Grilled Steak Elote Tacos Recipe
If you’re craving a taco experience that’s bursting with bold, smoky flavors and a touch of creamy indulgence, the Grilled Steak Elote Tacos Recipe is here to deliver just that. This dish combines tender, perfectly grilled flap steak with charred, flavorful corn inspired by classic Mexican street elote, all wrapped in a crispy tortilla. Every bite offers a harmony of smoky, spicy, tangy, and creamy notes that feels like a festive celebration in your mouth. Whether you’re cooking for friends or treating yourself to a comforting dinner, these tacos are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that bring the best of summer grilling and street food vibes to your table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Grilled Steak Elote Tacos Recipe lies in its simple, vibrant ingredients. Each one plays an essential role—from the zesty marinade that tenderizes the steak, to the creamy elote sauce that adds that signature burst of flavor. Let’s take a look at exactly what you’ll need to gather before fire up your grill.
- Whole Flap Steak: The star protein, perfect for grilling to juicy, smoky perfection.
- Lime Juice: Adds a bright citrus tang that balances the rich meat and creamy sauces.
- Cola: A subtle sweet acidity in the marinade that tenderizes and caramelizes the steak beautifully.
- Hot Sauce: Infuses a spicy kick, enhancing the taco’s bold personality.
- Kosher Salt & Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that bring out the natural flavors.
- Garlic Powder: Adds a robust, savory depth to the marinade.
- Canola Oil: Helps with grilling and adds a neutral cooking fat.
- Mayonnaise & Sour Cream: Key for making the creamy, tangy elote sauce that pairs perfectly with the corn and steak.
- Corn on the Cob: Fresh corn is grilled and mixed into a salsa to bring sweetness and charred crunch.
- Chopped Cilantro & Diced Red Onions: Fresh, bright elements to add freshness to the corn salsa.
- Cotija Cheese: Salty and crumbly for that authentic Mexican touch on the elote sauce.
- Tajin Seasoning: Adds a chile-lime zest that livens up the corn and taco flavors.
- Flour Tortillas: The crispy, cheesy vessel that holds all the delicious fillings together.
- Jack Cheese: Melts beautifully to create a crispy, gooey base for the tacos.
How to Make Grilled Steak Elote Tacos Recipe
Step 1: Marinate and Grill the Steak
Start by mixing lime juice, cola, hot sauce, kosher salt, black pepper, and garlic powder in a bowl to create a marinade that will infuse the flap steak with incredible flavor and tenderness. Coat the steak generously and allow it to marinate for at least 4 hours or, even better, overnight. When ready, heat your grill to high heat and cook the steak for about 4-5 minutes on each side. This ensures a nice sear that locks in juices. Let the steak rest briefly, then slice it into bite-sized cubes perfect for taco filling.
Step 2: Grill the Corn and Prepare the Elote
Grilling the corn on the cob is where the dish gets that iconic smoky twist. Brush with canola oil and grill until the kernels are cooked through and just a bit charred, which adds amazing depth to the flavor. Remove the corn from the cob, and toss the kernels with diced red onions, chopped cilantro, a sprinkle of Tajin seasoning, and a touch of lime juice. This fresh salsa pairs beautifully with the creamy elote sauce made from mixing mayonnaise, sour cream, extra lime juice, hot sauce, and cotija cheese. The sauce is rich, tangy, and mildly spicy — perfect for drizzling over the corn and steak.
Step 3: Prepare Crispy, Cheesy Tortillas
Warm up your flour tortillas on a skillet, sprinkling shredded Jack cheese on one side and folding them over to cook until the cheese melts and the tortilla becomes crispy and golden. This gives you a sensational crunchy base to hold all the taco fillings, making every bite irresistibly satisfying.
Step 4: Assemble Your Grilled Steak Elote Tacos Recipe
Now comes the fun part—layer the steak cubes onto the crispy tortillas, add a generous spoonful of the grilled corn salsa, and drizzle with the creamy elote sauce. The combination of juicy steak, smoky corn, creamy sauce, and melty cheese creates a flavor explosion that’s hard to beat. Serve hot and get ready to enjoy your own little fiesta at the dinner table.
How to Serve Grilled Steak Elote Tacos Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh garnishes truly take these tacos to the next level. Sprinkle some extra chopped cilantro across the top to add a burst of herbaceous brightness. A wedge of lime on the side gives guests the option to add an extra tangy splash, cutting through the richness. Don’t forget a pinch of additional cotija cheese or a dusting of Tajin for a final flavorful flourish.
Side Dishes
Pair your Grilled Steak Elote Tacos Recipe with classic Mexican sides like refried beans or Mexican street corn salad for a relaxed, authentic meal. A crisp green salad with avocado and tomato can bring fresh balance, or you can keep it simple and satisfying with chips and salsa. The vibrant flavors of the tacos complement many sides beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For a festive touch, serve these tacos on a colorful platter with small bowls of extra salsa, guacamole, and lime wedges around. You can also offer a build-your-own taco spread where guests assemble their own, making it interactive and fun for gatherings. Wrapping tacos in parchment paper tied with twine is a charming presentation that’s both practical and inviting for casual meals.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftover steak or corn salsa, store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. The steak will stay juicy for up to 3 days, and the corn salsa retains its fresh flavors for about 2 days. Keep the tortillas and cheese separate to prevent sogginess.
