Tacos are one of those foods that everyone seems to love. There’s even a special holiday each year observed on October 4 for National Taco Day! That’s right: a whole day to celebrate this versatile hand held treat that has brought joy to the world for many generations.
Grilled Tacos are the Best Kind of Tacos
Tacos are known for their versatility. Whether you prefer soft or hard shell, street or breakfast style, chicken or beef, there’s a taco out there for everyone. Not only can you get ultra-creative with taco toppings and fixings, but also in the method you choose to prepare them. We might be biased, but we believe the best tacos are grilled tacos. The flavor from grilling just can’t be beat.
So skip the stovetop, skillet, and store-bought seasonings, and throw everything on the grill! Here are a few quick and easy recipes for creating great-tasting tacos from home using your flat-top griddle. (See recipe links for how to create using your gas grill.)
1. Street Style Chicken Tacos (Courtesy: Bull Outdoor Products and KCBS)
Mexican street tacos are a classic favorite among taco varieties, mainly because of their size and authentic taste often served on a corn tortilla. Street tacos are smaller in size, making it easier for a “street traveler” to enjoy a quick meal. Made with a delicious marinade, these chicken tacos taste just as good as your favorite food truck tacos but can be made in the comfort of your backyard. Let’s get back to that marinade, here’s what you’ll need!
Marinade Ingredients:
- 2 oranges, juiced
- 2 limes, juiced
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp Dry Rub
To prepare the marinade, combine the ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Place the chicken thighs in a large plastic bag and carefully pour the marinade into the bag. Remove air from the bag, seal it tight, and place in the fridge for at least 1 hour. For best results, allow chicken thighs to marinate in plastic bag over night. Once the chicken has marinated, it’s time to grill!
(Click here for the full recipe.)
Directions for Grilled Street-Style Chicken Tacos:
- Preheat the griddle to medium-high heat for 15 minutes and lightly coat with oil.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade.
- Place the chicken thighs on the hot grill, cooking with direct heat.
- Cook for 6-8 minutes, allowing grill marks to form before turning over.
- Finish cooking another 6-8 minutes, until done. Use a thermometer to confirm the internal temperature is 165°F in the thickest part of the thighs.
- Transfer to a plate and allow to rest before chopping up into small pieces.
- Turn the griddle down low, place the tortillas down, and cook for 1 minute per side.
Once the meat and tortillas are done cooking, you’re ready to assemble your street tacos! Layer two mini corn tortillas together and add the chopped chicken. Top with your choice of fixings – salsa, sour cream, diced onion, pickled red onion, avocado, a hint of lime, and cilantro. Enjoy!
2. Carnitas-Style Grilled Beef Tacos (Courtesy: BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com)
If you’re looking for a taco recipe that’s full of flavor, look no further than these Carnitas-Style Grilled Beef Tacos! Much like the previous recipe, whipping up a tasty marinade is key to achieving that South of the border flavor.
Combine the following marinade ingredients in a small bowl. Place 4 beef Flat Iron steaks and the marinade in a large plastic bag; turn steaks to coat. Close bag securely and let steaks marinate in the refrigerator for 15 minutes – 2 hours.
Marinade Ingredients:
- 1 cup prepared tomatillo salsa
- 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
Once you’re ready to grill, follow these steps to achieve the perfect carnitas-style taco recipe!
(Click here for the full recipe.)
Grilling the Carnitas-Style Beef Tacos:
- Preheat griddle to medium heat and coat with oil.
- Spread the meat out evenly onto the cooking area and let it cook for two minutes, and then flip the meat.
- Let the meat finish cooking for another 2-3 minutes and then remove it from the cooking surface.
- Place tortillas on griddle to heat. Flip them after about twenty seconds and then pull them off. Don’t let them stay much longer than that or they will burn.
- Carve steaks into slices. Serve in tortillas with avocado salsa. Top with onion, cilantro and lime wedges, as desired. Enjoy!
3. Grilled Tacos al Pastor (Courtesy: Kraft Foods)
Al Pastor is a very popular way to prepare pork. Tender cuts of pork marinated in a delicious sauce and slowly grilled to perfection: there’s a reason why we saved this Grilled Tacos al Pastor recipe for last. While it can be difficult to find true, authentic tacos al Pastor here in the states, this recipe replicates the flavors so well, it’ll have you thinking it’s the real deal.
The secret is the ground cumin and chilis to add a little heat! Here’s a full roundup of the ingredients you’ll need to recreate this classic Mexican delicacy.
Al Pastor Taco Ingredients:
- 2/3 cup KRAFT Zesty Italian Dressing
- 8 guajillo chiles, stemmed, seeded
- 8 dried pasilla chiles, stemmed, seeded
- 1/4 tsp ground cumin
- 1-1/2 lbs pork shoulder, cut into thin slices, then into 1/2-inch-wide strips
- 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks (1/2 inch)
- 1 fully ripe avocado
- 2 tbsp KRAFT Real Mayo Mayonnaise
- 1 serrano chile, stemmed, seeded
- 2 doz. mini corn tortillas (4 inch)
- 1/3 cup chopped onions
- 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 limes, cut into wedges
Directions for Grilled Tacos al Pastor:
First, heat your griddle to medium-high heat and coat with oil. Blend first 4 ingredients in blender until smooth. Press through wire mesh strainer into medium bowl. Add meat; mix lightly. Once ready, thread meat onto 24 skewers. Then, add your pineapple. Grill for 5 minutes or until meat is done, turning occasionally. Meanwhile, blend avocado, mayo, and serrano chile in blender until smooth. Lastly, remove meat and pineapple from skewers and place on corn tortillas. Top with avocado mixture, onions and cilantro; roll up. Serve with lime wedges. Enjoy!
(Click here for the full recipe.)
More Grilled Taco Recipes You’ll Love:
- Grilled Fish Tacos for Two
- Beef Steak & Black Bean Soft Tacos
- Soft Pork Tacos with Orange Adobo
- Grilled Prawn Tacos with Cilantro Slaw
Pro Tip: Make sure you have plenty of fuel on hand in preparation for all your National Taco Day festivities. Check out our Propane Finder to find the nearest location carrying Blue Rhino today!
Published: 2020.09.23