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    Home » Hunger

    Cilantro Lime Flank Steak Tacos | Jalapeño Crema

    By Lauren on May 2, 2018, Updated April 27, 2021 20 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Cilantro Lime Flank Steak Tacos | Tender flank steak marinated in fresh cilantro, lime, garlic and pineapple for the perfect blend of flavors. Cooks up ridiculously quick and easy, with a simple jalapeño crema sauce! #tacos #steaktacos #cincodemayo #marinade

    You know...can't say I've ever met a taco I didn't like. Like, even if the shell gets too soggy you can still eat the insides with a fork and it's still delicious taco domination. BUT, not all tacos are created equal you guys. Yes, they're all delicious, but there are different levels of tasty in the taco hierarchy. These Cilantro Lime Flank Steak Tacos? We're talking top level stuff. Come on, let's taco 'bout it.

    Cilantro Lime Marinated Flank Steak Tacos

    Cilantro Lime Flank Steak Tacos are superbly simple with lots of tasty flavors and textures going on all wrapped up in that warm tortilla.

    Flank steak is my favorite cut of beef for tacos. It holds the flavor of marinade well, cooks up super quick, and is ridiculously tender.

    The Cilantro Lime Marinade has fresh cilantro, bright lime juice, savory garlic and a touch of sweet pineapple juice too so it gets just the perfect touch of sweetness and caramelizes just a smidge in the pan.

    juicy sliced cilantro lime flank steak

    Our tacos are off to a superior start with tender flavorful beef. Now let's pile on all the extras that are currently making me swoon for these Cilantro Lime Flank Steak Tacos.

    Up next? Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes. Yup. It's happening, stay with me.

    They're diced really small so they crisp up in the oven, honestly they're almost like cubed sweet potato fries. Adding a bit more contrast between sweet and savory flavors but with crunch.

    On the bottom of the taco, I like to layer fresh baby spinach or kale to protect the tortilla from getting soggy. Plus, more greens and less sides means more room for necessities like Watermelon Basil Margaritas.

    corn tortillas topped with flank steak, sweet potato and jalapeno crema

    Ok, ok, ok...let's get amped up because this next part is my new favorite taco condiment and that's a big deal.

    Jalapeño Crema

    Let's not kid ourselves. Crema? It's a fancy way to say flavored sour cream.

    This Jalapeño Crema is cool, creamy, and just a the right amount of spicy. Enough spice to make you go, "Oooh, ok I'm feeling that," but you can still taste all the other good things in your taco.

    bowl of creamy jalapeño crema sauce for topping tacos

    The other really great thing is that after pureeing everything together in the food processor or blender, the sour cream looses a bit of it's thickness so you can easily drizzle it and you won't end up with a mouthful of condiment. I want to put it on all the things.

    Cilantro Lime Flank Steak Tacos

    Tacos? Check. Slightly spicy condiment, aka Jalapeño Crema? Check. What's next on the list?

    DRANKS PEOPLE. Okay and maybe some sides. But mostly drinks.

    Recommended Beverages:

    • Strawberry Jalapeño Margaritas
    • Spicy Pineapple Margaritas (think Stoli Doli but tequila, so it takes some time to marinate)
    • Watermelon Margaritas from my internet bestie (do people still say that?) Leslie at StressBaking
    • Swooning for these Elderberry Kombucha Margaritas from Charity at Vintage Kitty
    • Lighten it up with this Kroll's Korner Skinny Blood Orange Margarita
    • Or step outside of the margarita space altogether with Foodal's funky Tomatillo-Jito

    What to serve on the side:

    • More margaritas isn't an option, is it?
    • Easy, Lobster Guacamole because you classy AF
    • Black Bean Salsa that's a little sweet and a little savory.
    • Start off with Mexican Black Bean Soup with Bacon Corn Salsa, because BACON.
    • Or this easy, Deconstructed Mexican Street Corn from WhitneyBond.com

    Are you ready to assemble your taco crew? Because I'm starving. So uh, don't forget my invitation please.

    Cilantro Lime Flank Steak Tacos | Jalapeño Crema

    Did you make this recipe? What's your favorite kind of taco? Are you a flour or corn tortilla person? Tell me about it in the comments!

