Emilie Meyer
Street tacos are a fun, flavorful, and convenient way to enjoy authentic Mexican-style tacos at home. They are easy to make, requiring minimal prep time and effort, and can be customized with your favorite toppings. The key ingredients include beef (typically flank or skirt steak), cilantro, lime juice, garlic, onions, and bell peppers. The slow-cooking process ensures the meat becomes incredibly tender and absorbs all the spices, making each bite rich and satisfying. This recipe is versatile, allowing individuals to prepare a delicious meal with minimal effort, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of meat | Beef, chicken, pork |
| Cut of beef | Flank steak, skirt steak |
| Marinade ingredients | Olive oil, orange juice, Worcestershire sauce, cilantro, garlic, honey, chili powder, cumin, lime zest, lime juice, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, beer |
| Toppings | Cheese, avocado, salsa, cilantro, lime, jalapeno, hot sauce, fresh salsa, sour cream, red cabbage, green onion, cojita, pico de gallo, Mexican rice, refried beans, guacamole, crema, french fries |
| Sides | Tortilla chips, salad, rice, beans |
| Cooking time | 3-8 hours |
| Cooking temperature | Low, high |
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What You'll Learn
Selecting the right cut of beef
Type of Taco
The first step in selecting the right cut of beef is determining the type of taco you want to make. There are three main styles of beef tacos: shredded beef, chopped or sliced, and ground beef. Each style works best with specific cuts of beef. For example, if you're looking to make shredded beef tacos, cuts like chuck are ideal because they benefit from low and slow cooking due to their high collagen content.
Budget and Availability
Your budget and the availability of certain cuts in your area will also influence your decision. Some cuts of beef, like hanger steak, skirt steak, and tri-tip, are known for their full flavour and tenderness but may be more expensive or harder to find. On the other hand, cuts like chuck steak and round flat are often more affordable and readily available at your local butcher or grocery store.
Cooking Method
The cooking method you plan to use can also help guide your choice of beef cut. If you're short on time, a pressure cooker or Instant Pot may be a better option than a slow cooker. Certain cuts, like hanger steak, skirt steak, and sirloin, are better suited for grilling or searing, while others, like chuck and round, excel in slow cookers due to their ability to become tender during prolonged cooking.
Personal Preference
Lastly, consider your personal preference for flavour and texture. If you prefer a leaner cut of beef, top sirloin or flank steak are excellent choices. If you're looking for a cut with more marbling, which adds flavour and creates a unique texture, try tri-tip or bottom sirloin.
When selecting the right cut of beef for your crockpot street tacos, keep in mind the style of taco you want, your budget, the cooking method, and your personal taste preferences. With the right cut of beef and some delicious toppings, you'll be well on your way to creating mouthwatering street tacos that your family and friends will love.
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Marinating the meat
Selecting the Meat
The first step is to choose the right cut of meat. For Crock Pot Street Tacos, beef is a popular choice, specifically flank steak or skirt steak. Flank steak is leaner, with a pronounced grain, offering a hearty, beefy flavour. Skirt steak, on the other hand, is slightly fattier and has a looser texture, making it more tender when cooked correctly. Both cuts are excellent for marination, but flank steak tends to be slightly thicker. Consider your preference for fat content and texture when making your selection.
Preparing the Marinade
The key ingredients in the marinade are lime juice, garlic, and spices. Fresh lime juice is essential for tenderizing the meat while adding a zesty flavour. Garlic enhances the savoury depth of the marinade. For spices, you can use chilli powder, paprika, cumin, onion powder, and salt. You can also add a splash of beer to the marinade for extra flavour. Mix these ingredients together with olive oil to create a well-combined marinade.
Marinating Process
Once you have selected your meat and prepared the marinade, it's time to combine them. Place the meat in a bowl or directly into the crock pot. Rub the olive oil over the meat, ensuring it is well coated. Then, generously rub the spice mixture onto the meat, making sure every surface is covered. After the meat is thoroughly coated, let it sit in the marinade for an extended period. The longer it sits, the more flavourful and tender it will become. You can prepare this the night before and let the meat marinate overnight in the refrigerator for maximum flavour.
Cooking the Meat
After the meat has finished marinating, it's time to cook it. Place the marinated meat in the crock pot and add the remaining ingredients for cooking, such as beef broth, onions, and any additional vegetables. Cover the crock pot and cook on low heat for an extended period, typically around 6-8 hours. This slow-cooking process will ensure that the meat becomes incredibly tender and absorbs all the flavours of the marinade. Once the meat is cooked, remove it from the crock pot and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded meat to the crock pot and mix it with the juices and vegetables to allow it to soak up all the delicious flavours.
