Steak Tacos with Jalapeño Lime Ranch
On May 27, 2024
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Spice this Taco Tuesday up with my Steak Tacos. They’re drizzled with zesty Jalapeño Lime Ranch, and perfect for a flavorful weeknight meal.
Steak Tacos with Jalapeño Lime Ranch
Get ready to give your taste buds a flavor fiesta with these mouthwatering Steak Tacos. Filled with tender, juicy steak and drizzled with a zesty Jalapeño Lime Ranch, these tacos are a breeze to make and perfect for spicing up your weeknight dinners or impressing guests at your next party. The combination of savory steak, tangy lime, and a kick of heat from the jalapeño will have everyone coming back for seconds (or thirds), so let’s get started.
What kind of steak is good for tacos?
For these tacos, I’m using skirt steak, which is a cut that’s packed with flavor and perfect for grilling. Its rich marbling and tender texture make it ideal for tacos, and it’s a classic choice for carne asada. If you can’t find skirt steak, you can also use flank steak or flap steak, or any steak you enjoy. Here are a few of my recipes for steak that are great for these tacos:
Jalapeño Lime Ranch
The secret weapon in these tacos is the Jalapeño Lime Ranch. This creamy, tangy dressing adds a burst of flavor and a little heat to every bite. Here’s what you’ll need to make it:
- 1/2 cup mayo
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 jalapeño (seeds optional)
- 1/2 cup cilantro
- 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- juice of 2 limes
Seasoning for Steak
Before getting your steak on the grill, first give it a drizzle with cooking oil and pat it evenly. I like avocado oil because it doesn’t affect flavor and has a high heat point. After that, give it a generous coating of my Fiesta Rub available in the store (or by following the recipe here), or your favorite taco seasoning.
How Long to Grill Steak
To achieve perfectly grilled steak for your tacos, preheat your grill to high heat. Place the seasoned steak on the grates and grill for 2-3 minutes per side. This short cooking time over high heat will give you a nice char on the outside while keeping the interior juicy and tender. As you grill, keep an eye out for a caramelized crust forming on the steak’s exterior, which signifies the development of delicious flavor and texture.
Remember, temperature is just as important as time when it comes to cooking steak to the perfect doneness level. Every grill is different, so make sure you have a reliable instant-read thermometer on hand.
- Rare: 125 degrees F
- Medium Rare: 135 degrees F
- Medium: 145 degrees F
- Medium Well: 155 degrees F
- Well Done: 160 degrees F
How to Make Steak Tacos
Now that you have the rundown on all things taco, let’s go over how to grill steak tacos in a few easy steps:
- Make the dressing. Combine all ingredients for the jalapeño lime dressing in a blender or food processor and pulse until creamy. You want to refrigerate the dressing while you make your tacos so it sets.
- Season the steak. Preheat your grill for 450-500 degrees F for high heat. Drizzle your skirt steak on sides with some avocado oil, then pat it evenly with a gloved hand. Next, season liberally with taco seasoning. I love my Fiesta Rub, but you can use your favorite.
- Grill steak. Give your steak 2-3 minutes, then flip for 2-3 more minutes. This is going to get the steak up to temp, tenderize that rich marbling, and give you rich beefy flavor. Squeeze some fresh lime on your steak as it grills, then remove the steak when it reaches the internal temperature for your desired doneness.
- Rest and slice steak. You want to give your steaks 5-10 minutes to rest before slicing. This will not only lock in all the juicy flavor, it will make slicing much easier. Use this time to get your favorite taco toppings ready. I love mine with fresh cilantro, red onion, lime juice, and some queso fresco. Whatever you like on tacos is great, and now is the time to get them ready.
- Assemble and serve. Place your tortillas on the grill for approximately 30 seconds per side, then remove for warm assembly. Add your chopped steak and your toppings, then enjoy with your friends and family.
Tips for Slicing Skirt Steak
You probably know you want to slice steak against the grain, but you might not know cuts like skirt steak have already been cut this way by your butcher. Don’t stress though, because I’ve got a couple easy tips so you can still have gorgeous slices of savory steak.
