Grilled Steak Tacos With Cherry Tomato-Avocado Salsa

Updated Aug. 12, 2024

Grilled Steak Tacos With Cherry Tomato-Avocado Salsa
Andrew Scrivani for The New York Times
Total Time
40 minutes, plus at least 1 hour's marinating
Rating
4(390)
Comments
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In this supremely summery taco recipe, chile-rubbed grilled steak is topped with a spicy tomato-avocado salsa before being rolled into warm corn tortillas. Grilling the onions, garlic and jalapeño for the salsa adds a concentrated sweetness, while lime zest keeps everything sharp and bright. If you don’t have access to a grill, feel free to use your broiler.

Featured in: These Tacos Get Their Fire From the Grill

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Ingredients

Yield:8 servings

    For the Steak

    • 2teaspoons kosher salt
    • teaspoons New Mexican or other mild chile powder
    • teaspoons ground coriander
    • ½teaspoon ground cumin
    • 1large garlic clove, finely grated or minced
    • Finely grated zest of 1 lime (cut lime into wedges for serving)
    • pounds skirt steak (usually 2 steaks)

    For the Salsa

    • 1white onion, peeled and sliced into 1-inch-thick slices
    • 2large garlic cloves, unpeeled
    • 2jalapeños
    • 1quart cherry tomatoes, quartered
    • 1avocado, diced
    • ¼cup chopped cilantro leaves and stems
    • 2teaspoons fresh lime juice, more to taste
    • ¾teaspoon kosher salt, more to taste
    • Corn or flour tortillas, for serving
    • Sliced radishes, for serving
    • Mexican crema or sour cream, for serving (optional)
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (8 servings)

360 calories; 23 grams fat; 8 grams saturated fat; 1 gram trans fat; 11 grams monounsaturated fat; 2 grams polyunsaturated fat; 11 grams carbohydrates; 4 grams dietary fiber; 4 grams sugars; 31 grams protein; 689 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Prepare the steak: In a small bowl, mix together the salt, chile powder, coriander, cumin, garlic and lime zest. Rub mixture all over the steaks, cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or preferably overnight.

  2. Step 2

    Prepare the salsa: Light the grill or heat to medium-high (or heat the broiler). Grill onion, garlic and 1 jalapeño until tender and charred on all sides, 5 to 10 minutes (or place on a broiler pan and broil). Remove from heat until cool enough to handle, then roughly chop onions, peel garlic and remove seeds and stem from jalapeño.

  3. Step 3

    Transfer grilled onion, garlic and jalapeño to a blender or mini food processor. Halve the fresh jalapeño and seed it, if desired, then add it to the blender. Process to a chunky paste. Scrape into a serving bowl and toss with tomatoes, avocado, cilantro, lime juice and salt.

  4. Step 4

    Add more charcoal to the grill, if needed, and grill the steaks until done to taste, about 2 minutes per side for rare (or broil). Let meat rest on a cutting board covered with foil for at least 7 minutes. Meanwhile, grill or broil the tortillas until warm.

  5. Step 5

    To serve, slice the meat across the grain, and serve with the warm tortillas, radishes, lime wedges, salsa and crema. Let people assemble their own tacos at the table.

Ratings

4 out of 5
390 user ratings
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Comments

A really good, fresh tortilla makes a difference, too. If you have never tried them, look for "ready to cook" tortillas. La Abuela is a great brand. They come in a package, already pressed, but uncooked. You simply cook them on a griddle, cast iron, or grill. The difference between a fresh, cooked tortilla and the usual
already-cooked variety available in most markets is much like the difference between a fresh pizza and frozen.Try it, and you'll never go back.

I've made and loved this salsa for years. I enjoy adding toasted cumin seeds and use raw red onion instead of grilled ones.

Loved the "salsa" although it's more of a salad. Very deep flavor from charring the pepper/onion/garlic. I added some left over shaved corn on the cob to the salsa; it was amazing. I broiled the steak instead of grilling because I don't think red meat does well on gas grills, which is what I have. Broiled fine about 6 minutes per side on a rack over a foil covered cookie sheet. Tender medium steak and little mess. Topped with crumbled feta and radishes too. Really good!

This was delicious! The meat turned out a little salty for my taste, but my family loved it, as well as the salsa. Next time I will make sure the garlic doesn't get overly browned/roasted, as that left a slight bitterness to the salsa. Served with queso fresco. Will make again! Oh, and 3 minutes per side under the broiler in a big, pre-heated cast iron skillet worked for me for med rare, beautiful meat.

This recipe is absolutely excellent. The only thing we changed was pickling the radishes rather than using fresh. Will be making this very often!

The steak was amazing!!! Set under the broiler for close to 10 min on each side and it was perfectly medium rare.

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