A Spicy Perspective

Easy Alambre Tacos with Carne Asada

Alambre Steak Fajita Tacos – Our favorite classic grilled carne asada tacos (tacos de carne asada) recipe with bacon, peppers, and onions is easy to prepare on the stovetop in only 30 minutes.

Close view of three alambre tacos on a plate.

What are Alambre Tacos?

Alambre Tacos (tacos de alambre) are tacos made with Carne Asada. The beef is pan-fried with bacon, onions, and bell peppers… So in a way, they are similar to steak fajitas, but easier to eat in my opinion.

Alambre technically means grilled, but I find it much easier – and just as tasty – to make this recipe in a cast-iron skillet.

This is a great recipe for Taco Tuesday or as a quick and delicious 30-minute meal any night of the week!

Top down view three steak fajita tacos on a plate.

Ingredients You Need

  • Cooking oil – or butter
  • Skirt steak – or flat iron or hanger steak
  • Spices – ancho chili powder, salt, and garlic powder
  • Thick-cut bacon – roughly chopped
  • Bell peppers – any color you like
  • Sweet onion – peeled and chopped
  • Jalapeño – seeded and chopped
  • Tortillas – corn or flour
Chopped green and red bell peppers, onions, and bacon on a cutting board.

Easy Recipe Steps

In a small bowl mix the ancho chili powder, salt, and garlic powder together. Sprinkle over both sides of the steak and rub to coat.

Place a large 12 to 14 inch deep cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil to the skillet. Cut the steak in half, if needed, so it can fit flat in the skillet. Once the oil is hot, sear the steak for 2 to 3 minutes per side.

Two strips of steak seared in a cast iron skillet.

Then remove it from the skillet and set it on a cutting board.

Meanwhile chop the bacon, bell pepper, onion, and jalapeño. 

Once you remove the steak from the skillet, add in the bacon. Stir and brown the bacon for 3 to 4 minutes. Then add in the jalapeño. Sear another minute.

Move the bacon and jalapeño to the side of the skillet and add the onions. Stir and sear for 2 minutes. Then add in the peppers. Stir and sear for another 2 minutes.

Cast iron skillet cooking chopped peppers, onion, and bacon.

Once the steak has rested on the cutting board for at least 5 minutes, chop it into small bite-size pieces.

Add the steak pieces into the skillet.

Get the Complete (Printable) Tacos de Alambre Recipe Below. Enjoy!

Cooked steak chopped into cubes and added to the skillet.

Mix the steak into the vegetables and fry for another 3 to 4 minutes.

Alambre carne asada cooked in a skillet.

When ready to serve, pile the warm steak mixture onto small corn tortillas.

Pro Tip: It can be a good idea to warm the corn tortillas (and double them) to hold all the fillings. Cold corn tortillas are stiff and can break.

Three tacos on a plate with steak fajita filling.

Our Favorite Taco Toppings

I always top steak fajita tacos with a bright and creamy salsa verde and crumbled Oaxaca cheese. We also have a FABULOUS avocado crema that is perfect to top these little beauties!

Cilantro and a fresh lime wedge are also a good idea to have on the side.

Top down view three finished tacos de alambre.

Recipe Tips and Variations

  • Make this a chicken alambre tacos recipe by substituting the skirt steak with sliced chicken breasts or whole boneless chicken thighs.
  • You can omit the bacon, if you prefer. Just add 1 Tablespoon of oil to the skillet to cook the diced peppers and onions.
  • Leave out the jalapeno for a mild steak fajita taco recipe.
  • If using corn tortillas this recipe is naturally gluten-free. Or enjoy with your favorite gluten-free flour tortillas, if you like.
  • Keep this a low-carb meal by serving the carne asada in low carb tortillas or over fresh salad greens.
  • Don’t forget to lightly warm the tortillas before filling. This makes them nice and soft but also strong and flexible.
Side view three carne asada tacos.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you make alambre carne asada on the grill?

Season the meat and heat the grill to medium-high heat, approximately 450-500°F. Cook the steak for 3-4 minutes per side to get a nice char.

What can you eat with carne asada tacos?

Pair tacos de carne asada with any of your favorite Mexican-inspired sides. We love Frijoles de la Olla or refried beans, and fluffy yellow or Spanish rice. And a side of crispy Patatas Bravas are always a big hit!

How do you store steak fajita leftovers?

This carne asada tacos recipe is terrific to make in a large batch and have leftovers for a few days. The steak, bacon, onion, and peppers will keep well for up to 3-4 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Then briefly reheat in a microwave or in a skillet, and assemble the tacos fresh for lunch or a quick dinner.

Hand holding finished tacos to camera.

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5 from 3 votes
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Alambre Tacos with Carne Asada

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Make classic alambre tacos (steak fajita tacos) with carne asada, bacon, bell peppers and onions as a quick and easy stovetop recipe that's ready in 30 minutes
Servings: 12 tacos

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon oil or butter
  • 1 ½ pounds skirt steak
  • 1 tablespoon ancho chile powder
  • 2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 8 ounces thick-cut bacon roughly chopped
  • 2 bell peppers any color
  • 1 sweet onion peeled and chopped
  • 1 jalapeno seeded and chopped
  • 12-24 small corn tortillas or flour
  • Garnishes: lime wedges cilantro, crumbled Oaxaca cheese, and creamy salsa verde or avocado cream

Instructions

  • In a small bowl mix the ancho chili powder, salt, and garlic powder together. Sprinkle over both sides of the steak and rub to coat.
  • Place a large 12 to 14 inch deep cast-iron skillet over medium high heat. Add oil to the skillet. Cut the steak in half, if needed, so it can fit flat in the skillet. Once the oil is hot, sear the steak for 2 to 3 minutes per side. Then remove it from the skillet and set on a cutting board.
  • Meanwhile chop the bacon, bell pepper, onion, and jalapeño.
  • Once you remove the steak from the skillet, add in the bacon. Stir and brown the bacon for 3 to 4 minutes. Then add in the jalapeño. Sear another minute. Move the bacon and jalapeño to the side of the skillet and add in the onions. Stir and sear for 2 minutes. Then add in the peppers. Stir and sear another 2 minutes
  • Once the steak has rested on the cutting board at least 5 minutes, chop it into small bite size pieces.
  • Add the steak pieces into the skillet. Mix the steak into the vegetables and fry another 3 to 4 minutes.
  • When ready to serve, pile the warm steak mixture onto small corn tortillas. It can be a good idea to warm the corn tortillas (and double them) to hold all the fillings. Top the tacos with salsa Verde and crumbled cheese. Cilantro and a fresh lime wedge are also a good idea!

Notes

We have a FABULOUS creamy salsa verde and avocado crema recipes that would be perfect to top these little beauties!
This carne asada tacos recipe is terrific to make in a large batch and have leftovers for a few days. The steak, bacon, onion and peppers will keep well for up to 3-4 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Serving: 1taco, Calories: 246kcal, Carbohydrates: 15g, Protein: 17g, Fat: 14g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 51mg, Sodium: 583mg, Potassium: 338mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 325IU, Vitamin C: 19mg, Calcium: 36mg, Iron: 2mg
Course: Main, Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican, Tex-Mex
Author: Sommer Collier

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3 comments on “Easy Alambre Tacos with Carne Asada”

  1. YUM!! It’s bursting with flavor! The meat & veggies are tender & I can’t wait to make them again!! Great for Cinco de Mayo!

  2. WOW! These really are THAT good. Simply delicious.

  3. Oh my goodness, this was incredibly delicious! Everyone loved it! Thanks for sharing!