Freezing
While the steak can be frozen for up to 2 months, it’s best to freeze it before marinating or grilling for optimum texture. Corn salsa and elote sauce are better fresh but can be frozen in small portions if absolutely necessary, though the texture may change slightly. Avoid freezing tortillas with cheese as it affects their quality.
Reheating
Reheat the steak gently in a skillet over medium heat to avoid drying it out, and warm tortillas separately to keep them crisp. Corn salsa can be enjoyed cold or warmed slightly in the microwave. Add fresh garnishes and elote sauce after reheating for the best taste and texture.
FAQs
Can I use another cut of steak for this recipe?
Absolutely! While flap steak is ideal for its balance of flavor and tenderness, skirt steak or flank steak also work wonderfully. Just be sure to adjust grilling time based on thickness.
How spicy are the tacos?
The level of heat is moderate and can be adjusted easily by adding more or less hot sauce in both the steak marinade and elote sauce. The Tajin seasoning adds mild heat and zest, keeping the flavors balanced.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes! Swap the steak for grilled portobello mushrooms or cauliflower steaks and follow the same steps for the corn salsa and elote sauce to keep that smoky, creamy vibe intact.
What’s the best way to slice the steak for tacos?
After resting, slice the steak against the grain into bite-sized cubes or thin strips. This ensures tenderness and easy bite-sized pieces perfect for tacos.
Can I prepare parts of this recipe ahead of time?
Definitely! Marinate the steak the night before, grill the corn a few hours before serving, and prepare the elote sauce in advance. Then, it’s just a quick assembly when you’re ready to eat.
Final Thoughts
Once you try this Grilled Steak Elote Tacos Recipe, it’s likely to become a fast favorite for any occasion. The way the grilled steak melts into the spicy, creamy elote and crispy tortillas is simply unforgettable. Whether you’re cooking for a casual weeknight or impressing friends on the weekend, these tacos bring warmth, bold flavor, and a joyful spirit to the table. So fire up that grill and dive in—your taste buds are in for a real treat!
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Grilled Steak Elote Tacos Recipe
- Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes (including marinating)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Delight in these flavorful Grilled Steak Elote Tacos combining perfectly marinated and grilled flap steak with smoky charred corn salsa, creamy Elote sauce, and melty cheese on crispy flour tortillas for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Steak Marinade
- 1 Whole Flap Steak
- 2 medium Limes, juiced
- 1 cup Cola
- 2 tbsp Hot Sauce
- 1.5 tbsp Kosher Salt
- 1.5 tbsp Black Pepper
- 1 tbsp Garlic Powder
- Canola Oil, as needed
Elote Sauce
- 2.5 tbsp Mayonnaise
- 1.5 tbsp Sour Cream
- 1 tsp Hot Sauce
- 2 medium Limes, juiced
Corn Salsa
- 3–4 Corn on the Cob
- 2 tbsp Chopped Cilantro
- 2 tbsp Diced Red Onions
- 1.5 tbsp Mayonnaise
- 1.5 tbsp Cotija Cheese
- 1.5 tsp Tajin Seasoning
- Canola Oil, as needed
Tacos Assembly
- Flour Tortillas
- 2 cups Jack Cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Prepare Steak Marinade: In a bowl, combine lime juice, cola, hot sauce, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and a splash of canola oil. Mix thoroughly until well blended.
- Marinate the Steak: Place the whole flap steak in the marinade and refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours, ideally overnight, allowing the flavors to fully penetrate the meat.
- Grill the Steak: Preheat your grill to high heat. Remove steak from marinade and grill for about 4-5 minutes on each side until desired doneness. Once grilled, let it rest for several minutes before slicing into bite-sized cubes.
- Grill the Corn: Brush the corn on the cob lightly with canola oil. Grill the corn over medium-high heat, turning occasionally until cooked through and with slight char marks for smoky flavor.
- Prepare Corn Salsa: Cut the grilled corn kernels off the cob and combine them with chopped cilantro, diced red onions, mayonnaise, Cotija cheese, Tajin seasoning, and a drizzle of canola oil. Mix everything well to create a flavorful salsa.
- Make Elote Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, hot sauce, and lime juice until smooth and creamy.
- Cook Tortillas with Cheese: Warm flour tortillas in a skillet over medium heat, sprinkling shredded Jack cheese on each and cooking until the cheese melts and the tortilla becomes crispy.
- Assemble Tacos: Fill each crispy tortilla with sliced grilled steak, spoonfuls of corn salsa, and drizzle generously with the creamy Elote sauce. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Marinating the steak overnight enhances the flavor and tenderness significantly.
- If you don’t have a grill, a grill pan or cast iron skillet on the stovetop can be used to cook the steak and corn.
- Use corn tortillas for a more traditional taco but flour tortillas work well for holding the steak and cheese combination.
- Cotija cheese can be substituted with feta if unavailable.
- Adjust hot sauce quantities to your desired spice level.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Grilling
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
