Combining favorite flavors can result in unforgettable culinary experiences. Such is the case with Grilled Elote Steak Tacos, where Mexican street corn meets the savory delight of steak tacos. David, a culinary enthusiast from the bustling city of New York, discovered this during a summer cookout. The robust tang of char-grilled steak, mingled with sweet, creamy elote sauce, and the fresh crunch of assorted toppings, creates this tantalizing fusion.
Crafted within 20 minutes, these tacos bring restaurant-quality flavor to your home. Unlike conventional steak tacos, this dish redefines deliciousness with its innovative use of elote, taking your BBQ game to new heights.
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What Makes Grilled Elote Steak Tacos Special?
The Perfect Fusion of Mexican Street Food Favorites
Grilled Elote Steak Tacos are a culinary celebration that unites two iconic street foods: Mexican street corn and succulent steak tacos. Traditionally, elote is corn smothered with mayonnaise, cotija cheese, chili powder, and lime. It’s a beloved snack offered by vendors throughout Mexico, bringing a lively blend of flavors and textures to eager passersby. Pairing elote with tender steak tacos creates a harmonious clash of taste and culture, honoring traditional Mexican flavors while introducing something refreshingly new.
Did You Know? Traditional Mexican elote is corn on the cob slathered with mayo, cotija cheese, chili powder, and lime, sold by street vendors throughout Mexico.
Why These Aren’t Just Ordinary Steak Tacos
These tacos offer more than meets the eye, standing apart from typical steak tacos with their enchanting sweet-savory-spicy profile. The addition of elote not only elevates the dish but also contributes to a captivating balance of textures and flavors. Unlike regular steak tacos, where the meat alone might carry the meal, the corn element adds depth and interest, ensuring every bite is memorable. Succulent steak, tangy corn, and vibrant toppings redefine a classic meal into a sensory delight worth craving.
Selecting the Perfect Ingredients for Elote Steak Tacos
Choosing top-quality ingredients is the key to unlocking the full potential of Grilled Elote Steak Tacos. Here are insights to make sure your tacos stand out.
Choosing the Right Cut of Steak
Flap, flank, and skirt steaks are ideal choices for Grilled Elote Steak Tacos due to their flavor and textural compatibility. Each cut provides its own unique experience, offering a tender bite when prepared correctly, at a cost-effective price. Flap steak is known for its robust flavor, while flank steak offers the perfect balance between taste and tenderness. Skirt steak, though slightly chewier, provides a rich, beefy flavor that complements the elote perfectly. When shopping for steak, look for vibrant coloring and visible marbling.
Pro Tip: For maximum tenderness, always slice your steak against the grain, which cuts through the muscle fibers and makes each bite easier to chew.
Corn Selection and Preparation Techniques
For the perfect elote, selecting the freshest corn is crucial. Look for bright green husks and plump kernels during peak season. Various methods exist to char corn, such as grilling, broiling, or using a cast-iron skillet. Each method adds a slightly different dimension to your tacos. For example, grilling imparts a smoky flavor, while a cast-iron skillet offers a more subtle char. When fresh corn isn’t available, frozen makes an excellent substitute, especially during the off-season.
Mistake to Avoid: Don’t remove corn husks completely before grilling. Instead, pull them back, remove the silk, then replace the husks loosely to protect the kernels while still allowing char marks to develop.
The Perfect Marinade and Rub for Mexican-Style Steak
To capture the authentic essence of Grilled Elote Steak Tacos, flavoring the steak with Mexican-inspired seasoning is key.
Simple but Powerful BBQ Rub Ingredients
A well-balanced BBQ rub can make the difference between ordinary and extraordinary steak. Here, the magic lies in the combination of spices. Essential ingredients such as chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder lay the flavor foundation. Chili powder provides a hint of heat that enhances the meat, while cumin offers an earthy undertone that rounds out the spice profile. Garlic powder contributes an aromatic depth, working in harmony with the other spices to elevate the steak to new heights.
Marinating Tips for Maximum Flavor
While optional, marinating your steak with lime juice, olive oil, and garlic can take the flavor to another level. The acidic nature of lime juice works wonders in tenderizing the meat, while olive oil locks in moisture. Marinating requires patience, though; allowing the steak to soak for at least an hour ensures maximum flavor infusion.
