If you are looking for a taco experience that brings together savory, sweet, and smoky flavors with a buttery twist, the Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Beef Tacos Recipe is going to be your next favorite meal. These tacos combine tender, perfectly seared flank steak coated in a luscious garlic butter honey BBQ sauce that delivers layers of boldness in every bite. Soft flour tortillas cradle the saucy beef, while fresh cilantro and a splash of lime juice brighten up the dish, making it irresistibly fresh and comforting all at once.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this recipe plays a key role in building flavor and texture without making the prep complicated. From the fragrant garlic and sweet honey to the smoky spices and creamy butter, these components come together to create a fabulous balance that transforms simple steak into a star taco filling.
- Flank steak: The ideal cut for slicing thin and absorbing all the delicious sauces.
- Unsalted butter: Adds rich creaminess and helps bring the garlic and BBQ flavors to life.
- Garlic cloves: Freshly minced to infuse the sauce with a beautiful aromatic punch.
- Honey: Brings just the right amount of natural sweetness to complement the BBQ sauce.
- BBQ sauce: Gives the beef its signature smoky, tangy foundation.
- Olive oil: Helps sear the steak to create a perfect crust.
- Chili powder: Adds a gentle heat that wakes up the palate without overpowering.
- Smoked paprika: Brings smoky depth and vibrant color to the seasoning mix.
- Cumin: Provides earthy warmth linking all the spices seamlessly.
- Salt and black pepper: Essential for seasoning and enhancing all other flavors.
- Small flour tortillas: Soft and warm to wrap all that juicy beef and sauce perfectly.
- Fresh cilantro: Adds a bright herbal finish as a garnish.
- Lime wedges: A zesty pop of acidity to balance the richness of the dish.
How to Make Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Beef Tacos Recipe
Step 1: Heat and Season the Steak
Start by heating a large skillet over medium-high heat and adding a splash of olive oil. While it’s getting hot, season both sides of the flank steak with chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper. This rub will form a beautifully flavorful crust once seared.
Step 2: Sear the Steak
Place the seasoned steak in the hot skillet and sear for about 4-5 minutes per side. You want a nice crust forming on the outside while keeping the inside juicy and tender. Once cooked to your desired doneness, remove the steak and let it rest for about 5 minutes to lock in those delicious juices.
Step 3: Make the Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Sauce
Using the same skillet, turn the heat down to medium and add the unsalted butter. Once melted, add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant. Then stir in the honey and BBQ sauce, letting the sauce gently simmer for 2 to 3 minutes so all the flavors meld into a smooth, luscious coating.
Step 4: Slice and Toss the Beef in Sauce
Slice the rested flank steak thinly against the grain for maximum tenderness. Add the sliced beef right into the skillet with the garlic butter honey BBQ sauce, tossing well until every piece is beautifully coated and glossy with flavor.
Step 5: Warm the Tortillas and Assemble
Warm your small flour tortillas by placing them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 20 to 30 seconds per side. This step makes them soft and a little golden, perfect for folding around your saucy beef. Spoon the garlic butter honey BBQ beef onto each tortilla and get ready to garnish.
How to Serve Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Beef Tacos Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh cilantro sprinkled over the top brings a bright, herbal pop that contrasts beautifully with the richness of the beef. A generous squeeze of lime juice just before eating adds a refreshing acidity that elevates every bite to new heights. Don’t skip these simple touches—they make all the difference!
Side Dishes
These tacos are fantastic on their own but also pair wonderfully with a crisp side salad, Mexican street corn, or a bowl of creamy guacamole and tortilla chips. A chilled beer or sparkling water with lime complements the smoky, buttery flavors perfectly as well.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to impress at a gathering, arrange the tacos on a wooden board with garnishes scattered around. Set out small bowls of extra BBQ sauce, chopped cilantro, and lime wedges so everyone can build their own. For a casual dinner, serve them with a vibrant slaw on the side to add crunch and color.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover beef and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Store tortillas separately wrapped in foil or plastic wrap to keep them soft and fresh.
Freezing
You can freeze the cooked beef mixture in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Just thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Avoid freezing the tortillas as they tend to lose their texture when thawed.
