If you love bold flavors wrapped up in tender, juicy bites, you’re going to adore this Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Beef Tacos Recipe. It’s all about that perfect balance of savory, smoky, and sweet, with garlic butter and honey adding an irresistible richness to the smoky BBQ beef. The tender flank steak absorbs every bit of that luscious sauce, making these tacos a total flavor powerhouse you’ll want to make again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Beef Tacos Recipe lies in a handful of simple but thoughtfully chosen ingredients. Each one plays a starring role, whether it’s adding depth, sweetness, spice, or freshness to the final dish.
- 1 pound flank steak: A lean and flavorful cut perfect for slicing thin and soaking up the sauce.
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter: Adds richness and a silky finish to the garlic sauce.
- 4 cloves garlic, minced: Provides that irresistible pungent aroma and savory punch.
- 2 tablespoons honey: Brings just the right touch of natural sweetness to balance the spices.
- 1/4 cup BBQ sauce: Delivers smoky, tangy, and slightly sweet notes that define the dish.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil: Used for searing the steak and adding a subtle fruitiness.
- 1 teaspoon chili powder: Gives a warm, gentle heat without overpowering the other flavors.
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika: Boosts smoky depth and beautiful color.
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin: Lends an earthy, nutty undertone.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: Enhances all the flavors harmoniously.
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper: Adds a subtle kick of spice and complexity.
- 8 small flour tortillas: Soft and warm, these are the perfect vessels for your beef filling.
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish: A bright, herbaceous finish to cut through the richness.
- Lime wedges, for serving: For that zesty, refreshing pop of citrus just before you dig in.
How to Make Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Beef Tacos Recipe
Step 1: Sear the Steak to Perfection
Start by heating a large skillet over medium-high heat and adding the olive oil. While it heats, generously season the flank steak on both sides with chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Once the skillet is hot, place the steak down for a beautiful sear—about 4 to 5 minutes per side. This caramelized crust locks in the juices and leaves you with a flavorful base for your tacos.
Step 2: Rest the Steak
After searing, remove the steak from the skillet and let it relax for 5 minutes. This resting period is crucial because it lets the meat retain its juices, ensuring every bite stays juicy and tender when sliced thin.
Step 3: Prepare the Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Sauce
Reduce the heat to medium and add the unsalted butter directly into the same skillet. As soon as it melts, toss in the minced garlic and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until you can smell that gorgeous garlic fragrance. Now stir in the honey and BBQ sauce, blending it all together while allowing the flavors to marry over 2 to 3 minutes of gentle simmering.
Step 4: Slice and Coat the Steak
Slice your rested flank steak thinly and against the grain—that’s the secret to keeping it tender. Add the sliced meat back into the skillet and toss it gently so every piece gets beautifully coated in the garlic butter honey BBQ sauce. This step is where the magic happens, turning simple steak into a mouthwatering taco filling.
Step 5: Warm the Tortillas and Assemble
Warm your small flour tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat—about 20 to 30 seconds per side until soft and slightly golden. Then, spoon in generous amounts of the garlic butter honey BBQ beef onto each tortilla.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Finish your tacos with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice to brighten every bite. The lime adds that perfect zing that cuts through the richness, making each taco a well-rounded flavor experience.
How to Serve Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Beef Tacos Recipe
Garnishes
Don’t skimp on garnishes when serving these tacos. Fresh cilantro brings herbal brightness, while a handful of diced red onions or sliced jalapeños can add extra crunch and heat for those who like it spicy. Always serve with lime wedges—they add a fresh pop that complements the honey and BBQ perfectly.
Side Dishes
These Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Beef Tacos pair wonderfully with simple sides like a crisp cabbage slaw, creamy guacamole, or Mexican street corn. Each side amplifies the meal with contrasting textures and flavors, making the whole experience memorable and satisfying.
Creative Ways to Present
Think beyond the taco shell! You can serve the garlic butter honey BBQ beef over a bed of rice or stuffed into crispy taco bowls for a fun twist. Or try topping them with melted cheese and broiling for a few minutes to create BBQ beef quesadillas that everyone will crave.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover garlic butter honey BBQ beef in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keeping the beef separate from the tortillas helps prevent sogginess, so warm the beef and tortillas fresh before assembling your next batch of tacos.
