These Cajun Steak Tacos are an easy weeknight meal to impress and ready in under 15 minutes. Lean steak covered in delicious Cajun seasoning and gently fried, it makes one of the best taco toppings, with all the usual fixings to go with it. Mexican restaurant quality tacos, made at home! They are fresh and light and great for feeding a crowd.
We would happily eat tacos all day every day and Cajun Steak Tacos are one of our favourite taco recipes. Melt in your mouth steak with all your favourite toppings.
What makes them really quick to cook, is using a thin cut of beef. It keeps the tacos healthy, still full of lean protein, and quick. Load it up with homemade salsa and guacamole for that taco fix.
If you are looking for some other beef recipes to try, then why not try our Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa, Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon, 10 Minute Sticky Ginger Beef, or Beef Burrito Bowl.
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Why you will love them
- Quick and easy - These take just 15 minutes to cook and once the steak is cooked it is as easy and loading the tacos up.
- Adaptable - There are so many different ways that you can serve these steak tacos. Whatever your favourite taco toppings are, put them on.
- A new way to eat steak - If you are used to having steak with chips and peppercorn sauce, then this is a new way to enjoy it and now extra effort.
Ingredients needed
- Steak - We used flank steak, however sirloin or rib eye will work too. You want a thin piece of steak so it cooks quickly.
- Herbs and spices - We used a Cajun seasoning blend. You could make your own, or save time and use a good quality store bought one. You could use a Fajita mix instead it you wanted.
- Oil - We cooked the steak in a good quality olive oil.
- Bell pepper - This adds plenty of crunch to the tacos. We used red and green bell peppers, but any colour would work.
- Onion - Thinly sliced onions get nice and caramelised and they are a delicious addition to tacos.
- Small soft tortillas - We use flour tortillas, however you could use corn tortillas instead. Use small ones to keep these taco size.
- Salsa, guacamole and slaw - These are the perfect taco toppings. We have given some recipes below, but feel free to use your favourites.
A full ingredients list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Step by step
One: Mix together the spices and sprinkle over both sides of the steak. Make sure the whole steak is covered.
Two: In a pan heat half the oil and add the peppers and onions and gently cook for around 5 minutes until softened and put in a bowl and set aside.
Three: Add the rest of the oil to the pan and add the steak and cook for 2 minutes each side for a medium steak.
Four: Slice the steak and serve with the vegetables, salsa, guacamole and slaw in a soft tortilla.
Health benefits of beef
Beef can definitely play an important role in a balanced diet and using lean cuts is key for this. It can provide a lean source of protein, iron and eight essential vitamins and minerals. Beef is a significant provider of protein and is naturally low in sodium and contributes towards good health and wellbeing.
When it comes to beef, we are all about the thin lean cuts (which are perfect for tacos, when you want to save space for all the other fillings too). Not only are they quick to cook, but they are lower in fat too.
Beef is a significant provider of protein and is naturally low in sodium and contribute towards good health and wellbeing.
Thin cuts of beef are no more than 5mm thick and because they are so quick and easy to cook, they are good to use in things like sandwiches, wraps and pasta dishes for a super quick and lean meal. They are so versatile and hopefully you have tried our Spicy Steak and Roasted Potato Salad with Chermoula Dressing already and you will give these Cajun Steak Tacos a try next.
What is the best beef to use?
The best steak to use for steak tacos is flank steak. This is also known as top round in the UK. Flank steak is a leaner cut of meat and when it is cooked it is tender and juicy. Make sure to slice your meat against the grain for the best results. Other beef options that work well for steak tacos include flank steak, rib eye, sirloin steak, or New York strip steak.
What to serve with Cajun Steak Tacos
These steak tacos are pretty filling as they are. However, if you are serving it as part of a Mexican feast, then we have a few side dishes that would go really well with them. Why not try some of these:
- Chipotle Black Bean Nachos
- Salsa Picante
- Cilantro Lime Rice
- Restaurant Style Salsa
- Baked Tortilla Chips
- Jalapeno Sauce
- Grilled Pineapple Salsa
- Mexican Coleslaw
Frequently Asked Questions
No, you don't need to and we haven't for this recipe and have kept it quick and simple and ready in 15 minutes. However, if you have more time then you can marinate it first and it will give a more intense flavour. Add a little oil and some lime juice and then marinate it for 30 minutes. No longer though, as the steak will get mushy.
This really depends on how you like your steak cooked. We recommend using a meat thermometer to get it to the correct temperature for how you like your steak.
Rare - 45°C to 50°C (120°F to 125°F)
Medium-Rare - 55°C to 60°C (130°F to 135°F)
Medium - 60°C to 65°C (140°F to 145°F)
Medium-Well - 65°C to 70°C (150°F to 155°F)
Well Done - 70°C and above (160°F and above)
Once the tacos are made us, we don't recommend storing them. However, if you have cooked too much steak, then it will keep in an air tight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.
If you use gluten free tortillas and seasoning mix and make sure there is no cross contamination, then these can be gluten free.
