One of the things I love best in terms of flavor is a great tasting taco. These easy beef street tacos are the best in my opinion. There is just something about them. This simple ingredients that goes into it that you can really taste. For me, no protein is better than beef when it comes to a really great street taco.
The beef street tacos I have here are so deliciously seasoned, you won’t be able to resist. I always make more than I want to, because otherwise, they go too quickly. If you have a large family, this is a great way to spread out a roast and feed a lot of people. Alternatively, it’s a simple but elegant dish you can make quickly and eat comfortably until you lose count.
The term street taco gets used a lot these days and these have that very authentic street taco flavor. So let’s talk a bit about what that means and what makes the best beef street tacos. Then you can share your experiences and memories of where you’ve had your favorite tacos. Great street food can come from anywhere!
What Exactly is a Street Taco?
Street food is a bit of a paradox. It has a reputation for being very economical. However trendy restaurants like to use the popularity of street food to attract diners and charge a premium. Street food by definition is not food from a trendy restaurant. Let’s get that part right first. Second, there are a couple of features that truly define what street food is.
Typically, street food is cooked and served in outdoor markets, festivals, and… well, on the street. It’s made for quick consumption. That means street food usually is eaten on the spot or while on the go. Although street food as we know it became popular in Asia, there are a variety of cuisines.
In America, our most popular street food is probably the hot dog or the taco. The best tacos I have ever had have been in outdoor markets. The delicious Street Tacos I’ve made here capture the essence of those delicacies and you don’t have to pay crazy bistro prices for a snazzy plate of three.
These amazing beef street tacos are simple, easily assembled, and well seasoned. So, you get a mouthful of flavor in every manageable bite. With the right meat, the right seasoning, and the perfect tortilla technique you will have the best street tacos right in your own kitchen.
The Trick to Making Great Tacos
The main point to get across when you are talking about great beef street tacos is the tortilla. You have to get that amazing toasted tortilla. The best taco places always have the tortilla fried up before loading it with everything that goes on top. And the really hardcore cooks do it bare-handed. We’ll use tongs.
First, you need to have the right kind of tortilla. Street taco tortillas are easy to find at the store. They are much smaller than other kinds of tortillas. They have to be because street tacos are eaten very quickly. Not that you could avoid that with how tasty they are.
The trick to making the perfect tortilla is to heat it without any oil. Heat it in a pan. Not the microwave. If you think you hate corn tortillas, it’s probably because you’ve just been preparing them wrong. Obviously, you love corn tortillas at your favorite taco place, right? Just heat them on a dry surface long enough to see and smell the difference in the tortilla. You’ll need to flip it with your tongs halfway through so this may take a little bit of trial and error. In a cast-iron over medium-high heat, you should be able to toast both sides in under a minute. Make these one at a time and place them in a dish lined with a kitchen towel so you can keep the heated tortillas warm.
Why Chuck It?
The next and most obvious thing that makes beef street tacos so amazing is the actual beef. Once you settle on your protein, there are all sorts of different cuts and styles to choose from. Why use chuck roast instead of some other cut of beef?
There are plenty of good ways to enjoy beef tacos. Ground beef and shredded beef are popular in taco recipes all around this beautiful wide world. Flank steak and skirt steak are other great choices for these tacos. You can even use your favorite carne asada recipe and make them carne asada street tacos. But these tacos use chunky bits of beef that create a whole different kind of way to experience your taco. I’ve played around with this a bit and I found that a chuck roast cut into ½ inch pieces is just the way to go. By the time it cooks, it’s the perfect size for an easy bite with just the right texture and meatiness to perfect the taco.
Chuck roast is beef from the shoulder. It’s a rich beefy portion of the cow used for, among other things, flat iron steak. What makes roast different from steak is that it is not cut low enough for quick grilling and is rather roasted in dry heat and usually serves several people, diced pieces of roast stretch out its use and feed more people when used for tacos.
The Most Deliciously Seasoned Street Tacos
Finally, what pulls this whole recipe together and makes it taste so incredible is the terrific seasoning blend I incorporate into the dish. These street tacos sing. It’s all because of the unique blend of spices I’ve added to it. The chopped cilantro and diced onion are important for the overall taco flavor, but once this delicious seasoning is added, the tacos hit a whole new level of “WOW!”
The secret isn’t really a secret. Of course, I add some Slap Ya Mama seasoning into it. But it’s the blend of black pepper, chili powder, and paprika with an equal dose of garlic salt that balances out the spice and makes it irresistible. For added flavor, you can let the meat marinade overnight before you grill it. When you marinate beef, it soaks in all the flavor and makes it more tender.
What to Serve with These Tacos
Rice – Any Mexican-style rice would pair perfectly with these Beef Street Tacos. Some of my favorite to add as a side with tacos is Cilantro Lime Rice or Spanish-style rice.
Beans – Refried beans or black beans are the most popular. These Charro Beans from Great Grub, Delicious Treats, make a delicious side that pairs nicely with any type of taco.
Chips and Guacamole – This would make a great side to any Mexican dish.
Different Topping Ideas for Tacos
- Guacamole
- Sour cream
- Salsa
- Sliced green onions
Ingredients for Beef Street Tacos
- Chuck roast, flank steak, or skirt steak
- Vegetable oil
- Slap Ya Mama®
- Garlic salt
- Black pepper
- Paprika
- Chili powder
- White onion
- Fresh cilantro
- Fresh lime juice
- Small corn tortillas (or flour tortillas, but I prefer corn)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1 – Prepare your Ingredients
Cut your chuck roast into ½ inch pieces. Now, dice the onion and chop the cilantro. Set both aside. On the stove top, in a large pan or cast iron skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
Step 2 – Cook the Meat and Fry the Tortillas
Add the cut chuck roast to the preheated pan and sprinkle with seasonings. Stirring frequently, cook meat until no longer pink. Remove from heat and place in a large bowl. Now, in a small frying pan over medium-high heat, cook tortillas one at a time. Using tongs to flip the tortillas, cook for 30-45 seconds on both sides.
Step 3 – Assemble the Tacos
Add a spoonful of cooked meat to a cooked corn tortilla and top with diced onions, chopped cilantro, and fresh lime juice. If desired, you can add additional toppings such as Pico de Gallo, cotija cheese, red onions, tomato, avocados, green onions, salsa, guacamole. Serve hot and enjoy.
Try These Easy Beef Street Tacos Today
Looking For More Delicious Mexican Recipes?
Easy Beef Street Tacos
Ingredients
- 1 pound chuck roast, cut into ½ inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon Slap Ya Mama seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 medium white onion, diced
- ¼ cup cilantro, chopped
- 12 small corn tortillas
Instructions
- In a large pan or skillet, heat oil over medium high heat.
- Add chuck roast and sprinkle with seasonings. Stir to combine.
- Cook until meat is cooked through and is no longer pink. Stir frequently then remove from heat.
- In a small frying pan, heat tortillas.
- Assemble tacos and top with diced onions and cilantro.
And here are a couple pics that can be saved to your favorite Pinterest boards.