Citrus-Marinated Steak Tacos🍖 Main
Flame-kissed beef tacos featuring zesty chimichurri, fresh salsa, and tangy pickled vegetables - a mouthwatering choice for backyard cookouts and al fresco entertaining.
By Sarah Chen, Home Cook Enthusiast
The magic of these tacos lies in the citrus marinade, which does double duty by tenderizing the flank steak while infusing it with bright, complex flavors. The combination of orange and lime juice creates a sweet-tart base that penetrates deep into the meat, while the soy sauce adds unexpected umami depth. This isn't your typical weeknight taco—it's the kind of dish that transforms a simple dinner into a festive gathering, complete with a vibrant spread of toppings that lets everyone build their perfect bite.
Timing is everything when grilling flank steak, so resist the urge to skip the resting period after it comes off the grill. Those ten minutes allow the juices to redistribute, ensuring every slice stays tender and succulent. When you're ready to slice, look for the direction of the grain—those visible lines running through the meat—and cut perpendicular to them. This shortens the muscle fibers and makes each piece remarkably tender, even though flank steak is a relatively lean cut.
Set up a taco bar with all the components—the charred steak and vegetables, vibrant green chimichurri, fresh pico de gallo, and those tangy quick pickles—and let your guests customize their own creations. If you're looking to switch things up, try swapping the flank steak for skirt steak or even chicken thighs, which also love this marinade. The quick pickles are endlessly adaptable too; try them with jalapeños, cucumbers, or red onions depending on what's in your crisper drawer.
Ingredients
For the Steak
- 2 lbs flank steak
- 1-2 large sweet onions, sliced
- 1 bunch scallions
For the Marinade
- 1/3 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- 4 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp coriander
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1-3 tsp adobo sauce
For the Chimichurri Sauce
- 1 cup cilantro, packed
- 1 cup Italian parsley, packed
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 tsp cumin
- 2 tsp coriander
- 3/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 jalapeño pepper
For the Pico de Gallo
- 4 vine-ripe tomatoes, chopped
- 1/2 red onion, chopped
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 serrano chili, minced
- 1 handful cilantro leaves, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 1/2 limes, juiced
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp kosher salt
For the Quick Pickles
- 2 cups mixed sliced radishes, onion, carrots, or cauliflower
- 1 cup vinegar
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp whole peppercorns or coriander seed
- a few sprigs cilantro
For Assembly
- tortillas
- lime wedges
- chipotle mayo
- avocado slices
- Mexican cabbage slaw
- queso fresco or cotija cheese
- hot sauce
- sour cream
- guacamole
Nutrition (Per 16 servings)*
* AI-estimated values only — not a substitute for professional nutrition labeling.
Instructions
Steak Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together ingredients for the marinade. Place steak and onions in the bowl and toss with marinade. Let sit at room temp for at least 30 minutes, turning occasionally. (Or marinate for up to 3 hours in the fridge, bringing to room temp before grilling.)
- Pre-heat the grill to medium-high heat. Grease the grill. Grill steak on med-high heat to the desired doneness. I usually cook to medium-rare, 5-7 mins each side. Grill the onions and scallions until tender and charred. A little char is good on the steak here too.
- Let rest for 10 minutes, covered in foil, before thinly slicing the meat across the grain.
Chimichurri Sauce
- Either chop everything finely and place all ingredients in a bowl, or alternatively place all dry ingredients in a food processor, pulsing several times until chopped.
- Add oil, lime juice, cumin, coriander, and salt. Pulse repeatedly until combined, but not too smooth. Add more oil if you want a looser sauce. Set aside in a small serving bowl.
Pico De Gallo Salsa
- Finely dice tomato, onion, jalapeño and cilantro. Season with salt, pepper and lime.
- Sometimes I'll add diced avocado and a couple splashes of Tapatio hot sauce. Place all in a bowl, mix and let sit for 15 min to 1 hour (makes 2 cups).
Quick Pickles
- In a small saucepan, combine water, vinegar, sugar, salt and peppercorns or coriander seeds. Add your choice of sliced radishes, slivered onions, thinly sliced carrots or whatever else you like. Bring to a boil.
- Remove and place in freezer for 10-15 minutes (or refrigerate until cold). Remove and place in a serving bowl or jar. Top with a little fresh cilantro.
Tortillas
- Lightly grill tortillas until soft and pliable (or grill directly on a gas burner, flipping and turning for 30 seconds). Wrap up in a towel to prevent drying.
Assembly
- Serve everything together, along with any additional garnishes.
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