Carne Asada Bao Tacos

Carne Asada Bao Tacos take a classic marinated sirloin taco and tuck it into a steamed bao bun instead of a tortilla. Lime, cumin, and oregano marinate the petite sirloin before a hard sear in a hot cast-iron skillet. Piled onto pillowy bao with pickled red onions, avocado, cilantro, queso fresco, and salsa verde, this is an easy, fast twist on taco night.

Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Servings: 4

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Carne Asada Bao Tacos Ingredients

For the Consommé and Steak

• 1 10-ounce Pre petite sirloin steak, blotted dry with paper towel, cut across grain into ½-inch strips

• 1 tablespoon cooking oil

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

• Zest of 1 lime (after zesting, cut lime in half and reserve for juicing)

• 2 teaspoons cumin

• 2 teaspoons dried oregano

• 2 cloves of garlic, minced

To Serve

• Pickled Red Onions (recipe follows)

• 1 avocado, diced

• Fresh cilantro, chopped

• Crumbled queso fresco

• Salsa verde

• 8 bao buns, steamed according to package directions

Pickled Red Onions

• 1 cup white vinegar

• 1 cup water

• 2 tablespoons cane sugar

• 1 tablespoon kosher or sea salt

• 2 medium red onions, peeled, halved through stem end, and thinly sliced

Pickled Red Instructions:

1. Combine vinegar, water, sugar, and salt in medium saucepan. Bring to boil over medium-high heat.

2. Add onion slices, stir, and remove from heat.

3. Let onions cool in brine about 30 minutes. Pour onions and brine into glass jar with lid. Refrigerate at least 1 hour before using. Onions keep refrigerated up to 2 months.

Carne Asada Bao Tacos Instructions

1.   Place steak strips in bowl and toss with salt. Add oil, lime zest, cumin, oregano, and garlic to jar with tight-fitting lid. Shake vigorously to blend, then pour over steak. Toss to coat and marinate in refrigerator at least 30 minutes, up to 1 hour.

2.   Heat large cast-iron skillet over high heat. Using tongs, remove steak from marinade and blot dry with paper towels. Sear steak 4 to 5 minutes, flipping occasionally. Remove from pan, squeeze reserved lime juice over hot steak, and let rest 5 minutes.

3.   Fill steamed bao buns with sliced steak. Top Carne Asada Bao Tacos with pickled red onions, avocado, cilantro, queso fresco, and salsa verde.