Reheating
Reheat the beef gently on the stovetop over low heat to preserve its tenderness and prevent the sauce from burning. Warm the tortillas separately in a dry skillet just before serving to restore their softness.
FAQs
Can I use a different cut of beef?
Absolutely! While flank steak is ideal for its texture and flavor absorption, skirt steak or sirloin can also work beautifully for this recipe. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly to avoid toughness.
Is it possible to make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Simply substitute the flour tortillas for corn tortillas, which are naturally gluten-free. Double-check your BBQ sauce ingredients to ensure they don’t contain gluten additives.
Can I prep any part of this recipe in advance?
For sure! You can season your steak earlier in the day, or even the night before, to deepen the spice flavors. The sauce is quick to make, but you can prepare it ahead and reheat gently before tossing with the beef.
What if I don’t have fresh garlic?
If fresh garlic is unavailable, you can use a small amount of garlic powder as a substitute, but fresh garlic really elevates the dish with its bright aroma and flavor, so it’s worth using when you can.
Are these tacos spicy?
The spice level here is mild to moderate, thanks to the chili powder and smoked paprika. You can easily adjust the seasoning to your heat preference by adding more chili powder or a pinch of cayenne if you like things hotter.
Final Thoughts
There is truly something magical about this Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Beef Tacos Recipe that turns simple ingredients into an unforgettable meal. Its balance of buttery richness, sweet honey, smoky BBQ, and fragrant garlic makes every bite a delight. Whether you’re cooking for yourself, family, or friends, these tacos are sure to become a go-to favorite you’ll want to make again and again.
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Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Beef Tacos Recipe
- Prep Time: 0h 10m
- Cook Time: 0h 20m
- Total Time: 0h 30m
- Yield: 8 small tacos
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Description
These Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Beef Tacos combine tender, flavorful flank steak with a rich garlic butter honey BBQ sauce. Seasoned with smoked paprika, chili powder, and cumin, then seared to perfection, the steak is sliced thin and tossed in a sweet and savory sauce. Served warm in soft flour tortillas and garnished with fresh cilantro and lime wedges, these tacos are perfect for a quick and delicious meal packed with bold flavors.
Ingredients
Beef and Seasoning
- 1 pound flank steak
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/4 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Assembly
- 8 small flour tortillas
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish
- Lime wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Heat the skillet: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil to prepare for searing the steak.
- Season the steak: While the skillet heats, season both sides of the flank steak evenly with chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper.
- Sear the steak: Place the seasoned flank steak into the hot skillet and sear for about 4-5 minutes on each side until a nice crust forms and the steak reaches your preferred doneness.
- Rest the steak: Remove the steak from the skillet and let it rest for about 5 minutes so the juices redistribute for a tender bite.
- Start the sauce: Reduce the heat to medium and add the unsalted butter to the same skillet.
- Sauté garlic: Once the butter melts, add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Add sauce ingredients: Stir in honey and BBQ sauce, combining well.
- Simmer the sauce: Let the mixture simmer gently for 2-3 minutes to meld the flavors together.
- Slice the steak: Thinly slice the rested steak against the grain for tenderness.
- Coat steak with sauce: Return the sliced steak to the skillet and toss to coat evenly with the garlic butter honey BBQ sauce.
- Warm tortillas: Heat the flour tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for 20-30 seconds per side until soft and slightly browned.
- Assemble tacos: Spoon the garlic butter honey BBQ beef onto each warm tortilla.
- Garnish: Top tacos with freshly chopped cilantro and serve with lime wedges on the side.
- Add lime juice: Just before eating, squeeze fresh lime juice over the tacos for a bright, zesty finish.
Notes
- Resting the steak is crucial to keep it juicy and tender.
- Slice the steak thinly against the grain to ensure each bite is easy to chew.
- Adjust the level of BBQ sauce and honey to your taste preference for sweetness and tanginess.
- Flour tortillas can be substituted with corn tortillas for a gluten-free option, though this recipe uses flour tortillas.
- For spicier tacos, consider adding a dash of hot sauce or more chili powder to the seasoning.
