master-cooks | The Best Steak Cuts For Satisfying Tacos

When it comes to crafting the perfect steak taco, choosing the right cut of meat is essential for flavor and texture. Flank steak is a popular choice due to its rich, beefy taste and slightly chewy texture that holds up well in tacos. It benefits from a marinade and quick cooking over high heat, ensuring a juicy and flavorful bite. Skirt steak is another favorite, known for its intense flavor and tenderness when cooked correctly. It's best when marinated and grilled quickly, as overcooking can lead to toughness. For those seeking a more tender option, ribeye steak offers a luxurious mouthfeel with its marbling and rich flavor. Thinly sliced ribeye can be quickly seared for a melt-in-your-mouth experience. Sirloin steak is a versatile option that balances flavor and tenderness, making it suitable for a variety of taco styles. While it may not be as rich as ribeye, it is still satisfying and often more affordable. For a leaner alternative, try using filet mignon, which, while less flavorful, offers a tender texture that pairs well with flavorful toppings and sauces. Whatever cut you choose, be sure to slice the meat against the grain for the best texture in your tacos.

Skirt steak is a fantastic choice for tacos

Skirt steak is an excellent choice for taco dishes like carne asada. This cut comes from the beef plate, located in the cow's underbelly. Compared to other cuts, particularly flank steak, skirt steak has a higher fat content. This fat, often referred to as marbling, gives the meat a distinctive appearance with fat interspersed throughout. When cooking steak, the fat enhances the flavor, making skirt steak a great option if you want the meat's natural taste to shine or if you plan to use only light seasoning.

You can choose to have skirt steak cut traditionally or butterflied. The butterflied version features more edges and grooves, allowing it to absorb more marinade and develop additional char when grilled. To ensure the meat remains tender, cook it over high heat for a brief period. Once grilled, slice the skirt steak into strips or bite-sized pieces to incorporate into your favorite taco recipe.

Flank steak works great for carne asada

Flank steak is slightly thicker than skirt steak and tends to be leaner. It is sourced from the area of the cow located just behind the skirt steak. Due to its size and thickness, it requires a bit more cooking time. Additionally, flank steak can be tougher because it has less marbling, but a good marinade can significantly enhance its tenderness and flavor, making it ideal for carne asada. If you choose flank steak, marinating it overnight will help it absorb more flavor, as its lower fat content means it doesn't have as robust a meaty taste. Marinades rich in acidity, such as those made with orange or lime juice, can also aid in tenderizing the meat. An unexpected yet effective marinade is regular cola, which not only adds flavor but also helps to tenderize the steak.

Similar to skirt steak, flank steak can be butterflied, creating a comparable number of grooves and edges that are perfect for carne asada. Most flank steak cuts are larger and contain less fat than skirt steak, so you'll need to slice them into smaller pieces after grilling.

The Best Steak Cuts For Satisfying Tacos

Skirt steak is a fantastic choice for tacos

Flank steak works great for carne asada

Recommended

Next up