Steak Carnitas Tacos
Tacos …. I feel like not much else needs to be said. I cannot recall ever meeting a person that does not like tacos. Now I know you have your favorite types or perhaps you prefer veggie tacos or whatever, but you still like tacos. Pork or steak carnitas tacos are my favorite. I really love the flavors brought to the meat.
Cumin, salt, chili powder, oregano and garlic all lend to the delicious flavor that flows over your taste buds while enjoying Carnitas. Traditionally, Carnitas are prepared with pork simmered in lard, but I like to prepare my carnitas with hanger steak for a twist. I would also like to add, that I do not cook anything in lard, it is probably not the most heart healthy LOL. Even still, I promise this recipe will still be so amazing.
The Steak Carnitas Tacos are served in your choice of flour or corn tortillas. I will not tell you which is better because depending on my mood I enjoy both. However, this taco I would eat on the corn. The smashed avocado replaces the time consuming preparation of guacamole, but still lets you have that creamy, citrusy texture and flavor. All while the corn salsa, gives you everything you could ever want; texture, spicy, coolness, acid & sweetness.
Yields 8 tacos
Ingredient Lists:
Marinated Steak
Hanger, Flank or Skirt Steak, 1 pound
Juice of limes, 3 each
Orange Juice, 1 cup
Avocado Oil, 1/4 cup
Garlic, crushed, 4-6 cloves
Jalapeno, halved with seeds, 1/2 each
Cumin, ground, 1 teaspoon
Chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon
Cilantro, roughly chopped, 3/4 cup
Oregano, dry, 1/2 teaspoon
Kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon
Black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon
Smashed Avocado
Avocado, 1 each
Kosher salt, 1/8 – 1/4 teaspoon
Black pepper, 1/8 teaspoon
Juice of lime, 1 each
Corn Salsa
Corn on the cobb, 2 or 1 1/2 cup frozen
Red Pepper, chopped small, 1/2 cup
Red onion, chopped small, 1/4 cup
Jalapeno, seeded, finely chopped, 1/2 each
Juice of lime, 1 each
Garlic salt, 1/4 teaspoon
Kosher salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
Chili powder 1/8 teaspoon
Cilantro, finely chopped, 1/4 cup
Assemble your tacos
Corn or flour tortillas, 8 each
Feta cheese, crumbled, 1/4 cup – 1/2 cup
Cilantro, finely chopped, as needed for garnish
Black pepper, as desired
Lets get Cooking:
Add all the ingredients for the marinate in a bowl or large ziplock bag, making sure that the steak is completely submerged. Marinate in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours.
In the meantime, roast the corn on the cobb on an outdoor grill, over 375 degrees flame, until the corn starts to char. Rotate the corn every few minutes so it does not burn.
Prepare the remaining ingredients for the corn salsa and add to a medium size bowl. Once the corn is ready, carefully shave the corn off and add to the bowl and stir. Cover and allow to rest in the refrigerator until after cooking the steak.
Once the steak has marinated for 2-3 hours, remove from the marinade and allow to rest on a plate for 30-40 minutes. Once it is time to cook the steak, reheat the grill to 375 degrees. Place on a clean oiled rack and close the lid. Cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side until your desired temperature is achieved. I prefer 135-140 degrees for a medium rare. Transfer to a cutting board and allow to rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
While the steak is cooking, prepare the smashed avocado. Add all the ingredients into a small bowl and smashed with a fork until incorporated; set aside.
Once the steak has rested, slice against the grain as thinly as possible.
Assemble your tacos by heating the tortillas on both sides and layer the smashed avocado down first, then the sliced steak, top with corn salsa, feta cheese, chopped cilantro and black pepper.
I always love spending time with Greg Rowles cooking up some of my favorite recipes. Check us out talking Steak Carnitas on WFXB Fox Tv's Carolina AM.
For a PDF, printable or downloadable version of this recipe, click below...
Steak Carnitas Tacos Mexican Corn Salsa
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Check out my recipe for Citrus Avocado Toast if you are a avocado lover like me and want more avocado.
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