Mexican tacos are a fan favourite due to their handheld size, full flavour, and status as a staple street food. However, making the perfect taco can be difficult. First, decide on the type of taco, such as carne asada, al pastor, or carnitas. Here is the recipe for carne asada tacos: combine minced garlic, lime juice, salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin, and vegetable oil into a marinade, add thinly sliced skirt steak, marinate for at least an hour, cook on high heat for two minutes on each side, warm tortillas, and assemble tacos with meat, cilantro, onion, salsa, and guacamole.
Though Mexican cuisine has something to offer to almost everyone, some Mexican dishes have an extra appeal that makes them a fan favorite. Tacos are one of those dishes. They’re small, handheld, full of flavors, easy to make, and a staple street food in Mexico. But, making the perfect taco with all its components can be tricky. Here’s a step-by-step guide and a recipe to help you explore the flavorful world of Mexican tacos.

Step 1: Decide on the Type of Taco

Tacos come in various kinds, such as carne asada, pollo, al pastor, carnitas, chorizo, fish, etc. Deciding on what type of taco is the first step in making Mexican tacos. You can also experiment with vegetarian or vegan options like potato, mushroom, lentils, or tofu tacos.

Step 2: Prepare the Meat

Mexican tacos are famous for their succulent, well-seasoned meat. To make carne asada tacos, marinate thin slices of skirt steak in a mixture of lime juice, garlic, chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper, and oil for at least an hour. For al pastor, marinate pork shoulder with pineapple, chipotle chilies, garlic, oregano, cumin, and paprika. For carnitas, cook pork shoulder with salt, garlic, bay leaves, and orange juice until it’s tender and caramelized.

Step 3: Cook the Meat

Once the meat is marinated and ready, it’s time to cook it. Grill or pan-fry steak slices for carne asada tacos until they’re browned and crispy. For al pastor, slice the pork shoulder into strips and grill or bake until charred. For carnitas, cook in the oven or a deep-fryer, until they’re crispy and tender.

Step 4: Prepare the Toppings

Mexican tacos are incomplete without the toppings. For carne asada tacos, prepare toppings like chopped onion, cilantro, lime wedges, salsa, and guacamole. For al pastor tacos, add diced pineapple, onion, cilantro, and salsa. For carnitas, add toppings like diced onion, cilantro, guacamole, and lime wedges.

Step 5: Warm-Up the Tortillas

Mexican tacos are incomplete without the perfect tortilla. Warm-up your tortillas on a skillet or oven to make them soft and pliable.

Step 6: Assemble the Tacos

To assemble the tacos, place a warm tortilla on a plate, add meat, toppings, and finish with some salsa or guacamole. You can also add some hot sauce or sour cream according to your taste.

Recipe for Carne Asada Tacos

Ingredients:
– 1 lb skirt steak
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– Juice of 1 lime
– Salt and pepper
– 2 tsp chili powder
– 1 tsp ground cumin
– 3 tbsp vegetable oil
– 12 small corn tortillas
– 1 cup chopped cilantro
– 1 cup diced onion
– 1 cup salsa
– 1 cup guacamole
– Lime wedges for serving

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, combine minced garlic, lime juice, salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin, and vegetable oil to make the marinade.

2. Add thinly sliced skirt steak to the marinade and let it sit for at least an hour in the refrigerator.

3. Heat a cast-iron skillet over high heat. Drain any excess marinade from the steak and pat it dry with a paper towel.

4. Add the steak to the skillet and cook for two minutes or until browned. Flip it and cook for another two minutes.

5. Remove the steak from the skillet and let it rest for five minutes before slicing into thin strips.

6. Warm the tortillas on the skillet or in the oven.

7. Assemble the tacos by adding some meat, cilantro, onion, salsa, and guacamole to each tortilla.

8. Finish with a squeeze of lime juice over them.

In conclusion, exploring the world of Mexican tacos can be fun, and mastering them might take some time, but it’s worth it. Follow these simple steps and recipes to make the perfect Mexican taco and transport yourself to the streets of Mexico.