Juicy Skirt Steak Tacos Recipe

Sizzle & Savor: Juicy Skirt Steak Tacos Recipe Everyone Loves

Searing skillet steak tacos burst with mouthwatering flavors that dance across your palate.

These tender, perfectly seasoned delights promise an explosion of authentic Mexican-inspired cuisine.

Bold spices and succulent meat create a harmony of textures that elevates every bite.

Marinating the skirt steak infuses deep, rich undertones that complement fresh toppings.

Each taco delivers a vibrant combination of smoky, zesty notes that satisfy serious cravings.

Crisp tortillas cradle the perfectly cooked meat, making every mouthful an irresistible experience.

Gather your ingredients and prepare for a culinary journey that transforms a simple meal into a fiesta of taste.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 400 kcal

Servings: 4

Grilled Onion & Skirt Steak Tacos – What You’ll Need to Start

For The Steak And Marinade:
  • Skirt Steak: Lean, flavorful cut perfect for grilling, best when sliced against the grain for tenderness and choose a well-marbled piece for maximum juiciness.
  • Lime Juice: Adds bright acidity that tenderizes the meat and brings zesty freshness to the marinade.
  • Olive Oil: Creates smooth marinade base and helps seasonings adhere to the meat.
  • Garlic: Provides robust, aromatic flavor that complements the beef's richness.
  • Chili Powder: Introduces warm, smoky heat that enhances the steak's deep flavors.
  • Cumin: Brings earthy, warm undertones typical in Mexican-inspired cuisine.
  • Salt and Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that amplify the meat's natural taste.
For The Grilling Components:
  • Red Onions: Sweet and slightly sharp when grilled, creating beautiful caramelized edges and adding incredible depth to the tacos.
  • Olive Oil: Helps onions grill evenly and prevents sticking to the grates.
  • Salt and Black Pepper: Simple seasonings that highlight the onions' natural sweetness.
For The Taco Assembly:
  • Corn Tortillas: Traditional Mexican carrier with authentic corn flavor, best when warmed to become soft and pliable.
  • Cilantro: Bright, fresh herb that adds vibrant green color and classic Mexican profile.
  • Lime Wedges: Provides zesty finishing touch that cuts through the meat's richness.
  • Salsa: Adds moisture and extra flavor complexity to the tacos.
  • Cheese: Optional creamy element that melts beautifully and adds richness.

Tools to Help You Sear Skirt Steak and Soften Onions Just Right

  • Grill: Essential for cooking steak and onions at medium-high heat.
  • Grill basket (optional): Helpful for grilling onion slices without losing them through grates.
  • Large bowl or zip-top bag: Needed for marinating steak with ingredients.
  • Tongs: Perfect for flipping steak, onions, and tortillas on the grill.
  • Sharp knife: Crucial for slicing steak thinly against the grain after resting.
  • Cutting board: Necessary for slicing steak and preparing toppings.
  • Measuring spoons: Used for measuring marinade ingredients accurately.

Building Grilled Onion & Skirt Steak Tacos with Flavor

  • Fire Up the Grill

Preheat your grill to a sizzling medium-high temperature around 400F, getting ready for some serious flavor action.

  • Dress the Steak

Massage your skirt steak with a zesty marinade, letting it soak up all those amazing flavors in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to 4 hours.

  • Prepare Onion Companions

Coat onion slices with a touch of olive oil, then season with salt and pepper, preparing them for their grilling adventure.

  • Char the Onions

Toss onion rings directly onto the grill or into a grill basket, cooking them until they’re beautifully caramelized and tender, about 4-5 minutes per side.

  • Sear the Steak

Pull the steak from its marinade and grill for 3-4 minutes per side, aiming for a perfect medium-rare. Let it rest and then slice against the grain.

  • Warm Tortilla Vehicles

Quickly toast tortillas on the grill for just 30 seconds per side, creating soft, slightly smoky wrappers.

  • Create Delicious Tacos

Layer sliced steak and grilled onions into warm tortillas, then top with fresh cilantro, crumbled cheese, and a splash of salsa. Serve with bright lime wedges.

Flavor Tweaks for Grilled Skirt Steak Tacos That Hit Hard

  • Let the steak soak up flavors for maximum tenderness. Longer marinating time (up to 4 hours) means more intense taste and juicier meat.
  • Always slice skirt steak against the grain to ensure each bite is melt-in-your-mouth tender and easy to chew.
  • Swap tortillas for crisp lettuce wraps or serve over a fresh salad for a lighter, keto-friendly version of the dish.
  • Replace skirt steak with grilled portobello mushrooms or tofu, marinating them in the same flavorful mixture for a satisfying plant-based option.
  • Adjust the marinade's heat by adding more chili powder or including fresh jalapeños for those who love an extra kick.

