Spiced Carne Asada Tacos with Pico de Gallo
Tender carne asada marinated in a blend of spices and lime, served in warm corn tortillas topped with fresh pico de gallo. This mexican-inspired tacos & burritos ready in about 30 minutes pairs flank steak, lime juice, olive oil 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs flank steak
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 8 corn tortillas
- 2 medium, diced tomato
- 1/2 small, finely chopped white onion
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1, seeded and minced jalapeño
- 1/2 tsp for pico de gallo salt
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, combine 1.5 lbs flank steak with 1/4 cup lime juice, 3 tbsp olive oil, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp chili powder, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
- Step 2: Meanwhile, prepare pico de gallo by mixing 2 diced medium tomatoes, 1/2 finely chopped white onion, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, 1 minced seeded jalapeño, and 1/2 tsp salt in a bowl. Refrigerate until serving.
- Step 3: Preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Remove steak from marinade and grill for 4-5 minutes per side until medium-rare, then let rest for 5 minutes before slicing thinly against the grain.
- Step 4: Warm 8 corn tortillas on the grill for about 30 seconds per side until pliable. Assemble tacos by layering sliced steak and pico de gallo inside each tortilla. Serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Carne Asada Tacos with Pico de Gallo take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 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 Spiced Carne Asada Tacos with Pico de Gallo?
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 Spiced Carne Asada Tacos with Pico de Gallo?
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 Spiced Carne Asada Tacos with Pico de Gallo 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 Spiced Carne Asada Tacos with Pico de Gallo?
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.
