Charred Chipotle Beef Tacos with Cilantro Lime Slaw

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Smoky chipotle-marinated beef grilled to perfection, served in warm corn tortillas topped with a crisp cilantro lime cabbage slaw. This mexican-inspired beef ready in about 50 minutes pairs flank steak, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, lime juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 360 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 4.5 (8 ratings) Prep: 35 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 360 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, combine 2 chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, 2 tbsp lime juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Add 1 lb flank steak and coat evenly. Marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours in the refrigerator.
  2. Step 2: While the steak marinates, prepare the slaw by mixing 2 cups shredded green cabbage, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 1 tsp lime zest, 1/4 cup Greek yogurt, and 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion in a bowl. Toss until well combined and chilled.
  3. Step 3: Preheat a grill or grill pan to high heat. Remove steak from marinade and grill for 4-5 minutes per side until charred and cooked to medium-rare. Let rest for 5 minutes, then thinly slice against the grain.
  4. Step 4: Warm 8 small corn tortillas over the grill for 30 seconds each side. Assemble tacos by layering sliced steak and generous spoonfuls of cilantro lime slaw onto each tortilla. Serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Charred Chipotle Beef Tacos with Cilantro Lime Slaw take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (35 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Charred Chipotle Beef Tacos with Cilantro Lime Slaw?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep flank steak from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Charred Chipotle Beef Tacos with Cilantro Lime Slaw?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Charred Chipotle Beef Tacos with Cilantro Lime Slaw for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Charred Chipotle Beef Tacos with Cilantro Lime Slaw?

Mexican beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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