San Antonio Style Beef Brisket Tacos with Cilantro Lime Slaw

By · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender sliced brisket tacos topped with a zesty cilantro lime slaw, inspired by San Antonio’s Father’s Day flavors. This mexican-inspired tacos & burritos ready in about 200 minutes pairs beef brisket, olive oil, ground cumin for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 6, 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 180 min Serves 6 Mexican cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Rub 2 lbs beef brisket all over with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Place in a roasting pan and cover tightly with foil. Roast for 3 hours until very tender.
  2. Step 2: While brisket roasts, prepare the cilantro lime slaw by combining 2 cups shredded green cabbage, 1 cup shredded red cabbage, 1/2 cup chopped cilantro leaves, 3 tbsp lime juice, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 tbsp honey, and 1 finely diced small jalapeño in a large bowl. Toss well and refrigerate until ready to serve.
  3. Step 3: Remove brisket from oven and let rest for 15 minutes. Slice thinly against the grain.
  4. Step 4: Warm 12 corn tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds per side until pliable and lightly toasted.
  5. Step 5: Assemble tacos by placing slices of brisket on each tortilla, topping generously with cilantro lime slaw. Serve immediately with extra lime wedges if desired.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does San Antonio Style Beef Brisket Tacos with Cilantro Lime Slaw take to make?

Total time is about 200 minutes (20 min prep + 180 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 San Antonio Style Beef Brisket 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 beef brisket from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in San Antonio Style Beef Brisket 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 San Antonio Style Beef Brisket Tacos with Cilantro Lime Slaw for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 San Antonio Style Beef Brisket Tacos with Cilantro Lime Slaw?

Mexican tacos & burritos 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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