Yes, this can easily be doubled. You might need to cook the steak in batches.
Extra tips
• You will need to cook these on a high heat - this is so you get a nice sear on the outside, but it still gets pink in the middle.
• Allow the steak to rest for 10 minutes before cutting it. This is to make sure that you don't lose all the juices and flavour.
• Make sure to cut the steak across the grain. This is to break up the muscle fibres and it will be tough and chewy otherwise.
• Add some creaminess by topping the steak with some slices of avocado.
• To take the flavours to a next level, skip the salsa and drizzle with some chimichurri sauce.
More taco recipes
If you’ve tried this steak taco recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Cajun Steak Tacos
Ingredients
- 200 g (7 oz) Thin cut beef steaks
- 0.5 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Paprika
- 0.25 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon Onion powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Dried oregano
- 0.5 teaspoon Dried thyme
- 1 pinch Sea salt and black pepper
- 0.5 tablespoon Olive oil - for the veg
- 0.5 tablespoon Olive oil - for the steak
- 4 Soft tortillas - small
- 1 Red bell pepper - thinly sliced
- 1 Green bell pepper - thinly sliced
- 1 Onion - thinly sliced
- Salsa, guacamole and slaw - to serve
Instructions
- Mix together 0.5 teaspoon Garlic powder, 0.5 teaspoon Paprika, 0.25 teaspoon Cayenne pepper, 0.5 teaspoon Onion powder, 0.5 teaspoon Dried oregano, 0.5 teaspoon Dried thyme and 1 pinch Sea salt and black pepperSprinkle over both sides of 200 g Thin cut beef steaks. Make sure the whole steak is covered.
- In a pan heat 0.5 tablespoon Olive oil and add 1 Red bell pepper, 1 Green bell pepper and 1 Onion and gently cook for around 5 minutes until softened. Put in a bowl and set aside.
- Add 0.5 tablespoon Olive oil to the pan and add the steak and cook for 2 minutes each side for a medium steak.
- Slice the steak and serve with the vegetables, Salsa, guacamole and slaw in 4 Soft tortillas.
Recipe tips
- You will need to cook these on a high heat - this is so you get a nice sear on the outside, but it still gets pink in the middle.
- Allow the steak to rest for 10 minutes before cutting it. This is to make sure that you don't lose all the juices and flavour.
- Make sure to cut the steak across the grain. This is to break up the muscle fibres and it will be tough and chewy otherwise.
- Add some creaminess by topping the steak with some slices of avocado.
- To take the flavours to a next level, skip the salsa and drizzle with some chimichurri sauce.
Nutritional Information
The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
Emily Ware
These look insanely good! It's hard to believe that something that looks so mouthwatering could be so healthy!
Emily xx
Breige
Your recipes and pictures never fail to make me drool! I say my boyfriend would love these too
Jeanne Horak-Druiff
Mmmm, Mexican! It's such a great cuisine isn't it? Your tacos look wonderful and reminds me that it has been way too long since I made our Mexican standbty of chicken faijitas with all the trimmings!
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche
I love the sound of the cajun spice mix, I'll have to try it out in a veggie version :)
Camilla @FabFood4All
Ooh these Tacos are right up my street - so tasty and healthy with the right balance of vegetables:-) Thanks for sharing!
Michelle @ Greedy Gourmet
Truth be told, I've never eaten tacos before or for that matter any Mexican food. I think it's time I need to find a proper Mexican restaurant in London to dine at because looking at your offering it seems like I'm missing out!
Lianne Soller
Yum! This looks fabulous! I absolutely love tacos of any kind! I recently made some with sweet potato, quinoa, and black beans, with a pomegranate cranberry salsa. Best tacos I've ever had!
Hannah Staveley
My hubby would love this so much I am a veggie so not for me but could change some of the items.
Tracey
I love Mexican food and these Cajun stake tacos look delicous and super easy to make. Tx
shobha
I love Mexican food.. all the dishes here are awesome. Been long time since I made them.
Arriane
How spicy are these? I don't like anything too hot.
Denise
I am making these tonight and I can't wait. I love how quick they are.
Matt
Looks good! I <3 fajitas :)
Rach @ This Italian Family
These tacos are a great idea! And these look like the perfect dinner! Yummy!
David @ Spiced
I lived in south Louisiana for a while, Dannii...and let me tell ya, Cajun food is something special! These Cajun Steak Tacos are making my mouth water right now...thanks for sharing!!
Rebecca
I am going to make this with quorn "chicken" as I am a vegetarian. That salsa looks amazing. I have never tried making it myself, but it sounds really easy.
Tammy
Those peppers look really good. Did you put anything on those?
Agness
I am absolutely in love with a steak meat and avocado!! Omomo! It looks like a perfect meal to me! Omomomomomo! Thanks for posting that :*
Alison
I adore mexican food. I normally use chicken but must try steak and am really intrigued by the idea of fish. These look lovely
marcie
I don't do taco nights enough, so thanks for the inspiration! The cajun seasoning and the steak sounds delicious!