Easy Steak Street Tacos with Chipotle Lime Coleslaw Recipe

Steak street tacos pack a punch of sizzling flavor and authentic culinary excitement that changes ordinary meals into vibrant dining experiences.

Mexican-inspired cuisine brings bold textures and dynamic taste profiles to your kitchen adventure.

These handheld delights combine tender, marinated meat with zesty accompaniments that dance across your palate.

Authentic street food techniques elevate simple ingredients into extraordinary culinary creations that spark conversation and delight.

Rich, complex spices merge with fresh components to create a symphony of sensational tastes.

Crisp coleslaw adds a tangy counterpoint to the robust meat, balancing each mouthwatering bite with refreshing brightness.

Transforming weeknight dinners into festive celebrations happens effortlessly with this incredible recipe.

Why These Steak Tacos Are the Talk of the Table

• Slice and Sizzle Technique: Cutting semi-frozen steak into ultra-thin slices ensures quick, even cooking and tender meat that melts in your mouth, creating restaurant-quality street tacos at home.
• Flavor Explosion Combo: The zesty chipotle lime coleslaw delivers a tangy, spicy kick that perfectly complements the rich, seasoned steak, making each bite a vibrant taste adventure.
• One-Pan Convenience: Using the same skillet for steak and tortillas maximizes flavor absorption and minimizes kitchen cleanup, making this recipe both delicious and efficient for busy home cooks.
• Quick Weeknight Winner: From preparation to serving, these street tacos come together in less than 20 minutes, offering a speedy meal solution that doesn't compromise on taste or quality.

Everything That Makes These Street Tacos Special

• Steak: Flavorful protein with tender texture, best when sliced thinly across the grain for easy chewing.

• Cabbage, Mayonnaise: Creamy base with crisp texture for coleslaw, providing cool contrast to hot steak.
• Lime Juice: Bright, tangy element that adds freshness and balances rich flavors.
• Chipotle: Smoky, spicy pepper that brings deep southwestern flavor profile.
• Salt: Essential seasoning for enhancing overall taste.

• Corn Tortillas: Traditional Mexican flatbread that serves as the foundation for tacos.
• Vegetable Oil: Neutral cooking fat for searing steak and preventing sticking.
• Black Pepper: Sharp spice that complements steak's natural flavor.

• Cilantro, Pickled Jalapeños: Optional toppings that add herbal brightness and extra heat.

Putting Together the Perfect Steak Taco Bite

Step 1: Create Zesty Chipotle Lime Coleslaw

Chop cabbage finely. Mix cabbage with mayonnaise, fresh lime juice, chopped chipotle peppers, and salt in a bowl. Stir until ingredients are well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Step 2: Slice Steak Like a Pro

Remove steak from freezer. Using a sharp knife, slice steak into ultra-thin 1/8-inch strips across the grain. Sprinkle salt and pepper evenly over steak slices.

Step 3: Sizzle Steak to Perfection

Heat vegetable oil in a heavy skillet or cast iron pan over medium-high heat. Once oil is shimmering, add steak slices. Cook for 1-2 minutes until edges turn golden brown. Remove steak and keep warm.

Step 4: Warm Tortillas with Flavor

Use the same skillet with remaining cooking fat. Warm tortillas for 1-2 minutes on each side until soft and slightly crispy.

Step 5: Craft Your Street Taco Masterpiece

Layer warm tortillas with sizzling steak slices. Top generously with chipotle lime coleslaw. Sprinkle fresh cilantro and add pickled jalapeños if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious creation!

Secrets to Juicier Tacos and Zingier Slaw

• Slice Smartly: Partially freeze the steak for 15-20 minutes to make cutting thin, uniform slices easier and more precise.
• Sear with Sizzle: Ensure the skillet is scorching hot before adding steak to achieve a perfect golden-brown crust and lock in juicy flavors.
• Flavor Boost: Let steak rest for a few minutes after cooking to redistribute juices and maintain maximum tenderness.
• Slaw Secret: Prepare coleslaw at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and develop a more intense taste profile.
• Tortilla Trick: Warm tortillas just before serving to prevent them from becoming tough or dry, keeping them soft and pliable.

Keeping Street Tacos Crisp and Flavorful Later

• Refrigeration: Store leftover steak and coleslaw separately in airtight containers for up to 3 days in the refrigerator to maintain freshness and prevent soggy tortillas.
• Reheating Steak: Gently warm sliced steak in a skillet over medium heat for 1-2 minutes, adding a splash of oil to prevent drying and maintain juiciness.
• Tortilla Refresh: Quickly warm tortillas on a hot skillet or griddle for 30 seconds per side, ensuring they remain soft and pliable when serving leftovers.