By following these steps and taking the time to marinate the meat, you will create a flavoursome and tender filling for your Crock Pot Street Tacos. Enjoy the process and savour the delicious results!
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Cooking the meat
For Crock Pot Street Tacos, the meat is usually beef or chicken.
If you are using beef, you can opt for flank steak or skirt steak. Flank steak has a more pronounced grain and is leaner, offering a hearty, beefy flavor. Skirt steak, on the other hand, is slightly fattier, with a looser texture, making it more tender when cooked correctly. Both cuts are excellent for marination, but flank steak tends to be slightly thicker. Regardless of the cut, it’s crucial to slice the meat against the grain to make each bite more tender and easier to chew.
For chicken, it is recommended to use boneless, skinless thighs or breasts to keep the meat tender and flavorful.
Marinade
Carne Asada is all about the marinade. The spices that make up the marinade are easy ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. These include garlic, chili powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and cumin. You can also add olive oil, orange juice, Worcestershire sauce, cilantro, honey, and onion powder. Mix these ingredients in a bowl and pour over the meat.
Place the marinated meat in the crock pot and cook for 6-8 hours on low heat or 3-4 hours on high heat. The slow-cooking process will ensure that the meat is tender and easy to pull apart.
For chicken, you can place the raw chicken directly in the crockpot and cook it on high for 1-3 hours until it's piping hot.
Once the meat is fully cooked, remove it from the crock pot and use two forks to shred it. Return the shredded meat to the crock pot and let it soak up the juices.
Tips
- Marinate the meat for an extended period to enhance the flavor.
- If using beef, place the shredded meat under the broiler after removing it from the crock pot. This allows the steak to caramelize and become crispy on the edges.
- Do not cook on high as this will produce a tougher cut of meat.
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Shredding the meat
For beef tacos, once the beef is fully cooked, remove it from the Crock Pot and use two forks to shred it. Return the shredded beef to the Crock Pot and mix it with the juices and vegetables. If desired, place the shredded beef under the broiler to caramelize and become crispy.
For steak tacos, the process is similar. After cooking the steak in the Crock Pot, remove it and let it rest before shredding it with two forks. Return the shredded steak to the Crock Pot and let it soak up the juices.
It is important to note that the meat should be shredded against the grain to shorten the muscle fibers, making the meat more tender and easier to chew, which is essential for street tacos.
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Frying the tortillas
First, melt a small amount of butter in a skillet over medium heat. You can use a griddle or a large skillet for this step. Make sure the butter is melted completely and evenly distributed across the cooking surface. This will ensure that your tortillas are cooked consistently.
Next, place a tortilla in the skillet. You can use corn tortillas or flour tortillas, depending on your preference. For street tacos, mini corn tortillas are a popular choice. Allow the tortilla to cook for about 30 seconds to 1 minute on each side. You are aiming for a light browning and a slightly crispy texture. This step is important as it adds a subtle crunch to your tacos while still keeping the tortillas soft and pliable.
Once the tortillas are cooked to your desired level of doneness, remove them from the skillet. You can keep them warm by placing them in a tortilla warmer or a clean kitchen towel. Repeat this process for as many tortillas as you need.
If you want to add extra flavour to your tortillas, you can brush them with a small amount of melted butter after frying. This will enhance the richness and flavour of the tortillas. Alternatively, you can also sprinkle a small amount of salt over the tortillas to enhance their flavour.
Finally, it's important to note that the frying time may vary depending on your heat source and cookware. Always keep an eye on the tortillas while they are cooking to avoid overcooking or burning. Adjust the heat as needed to achieve the desired level of doneness.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need beef (flank or skirt steak), cilantro, lime juice, garlic, onions, bell peppers, olive oil, beef broth, and tortillas. You can also add your own choice of toppings such as avocado, salsa, cheese, and sour cream.
You can cook the street tacos on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
Marinate the meat for an extended period to enhance the flavor. When slicing the meat, cut against the grain to shorten the muscle fibers, making the meat more tender and easier to chew.
You can make chicken tacos, chicken and salsa tacos, chicken and vegetable tacos, or carne asada tacos with cilantro lime garlic sauce.
