but this is optional.
- Warm the taco shells or tortillas one by one in a dry pan until they start to char. This takes about 30 seconds per side on medium-high heat. Wrap them in foil to keep them warm.4 tortillas
- Serve the steak fajitas in the taco shells. Add sour cream, lime wedges, green onions, fresh cilantro, more cayenne, black pepper, avocados, and shredded cheese.1 bunch of fresh cilantro or parsley, ½-1 cup sour cream or creme Fraiche
Notes
- To Store. Keep leftover steak tacos in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
- Freezing. Wrap individual tacos tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container; they can be frozen for up to 2 months.
- To Reheat. Warm tacos in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes per side or microwave for 30-60 seconds until heated through.
Nutrition
🤷 Frequently Asked Questions
Cut meat for steak tacos against the grain into thin strips so they turn out tender and make it easier to bite into the tacos.
Season the steak generously with spices and herbs before cooking, and consider adding a splash of lime juice or vinegar for extra flavor.
Skirt steak is often considered the best for tacos due to its rich flavor and tenderness when cooked properly.
Yes, steak can be marinated in soy sauce or Maggi sauce for a savory, umami-rich flavor, but adjust the salt levels to avoid over-seasoning.
The best way to season steak for tacos is to use a blend of spices, like cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, and paprika. Salt and pepper are also key.
For extra depth, add a splash of lime juice or a touch of cayenne pepper. This blend adds balance and layers of flavor.
The best cheese for homemade steak tacos is typically a mild, meltable cheese like Monterey Jack or Mexican blend.
Cotija cheese is also a great option for a crumbly texture and a tangy flavor.
Leslie
The best steak tacos! We made this last night and it was perfect