Grilled Street-Style Tacos with Charred Corn Salsa
Smoky grilled corn and tender marinated beef come together in these vibrant street-style tacos topped with fresh cilantro and zesty lime crema. This mexican-inspired street food ready in about 45 minutes pairs flank steak, olive oil, ground cumin for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb flank steak
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 ears corn on the cob
- 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 small, seeded and minced jalapeño
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 8 small corn tortillas
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 tsp lime zest
- 1/4 tsp salt (for crema)
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 1 lb flank steak with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp chili powder, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix well and marinate for 20 minutes at room temperature.
- Step 2: Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Grill 2 ears corn for about 10 minutes, turning every 2 minutes until kernels are charred and fragrant. Let cool, then cut kernels off the cob.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, mix charred corn kernels with 1/4 cup finely diced red onion, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 1 minced small jalapeño, and 2 tbsp lime juice until combined.
- Step 4: Grill marinated flank steak for 4-5 minutes per side until medium-rare and slightly charred. Remove and let rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly against the grain.
- Step 5: Warm 8 small corn tortillas on the grill for 30 seconds per side until pliable and lightly toasted.
- Step 6: In a small bowl, stir together 1/2 cup sour cream, 1 tsp lime zest, and 1/4 tsp salt to create lime crema.
- Step 7: Assemble tacos by layering sliced steak on tortillas, topping with charred corn salsa, and drizzling with lime crema. Serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Street-Style Tacos with Charred Corn Salsa take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (25 min prep + 20 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 Grilled Street-Style Tacos with Charred Corn Salsa?
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 Grilled Street-Style Tacos with Charred Corn Salsa?
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 Grilled Street-Style Tacos with Charred Corn Salsa 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 Grilled Street-Style Tacos with Charred Corn Salsa?
Mexican street food 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Perfect for a summer dinner, the smoky flavor from the grill was spot on.
- ★★★★★
The tacos were amazing, my whole family loved the charred corn salsa!
- ★★★★☆
Cooked these for a party, took longer than expected to get the corn charred just right.