These carne asada tacos are everything a great taco night should be: smoky grilled steak, warm tortillas, fresh toppings, and big flavor without a complicated process.
If you already have my carne asada recipe, this is one of the best ways to serve it. Thin slices of grilled marinated steak get piled into toasted tortillas and topped simply so the meat stays the star. They are easy enough for a weeknight cookout but good enough for feeding friends on the weekend.
Why This Recipe Works
Simple street taco toppings keep the focus on the grilled steak.
Works equally well with leftover carne asada or a fresh batch straight off the grill.
Quick and easy once the steak is cooked.
Easy to customize with different tortillas, salsas, and toppings.
Great for weeknights, meal prep, or feeding a crowd.
This recipe starts with a great marinade. Here’s how to make it:
How To Make Carne Asada Tacos
Cook a batch of my carne asada and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes.
Slice the steak thinly against the grain, then chop it into smaller pieces if desired.
Warm corn tortillas directly over a grill grate, in a dry skillet, or on a griddle until soft with a few lightly charred spots.
Fill each tortilla with steak and top with diced onion, cilantro, and a squeeze of fresh lime.
Serve immediately with your favorite salsa.
Tips for Making Amazing Carne Asada Tacos
Slice the Steak Against the Grain
Even perfectly cooked steak can turn chewy if you slice it the wrong way. Cut across the grain into thin strips, then chop those strips into smaller pieces for easier tacos.
Warm the Tortillas
Never skip this step. Warm tortillas taste better, hold together better, and are much less likely to crack or tear.
Do Not Overfill the Tacos
Street tacos are usually smaller and simpler than restaurant-style tacos. A few ounces of steak and a small amount of toppings is usually perfect.
Use Two Corn Tortillas if Needed
If your tortillas are thin or tend to fall apart, doubling them up makes the tacos much easier to eat.
Keep the Toppings Simple
Traditional carne asada tacos do not need much. Onion, cilantro, lime, and maybe a little salsa are often all you need.
Best Toppings for Carne Asada Tacos
Classic carne asada tacos are often served with just onion, cilantro, and lime, but there are plenty of other good options.
Traditional Toppings
Diced white onion
Chopped cilantro
Lime wedges
Salsa roja or salsa verde
Extra Toppings
Diced avocado or guacamole
Crumbled cotija cheese
Queso fresco
Sour cream or Mexican crema
Thinly sliced radishes
Shredded cabbage
Pickled red onions
Jalapeños or hot sauce
What to Serve With Carne Asada Tacos
For an easy side dish, serve these tacos with mexican rice.
If you are feeding a crowd, pair them with pollo asado so everyone can choose between grilled steak and chicken.
Other great side dishes include charro beans, black beans, chips and salsa, grilled onions, or grilled jalapeños.
FAQ
What cut of meat is best for carne asada tacos?
Skirt steak is the most traditional choice, but flank steak also works well.
Are corn or flour tortillas better?
Corn tortillas are the more traditional choice for street taco style carne asada tacos, but flour tortillas work too.
How do you make carne asada tacos tender?
Cook the steak quickly over high heat, do not overcook it, and always slice it thinly against the grain.
Can I make these ahead of time?
You can cook the steak ahead of time and reheat it gently, but the tacos are best when assembled fresh.
Can I make these on a Weber kettle?
Yes. Use a hot two-zone fire so you can sear the steak over direct heat and move it away from the flames if the marinade starts to char too quickly.
These carne asada tacos are proof that simple is often better. Great grilled steak, warm tortillas, and a few fresh toppings are all you need for an easy dinner that always disappears fast.
If you have not made the steak yet, start with my carne asada recipe first, then come back here to build the tacos.
