Steak Street Tacos with Zesty Green Salsa – A Fiesta Delight

Steak Street Tacos with Green Salsa

Storytelling Intro 

As a busy home cook and food blogger, I’m always on the lookout for quick, flavorful recipes that can satisfy my family’s cravings. One night, after a long day at work, I found myself craving something comforting and delicious. That’s when the idea for these Steak Street Tacos with Green Salsa was born.

I had a package of steak in the fridge and a sudden urge for Mexican-inspired flavors. I started rummaging through my pantry, and before I knew it, I had all the ingredients I needed to whip up an amazing taco feast. As the steak sizzled on the stovetop, the aroma of garlic, spices, and seared meat filled my kitchen, making my mouth water in anticipation.

Once the steak was perfectly tender and juicy, I started assembling the tacos. I layered warm tortillas with the flavorful steak, then topped them with a vibrant green salsa, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime. The first bite was an explosion of textures and flavors – the soft, tender steak, the tangy salsa, the fragrant cilantro, and the warmth of the tortilla all came together in perfect harmony.

These Steak Street Tacos with Green Salsa have become a new family favorite, and I know they’ll become a hit in your household too. Follow me on DianaCookingE on Pinterest for more delicious recipe inspiration!

Why This Recipe Works / Why You’ll Love It

These Steak Street Tacos with Green Salsa are the perfect solution for busy weeknights or casual gatherings with friends. The steak is cooked to tender perfection, and the homemade green salsa adds a fresh, vibrant kick that perfectly complements the savory meat. Plus, the whole recipe comes together in under 30 minutes, making it a breeze to prepare.

What I love most about this dish is how versatile it is. You can easily customize the flavors to suit your personal preferences, and it’s a crowd-pleasing option that works for a variety of occasions, from family dinners to game-day snacks. The combination of juicy steak, tangy salsa, and warm tortillas is simply irresistible.

Ingredients

• 1 lb flank steak or skirt steak, thinly sliced against the grain
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 12-15 small corn or flour tortillas, warmed

For the Green Salsa:

• 1 lb tomatillos, husks removed and rinsed
• 1 jalapeño, seeded and diced (or leave the seeds in for more heat)
• 1/2 white onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• Juice of 1 lime
• Salt to taste

Diana’s Tip: For extra-tender steak, try marinating it in a mixture of lime juice, olive oil, garlic, and spices for 30 minutes to an hour before cooking.

Optional Add-Ins and Variations

These Steak Street Tacos are delicious as-is, but you can easily customize them to your liking. Try adding sliced avocado, crumbled queso fresco, pickled onions, or a dollop of sour cream. You can also switch up the protein and use chicken or pork instead of steak. For a vegetarian option, roasted mushrooms or grilled tofu would be a great substitute.

Step-by-Step Method

1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the sliced steak, garlic, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the steak is cooked through and slightly charred, about 5-7 minutes.
2. Diana’s Tip: Be sure not to overcrowd the pan – cook the steak in batches if needed to get a nice sear on the meat.
3. While the steak is cooking, prepare the green salsa. In a food processor or blender, combine the tomatillos, jalapeño, onion, garlic, cilantro, lime juice, and a pinch of salt. Pulse until the salsa reaches your desired consistency, leaving it a bit chunky.
4. Warm the tortillas according to package instructions, or heat them directly over a gas burner for 30 seconds to 1 minute per side.
5. To assemble the tacos, place a portion of the seasoned steak onto each tortilla, then top with a generous spoonful of the green salsa.
6. What I Messed Up At First: I initially tried to cook the steak all at once, which resulted in a lot of steam and not as much browning. Cooking it in batches made a big difference in getting that perfect sear.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

One of the most common mistakes when making Steak Street Tacos is overcooking the steak. You want the meat to be tender and juicy, not tough and dry. Be sure to keep a close eye on the steak and remove it from the heat as soon as it reaches your desired level of doneness.

Another potential pitfall is not properly seasoning the steak. The combination of garlic, cumin, chili powder, and smoked paprika is what gives these tacos their delicious flavor. Make sure to generously season the steak before cooking.

My Tested Substitutions

While I highly recommend using flank or skirt steak for this recipe, you can also use other cuts of beef, such as sirloin or hanger steak. Just be mindful that different cuts may require slightly different cooking times to achieve the perfect texture.

For the green salsa, you can swap out the tomatillos for green tomatoes if you can’t find tomatillos. The flavor will be a bit different, but it will still be delicious. Jalapeños can be substituted with serrano peppers or even milder options like Anaheim or poblano peppers, depending on your spice preference.

How to Customize This Recipe

One of the best things about these Steak Street Tacos is how easily they can be customized to suit your tastes or dietary needs. For a low-carb version, skip the tortillas and serve the steak and salsa over a bed of lettuce or cauliflower rice.

If you’re feeding a crowd, you can double or triple the recipe and set up a taco bar with all the fixings. This would be perfect for a game-day gathering or a Cinco de Mayo celebration.

Serving Ideas

These Steak Street Tacos with Green Salsa make a fantastic main dish for any Mexican-inspired meal. I love serving them for a cozy family dinner, accompanied by sides like refried beans, Mexican rice, and a fresh green salad.

They also work wonderfully as an appetizer or snack, especially when you’re hosting friends for a casual get-together. The combination of flavors and textures is sure to impress your guests.

Meal Prep & Storage Instructions

The great thing about these Steak Street Tacos is that they’re easy to prepare in advance. You can cook the steak and make the salsa a day or two ahead of time, then simply reheat the steak and assemble the tacos when you’re ready to serve.

Any leftover steak and salsa can be stored separately in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat the steak, simply warm it in a skillet over medium heat until heated through. The salsa can be enjoyed cold or gently warmed.

Nutritional Breakdown

Each serving of these Steak Street Tacos with Green Salsa (2 tacos) contains approximately:

• Calories: 350
• Protein: 25g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fat: 15g
• Fiber: 5g

Final Thoughts / Encouragement

I hope these Steak Street Tacos with Green Salsa become a new favorite in your household, just like they are in mine. They’re the perfect balance of bold, flavorful, and satisfying – a recipe that’s sure to please everyone at the table.

Don’t be afraid to make this dish your own by experimenting with different variations and add-ins. The beauty of street tacos is that they’re endlessly customizable, so have fun and let your creativity shine. Follow me on DianaCookingE on Pinterest for more inspiration, and I can’t wait to see how you make these Steak Street Tacos your own!