- Rest steak. You want to give your steaks 5-10 minutes to rest before you start slicing. This is true with most steaks, because it allows all that juicy beef flavor to settle for a nice, even cut.
- Use a sharp knife. The worst thing you can do after grilling tender steak is cutting it with a dull knife. If you want to keep all that delicious beef juice in your steak and off your cutting board, then make sure to use a sharp knife.
- Slice twice. With thin cuts like skirt, flap, or flank steak, first cut it into 3-4 smaller sections. Then, turn your knife 90 degrees and cut into slices at a right angle from your previous cuts. You’ll get nice, smooth cuts without the fight.
Taco Toppings
When it comes to steak taco toppings, the possibilities are endless. I love using homemade tortillas for my tacos, and I have recipes for both corn tortillas and flour tortillas. Here are the toppings I’m using for these tacos:
- 16 flour or corn taco shells
- 1/2 cup white onion diced
- 1 bunch cilantro
- 2 limes cut into wedges
- queso fresco, optional
Feel free to get creative and customize your tacos with your favorite seasonal veggies or your personal touches. The beauty of these steak tacos is that they’re incredibly versatile and can be customized to suit your taste preferences.
More Tasty Taco Recipes
Every day can be Taco Tuesday with my collection of mouthwatering taco recipes. From classic s like carne asada to fun twists like pulled pork, I’ve got a taco recipe for every craving and occasion you can think of. Get ready to spice up your meal plan with these crowd-pleasing favorites:
Easy Steak Tacos Recipe
Enjoy these tasty Steak Tacos at your family taco night, and don’t forget to taco ‘bout how much you loved them in the comments. I love hearing your grill stories and seeing your results. Tag me @heygrillhey on Instagram, and Facebook to let me see your amazing tacos. And don’t forget to subscribe to the Hey Grill Hey YouTube channel for all the latest how-to videos, and more.
If you want to take the headache out of planning the rest of your weeknight meals, then check out the Hey Grill Hey app. Not only do you get access to my library of over 600 BBQ recipes, but you can meal plan and make shopping lists all with a tap of your screen.
Steak Tacos with Jalapeño Lime Ranch
Ingredients
- 2 pounds skirt steak
- 2 Tablespoons avocado oil
- 2 Tablespoons Hey Grill Hey Fiesta Rub
Jalapeño Lime Ranch
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 jalapeño seeds optional
- 1/2 cup cilantro
- 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 limes for juice
Taco Toppings
- 16 street taco shells flour or corn
- 1/2 cup white onion diced
- 1 bunch cilantro
- 2 limes wedged
- queso fresco optional
Instructions
- Make the dressing. Combine all ingredients for the jalapeño lime dressing in a blender jar or food processor and pulse until well combined and creamy. Refrigerate the dressing until ready to serve.1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1 jalapeño, 1/2 cup cilantro, 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon onion powder, 2 limes
- Preheat the grill. Preheat your gas or charcoal grill for High heat grilling, between 450-500 degrees F.
- Season the steak. Drizzle all sides of the steak with avocado oil, then pat to evenly distribute with gloved hand. Next, season liberally on both sides with Fiesta Rub, or your favorite taco seasoning.2 pounds skirt steak, 2 Tablespoons avocado oil, 2 Tablespoons Hey Grill Hey Fiesta Rub
- Grill steak. Place seasoned steaks on grill grates for 2-3 minutes per side, and squeeze the lime juice over the top of the steaks as they are on the grill. Remove the steak when it has reached an internal temperature of 130-135 degrees F (for medium-rare steak).
- Rest and slice steak. Rest the steak for 5-10 minutes. Once your steak is rested, then chop the steak into bite-sized pieces. During this time, assemble your toppings.1/2 cup white onion, 1 bunch cilantro, 2 limes, queso fresco
- Assemble and serve. Place the tortillas on the grill for approximately 30 seconds per side. Remove the tortillas, and add your chopped steak and preferred toppings. My preferred toppings are in the ingredients list, but feel free to customize.16 street taco shells
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This was a HUGE hit! The cilantro lime ranch was a nice touch.