    Cilantro Lime Flank Steak Tacos

    Cilantro Lime Flank Steak Tacos | Jalapeño Crema

    Marinated in fresh cilantro, lime, garlic and pineapple for the perfect blend of flavors, Cilantro Lime Flank Steak Tacos cook up ridiculously quick and easy, with a simple jalapeño crema sauce that can be made in the blender or food processor.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin SaveSaved! Rate
    Course: tacos
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Keyword: easy steak tacos, flank steak tacos, how to make jalapeño crema, tacos with sweet potatoes
    Prep Time: 30 mins
    Cook Time: 10 mins
    Total Time: 40 mins
    Servings: 10 to 12 tacos
    Calories: 387kcal
    Author: Lauren
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    Cilantro Lime Marinade

    • 1 ½-2 lbs flank steak
    • ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (about 4-6 limes depending on size)
    • ½ cup cilantro leaves (about ½ bunch)
    • 1 cup pineapple juice
    • ¼ cup olive oil (plus additional for cooking)
    • 4 cloves garlic (minced)
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

    Jalapeño Crema

    • 2 jalapeño peppers (seeds removed and chopped)
    • 1 small garlic clove (minced)
    • 2 teaspoons olive oil
    • 1 cup sour cream
    • salt + pepper for seasoning

    Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes

    • 2 medium size sweet potatoes (diced small)
    • ¼ cup olive oil
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

    Cilantro Lime Flank Steak Tacos

    • Cilantro Lime Flank Steak
    • Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes
    • Jalapeño Crema
    • 1 cup baby spinach or kale
    • 10 to 12 taco size tortillas (corn or flour)
    • Optional: Additional lime wedges or cilantro for garnish

    Instructions

    Cilantro Lime Marinade

    • Combine all ingredients in a food processor.  Pulse 3 to 4 times, then blend for 30 to 60 seconds until garlic and cilantro are finely chopped.
    • Remove the flank steak from the packaging and pat dry.
    • In an air tight container, like a ziplock bag or Tupperware container, cover the flank steak with the marinade.  Let sit refrigerated for at least 8 hours or up to 2 days.

    Jalapeño Crema

    • Heat the olive oil in a small sauté pan over high heat.  Cook the jalapeños and garlic for 2 minutes.  Sprinkle with a little salt and pepper (about ⅛ teaspoon of each.)
    • Combine the jalapeños, garlic and sour cream in a food processor or blender and puree until smooth.
    • Jalapeño crema will stay fresh for up to 4 days in an air tight container.

    Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes

    • Preheat oven to 425°F.  If leaving skins on, wash potatoes thoroughly or peel the skins.  Cut sweet potatoes into a small dice, about ¼" to ½" pieces.  You'll want them on the smaller side so the sweet potato pieces fit in the taco shell.
    • On a large sheet pan, coat the diced sweet potato with olive oil, salt and pepper.  Roast for 30-35 minutes, stirring halfway through and then again about 10 minutes before they're done.

    Cilantro Lime Flank Steak Tacos

    • Cook the flank steak:  Let the cilantro lime flank steak sit at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes before cooking.  Heat a large cast iron skillet or grill pan over high heat until hot - about 3 to 5 minutes.  Coat the pan with 2 tablespoons olive oil.
    • Carefully place flank steak flat in pan, as some of the marinade may sizzle when coming into contact with the hot oil.  Cook on each side for 4 minutes,¹ only touching the flank steak to flip in the pan.
    • After cooking the opposite side, remove from the pan and place on a cutting board to rest for 10 minutes before slicing.  Once the Cilantro Lime Flank Steak is rested, slice the steak in half length wise, so that the final pieces are not so long.  Cut the two portions of steak into thin ¼" slices.
    • Prepare the tacos:  Warm the tortillas.  If you have a gas stove top, taco shells can be warmed over low heat on each side, right on the burner.  Do NOT try this with an electric range.  Alternatively, tortillas can be warmed in a pan on the stove top over medium heat or in the oven wrapped in a damp kitchen towel.
    • Layer each taco with a few leaves of baby spinach, top with cilantro lime flank steak, crispy roasted sweet potatoes and drizzle with jalapeño crema.  Serve immediately.