Comparison Table: Mexican Steak Preparation Methods
| Method | Flavor Profile | Cooking Style |
|---|---|---|
| Carne Asada | Citrusy, earthy | Grilled, thinly sliced |
| Arrachera | Smoky, savory | Grilled, marinated |
| Elote Tacos | Sweet, spicy, and tangy | Grilled, elote mix |
Grilled Elote Steak Tacos: Delicious Fusion Recipe You’ll Love
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Grilled Elote Steak Tacos combine juicy, perfectly seared steak with smoky-sweet Mexican street corn, crisp red cabbage, and fresh herbs. Served on warm tortillas, this vibrant taco recipe is perfect for dinner, lunch, or a festive gathering.
Ingredients
800 g steak flap, flank, or skirt
Olive oil
BBQ rub
Elote:
4 ears corn
1 large jalapeno, finely diced
1 spring onion, chopped
1 handful coriander, chopped
80 g sour cream
30 g mayonnaise
1 pinch salt
40 g cotija cheese or crumbled feta
2 tbsp lime juice
Other:
Coriander, for garnish
12 tortillas
Red cabbage, thinly sliced
Instructions
1. Drizzle steak with olive oil and rub in BBQ seasoning.
2. Finely dice jalapeno, chop spring onion and coriander.
3. Char corn on BBQ, remove kernels, and mix with jalapeno, spring onion, coriander, sour cream, mayonnaise, salt, cheese, and lime juice to make elote.
4. Cook steak over BBQ for about 2 minutes per side, or until internal temp is 48–52°C for medium rare.
5. Rest steak 3–5 minutes on a wire rack.
6. Char tortillas on BBQ.
7. Assemble tacos with red cabbage, elote, and sliced steak. Garnish with coriander and a squeeze of lime.
Notes
Rest meat before slicing to retain juices.
Rest steak on a wire rack for best airflow.
Elote can be made ahead and stored in fridge for 2–3 days.
Cotija is traditional, but feta works as a substitute.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American, Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 tacos
- Calories: 3144
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 3323 mg
- Fat: 180 g
- Saturated Fat: 72 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 97 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 186 g
- Fiber: 14 g
- Protein: 193 g
- Cholesterol: 548 mg
Complete Recipe: Grilled Elote Steak Tacos
Creating an unforgettable dining experience at your next gathering is easy with this Grilled Elote Steak Tacos recipe. It brings together bold Mexican street food flavors in a way that’s both exciting and simple to execute. Below is everything you need to prepare and serve these delicious tacos at home.
Ingredients List
To create this dish, you’ll need to gather the freshest ingredients possible. Here’s a comprehensive list:
Steak:
- 800 g flap, flank, or skirt steak
- Olive oil
- BBQ rub
Elote Mixture:
- 4 ears corn
- 1 large jalapeno, finely diced
- 1 spring onion, chopped
- 1 handful coriander, chopped
- 80 g sour cream
- 30 g mayonnaise
- 1 pinch of salt
- 40 g cotija cheese or crumbled feta
- 2 tbsp lime juice
Other Ingredients:
- Coriander for garnishing
- 12 tortillas
- Red cabbage, thinly sliced
Mistake to Avoid: Always remember to pull back the husks when grilling corn, which allows the kernels to stay protected yet develop that perfect char.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Following these instructions will guide you to perfectly crafted Grilled Elote Steak Tacos.
Steak Preparation and Cooking:
- Drizzle the steak with olive oil and generously apply your favorite BBQ rub.
- Cook the steak on a heated grill for approximately 2 minutes per side, or until an internal temperature of 130-135°F (54-57°C) for medium-rare. Let the steak rest on a wire rack for 3-5 minutes before slicing.
Elote Mixture Preparation:
- Char the corn on the grill, ensuring to maintain even heat for a nice char without overcooking.
- Remove kernels from the cob and mix with diced jalapeno, spring onion, coriander, sour cream, mayonnaise, salt, cotija cheese, and lime juice in a bowl.
Tortilla Warming Technique:
- While the steak rests, warm the tortillas on the grill for about 30 seconds per side, just enough for slight charring and though they remain pliable.
Assembly Process:
- Slice rested steak against the grain. Serve on warmed tortillas topped with elote mixture, red cabbage, and a squeeze of lime juice. Garnish with extra coriander.
