The Ultimate Steak Tacos with Pineapple Salsa

The Ultimate Steak Tacos tenderized by a sweet ‘n salty marinade then charred to perfection for the ultimate bite. These are hands down my go to steak taco recipe – topped with fresh cilantro, avocado and Pineapple Salsa. Guaranteed to be a dinner favorite!

Want more tex- mex inspired Steak Recipes? Then you need by Steak Fajita Burrito Bowls or my Cheesy Sheet Pan Steak Nachos!

Why these Marinated Steak Tacos are the BEST!

Have you ever been to a restaurant, order steak fajitas and been absolutely blown away by how tender and flavorful they are?

Yup. Me too. Well, I’m here to tell you. I’ve figured out there secret and here to spill the beans. You’ll never want to go to another restaurant again after trying the most tender flavorful piece of steak EVA!

What’s my secret? Pineapple Juice. The acid from the pineapple juice breaks down the meat to make it super tender. The sweetness from the pineapple juice combined with the saltiness from the tamari and smokiness from the smoked paprika make this dish irresistible. Honestly, this meat rivals, if not beats, some of the best Tex-Mex restaurants I’ve been to. There is so much flavor you’ll be shocked. 

What you’ll need to make these Steak Tacos:

There are a few components to these tacos. There’s the steak itself, the marinade, the pineapple salsa and then the toppings. Here’s what you’ll need:

Marinated Steak:

• Steak – I love to use filet mignon with these tacos. It adds a tenderness that is unmatchable! 
• Pineapple Juice – The KEY ingredient in this marinade that will infuse sweetness into the meat as well as allow the acid to tenderize it.
• Tamari – This is a gluten free version of soy sauce that will add the saltiness you’re looking for to the steak. Trust me, it’s perfection! If you don’t have tamari you could also use coconut aminos or regular soy sauce. 
• Smoked Paprika – One of my absolute favorite spices, I use it in almost everything!
• Garlic – No marinade is complete without garlic – fresh minced is perfect here.

Pineapple Salsa:

• Pineapple – Use fresh pineapple, not canned, it makes a world of difference.
• Radish – My surprise ingredient, radish, for a little crunch and bitter earthiness to balance this salsa out. It also goes perfectly with the steak.
• Red Onion – I like to use red onion in my salsas, especially fruit salsas between it’s a sweeter onion and adds a pop of color!
• Cilantro – Fresh is always best.
• Jalapeno – You’ll need a fresh jalapeno. If you like it spicy I’d add 2 tablespoons and leave the seeds in. If you want just a hint of spice then make as directed.
• Garlic – I know it sounds strange with pineapple. But trust me, it works, and adds a “savory” element to the salsa.
• Lime Juice – Always the finishing touch to bring everything to life.

What kind of steak do you use for tacos?

I prefer to use a good cut of meat for steak tacos to ensure the best outcome. So, I use filet mignon. However, because I’m chopping it up and not eating it in true Filet Mignon “form” I buy choice instead of prime cut. However, if you’d like a less expensive cut of meat I’d recommend skirt steak or flank steak. You could also check out Beef Loving Texans for a full list of cuts and how to use them. They are a great resource and have tons of recipes on their site as well. 

How to make Steak Tacos?

I promise you these steak tacos will ruin you for all all steak tacos. Every time I make them I’m immediately asked for the recipe, well, you’re welcome. Now, here’s how to make them. 

1. Make Steak Marinade: To a small bowl add pineapple juice, tamari, garlic cloves and smoked paprika. Whisk to combine ingredients. Add filet mignon to a large ziplock. Pour marinade over the steak. Close ziplock, mix around and refrigerate overnight.
2. Heat Grill: Heat to medium high heat, about 375°F-400°F. Spray the grill grates with cooking spray or rub down with olive oil soaked rag.
3. Grill Steak: Place marinated steak on the grill in whole form. Grill each side for 4-5 minutes. Until there is a slight char on the steak. (They will be a little pink on the inside)
4. Let Rest!!: This is KEY! Remove from grill and let the steak rest for 5 minutes to let the juices redistribute. Then slice, if you slice beforehand you’ll let all the juices out. Be patient and let it rest!
5. Assemble tacos: To each corn tortilla add avocado slices, beef slices and a scoop of the pineapple salsa. Serve.

How long to grill steak?

Wanna know my secret to grilling the perfect steak every time. Time it. Temperature Check it and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing in. For a full list of cook times based on steak thickness, check out my Guide for How to Grill Steak Perfectly Every Time and if your grilling on charcoal be sure to head over to Beef Loving Texans for all your tips & tricks.

How to make Pineapple Salsa?

Because our steak marinade has pineapple juice in it, a pineapple salsa is the best compliment to really make these tacos come to life! Here are directions on how to make a fresh pineapple salsa:

1. Prep Fruit & Veggies: Cut all ingredients into small equal cuts. This ensures you get a little bit of everything in each bite.
2. Mix Ingredients: To a medium bowl add diced pineapple, diced radish, diced red onion, chopped cilantro, minced garlic clove, lime juice, diced jalapeno and salt. Using a spoon, toss to mix everything together. Set aside.

Tips & Tricks for the Ultimate Steak Tacos:

• Choosing your Cut: Not all cuts are made the same. Some are tender and some are better when you slow braise them for hours. Choosing the best cut based on what you need it for is important. I find the best cuts to use for steak tacos are filet mignon (beef tenderloin), ribeye, skirt steak or flank steak.
• Marinate Overnight. I recommend marinating for at least 4 hours but for maximum results marinate overnight. For more marinating tips head to Beef Loving Texans.
• Piping Hot Grill. The hotter the better. You want to get a nice sear on the steak and heat will get you that.
• Leave it alone. The key here is NOT to mess with the meat too much. Leave the meat alone, don’t move it or touch it for a solid 4 minutes and you’ll be golden. You’ll get that nice char and caramelization on the meat. That my friends is the kicker!

What to serve with these Steak Tacos?

• Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice
• Frozen Mango Margarita
• The Best Guacamole Recipe
• Mango Shrimp Ceviche with Avocado
• Instant Pot Mexican Black Beans (no soak)
• The Ultimate Skinny Margarita

*** This recipe was sponsored by Beef Loving Texans. However, like always all opinions are 100% mine! Thank you for supporting the brands that support Joyful Healthy Eats. ***

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