Beef tacos have a way of stealing the spotlight at any table. There’s something irresistible about the contrast of soft, warmed tortillas wrapped around perfectly marinated strips of beef, the sweetness of yellow onion, and the bright freshness of coriander.
At the heart of great beef tacos is the beef itself. Marinated strips soak up smoky, spicy, and citrusy notes that define much of Mexican cooking. When cooked just right—seared quickly so the edges catch a little char while the interior stays succulent—the beef delivers a depth of flavour that needs no embellishment. It’s the kind of taste that makes you pause after the first bite, just to appreciate the layers of spice, tang and richness dancing together.
Then comes the supporting cast: finely sliced yellow onion and fresh coriander. The onion brings a mellow crunch and natural sweetness, cutting through the richness of the meat without overpowering it. Coriander, with its herbal brightness, adds a finishing touch that makes every mouthful feel complete. When the tacos are warmed just before assembling—whether lightly toasted on a pan or heated briefly over an open flame—they release a soft aroma of maize and cradle the fillings like they were made for each other.
No authentic experience would be complete without lime wedges. A generous squeeze of fresh lime over the tacos brightens the entire dish, adding a burst of acidity that lifts the marinated beef into something even more exciting. The moment the juice hits the warm tortilla and seeps into the onion and coriander, the whole bite takes on a vibrant freshness.
And then there’s the chilli dip—small in portion, bold in personality. Whether it’s a smoky salsa, a fiery chilli sauce or something tangy with jalapeño heat, it delivers that addictive kick at the end of each bite. It’s the optional touch that quickly becomes essential once you’ve tried it. Rather than masking the beef, the chilli dip enhances it, turning each taco into a little flavour-packed experience.
Although the dish stands proudly on its own, beef tacos are incredibly versatile when it comes to serving. They work for a relaxed dinner, a party platter, or even a family-style weekend feast. What makes them enjoyable is not just the eating but the assembling, the customising, and the casual nature of the whole experience. Everyone at the table can build theirs exactly how they like it, whether stacking in extra onion, piling on coriander, or drenching the beef with lime.
To make the meal feel more rounded, there are plenty of accompaniments that pair beautifully with beef tacos. Some offer crunch, some add creaminess, and others contribute contrast in temperature or texture. If you’re putting together a spread or hosting guests, it’s easy to extend the dish into a vibrant, satisfying meal without overshadowing the star attraction.
Here are some great ideas to serve alongside beef tacos:
- Mexican rice or tomato rice
- Refried beans or black bean stew
- Grilled corn on the cob or elotes (Mexican street corn)
- Guacamole or smashed avocado with lime
- Pico de gallo or fresh tomato salsa
- Tortilla chips with salsa or queso dip
- Chilled cucumber and onion salad
- Pickled jalapeños or pickled red onion
- Shredded lettuce or cabbage slaw
- Roasted peppers or sautéed mixed vegetables
Every element you add can build on the tacos’ strengths without competing with them. Whether you keep it simple with guacamole and chips or go all out with rice, beans and corn, the dish remains the hero thanks to that marinated beef and its bold, addictive flavour.
Beef tacos are a celebration wrapped in a tortilla—comforting, vibrant, and bursting with personality. The combination of juicy beef, coriander, onion, lime, and chilli dip creates a harmony that’s hard to beat, and the accompaniments only make the experience richer. It’s a dish that never feels out of place, whether you’re enjoying it at a lively gathering or tucking into a quiet plate at home.
Beef Tacos
Ingredients
For the Marinated Beef:
- 500 g beef strips flank, skirt or rump steak
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp lime juice plus extra for serving
- 2 cloves garlic finely minced
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp ground chilli chilli flakes
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
For the Tacos
- 8 small tortillas soft corn or flour
- 1 medium yellow onion thinly sliced
- 1 bunch fresh coriander roughly chopped
- 2 medium lime wedges for serving
For the Chilli Dip:
- 4 tbsp sour cream Greek yoghurt
- 1½ tsp chilli paste hot chilli sauce
- ½ tsp lime juice
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
Marinate the Beef:
- In a bowl, mix olive oil, lime juice, garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, chilli, oregano, salt and pepper.2 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp lime juice, 2 cloves garlic, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, ½ tsp ground chilli, ½ tsp dried oregano, ½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp black pepper
- Add the beef strips and coat well.500 g beef strips
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours for deeper flavour.
Make the Chilli Dip:
- In a small bowl, combine sour cream (or yoghurt), chilli paste, lime juice, and a pinch of salt.4 tbsp sour cream, 1½ tsp chilli paste, ½ tsp lime juice, 1 pinch salt
- Stir until smooth, then chill until serving.
Cook the Onion
- Heat a splash of oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Add the sliced yellow onion and cook for 4–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly golden.1 medium yellow onion
- Remove from the pan and set aside.
Cook the Beef:
- Heat a large frying pan or skillet over medium-high heat.
- Once hot, cook the marinated beef strips for 3–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through.
- Remove from the heat and keep warm.
Warm the Tortillas:
- Heat each tortilla in a dry frying pan for 10–15 seconds per side, or wrap them in foil and warm in a low oven.8 small tortillas
Assemble the Tacos:
- Place warm tortillas on plates or a platter.
- Add a generous portion of the cooked beef to each.
- Top with sliced yellow onion and chopped coriander.1 bunch fresh coriander
- Serve the beef tacos immediately with lime wedges and the chilli dip on the side.2 medium lime
15 comments
I loved how well-balanced these tacos were. The coriander and lime make every bite bright and fresh.
The marinated beef was bursting with flavour and the lime gave everything such a fresh, zesty finish. I’ll definitely be making these again for our next taco night.
Perfect for a weekend dinner with friends.
I used corn tortillas, which added a lovely toasty flavour. I might add a few slices of avocado next time for creaminess.
The cooked onions added a lovely sweetness that balanced the spice perfectly. The chilli dip on the side really brought it all together!
These tacos were a huge hit with my family.
Such a tasty, satisfying dish! The beef turned out tender and flavourful, and the soft tortillas made everything melt together. I’d love to try it with a hotter chilli sauce next time.
I served the tacos with guacamole and grilled corn, and it was so delicious.
The beef marinade is out of this world! It’s smoky, tangy and just the right amount of spicy.
The flavours are absolutely spot on. I served them with tomato rice and refried beans as suggested, and it was a complete meal. Next time I’ll add a few pickled jalapeños for extra kick.
Great recipe – simple, fresh, and so tasty.
The beef marinade soaked in beautifully and made the meat so juicy.
These beef tacos are so simple but the marinade makes it perfect
Very easy to follow and the results were restaurant quality. The onions gave it a beautiful mellow sweetness. My only change next time will be doubling the chilli dip—it disappeared quickly!
I’m not usually confident cooking Mexican food, but this recipe made it so easy. Everything came out perfect, especially the onions—they added such depth.