Best Sips and Snacks to Pair with These Tacos

• Craft Zesty Beer Pairing: Reach for a crisp Mexican lager like Modelo Especial or Corona to cut through the rich, spicy flavors of the steak tacos and complement the tangy chipotle coleslaw.
• Smooth Wine Selection: Choose a medium-bodied red like Malbec from Argentina, which offers bold fruit notes that balance the smoky chipotle and pepper-seasoned steak perfectly.
• Citrus Cocktail Companion: Mix a refreshing margarita with fresh lime juice, tequila, and a touch of agave nectar to echo the lime in the coleslaw and enhance the bright, zesty profile of the street tacos.
• Cool Drink Refresh: Grab a sparkling agua fresca with watermelon or pineapple to provide a sweet, light counterpoint to the spicy and savory taco elements.

Fresh Takes on Steak Street Taco Night

• Spicy Southwest Fusion: Swap chipotle for habanero peppers, add diced bell peppers to coleslaw, and include black beans for extra protein and southwestern flair.
• Korean-Inspired Street Tacos: Replace chipotle with gochujang sauce, add kimchi to coleslaw, and sprinkle toasted sesame seeds over the steak for a Korean-Mexican crossover.
• Mediterranean Herb Tacos: Use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise in coleslaw, add fresh mint and oregano, season steak with za'atar spice blend, and top with crumbled feta cheese.
• Vegetarian Jackfruit Alternative: Substitute steak with shredded young jackfruit, marinate in similar spices, and cook until crispy for a plant-based version of the street taco that maintains the original flavor profile.

Steak Street Tacos with Chipotle Lime Coleslaw Recipe

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4.9 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Sizzling Mexican street tacos bring bold flavors straight from authentic roadside kitchens. Juicy marinated steak nestles in warm tortillas, crowned with zesty chipotle lime coleslaw that delivers a crisp, tangy punch you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• ½ pound (0.5 lb) flank or skirt steak
• 6 small tortillas
• 1 ½ cups finely shredded cabbage or coleslaw mix

Protein and Seasoning Ingredients:

• Salt (to taste)
• Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons Duke’s Mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped chipotle
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• Pinch kosher salt
• Finely chopped or micro cilantro
• Pickled jalapeños, chopped (optional)

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Instructions

1. Craft the zesty chipotle lime coleslaw by blending shredded cabbage with creamy mayonnaise, tangy lime juice, smoky chopped chipotle peppers, and a pinch of salt. Thoroughly mix ingredients and fine-tune seasoning with additional lime juice or salt for balanced flavor.
2. Retrieve semi-frozen steak and meticulously slice into ultra-thin 1/8-inch strips, ensuring cuts traverse the meat’s grain for maximum tenderness. Season slices generously with salt and pepper.
3. Ignite a heavy skillet or cast iron pan over medium-high heat, introducing vegetable oil until it creates a shimmering surface. Swiftly sear steak slices for 1-2 minutes, allowing edges to caramelize and develop a rich, golden-brown crust.
4. Transfer cooked steak to a warm holding area, preserving its succulence and temperature while maintaining its delectable seared exterior.
5. Utilize the same skillet, leveraging residual cooking oils and flavor fragments to warm tortillas. Heat each side briefly, creating soft, pliable wrappers infused with subtle meaty essence.
6. Assemble tacos by distributing seared steak slices across warmed tortillas, generously crowning with prepared chipotle lime coleslaw. Enhance presentation by scattering fresh cilantro and optional pickled jalapeños for added zest and visual appeal.
7. Serve immediately, ensuring tacos remain warm and ingredients retain their vibrant, fresh characteristics.

Notes

• Slice steak when semi-frozen for easier, thinner cuts that help achieve perfect tenderness and quick cooking.
• Use high heat and minimal cooking time to preserve steak’s juiciness and prevent overcooking, creating restaurant-quality street taco results.
• Warm tortillas in the same skillet used for steak to capture delicious leftover cooking fat, enhancing overall flavor profile.
• Create zesty coleslaw by balancing tangy lime juice with creamy mayonnaise and smoky chipotle for a vibrant, complex topping.
• Garnish with fresh cilantro and optional pickled jalapeños to add bright, fresh elements that complement the rich, savory steak.
• Choose a heavy skillet or cast iron pan to ensure even heat distribution and perfect steak browning with minimal sticking.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 500mg
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 25g
• Cholesterol: 70mg