If you’re craving a taste of street food, try making these street-style food truck tacos Recipe at home with the easy, step-by-step method.
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Street-Style Food Truck Tacos Recipe: How to Make the Perfect Taste at Home
Food trucks have taken over America, and one of the most popular street foods is tacos. From Los Angeles to New York, food trucks are known for their authentic and sometimes experimental taco flavors.
Get the delicious food truck experience in your own kitchen and treat the whole family. This article explains the easy method for making food truck tacos at home.
Why this recipe is popular across America:
- It’s a cultural phenomenon across the United States.
- It’s budget-friendly.
- The recipe is a convenient and flavorful meal.
It includes items typically found in food trucks because:
- It’s easy to eat on the go.
- This recipe can be customized to your liking, using anything from spicy beef to vegan fillings.
- If you’re looking to eat economically, you can prepare a delicious meal for just a few dollars.
- This recipe is incredibly flavorful, using a spicy sauce, fresh salsa, and spicy seasonings.
- The ingredients listed for this Street Style Food Truck Tacos recipe make 8 tacos, serving approximately 4 people. You can increase the ingredients to make more.
Taco Meat Ingredients – For the Beef Version
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional for spiciness
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce or salsa
- 1 pound ground beef (450 grams), 80/20 for more flavor
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 small finely chopped onion
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 finely chopped garlic cloves
Topping Ingredients
- 1 small red onion, finely chopped
- 1 avocado, marinated or chopped
- For the guacamole
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese or cotija cheese
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1/2 cup sour cream or crema
- 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
- 8 small corn or flour tortillas, street taco-sized
- For serving – lime wedges
Optional Ingredients –
- Hot Sauce
- Pico de Gallo
- Pickled Jalapenos
- Grilled Corn
Step-by-step instructions for making these Street Style Food Truck Tacos Recipes
1. Preparing the Meat Filling
- Use a large skillet. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Add the garlic and chopped onion to the skillet and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes, until fragrant.
- Add the minced beef, breaking it up gently with a spoon, and cook until browned.
- Add the cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, cayenne pepper, and black pepper, according to the ingredients listed, and mix well.
- Add the salsa or tomato sauce and simmer for 9 to 11 minutes to thicken.
- Your meat filling is now ready. You can lightly taste it and adjust the seasoning as needed.
Tips: Food trucks always cook the meat longer for more flavor.
2. Heating the Tortillas
- Use a dry skillet or preheat the griddle over medium heat.
- Prepare all tortillas by heating them for 30 to 35 seconds, until softened and slightly charred.
- Use a clean kitchen towel to keep them warm and pliable.
3. Preparing the Tacos
- Use a plate and place a tortilla flat on the plate and place 2 to 3 tablespoons of the beef filling in the center.
- Now, top the mixture with grated onion, lettuce, cheese, cilantro, avocado, and sour cream topping.
- For a wonderful food truck flavor, squeeze fresh lime juice over the mixture.
- Your recipe is ready; serve these food truck tacos immediately while they’re still hot.
Some options for trying this street-style food truck taco recipe:
- For Shrimp Tacos: First, grill the shrimp with lime and garlic, then top with a cabbage salad.
- For chicken tacos – be sure to use shredded rotisserie chicken with taco seasoning.
- For veggie tacos – use zucchini, bell peppers, and mushrooms to sauté in the seasoning.
- For breakfast tacos – for a richer flavor, scramble eggs with chorizo and use cheese to serve.
Some tips for creating a better food truck flavor:
- For the double tortilla trick – Use approximately two tortillas per taco to better capture the many food truck fillings.
- Burning the tortillas – Slightly burning the tortillas creates a better smoky flavor.
- For fresh garnishes – For authentic taco truck flavor, use lime, cilantro, and onion.
- Don’t overdo it – This street-style food truck taco recipe is very balanced, not overly filling.
Some serving tips:
- This recipe can be served with salsa and chips.
- Be sure to add a fresh margarita or Mexican soda for the full flavor.
- For rice lovers, serve with Mexican rice and refried beans.
FAQ for the street-style food truck tacos recipe (how to fix mistakes)
Q. How can I make tacos spicier?
You can add additional red chili to the meat mixture and add hot sauce or chopped jalapenos.
Q. How can I keep food truck tortillas warm?
You can wrap them in foil or place them in a tortilla warmer until serving.
Q. Can I make tacos in advance?
Yes! The meat filling can be cooked a day in advance and refrigerated, then reheated and made into fresh tacos before serving.
Final Thoughts
The step-by-step method for making this street-style food truck tacos recipe is explained in very simple terms. Even if you’re a beginner, you can easily make this recipe at home and master it after reading this article, as the homemade taste is simply superior to the restaurant flavor. Whether you prefer chicken, beef, shrimp, or vegetarian fillings, you can customize your own.
When you’re craving a street style taco, there’s no need to wait in line at a food truck. You can make it fresh in your own kitchen and eat it with your family, seasoned with the right spices, tortillas, and enjoy it like you’re eating it right off the streets of Los Angeles or Einstein.