Freezing
You can freeze the cooked beef mixture in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating gently on the stove with a splash of water or extra BBQ sauce to revive those wonderful flavors.
Reheating
Reheat the beef mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. Warm your tortillas separately in a dry skillet or microwave before assembling the tacos for the best texture and taste.
FAQs
Can I use a different cut of beef for this recipe?
Absolutely! While flank steak is ideal for its flavor and texture, skirt steak or sirloin can also work beautifully. Just be sure to slice thinly against the grain to keep the meat tender.
Is this recipe spicy?
The Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Beef Tacos Recipe has a gentle warmth from chili powder and smoked paprika but is not overly spicy. You can easily adjust the level of heat by adding more chili powder or finishing the tacos with sliced jalapeños if you like things hotter.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the beef and sauce ahead and store them separately. When you’re ready to eat, simply reheat everything and warm the tortillas for a quick and delicious meal.
What type of BBQ sauce works best?
Choose a bbq sauce you love—whether smoky, sweet, or tangy—as it really sets the tone for the dish. Homemade or store-bought, just make sure it’s thick enough to cling to the beef without being runny.
Can I use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas?
Definitely! Corn tortillas add a lovely authentic touch and a slightly different texture. Just warm them carefully to keep them flexible and avoid cracking.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a taco that’s a little different and packed with layers of flavor, this Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Beef Tacos Recipe is a game-changer. The way the garlic butter and honey mingle with smoky BBQ and tender beef is downright addictive. You’ve got to try it for those cozy weeknight dinners or impressing guests with something unforgettable!
Print
Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Beef Tacos Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 small tacos
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Beef Tacos combine tender, flavorful flank steak with a rich, sweet, and savory garlic butter BBQ sauce. Perfectly seasoned and seared flank steak slices are coated in a luscious honey BBQ sauce, then served in warm flour tortillas and garnished with fresh cilantro and zesty lime wedges for a delightful twist on classic beef tacos.
Ingredients
Beef and Seasonings
- 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
Serving
- 8 small flour tortillas
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish
- Lime wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Heat Skillet: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil to prepare for cooking the steak.
- Season Steak: While the skillet heats, evenly season both sides of the flank steak with chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper.
- Sear Steak: Place the seasoned flank steak in the hot skillet and sear for about 4-5 minutes per side until a nice crust forms and the steak is cooked to your desired doneness.
- Rest Steak: Remove the steak from the skillet and let it rest for about 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute within the meat.
- Prepare Sauce Base: Reduce the skillet heat to medium and add the unsalted butter, letting it melt completely.
- Sauté Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the melted butter and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and fragrant but not browned.
- Add Honey and BBQ Sauce: Stir in the honey and BBQ sauce, combining them evenly in the skillet.
- Simmer Sauce: Let the sauce mixture simmer gently for 2-3 minutes to meld the flavors together thoroughly.
- Slice Steak: Thinly slice the rested flank steak against the grain to ensure tenderness.
- Toss Steak in Sauce: Return the sliced steak to the skillet with the garlic butter BBQ sauce, tossing to coat all pieces evenly.
- Warm Tortillas: Heat the flour tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for 20-30 seconds on each side until soft and slightly browned.
- Assemble Tacos: Spoon the garlic butter honey BBQ beef mixture onto each warmed tortilla.
- Garnish: Top the tacos with freshly chopped cilantro for a fresh herbal note.
- Serve with Lime: Serve the tacos with lime wedges on the side.
- Finish with Lime Juice: Just before eating, squeeze fresh lime juice over the tacos to add a bright, zesty finish.
Notes
- Cooking times for steak depend on thickness and preferred doneness; adjust as needed.
- Use freshly minced garlic for the best flavor.
- If preferred, substitute flour tortillas with corn tortillas for a gluten-free option.
- Let the steak rest after cooking to keep it juicy.
- Adjust the amount of honey in the sauce for desired sweetness.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the seasoning mix.
