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Ultimate Street Taco Bar Recipe with Creamy Cilantro Lime Crema

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A vibrant and flavorful street taco bar featuring smoky seasoned meats, fresh toppings, and a tangy creamy cilantro lime crema. Perfect for casual gatherings and customizable for all diets.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb skirt steak or flank steak, thinly sliced
  • 1 lb boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
  • Juice of 1 lime (about 2 tbsp)
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • Salt to taste
  • Water to thin, as needed
  • Small corn or flour tortillas (3-4 inches diameter)
  • 1 cup diced white onion
  • 1 cup diced fresh tomatoes or pico de gallo
  • 1 cup shredded lettuce or cabbage
  • 1 cup shredded cheese (queso fresco or cheddar)
  • 1–2 jalapeños, sliced thin (optional)
  • Fresh lime wedges
  • Fresh radishes, thinly sliced

Instructions

  1. In a bowl, combine olive oil, ground cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Toss the skirt steak slices and chicken thighs separately in the seasoning mixture.
  2. Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until very hot. Sear the steak slices for 2-3 minutes per side until a crust forms but still juicy inside. Remove and keep warm.
  3. Cook chicken pieces in the same skillet until no longer pink inside, about 5-6 minutes. Set aside.
  4. In a blender or bowl, combine sour cream or Greek yogurt, chopped cilantro, lime juice, minced garlic, and a pinch of salt. Blend or whisk until smooth. Add water a teaspoon at a time if too thick to achieve a pourable drizzle. Adjust lime or salt to taste.
  5. Dice onions and tomatoes, shred lettuce or cabbage, slice jalapeños and radishes, and shred or crumble cheese. Place toppings in separate bowls or trays.
  6. Heat tortillas one at a time in a dry skillet over medium heat for 20-30 seconds per side until soft and flexible. Keep wrapped in a clean kitchen towel to stay warm.
  7. Arrange meats, crema, tortillas, and toppings on a serving table. Include lime wedges and any extras like hot sauce or pickled onions. Let guests build their own tacos.

Notes

Do not overcrowd the pan when searing meat to get a good caramelized crust. Use fresh lime juice for the crema for best flavor. Warm tortillas just before serving and keep them wrapped to stay soft. The recipe is flexible for substitutions like plant-based proteins or dairy-free crema alternatives.

Nutrition

Keywords: street tacos, taco bar, cilantro lime crema, Mexican, easy tacos, summer cookout, taco night, creamy sauce

Find it online: https://realityeats.com/ultimate-street-taco-bar-recipe-with-creamy-cilantro-lime-crema-easy-guide/