Steak Tacos with Cilantro and Chimichurri Sauce

Happy Taco Tuesday, National Nutrition Month, National Peanut Butter Day, and Super Tuesday!  Today is obviously an eventful day and a great start to a new month, and spring is just around the corner.  My weekend was productive and I got to hangout at home and see a lot of important people in my life.  I talked about our plans for Friday night in my last post and my brother's show was pretty darn entertaining and I got to see my lovely parents which is always a plus.  Saturday morning some of my girlfriends and I had an impromptu brunch making party that felt like good old college days. Saturday evening eventually rolled around and one of my best friends and her boyfriend came over and we all cooked this amazing taco recipe.  While hosting people at your home can be exhausting there is something to say for being able to be in your own environment and cooking with people you love, it will never get old for me.  We served these tacos with a simple avocado slaw salad.

Serves 6-8

The Ingredients
Steak and Marinade:
2 lbs Flank Steak (or pounded skirt steak)
1 sliced sweet onion for grilling (optional)
Juice of 1 orange
Juice of 2 limes
⅓ cup soy sauce
⅓ cup olive oil
½ teaspoon sugar
4 smashed, chopped garlic cloves
½ cup chopped cilantro (stems ok)
sliced sweet onion ( optional) for grilling
sometimes I will add cumin, coriander or chili power.
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Cilantro Chimichurri:
1 bunch Cilantro or about 1 cup packed (stems OK)
1 bunch Italian Parsley- about 1 cup packed (thin stems OK)
¼ cup fresh lime juice (1-2 limes)
½ cup olive oil
¼ cup chopped onion
2 garlic cloves
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons ground coriander
¾ teaspoon kosher salt
½ of one jalapeño pepper
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Simple Pico De Gallo:
4 vine-ripe tomatoes, chopped
½ medium red onion, chopped
2 green onions, white and green parts, sliced
1 Serrano chili, minced
1 handful fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1½ limes, juiced
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
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Quick Pickles:
2 cups mix of sliced radishes, onion, and carrots
1 cup apple cider vinegar
1 cup water
½ teaspoon kosher salt
2 Tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon whole peppercorns or whole coriander seed
A few sprigs cilantro
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Tortillas: 10-12, (I used corn)


The Process
1.  Steak Instructions: In a bowl, mix together ingredients for marinade. Place steak and onions in a gallon size Ziploc bag and pour marinade over, sealing and turning several times to coat well. Let sit at room temp for at least 30 minutes, turning occasionally. (Or marinate for up to 3 hours in fridge, bringing to room temp before cooking.) Pre-heat oven to broil, when hot place meat on baking sheet and cook for about 7 minutes each side or until desired doneness is reached.  Let rest 10 minutes, then thinly slice the meat across the grain.

2.  Chimichurri Instructions: In a food processor, place jalapeno, garlic, onion, and pulse several times until chopped. Add cilantro (stems are fine) and Italian parsley (again, thin stems are fine), pulse again. Add oil, lime juice, cumin, coriander, and salt. Pulse until combined. Set aside in small serving bowl.

3.  Salsa: Finely dice tomato, onion, jalapeño and cilantro. Season with salt, pepper and lime. Sometimes I'll add diced avocado and a couple splashes of Tapatio hot sauce. Place all in a bowl, mix and let sit for 15 min to 1 hour (makes 2 Cups)

4.  Quick Pickles: In a small sauce pan, combine water, vinegar, sugar, salt and peppercorns or coriander seeds. Add your choice of sliced radishes, slivered onions, thin sliced carrots or what ever else you like. Bring to a boil. Remove and place in freezer for 10-15 minutes (or refrigerate until cold). Remove and place in a serving bowl or jar. Top with a little fresh cilantro.

5.  Serve everything together, along with garnishes.