Pro Tip: Using a meat thermometer ensures each piece of steak achieves the perfect doneness, guaranteeing a juicy bite every time.
Nutritional Information
It’s important to be aware of the nutritional content in these tacos, which are rich in protein and flavors.
Nutritional Breakdown Table:
| Nutrient | Per Serving | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 786 kcal | 39% |
| Carbohydrates | 46.5 g | 15% |
| Protein | 48.3 g | 96% |
| Fat | 40 g | 62% |
| Saturated Fat | 16 g | 80% |
| Cholesterol | 137 mg | 46% |
| Sodium | 831 mg | 35% |
| Potassium | 700 mg | 20% |
| Fiber | 3.5 g | 14% |
| Sugar | 4.5 g | – |
Expert Tips and Variations for Grilled Elote Steak Tacos
These expert insights will help you master the art of Grilled Elote Steak Tacos. Customize and creatively adjust the recipe to suit different occasions and preferences.
Make-Ahead and Storage Recommendations
For busy schedules or larger gatherings, making certain components ahead can save a great deal of time and effort. The elote mixture can be prepared up to 2-3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Ensure leftovers, once combined with meat, are consumed within 2 days and reheat on a stovetop skillet for the best texture.
Creative Variations to Try
There’s a world of ways to tailor this versatile recipe:
- Vegetarian Option: Replace the steak with grilled mushrooms or a plant-based protein.
- Spice Adjustments: Increase or decrease jalapenos or add hot sauce to fit spice preferences.
- Cheese Swaps: Use queso fresco or feta if cotija is unavailable.
- Different Format: Try serving the ingredients in a bowl over cilantro-lime rice for a steak bowl option.
Did You Know? Subtle adjustments like preparing these as a bowl can transform your meal planning and offer new avenues in corn steak cuisines.
Frequently Asked Questions About Grilled Elote Steak Tacos
Efficiently addressing common queries ensures smooth execution and enhances the reader experience with confidence in their cooking.
What’s the best cut of meat for Grilled Elote Steak Tacos?
While skirt, flap, and flank steaks are all excellent options, flap steak often offers the best balance of flavor and tenderness. Flank steak can be more budget-friendly but requires careful slicing to avoid toughness.
Can I make the elote mixture ahead of time for my Steak Tacos?
Yes, you can prepare the elote mixture up to 48 hours ahead. Just keep it refrigerated in an airtight container. Prepping in advance can enhance the dish’s flavor as the ingredients meld together.
What’s a good substitute for cotija cheese in Mexican Steak Tacos with Elote?
When cotija is unavailable, substitute with queso fresco or even feta cheese, which provide the same crumbly texture and slightly tangy flavor.
How do I get the perfect char on corn for authentic Elote Steak Tacos?
To achieve that quintessential char without burning, grill corn over medium-high heat. Rotate frequently; this charring process generally takes about 8-10 minutes. Using a cast-iron skillet can also help in achieving an even char indoors.
Can Grilled Elote Steak Tacos be made as a meal prep option?
Yes, this recipe is great for meal prepping. Prepare components separately and store them in airtight containers. Assemble when ready to eat, ensuring the steak is sliced fresh for optimal texture.
Conclusion: Why Grilled Elote Steak Tacos Will Become Your New Favorite
Few things can satisfy a craving for hearty Mexican cuisine like Grilled Elote Steak Tacos. These tacos are a perfect blend of succulent steak, creamy corn toppings, and fresh produce, turning ordinary meals into vibrant culinary adventures. Whether hosting a family gathering or enjoying a cozy dinner, these tacos bring warmth to the table, just like the personal touch found in many delightful creations on RecipesFather.com.
Concluding Thoughts
Recalling the magic of fusion and simplicity, these tacos promise to turn any taco night into a gourmet affair. Not only is preparation straightforward, but from grill to table, the explosion of flavors makes these tacos a hit every time. From corn steak popularity, here’s a perfect way to enjoy Mexican street taco wonders with little effort.
Call to Action
Give this recipe a try this weekend. Capture the moment with photos and share them using hashtag #GrilledEloteSteakTacos. Don’t hesitate to leave your feedback, questions, or to explore more recipes for hearty delights via Facebook or Pinterest. Happy cooking!
Disclaimer:
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet or lifestyle, especially if you have existing health conditions or are taking medications.