    Notes

    ¹Most cuts of flank steak are uneven in thickness.  Cooking 4 minutes per side in a hot pan will provide a medium rare center on the thickest part and medium well center on the thinner parts of the cut.  Add a minute to each side to increase the final temperature.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 387kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 53mg | Sodium: 638mg | Potassium: 535mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 6926IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 96mg | Iron: 3mg

     

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    Comments

    1. Alexiz says

      August 01, 2021 at 11:46 pm

      5 stars
      How many tacos can you have for the calories

      Reply
      • Lauren says

        August 06, 2021 at 7:13 am

        1 taco, thanks!

        Reply
    2. StellaO says

      June 13, 2019 at 10:39 pm

      I made the meat as directed - it was lovely! Did some honey-lime cabbage slaw instead of the kale, and it all worked nicely with the sweet potatoes and Jalapeño Crema. Thanks for a great recipe!

      Reply
      • Lauren says

        June 16, 2019 at 10:31 pm

        Honey lime cabbage slaw is moving to the top of my need to try list, that sounds AMAZING! Thanks for your comment and trying this recipe!!

        Reply
    3. Katherine says

      May 08, 2018 at 7:30 pm

      Now that is a perfectly cooked piece of flank. Even restaurants get it wrong. And that Jalapeno crema is fab. Did you keep the seeds intact or without?

      Reply
      • Lauren says

        May 09, 2018 at 7:32 am

        Thanks Katherine! I went without the seeds so it would be more about the jalapeño flavor than the spice. If spice is your thing then keep a few to sauté along with the jalapeño!

        Reply
    4. Ben Myhre says

      May 08, 2018 at 5:51 am

      There is so much about this taco that looks great. The steak looks killer and that sauce looks awesome. Definitely something worth a try here.

      Reply
      • Lauren says

        May 08, 2018 at 9:31 am

        Thanks Ben!

        Reply
    5. Michelle says

      May 07, 2018 at 6:08 am

      Amazing recipe, so flavorful. The jalapeno crema is amazing, thank you for sharing!

      Reply
    6. Brittany says

      May 07, 2018 at 5:12 am

      I am loving your addition of sweet potatoes! YASSS! I have to try these tacos soon.

      Reply
    7. Cleo @Journeytothegarden says

      May 06, 2018 at 11:48 pm

      Wow! I would never have thought to put steak in tacos! These looks super delicious, I can't wait to try them!

      Reply
    8. Sara says

      May 06, 2018 at 10:26 pm

      Tacos are my thing. I too have never tried one I didn't like. 🙂 I will be trying this recipe asap, it looks ah-mazing!

      Reply
    9. Heather says

      May 06, 2018 at 7:21 pm

      Love this!! Cilantro Lime Flank Steak is one of my favorites but then you added roasted sweet potatoes and jalapeno crema and now I think I am in love 🙂

      Reply
    10. Paige says

      May 06, 2018 at 2:14 pm

      This looks super delicious and fresh...love the food styling too. I think this would be great for an informal dinner party!

      Reply
    11. Sam | Ahead of Thyme says

      May 05, 2018 at 10:21 pm

      I am obsessed with tacos, yours look amazing! Can't wait to try this!

      Reply
    12. Tamara Andersen says

      May 05, 2018 at 1:50 pm

      I have to agree... I rarely meet a taco I don't love! Living on the border for the past 25 years, I've had them all different ways. Your flank steak tacos (and sweet potatoes!) look amazing, and I love the idea of the jalapeno crema. Awesome!

      Reply
    13. Karyl Henry says

      May 05, 2018 at 8:36 am

      Wow, I never would have thought to add sweet potatoes to tacos! What a unique twist. That flank steak looks so delicious and tender. I would have to stop myself from eating it straight off that cutting board

      Reply
      • Lauren says

        May 06, 2018 at 10:28 am

        right? it sounds a little weird but it's SUPER good!

        Reply
    14. Veena Azmanov says

      May 03, 2018 at 8:33 am

      I love anything cilantro and lime and this sounds so good! I love a well-seasoned flank steak and that jalapeno would sure be a good punch. Saving this for later. Must try soon.

      Reply
    15. Carrie says

      May 02, 2018 at 1:07 pm

      Yum yum and YUM these look amazing and just my kinda food, saving this!

      Reply

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