Name: Jalapeño and Lime–Marinated Skirt Steak Tacos
Cook time: 25 minutes
Total time: 25 minutes, plus marinating time
Yield: Makes 8 tacos
Ingredients: 1 medium jalapeño, thinly sliced; 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped; 1/4 cup coarsely chopped cilantro; 1/4 cup fresh lime juice; 1/4 cup olive oil; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin; 1 pound skirt steak, cut crosswise into 5–6-inch segments; 8 (8-inch) corn tortillas; Homemade or store-bought tomatillo salsa (for serving); 1/2 medium avocado, sliced; 1/3 cup sour cream, thinned with a tablespoon of water or lime juice; Crumbled queso fresco (optional), cilantro leaves, thinly sliced red onion, and lime wedges (for serving)

Active Time
25 minutes
Total Time
25 minutes, plus marinating time

A spicy, tangy marinade helps tenderize this flavorful cut of meat that’s perfect for tacos.

Ingredients

Makes 8 tacos

For the steak and marinade:

1 medium jalapeño, thinly sliced

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1/4 cup coarsely chopped cilantro

1/4 cup fresh lime juice

1/4 cup olive oil

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

3/4 teaspoon ground cumin

1 pound skirt steak, cut crosswise into 5–6-inch segments

For the tacos:

8 (8-inch) corn tortillas

Homemade or store-bought tomatillo salsa (for serving)

1/2 medium avocado, sliced

1/3 cup sour cream, thinned with a tablespoon of water or lime juice

Crumbled queso fresco (optional), cilantro leaves, thinly sliced red onion, and lime wedges (for serving)

Preparation

Marinate and cook the steak:
Step 1
Combine jalapeño, garlic, cilantro, lime juice, oil, salt, pepper, and cumin in a large resealable bag or bowl. Add steak and toss to coat; if using bowl, wrap with plastic. Marinate at least 30 minutes at room temperature or chill up to overnight in refrigerator, tossing occasionally.
Step 2
Let steak sit at room temperature 30 minutes before cooking if chilled. Prepare a grill or grill pan for medium-high heat. Remove steak from marinade, scraping off any bits that cling to meat; discard marinade. Grill steak 2–3 minutes per side for medium rare. Let rest 10 minutes before thinly slicing against the grain.
Assemble the tacos:
Step 3
Warm tortillas in a microwave, oven, or over a gas flame. Divide steak among tortillas, then top with salsa, avocado, sour cream, queso fresco, if using, cilantro, and onion. Serve with lime wedges alongside.
Do Ahead
Step 4
Steak can be marinated 1 day ahead; keep chilled.

Leave a Review

Reviews (28)

This was a good base but for our palates I added an extra Clive of garlic, chipotle, more cumin, chili pepper and smoked paprika. Much more flavor!
- Organic Foodie
- Santa Monica, CA
- 7/8/2023
I agree. Such a waste of paper.
- Anonymous
- 5/14/2023
I sure would like to talk to Epi about their page layout that requires two page, front and back printing. Do the title, date, and saved status really really really have to take up 50% of the first page? Such a waste.
- Anonymous
- Virginia
- 5/9/2022
Amazing! Marinated for about 8 hours. Our new favorite.
- sbwhitton
- Newtown, CT
- 7/30/2020
Absolutely superb. So easy to make and such a hit at the cottage with friends. I will make this again and again!
- calientemclean
- Ontario, Canada
- 7/19/2020
Amazing recipe! Quick and easy dinner, marinated for 45 minutes, tons of flavor.
- BrettofBend
- Bend, OR
- 7/15/2020
Fantastic. Only modification was to skip the cilantro. Because, you know, it tastes like soap! Great recipe.
- eggen14813
- Chicago, IL
- 7/6/2020
Fantastic recipe. I make it in a cast iron pan, rather than a grill, and toss onions and peppers into the hot pan to saute while the steak is resting. One of my favorite recipes.
- Maryling
- NYC
- 3/15/2020
perfect marinade for skirt steak! will definitely make it again and share with friends. used it for tacos and made burrito bowls with cauliflower rice for the lunch the following day.
- hellokitae
- atlanta, ga
- 8/5/2019
These are my go to tacos, and always a hit with everyone - we are all so happy I found this recipe
- laura_james2
- Greenwich, CT
- 6/12/2019
This was delicious!!!! Next time I will use more jalapeño because I couldn't really taste it. This will go in our TacoTuesday rotation.
- jentut
- SF Bay Area
- 10/3/2018
Because I take advantage of reading reviews often, I owe one for this recipe. It's killer good! Don't change a thing! We add pickled read onions from another good Epicurious fish taco recipe.
- anouschkawardy
- 9/13/2018
I am so happy I found this recipe, it's my go-to for taco night and gatherings. a definite crowd favorite!
- Anonymous
- Greenwich, CT
- 8/18/2018
These are delicious. Served them at a bbq and they were a huge hit. We processed the marinade ingredients to a rough chop in the cuisinart to save time and maximize flavor. If you do that, be sure to clean all bits from the steak before grilling. Other than that, followed recipe exactly.
- Nick888
- california
- 7/11/2018
Our family loves this dish. So easy and delicious.
- pixlcain
- Salem, OR
- 5/7/2018