Easy Steak Tacos with Street Corn Topping: Your New Favourite Weeknight Meal

Do you ever wish you could capture the lively, irresistible flavours of street food for a simple evening meal? We certainly do. It’s that familiar feeling of wanting a dinner that’s genuinely exciting, but without the time-consuming preparation. We’re here to show you how to bring that vibrant food-market atmosphere straight to your home, effortlessly. Our recipe for Easy Steak Tacos with Street Corn Topping delivers exactly that: a wonderfully quick, flavour-filled meal that you won’t soon forget.

This delightful recipe pairs succulent, marinated steak with a creamy and tangy corn topping, all nestled inside a soft, warm tortilla. The result is a perfect harmony of savoury, sweet, and zesty notes that makes for a sensational eating experience. So, let’s get started and create a dish we’re sure your family will request time and time again.

Why You’ll Absolutely Love This Steak Taco Recipe

We have a feeling this dish is about to become a regular feature on your weekly menu. It’s not simply a set of instructions; it’s a tribute to fresh produce and vibrant flavours working together beautifully. Here are just a few reasons why we know you’ll adore it:

• Incredibly Flavourful: A simple yet powerful blend of spices gives the steak a deep, savoury character, while our street corn topping provides a wonderfully creamy and zesty contrast.
• Quick and Easy: As the ideal quick taco dinner, this entire meal comes together in less than 40 minutes from beginning to end, which is perfect for those hectic weeknights.
• Feels Like a Treat: The taste is reminiscent of something you might find at a fantastic food stall, allowing you to recreate that special Mexican street food at home feeling right in your own kitchen.
• Completely Customisable: One of the best things about tacos is personalising them. Feel free to tweak the heat, throw in your preferred extras, or adjust the quantities to suit your needs.

The Perfect Cut of Steak for Tacos

Selecting the best cut of beef is crucial for getting that wonderfully tender and juicy texture in every bite. Although there are several choices, we’ve found that a few specific cuts are superior for their quick cooking time and ease of slicing. For this recipe, we suggest:

• Skirt Steak: This is our number one recommendation. It is a long, slender cut known for its rich, beefy taste and open grain, which absorbs marinades exceptionally well. It also cooks in a flash over a high heat.
• Flank Steak: Much like skirt steak, flank is both lean and full of flavour. Being a little thicker, it might require an additional minute or so of cooking time on the griddle or in the pan.
• Sirloin Steak: This is an excellent, wallet-friendly choice that remains tender and tasty. We advise choosing a thicker cut of sirloin and slicing it thinly against the grain once cooked.

Regardless of the cut you select, the most vital tip we can offer is to slice the cooked steak thinly against the grain. Doing so severs the tough muscle fibres, which guarantees each morsel is beautifully tender. For a more comprehensive look at choosing beef, this guide to beef cuts offers some brilliant advice.

Ingredients for Your Easy Steak Tacos with Street Corn Topping

Below is a list of everything required to make this fantastic dish. We have organised the ingredients into three straightforward sections: for the steak, for the corn topping, and for putting it all together.

For the Marinated Steak

• 500g skirt, flank, or sirloin steak
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Juice of 1 lime
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp chilli powder (or more, to taste)
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

For the Zesty Street Corn Topping

• 300g sweetcorn (tinned and drained, or frozen and thawed)
• 3 tbsp mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp soured cream or Greek yoghurt
• 50g feta or cotija cheese, crumbled
• 1/2 red onion, finely diced
• A large handful of fresh coriander, chopped
• Juice of 1/2 lime
• A pinch of chilli powder

For Assembling the Tacos

• 8-10 small corn or flour tortillas
• Extra lime wedges for serving
• Sliced jalapeños (optional)
• Fresh coriander for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions: Let’s Get Cooking!

Just follow this easy guide, and you will be sitting down to enjoy your wonderful homemade tacos very soon. We have designed this steak taco recipe to be as clear and simple as we can.

1. Marinate the Steak

1. Begin by whisking the olive oil, lime juice, minced garlic, smoked paprika, cumin, chilli powder, oregano, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl.
2. Put the steak into a shallow dish or a resealable bag. Cover it with the marinade, making sure the meat is completely coated on all sides.
3. Allow the steak to marinate at room temperature for a minimum of 20 minutes. For a deeper flavour, you can leave it to marinate in the refrigerator for as long as four hours.

2. Prepare the Homemade Street Corn Topping

1. As the steak marinates, it’s the perfect time to prepare our amazing homemade street corn topping. For an extra layer of smoky flavour, you can char fresh or frozen corn kernels in a hot, dry frying pan for a few minutes.
2. In a bowl of medium size, mix together the sweetcorn, mayonnaise, soured cream, crumbled feta, finely diced red onion, and chopped coriander.
3. Add the lime juice and a pinch of chilli powder, then give everything a thorough stir until it is all mixed together. Put the bowl to one side for later.

