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Fire up the grill because these flank steak tacos deliver big, bold flavor with minimal effort. Thinly sliced, marinated flank steak brings juicy, citrus-forward carne asada taste to each taco. Tucked into warm tortillas and topped with fresh fixings, they make for a satisfying meal any night of the week. Perfect for Taco Tuesdays, summer get-togethers or casual dinners, these tacos offer big taste without complicated steps and travel beautifully from grill to table.
These flank steak tacos feature juicy carne asada style steak wrapped in warm tortillas and then topped with colorful fresh fixings for a vibrant and easy dinner.
If you enjoy flank steak tacos, also try smoked baby back ribs, grilled steaks with scallion topping or smoked beer can chicken.
Why You’ll Love It
Bold marinade: Citrus, garlic and vinegar infuse the steak with rich flavor.
Quick prep: Simple mix-and-marinade steps ahead streamline the cooking.
Grill perfect: Thin slices cook fast for tender, flavorful bites.
Customizable toppings: Use salsa, avocado or fresh herbs for your ideal taco.
Flank Steak Taco Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Flank steak: Thinly sliced to absorb the marinade and grill evenly.
Olive oil: Helps carry flavors and keeps steak juicy.
Citrus juices: Lime and orange juice add tangy brightness.
Red wine vinegar: Deepens the marinade with subtle acidity.
Brown sugar: Balances the tang with a touch of sweetness.
Garlic: Delivers savory depth to the marinade.
Worcestershire sauce: Adds umami richness to the flavor profile.
BBQ sauce: Optional glaze for a smoky, sweet finish.
How to Make Grilled Flank Steak Tacos
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Marinate the steak: Combine olive oil, citrus, vinegar, sugar, garlic and sauce; coat steak.
Chill: Let the steak soak in the flavors before cooking.
Grill: Cook steak slices until nicely charred and juicy.
Glaze: Brush with BBQ sauce if desired for extra flavor.
Slice and serve: Cut across the grain and tuck into tortillas.
Substitutions and Variations
Use skirt steak: Swap flank steak for a more traditional cut with similar results.
Try lime-only juice: Replace orange juice for a sharper citrus note.
Add chili powder: For a spicy kick in the marinade.
Skip the BBQ sauce: Serve tacos au naturel with homemade salsa instead.
Serving Suggestions
With side dishes: These steak tacos would be great with grilled onions and bell peppers with chimichurri sauce or some mango salsa on the side.
With other tacos: Irish tacos, smoked fish tacos or turkey tacos would also be tasty options.
Drink pairing: Add a glass of citrus berry white sangria or a kiwi jalapeno margarita and this flank steak recipe is perfection! If you prefer wine, a Merlot or Malbec is a solid choice. For beer fans, try a pale ale to contrast or hoppy beer to complement the smoky taste.
How to Store Flank Steak Tacos
Store: Store leftover meat in a covered container in the refrigerator and eat within 4 days. I recommend keeping leftover meat separate from the other components and assemble later, as the tortillas can become soggy otherwise.
Freeze: You can store cooked steak in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Thaw: Defrost overnight in the refrigerator.
Reheat: Put the steak on a wire rack set inside a baking sheet and warm it back up in a 250°F oven until it’s 110°F inside and then assemble your tacos.
Top Tips
Marinate at least 2 hours: Let flavors fully penetrate the meat.
Slice against the grain: Keeps the steak tender with each bite (this is important!)
Preheat the grill: High heat locks in juices and adds nice char.
Warm tortillas: Heat shells briefly to make them flexible and soft.
Marinated Flank Steak Taco FAQs
Yes, but marinating pre-sliced steak may mean less flavor absorption.
Yes, but both work well in this recipe if sliced thin.
Yes, use a hot grill pan or cast iron skillet for similar results.
Marinated Grilled Flank Steak Tacos Recipe
Flank Steak Tacos
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 Pounds flank steak, cut into thin, wide strips
- 1/3 Cup olive oil
- 1/4 Cup lime juice, fresh
- 1 orange, juiced
- 1/4 Cup red wine vinegar
- 2 Teaspoons brown sugar
- 1 Teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 Teaspoon salt
- 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
Optional Glaze
- 6 Tablespoons BBQ sauce
To Make the Tacos
- 1 Package flour tortillas, taco-sized
Optional Toppings
- avocado slices
- tomatoes, chopped
- crumbled queso blanco, or shredded Mexican blend cheese
- red onion, chopped
- lime wedges
- guacamole
- sour cream
- chilies, minced or sliced
- cilantro
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine the olive oil, lime juice, orange juice, red wine vinegar, brown sugar, minced garlic, salt, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir to combine.
- Put the steak in a large Ziploc bag and pour the marinade over it. Seal the bag tightly.
- Shake to cover and place in the refrigerator for between 2 and 24 hours.
- When ready to cook, preheat your grill to very hot and take the meat out of the refrigerator, letting it come to room temperature.
- Using tongs, remove the meat from the marinade and place on the grill. Brush with BBQ sauce.
- Leave the meat on the grill for 5 to 10 minutes, then flip it over. Brush the other side with BBQ sauce if liked.
- Let it grill for another 5 to 10 minutes. If you like your meat a bit rarer, 5 to 7 minutes per side is good.
- Check for doneness and grill for a few more minutes if necessary.
- Remove and brush with BBQ sauce again if you want.
- Slice the beef to serve in tortillas with your preferred toppings, or serve it with your preferred side dishes, alongside eggs and hash browns or in sandwiches.
Notes
Slice against the grain: Keeps the steak tender with each bite (this is important!)
Preheat the grill: High heat locks in juices and adds nice char.
Warm tortillas: Heat shells briefly to make them flexible and soft.
Nutrition
Flank steak tacos offer a perfect balance of rich, citrus-marinated meat wrapped in warm tortillas and topped with your favorite fixings. The simple flank steak tacos marinade packs complex flavor, while the fast grilling method makes these tacos ideal for quick dinners or casual gatherings. Slice the steak thin, garnish with fresh toppings and serve immediately for maximum taste and texture. These tacos strike the ideal note between flavor, convenience and crowd appeal.
Other Recipes to Try
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
The grilled flank steak tacos were absolutely delicious! Perfectly marinated and super easy to make.
Thanks for sharing this amazing recipe. My family loved it. I will be sharing this recipe with my friends too!
This has to be my favorite taco recipe yet!!
I have been cutting flank steak incorrectly this whole time! I will change that when I make this delicious recipe this weekend for my family. Tacos are my weakness.
These would be awesome with a cheese tortilla shell for lower carbs, but we love a good high protein Fajita grill.
Yes please. We love tacos here. This is something I need to try!
Wow these look so good! Omg actually divine and so tasty
These look amazing bella!