Tacos Al Carbon

4.93 from 13 votes

Tacos al carbon is a Sonoran favorite! Recipe from Cook's Illustrated.

Prep Time20

Cook Time15

resting time10

Total Time45

Course: Entree

Cuisine: Mexican

Servings: servings

Calories: 370kcal

Author: Cynthia

2 teaspoons canned chipotle chile in adobo sauce diced (reserve some of the adobo sauce for the jalapeno-green onion salsa.
1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 1/2 pounds flank steak

Combine 1 Tablespoon oil, 2 teaspoons chipotle, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and cumin in a small bowl.
Cut flank or skirt lengthwise into strips approximately 2-3" wide. Rub the chipotle marinade on all sides of the meat.
At this point, steak can be frozen or refrigerated until ready to grill.
While steak is marinating, prepare charcoal or gas grill.
When grill is ready, place steak pieces on the hottest section of the grill and the jalapenos and green onions on the cooler sections. Grill steak until medium rare, about 125-130 degrees F., turning every 2-3 minutes to ensure even cooking on all sides. Grill the onions and jalapenos until charred and blistered. Meat should take about 7-10 minutes.
Once meat is cooked, cover it while making the Jalapeno-Green Onion Salsa.
Slice meat against the grain and serve with warm corn tortillas, lime wedges, Jalapeno-Green Onion Salsa, cilantro leaves and Mexican crema or sour cream.

Cook green onions until nicely charred, and jalapenos until blistered. If desired, corn tortillas can be briefly cooked on both sides, and then wrapped in foil or in a clay tortilla warmer.
Once green onions and jalapenos are cooked, place in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap.
Cut the ends of the jalapenos, but do not skin them. Slice in half and remove seeds. Reserve the seeds to add back if you like a spicer salsa.
Dice the jalapenos finely, and chop the green onions. Mix with 1 1/2 teaspoons lime juice, 1 teaspoon adobo sauce, 2 Tablespoons olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Adjust seasoning and add more seeds if you like a spicier salsa.

Nutritional information includes

information for whole can of chipotle chilies, even though only one is used.
2 regular sized corn tortillas per person. Information will vary if you omit the tortillas or use street size or flour tortillas.

Meat can be refrigerated for 24 hours with marinade for more flavor.