Serve These Skirt Steak Tacos Hot Off the Grill

  • Flavor Burst Combo: Top tacos with fresh, zesty pico de gallo and creamy avocado slices for a perfect balance of heat and coolness that elevates every bite.
  • Taco Party Style: Create a DIY taco bar with various toppings like pickled jalapeños, sour cream, chopped cilantro, and multiple salsa varieties to let guests customize their meal.
  • Sidekick Companions: Serve alongside Mexican-style street corn (elote), black beans with queso fresco, or a refreshing citrus slaw to complement the smoky grilled steak and onions.
  • Drink Pairing Delight: Match these tacos with an ice-cold Mexican beer like Modelo or a tangy margarita to enhance the bold, charred flavors of the grilled ingredients.

How to Store Leftover Grilled Onion & Skirt Steak Tacos

  • Prep marinade and slice onions up to 24 hours before grilling day. Store marinating steak and sliced onions separately in sealed containers in the refrigerator.
  • Slice remaining steak into thin strips for quick salads, quesadillas, or breakfast hash. Refrigerated leftovers stay delicious for 3-4 days when sealed tightly.
  • Wrap unused marinated steak in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze flat for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before grilling for best texture and taste.
  • Chop extra onions and store in airtight containers. Grill multiple batches during weekend cooking sessions to use throughout the week in various recipes like sandwiches, omelets, or grain bowls.
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Juicy Skirt Steak Tacos Recipe

Juicy Skirt Steak Tacos


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 19 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Mexican street food finds its soulmate in these grilled onion & skirt steak tacos, blending charred meat’s smoky richness with caramelized onions’ sweet intensity. Fragrant corn tortillas cradle this perfect harmony, inviting readers to savor each bold, authentic bite.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs (680 g) skirt steak
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) olive oil
  • 2 tbsps (30 ml) lime juice
  • 2 tbsps (30 ml) soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tsp (5 ml) chili powder
  • ½ tsp (2.5 ml) cumin
  • ½ tsp (2.5 ml) smoked paprika
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • 8 small corn or flour tortillas
  • 1 large yellow onion, sliced into thick rings
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
  • Salt, to taste
  • Pepper, to taste
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Diced onion or grilled onion slices
  • Lime wedges
  • Cotija cheese or shredded Mexican blend (optional)
  • Avocado or guacamole (optional)
  • Salsa or hot sauce (optional)

Instructions

  1. Marinate: Blend marinade ingredients in a bowl or sealed bag, thoroughly coating skirt steak. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to 4 hours, allowing flavors to penetrate the meat.
  2. Prepare Grill: Heat grill to medium-high (400°F), creating ideal searing conditions for meat and vegetables.
  3. Char Onions: Toss onion slices with seasoning, then grill directly on grates or in a grill basket until edges caramelize and texture softens, approximately 4-5 minutes per side.
  4. Cook Steak: Remove steak from marinade, grilling 3-4 minutes per side for medium-rare. Transfer to resting board and let meat relax for 5-10 minutes to redistribute internal juices.
  5. Warm Tortillas: Quickly heat tortillas on grill grates, creating slight char and enhancing flexibility, about 15-20 seconds per side.
  6. Assemble Tacos: Slice steak against grain, layer onto warm tortillas. Top with grilled onions, fresh cilantro, crumbled cheese, and vibrant salsa. Garnish with lime wedges for bright, zesty finish.

Notes

  • Choose acidic ingredients like lime juice or vinegar to help tenderize the skirt steak and break down tough muscle fibers, ensuring a more flavorful and tender result.
  • Maintain medium-high heat around 400°F to achieve perfect caramelization on onions and a nice sear on the steak without burning the exterior before cooking the interior.
  • Cut the steak perpendicular to the muscle fibers to create shorter fiber lengths, making each bite more tender and easier to chew in your tacos.
  • Swap corn tortillas for lettuce wraps for a low-carb option, or use plant-based steak alternatives like portobello mushrooms for a vegetarian version that maintains similar texture and grilling techniques.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Grilling
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 600 mg
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 25 g
  • Cholesterol: 80 mg
William Hawkins

William Hawkins

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

  • Modern American and Southern Cuisine
  • Farm-to-Table Practices
  • Restaurant Concept Development
  • Culinary Education and Mentorship​

Education

Sullivan University, Louisville, KY

  • Degree: Associate of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Focused on mastering culinary methods and food science, immersive externships, hands‑on training in industry‑standard kitchen labs, and equipping graduates for roles in restaurant operations.

William Hawkins isn’t just a chef, he’s a storyteller through food. From his hometown of Louisville, KY, he’s spent years refining his craft, turning local ingredients into something extraordinary. 

With classical training from Sullivan University and a career marked by innovation, mentorship, and Southern soul, William approaches every recipe with purpose. His kitchen is where old techniques meet fresh ideas, and where comfort food gets a thoughtful, modern twist. 

When he’s not building dishes from the ground up, he’s out gathering inspiration from nature, markets, and the stories people share around the table.

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