Steak Tacos-California Style
Take your tastebuds on a trip to California with these mouth-watering Mexican Steak Tacos! Our marinade recipe for flank steak tacos is easy and will make you feel like you’re at your favorite taco stand. Plus, with some delicious toppings and a few kitchen essentials, you’ll have dinner ready in no time.
From Texas to California, everyone has their own version of tacos. Tacos can be made in so many ways usually depending on what part of the country you live in. For instance, in Texas, most beef tacos are made with ground beef but in California, they are made with marinated steak.
My daughter, Kristi has an awesome carne asada taco recipe marinade that is easy and made with ingredients you probably have in your pantry. This is a California style tacos recipe starting with her our marinade recipe that makes the best flank steak tacos.
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Say ‘hola’ to the ultimate taco night with our take on authentic Mexican Steak Tacos! With just a few simple ingredients and our easy marinade recipe, you can recreate the flavors of your favorite California taco stand at home. And this carne asada tacos recipe is a must-try! The juicy, marinated steak with all the fixings will have you saying ‘adios’ to ground beef. Don’t believe us? Try them out for yourself and taste the authentic Mexican flavors.
How to Make Authentic Mexican Tacos:
Ingredients:
- ½ cup olive oil
- ½ cup red wine vinegar
- 2 tsp sugar
- 2 tsp oregano
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- 3 pounds of flank steak or thinly sliced steak
- 12 corn tortillas
Steak Taco Toppings
- lettuce, sliced
- tomato, chopped
- guacamole or avocado slices
- 3 green onions, sliced
- 6 ounces grated jack or cheddar cheese
- sour cream, optional
- salsa, optional
Equipment Needed:
- Small Mixing Bowl
- Marinade Container or Gallon size Ziplock baggie
- Comal
- Tortilla Warmer
- Grill
How to make Mexican Steak Tacos
Add the olive oil and the vinegar in a small bowl or in a glass 2 cup measuring cup. Measure out and add the sugar, oregano, chili powder.
Mix in the salt and pepper and stir until very well blended.
Place the steak in a marinade container or a large plastic storage bag and pour in the marinade mixture. Then seal and place the bag inside a bowl to avoid leakage and chill in the fridge for at least 2-3 hours.
Remove the marinated steak from the fridge and let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes. Heat your grill or cast-iron grill skillet and cook steak until it’s med-rare or to your desired doneness. Remove, cover, and let rest for 10 minutes.
Place steak on cutting board then slice into thin strips against the grain. When the meat is sliced against the grain it makes a more tender filling for these Mexican Steak Tacos.
Meanwhile, heat up your comal or cast-iron skillet and heat the tortillas so they are a little browned but not crisp. Place in a tortilla keeper to stay warm.
Serve by filling the tortillas with the steak pieces, lettuce, tomato, green onion, avocado or guacamole or salsa. Or top these with Guacamole or Pico de Gallo.
🥣 Why you will love this Recipe
- Simple and Flavorful Marinade: The easy-to-make marinade uses everyday pantry staples like olive oil, red wine vinegar, chili powder, and garlic, infusing the flank steak with a perfect balance of tangy, savory, and slightly sweet notes that elevate the beef to restaurant-quality tenderness and taste.
- Authentic California-Style Twist: Unlike traditional Texas ground beef tacos, this recipe features thinly sliced, marinated flank steak for a juicy, authentic carne asada experience that captures the bold, street-style flavors of California taco stands, making it feel like a gourmet meal at home.
- Quick and Versatile Preparation: With just 30 minutes of marinating (or overnight for deeper flavor) and fast grilling, it’s ideal for busy weeknights, plus the customizable toppings like guacamole, cheese, and salsa allow everyone to personalize their tacos.
- Crowd-Pleasing and Healthy Option: Packed with fresh veggies and lean protein, these tacos are a nutritious yet indulgent dish that’s sure to impress family or guests, offering a satisfying crunch from corn tortillas and a burst of Mexican-inspired freshness in every bite.
Other Mexican Recipes:
🥣 Recipe
Equipment
- Marinade Container or gallon Ziplock baggie
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
- 2 tsp sugar
- 2 tsp oregano
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 3 lbs. flank steak or thinly sliced steak
- 12 corn tortillas
Steak Taco Toppings
- lettuce sliced
- tomato chopped
- avocado slices
- 3 green onions sliced
- 6 oz grated jack cheese or cheddar
- sour cream optional
- salsa optional
- Guacamole optional
Instructions
- Add the olive oil and the vinegar in a small bowl or in a glass 2 cup measuring cup. Measure out and add sugar, oregano, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Place the steak in a marinade container or a large plastic storage bag and pour in the marinade mixture. Place the bag inside a bowl to avoid leakage and place in the fridge for at least 2-3 hours.
- Remove the marinated steak from the fridge and let come to room temperature. (about 30 minutes).
- Heat your grill or grilling cast-iron skillet and grill steak until it’s med-rare or to your desired doneness. Remove, cover, and let rest for 10 minutes then slice the steak into thin strips, slicing against the grain.
- Meanwhile, heat up your comal or cast-iron skillet and heat the tortillas so they are a little browned but not crisp. Place in a tortilla keeper to stay warm.
- Serve by filling the tortillas with the steak pieces, lettuce, tomato, green onion, avocado or guacamole or salsa.
Nutrition
Don’t Forget to Pin this Mexican authentic Mexican Steak Taco recipe
It's so pretty. I would make these
Evelyn, I have to make these with Kristi's Steak Tacos! How gorgeous are they!
I love the recipe your steak tacos!
I totally wish to try these tacos!
This tacos look amazing!
Evelyn,
This Taco looks delicious, I love taco's. I could really eat one right now!
Hey Evelyn;
Kristi's Taco Recipe looks so Yummy!!! I honestly can not wait to try it!!
Gosh, these are so good in so ways!
Loving these steak tacos!
These sound great!
These steak tacos are making my mouth water so much (and I just ate lunch)!!
I think I would start with something involving tortillas… See what you did there? 🙂
I agree with Joy. I wouldn't be able to pass up these steak tacos. Mercy, they look so dang good!
Thank you for sharing.
I would make braised lamb chops on them with veggie seasonings!
This would be great for chicken fajitas
Think I'd make a pizza
These tacos look awesome, Evelyn! Saw them over at Creativity Unleashed!
These are so yummy!
I featured this yumminess at Katherines corner today xoxox P.S. If I won I would use it for pancakes..and so much more. Thank you for the giveaway opportunity 🙂
Oh, how this griddle would be fabulous for Quesadillas! Thank you for the taco recipe.
Your Steak Tacos sound wonderful!
I'd love to cook some veggie fajitas on it!
I would love to try these tacos.
Your tacos look scrumptious …
I would love those tacos right now
your tacos look delicious! yum!
This looks like a phenomenal grill the possibilities are endless!
The tacos look divine, if I won I'd be making these! 😀
Tacos are like the most perfect food ever. Maybe I am biased because I love them so much! 😉 Kristi's taco sound awesome!