3. Cook the Steak and Assemble Your Tacos

1. Place a large griddle pan or a heavy-bottomed frying pan over a high heat. You’re aiming for it to be seriously hot – until it just starts to smoke.
2. Take the steak out of the marinade and carefully place it in the hot pan. For a medium-rare finish, cook for 3-5 minutes on each side, adjusting the time based on its thickness. Don’t overcrowd the pan; it’s better to cook in batches if you need to.
3. When it’s cooked just how you like it, move the steak to a chopping board and allow it to rest for 5-10 minutes. This step is absolutely essential for keeping the meat juicy and succulent.
4. While the steak rests, warm up your tortillas. This can be done in a dry frying pan for about 30 seconds per side, or by wrapping them in foil and popping them into a warm oven.
5. After resting, slice the steak thinly across the grain.
6. It’s time for the best bit: building your tacos! Layer the sliced steak onto a warm tortilla, top with a generous dollop of the street corn mixture, and garnish with more coriander, a fresh squeeze of lime, and some sliced jalapeños if you fancy an extra kick.

Top Tips for the Best Homemade Steak Tacos

Ready to elevate your tacos from great to truly exceptional? We have gathered a few expert tips to help you achieve perfect results with every attempt.

Don’t Overcook the Steak

The secret to tender steak in your tacos is to avoid cooking it for too long. For cuts such as skirt or flank, a brief sear over a high heat is sufficient. Keep in mind that the meat will carry on cooking a little while it rests. Resting is a step you cannot skip – it lets the juices settle back into the meat, which leads to a more flavourful and tender result.

Toast Your Tortillas

This small action has a huge impact on the final dish. Heating your tortillas not only makes them softer and easier to fold but also enhances their taste. Just a few moments in a hot, dry pan imparts a subtle toasted quality that works wonderfully with the fillings. A cold, rigid tortilla simply won’t do!

Customise Your Toppings

While our street corn topping is undoubtedly a star, we always encourage a bit of creativity! Some other wonderful additions you could try are:

• Creamy sliced avocado or guacamole
• Quick-pickled red onions for a tangy crunch
• A sprinkle of cotija or crumbled feta cheese
• Your favourite salsa or hot sauce

For those who enjoy making tasty meals with tortillas, we think you’ll also appreciate The Ultimate Easy Creamy Chicken Tortilla Wraps as another speedy and delicious dinner option.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I use a different type of steak?

Of course! Although we suggest using skirt or flank steak, other cuts like sirloin, rump, or even a ribeye would also be lovely. The most important thing is to cook it fast on a high heat and then slice it thinly against the grain.

How can I make this recipe spicier?

If you’d like to add more heat, try increasing the amount of chilli powder or adding a dash of cayenne pepper to the steak marinade. Alternatively, you could mix finely diced jalapeños or serrano peppers into the corn topping, or just add them fresh as a garnish.

Can I prepare any components in advance?

Certainly. The steak can be left to marinate in the refrigerator for up to four hours. You can also prepare the street corn topping several hours beforehand; just keep it covered in the fridge and give it a good mix before you serve it.

What’s the best way to store and reheat leftovers?

We advise storing the cooked steak and the corn topping in separate, airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, briefly warm the steak in a hot pan for a minute or so, being careful not to overcook it. It is best to assemble fresh tacos just before you plan to eat.

Is there a vegetarian alternative for this recipe?

Yes, there is. This recipe can be easily adapted for vegetarians by replacing the steak with substantial portobello mushrooms, black beans, or grilled halloumi. For a tasty vegetarian option, simply marinate the mushrooms in the same way as the steak.

What to Serve with Your Steak Tacos

Our Easy Steak Tacos with Street Corn Topping are certainly satisfying enough to be a meal in themselves. However, if you are looking to create a more substantial feast, they go wonderfully with a few simple side dishes. We suggest serving them with:

• Cilantro-lime rice
• Seasoned black beans
• A simple side salad with a light vinaigrette
• Tortilla chips with guacamole and salsa

If you’d like an additional side bursting with flavour, you could try our recipe for How To Make The Ultimate Wingstop Style Cajun Corn At Home. We find it’s the perfect companion to these tacos!

Your New Go-To Taco Tuesday Masterpiece

And there you have it – proof that a truly sensational meal needn’t be a complicated affair. These Easy Steak Tacos with Street Corn Topping are brimming with flavour, are remarkably quick to make, and will surely delight everyone around your dinner table. It is the sort of food that unites people and can turn any ordinary weeknight into a special occasion.

We encourage you to get the hob going, have fun customising your toppings, and savour the amazing flavours of homemade street food. Please do give this recipe a go this week, and be sure to share your results in the comments section. We always enjoy reading about your culinary creations!