The recipe for Skirt Steak Tacos is simple and only takes 20 minutes from start to finish. Instead of drowning my taco in a heavy salsa, I like to keep it simple and fresh with diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, crumbled Mexican cheese and a slice or two of avocado. A squeeze of fresh lime juice to finish it off and it’s perfect.

Skirt Steak Tacos Recipe

Why This Skirt Steak Taco Recipe Is So Good

  • Quick and Easy: This is a quick recipe that’s perfect for when you want a delicious meal without spending a lot of time in the kitchen. In just about 20 minutes, you can serve up some delicious tacos that taste like they’re straight from your favorite Southern California taco truck.
  • Fresh Ingredients, Great Flavor: Who says you have to head to a restaurant to get good Mexican food? The use of fresh ingredients like crisp lettuce, ripe tomatoes, and creamy avocado, combined with the richness of grilled skirt steak, will have this Mexican dish bursting with flavor!
  • Ideal for Weeknights: Looking for a perfect weeknight treat? This skirt steak recipe is just the thing to make any Tuesday a Taco Tuesday. It’s an easy, delicious way to spice up your dinner routine. Plus, it’s a good time to experiment with your favorite taco toppings like red onion, fresh cilantro, pico de gallo or cotija cheese. 
  • Versatile and Fun: Not only is this easy recipe full of flavor, but it’s also fun to make and eat. Whether it’s a casual dinner night or a large Mexican-American family gathering, everyone will love building their own tacos and enjoying the combination of juicy meat and fresh toppings. 

Ingredients

  • Skirt steak
  • Salt and pepper
  • Cooking oil
  • Lettuce, tomatoes, avocado
  • Cilantro
  • Queso fresco
  • Flour or corn tortillas
  • Lime

How To Make These Skirt Steak Tacos – Step By Step

  1. Season the skirt steak with salt and black pepper on both sides. Heat a skillet or grill pan over high heat. When hot, swirl in the cooking oil. Add the skirt steak to the pan and sear for 2-3 minutes each side. If the skirt steak is very thin (about 1/2 inch thick), it should be medium-rare at this point. If the skirt steak is thicker, set your stove to medium heat and cover to cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
  2.  Let the steak rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Slice the skirt steak across the grain into very thin ribbons.
  3.  Assemble tacos by layering sliced steak, lettuce, diced tomatoes, cilantro and avocado slices on warm tortillas. Top with cheese and serve with lime wedges, hot sauce, and any other favorite toppings.

Choosing Fresh Produce 

I’ve discovered that I’m not the only one who’s fiercely loyal to their local supermarkets. While some are loyal to a particular market because it’s convenient (close to their home or office), I’m more influenced by the quality of two things: produce and meat (though my kids will argue that for them, it’s the variety of ice creams and the breadth of their snackity-snack aisle).

For the produce, I’m all about freshness and locally grown items. I cringe when I see tomatoes come in from another country when we have tomato farms not even 10 miles from my house!

 

Super Yummy Skirt Steak Tacos Recipe

Skirt Steak Tacos – Perfect For Weeknights

On busy weeknights, we often have steak tacos using my favorite cut of steak, the skirt steak. It’s so incredibly flavorful and when cooked and sliced the right way, one of the most tender cuts you’ll find.

 

Meaty Skirt Steak Tacos Recipe

What’s The Best Cut of Meat For Tacos?

Skirt steak is a long, boneless, flat cut that has meat fibers running in one direction. The fat is only on the outside of the skirt steak – trim away the excess fat and you’ll have a very lean steak cut. The fat pulls off very easily.

See how the strong grain is running up and down along the meat? The key to getting long pieces of skirt steak tender is to cut across the grain – I’ll show you in a bit.

I season the steak with just salt and pepper and quickly sear both sides of the meat over high heat so they get a nice char.

Steak with just salt and pepper Skirt Steak Tacos Recipe

See how nicely seared the meat is?

Seared Steak Skirt Steak Tacos Recipe

Once both sides are seared, turn the heat down to medium and cover to let it finish cooking. If you have very thin skirt steak, this step is not necessary. Just a couple of minutes is all you need. My personal preference is that skirt steak is best medium to medium-rare.

Medium to medium-rare Skirt Steak Tacos Recipe

Let the meat rest for a bit before slicing.

Rest the meat for Skirt Steak Tacos Recipe

Because the grain is running top to bottom, I want to slice across the grain.

Slice across the grain Skirt Steak Tacos Recipe

For tacos, I slice the steak as thin as I can.

Thinly sliced Skirt Steak Tacos Recipe

You can see how tender the skirt steak is!

Tendet Skirt Steak Tacos Recipe

Top Tips For Skirt Steak Tacos

  • Trim away the excess fat and you’ll have a very lean steak cut.
  • Let the meat rest for a bit before slicing.
  • When you make tacos for a crowd, the taco bar is what will take it to the next level! For condiment lovers, corn salsa, sour cream and tomatillo salsa are great to have on hand.
  • Beans and rice are the traditional options but you can switch it up with corn or a big green salad.

FAQ: Skirt Steak Tacos Recipe

Q: How much meat should I use per taco?
A: The amount of meat per taco can vary based on personal preference. Typically, 2-3 thin slices of skirt steak per taco provide a good balance with the other ingredients.

Q: What’s the best surface to cut the steak on?
A: A sturdy cutting board is ideal for slicing steak. Wooden or plastic boards work well. Just ensure it’s stable and large enough to handle the cut of meat.

Q: Can I use flour tortillas instead of corn tortillas?
A: Absolutely! Flour tortillas are a great option and can be used interchangeably with corn tortillas in this recipe. It’s all about your personal preference.

Q: Any tips for marinades?
A: For skirt steak tacos, both simple and good marinades work well. Consider using ingredients like lime juice, garlic, cilantro, and chili for a flavorful yet easy marinade.

Q: Why does the steak need to rest?
A: It’s a good thing to let the steak rest for about 5 minutes after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful steak.

Q: What can I do with leftover steak?
A: Leftover steak can be stored in the fridge and used the next day. It’s great in salads, sandwiches, or as a protein addition to other dishes.

Check Out These Other Delicious Steak Recipes

Have you tried these Skirt Steak Tacos? Feel free to leave a star rating and I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

Skirt Steak Tacos Recipe

Skirt Steak Tacos Recipe

Jaden Hair
5 from 7 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 4 servings
Calories 743 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds skirt steak trimmed of excess fat
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons cooking oil
  • 2 cups loosely packed shredded lettuce
  • 2 tomatoes diced
  • 2 tablespoons finely minced cilantro
  • 1-2 avocados pitted and sliced
  • 1 cup crumbled queso fresco or other shredded cheese of your choice
  • 1 lime cut into wedges
  • 8 flour or corn tortillas

Instructions
 

  • Season the skirt steak with salt and pepper on both sides. Heat a skillet or grill pan over high heat. When hot, swirl in the cooking oil. Add the skirt steak to the pan and sear for 2-3 minutes each side. If the skirt steak is very thin (about 1/2 inch thick), it should be medium-rare at this point. If the skirt steak is thicker, turn the heat to medium and cover to cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
  • Let the meat rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Slice the skirt steak across the grain into very thin ribbons.
  • Assemble tacos by layering steak, lettuce, diced tomatoes, cilantro and avocado slices. Top with cheese and serve with lime wedges.

Nutrition

Calories: 743kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 61gFat: 40gSaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 187mgSodium: 1153mgPotassium: 1358mgFiber: 8gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 1182IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 292mgIron: 5mg
Keyword beef tacos, skirt steak recipe, steak tacos
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