For Carne Picada Tacos, you'll marinate chopped beef in lime juice & seasonings before cooking it and layering w/ the best toppings. So good!
Living outside of Austin, TX, I have the opportunity to eat a lot of great tacos. You guys, I have to say, these Carne Picada Tacos stand up to the best of 'em. The marinated meat is just so incredibly flavorful and tender. And then there's the toppings. The briny pickled jalapeños perfectly cut through the richness of the meat while the avocado and cotija cheese add such a satisfying creaminess. I seriously can't get enough!
The best part is that these carne picada tacos came straight from our Super Fast menus. What does that mean? It means they're designed to require minimal meal prep and come together quickly. So get ready to level up your Taco Tuesday in a big way!
So want to know how to make carne picada? I'm here to tell you! You'll start by combining the seasonings (chili powder, oregano, cumin, garlic powder & salt). Next, you'll slice your beef and chop into small pieces. Then rub the seasoning on the meat and squeeze the juice of two limes over it, letting it sit and marinate for an hour. Don't skip this step if you have time! It really tenderizes the meat and adds so much bold flavor.
Once the meat is marinated, you'll simply sauté it for just 5-6 minutes. Then build your tacos with your favorite toppings! This recipe is easy to double so feel free to make a big batch of the carne picada meat and enjoy it on salads or rice bowls for lunch throughout the week.
Carne Picada Tacos
Ingredients
- 8 oz shredded lettuce
- 2 avocados
- 2 limes
- 4 oz cotija cheese
- 1 1/2 # beef chuck roast
- 8 corn tortillas
- 1 small jar pickled jalapenos* (optional)
- 1 T chili powder*
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
- In a small container combine: 1T chili powder, 1tsp oregano, 1tsp cumin, 1/2tsp garlic powder & 1tsp salt.
- Slice beef into thin slices, and then chop into bite-sized pieces. Place into a medium bowl.
- Rub seasoning mix into chopped chuck roast in a medium bowl. Add juice of 2 limes and allow to marinate ~1 hour.
- Slice 2 avocados into slices.
- Grate ~1/2c cotija cheese.
- Heat a large saute pan over medium heat. Add chopped beef & marinade and cook, stirring, ~5-6 mins or until cooked through.
- Place 8 corn tortillas on a griddle or pan over medium-low heat until pliable.
- Build tacos: tortilla + beef + shredded lettuce + avocados + pickled jalapenos (optional) + 1-2T cotija cheese.
Notes
Nutrition
Is this carne picada recipe good for meal prep?
Yes! This carne picada recipe is excellent for meal prep. To prep ahead, you'll slice and chop your beef and mix your carne picada spice mix. That's it! Just two steps and these tacos will come together much more easily on a weeknight.
On the day you plan to serve, you'll marinate and cook the beef and prep your toppings, like slicing your avocados and grating your cheese. Then all that's left is to enjoy every bite of this deliciousness.
Are carne picada tacos healthy?
Yes! In addition to being totally delicious, these carne picada tacos make quite a nutritious dinner. They're packed with protein and include powerhouse ingredients like avocados. Here are some of the nutritional highlights:
Avocados (Vitamin K, Vitamin C, B Vitamins, Potassium, Folate, Healthy Fats)
Loaded with nutrients like potassium, folate and healthy fats, avocados are good for your heart, your eye health, and even your mood. Moreover, they also benefit your brain, bone density and blood sugar levels.
Jalapenos (Vitamin C, Vitamin B6)
Due to their capsaicin, jalapenos may help promote weight loss and boost metabolism. This is true for other types of chili peppers as well. Capsaicin may also help fight cancer and naturally reduce pain.
Limes (Vitamin C, Iron, Calcium, Vitamin B6)
The combination of vitamin C and antioxidants makes limes great for your immune system. Vitamin C is also highly beneficial for your skin, with anti-aging effects. Limes are also good for your heart, beneficial for preventing kidney stones and may even help prevent certain types of cancer.
Beef (B6, B12, Selenium, Niacin, Phosphorus)
Particularly high in iron and zinc, beef also contains vitamin B6, vitamin B12, selenium, niacin, phosphorus and, of course, lots of high quality protein. Grass-fed beef is up to 500% higher in conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). CLA may help reduce the risk for some types of cancer and type 2 diabetes. Grass-fed beef also contains up to 5 times as many Omega-3s as conventional beef, so it's worth going with grass-fed if you can.
Cumin (Iron, Antioxidants)
Cumin is known for a variety of health benefits including aiding in indigestion. Cumin is also an excellent source of iron and antioxidants.
Oregano
Like most herbs, oregano is a super healthy addition to your diet. In addition to being antibacterial, it contains antioxidants and a substantial amount of vitamin K.
I want more healthy beef recipes!
I'm here for you! Below are a few of my favorite healthy beef recipes. Make sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter to get healthy meal prep recipes and tips on the regular. Bonus – you'll get a free beginner meal plan PDF when you sign up!
Steak & Potato Salad
This is my kind of salad! It's simple but full of flavorful ingredients, different textures and plenty of protein to keep me full for hours. The homemade red wine vinaigrette is also totally delicious!
Ginger Ground Beef Salad
Ground beef is an excellent protein for weeknights because it's so versatile and cooks so quickly. Garlic, ginger and cilantro add tons of flavor. Peanuts add the perfect crunch. And perhaps best of all, the peanut salad dressing is completely addictive and will truly set this salad apart.
Easy Slow Cooker Chuck Roast with Garlic
This slow cooker chuck roast takes just 5 minutes to prep and the results are delicious! You can serve the beef over mashed potatoes, polenta, roasted vegetables, rice…you can't go wrong!
It also makes quite a lot, depending on the size of your chuck roast of course, so this is a great dish to make at the beginning of the week and use in different ways in the days to come.
FAQ – Everything You Need to Know about Carne Picada Tacos
What is carne picada?
Carne picada simply refers to thinly sliced steak cut into bite-sized pieces. While it's generally seasoned with Mexican-inspired spices, you'll find a variety of carne picada recipes. Ours includes marinating the meat in a mixture of lime juice and spices that infuse a ton of flavor while making the beef more tender. A win-win!
What ingredients do I need for carne picada tacos?
While recipes vary, our carne picada tacos call for beef chuck roast, limes, chili powder, oregano, cumin, garlic powder, salt, shredded lettuce, avocado, cotija cheese (optional), pickled jalapeños (optional) and corn tortillas. You can of course add any other favorite toppings as well! Diced tomatoes or pickled red onions would be delicious here.
What to serve with carne picada tacos?
Carne picada tacos are delicious with a side of fresh fruit, like the strawberries pictured above. This dish is so savory that a sweet accompaniment like fresh berries is pretty much perfection.
A simple green salad, roasted potatoes or sweet potatoes, corn on the cob or raw veggies with guacamole would also be delicious alongside these tacos.
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