Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Beef Tacos Recipe

Tacos are one of the most universally loved dishes. Whether served with a variety of fillings like chicken, pork, shrimp, or beef, they always hit the spot. One of the best things about tacos is their versatility, and you can easily experiment with different flavors, spices, and sauces. Today, we’re diving into a fusion of flavors that will excite your taste buds—Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Beef Tacos.

This recipe combines the rich, savory depth of garlic butter with the sweetness of honey and the smoky tang of BBQ sauce. When paired with tender beef, it creates a mouthwatering taco filling that is both unique and comforting. These tacos are perfect for a family dinner, weekend gathering, or even a taco night with friends. With a quick preparation time, easy-to-find ingredients, and big flavor, this is a recipe you’ll want to keep in your rotation.

Instructions

Step 1: Preparing the Beef

Start by preparing your beef. If you’re using flank steak or skirt steak, trim off any excess fat, leaving a thin layer for flavor. Pat the beef dry with paper towels to ensure it sears nicely.

Cut the beef into smaller pieces, if necessary, to fit your skillet. If you prefer, you can also use ground beef for a quicker version, but flank or skirt steak offers a more robust texture and flavor. The steak can also be marinated in advance for 1–2 hours with your favorite seasonings, but for this recipe, we’ll focus on quick and easy preparation.

Season both sides of the steak with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. The seasoning helps to create a flavorful crust when you sear the beef.

Step 2: Searing the Beef

Next, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, add your seasoned steak. Sear the beef for about 3–5 minutes per side or until it develops a golden-brown crust.

If you’re using a grill pan, you can also cook the beef over medium-high heat, allowing for those nice grill marks. Flank steak and skirt steak are best cooked medium-rare to medium, so keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking.

Once the beef is cooked to your desired doneness, remove it from the skillet and let it rest for a few minutes. This will help the juices redistribute within the meat.

Step 3: Making the Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Sauce

While the beef is resting, it’s time to prepare the garlic butter honey BBQ sauce. In a small saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, add the minced garlic and sauté it for about 1-2 minutes or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.

Next, stir in 2 tablespoons of honey, ½ cup BBQ sauce, and 1 tablespoon soy sauce. The honey adds a touch of sweetness that balances the smoky and tangy BBQ sauce, while the soy sauce adds depth of flavor. If you like extra heat, you can also add red pepper flakes at this point. Stir everything together to combine and simmer for 3-5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and the flavors to meld.

Finally, add 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika for a smoky depth of flavor and a 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard for a hint of tanginess. Taste the sauce and adjust the sweetness or seasoning as needed, depending on your preference.

Once the sauce is ready, remove it from the heat.

Step 4: Slicing the Beef

Now that the beef has rested, slice it against the grain into thin strips. Slicing against the grain ensures the beef is tender and easy to bite into. This is especially important if you’re using flank steak or skirt steak, as these cuts can be a bit tougher if not sliced properly.

Step 5: Tossing the Beef in the Sauce

In the skillet where you cooked the beef (or a large bowl if you prefer), pour the prepared garlic butter honey BBQ sauce over the sliced beef. Toss the beef strips in the sauce, making sure each piece is well-coated. Let the beef simmer in the sauce for an additional 1-2 minutes to absorb all the flavors.

Step 6: Preparing the Tacos

While the beef is soaking in that delicious garlic butter honey BBQ sauce, it’s time to prepare the tortillas.

If you’re using corn tortillas, heat them up in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 30 seconds per side until they become soft and pliable. For flour tortillas, you can do the same or slightly warm them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.

Step 7: Assembling the Tacos

Now comes the fun part: assembling the tacos!

Place your warmed tortilla on a plate and start by adding a generous portion of the garlic butter honey BBQ beef in the center. Top the beef with shredded cheddar cheese (or a mix of cheddar and Monterey Jack) for a creamy, melty touch. Then, add fresh cilantro, thinly sliced red onion, and a squeeze of lime for a burst of freshness and acidity.

You can also add any extra garnishes you like, such as avocado slices, a dollop of sour cream, or a drizzle of hot sauce for more heat. The coolness of the avocado and the tang of the lime perfectly complement the savory and sweet beef.

Tips for Success

1. Rest the Beef: Allow the beef to rest for a few minutes after cooking. This helps retain its juices and keeps the meat tender.
2. Choose the Right Cut: Flank or skirt steak are ideal for this recipe, but you can also use chuck roast or even ground beef if you’re in a hurry.
3. Adjust the Heat: If you want a spicier taco, feel free to add more red pepper flakes, or even chipotle powder for an extra smoky heat.
4. Make Your Own BBQ Sauce: If you want to elevate the flavors further, try making your own BBQ sauce with ingredients like brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, mustard, and spices.
5. Taco Shells: Opt for soft corn or flour tortillas for a more traditional taco feel, or use hard taco shells for crunchier tacos. You can also warm the tortillas in the oven to make them a little more crispy.

Variations

While the basic recipe is incredibly flavorful, here are some variations you can try to suit your tastes:

1. Spicy Beef and Pineapple Tacos

Add grilled pineapple slices to your tacos to complement the sweetness of the honey BBQ sauce. The tropical fruit will add a refreshing contrast to the spicy beef.

2. Crispy Beef Tacos

For an extra texture, you can bread and fry the beef strips before tossing them in the garlic butter honey BBQ sauce. This creates a crispy outer layer, giving the tacos an additional crunch.

3. Vegetarian Version

For a vegetarian version, use grilled portobello mushrooms or tofu as a substitute for the beef. Marinate the mushrooms or tofu in a similar BBQ sauce and then cook them until crispy.

Final Thoughts

Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Beef Tacos are a perfect blend of savory, sweet, and smoky flavors that will keep your taste buds coming back for more. Whether you’re serving them for a casual weeknight dinner or impressing guests at a gathering, these tacos are sure to be a hit. The combination of tender beef, garlic butter sauce, and the right amount of heat is guaranteed to please even the most discerning taco lovers.

Yield: 8

Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Beef Tacos Recipe

Print

Tacos are one of the most universally loved dishes. Whether served with a variety of fillings like chicken, pork, shrimp, or beef, they always hit the spot. One of the best things about tacos is their versatility, and you can easily experiment with different flavors, spices, and sauces. Today, we're diving into a fusion of flavors that will excite your taste buds—Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Beef Tacos.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

• For the Beef:
• 1 lb (450g) ground beef (or skirt steak or flank steak, thinly sliced if preferred)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup BBQ sauce (use your favorite brand or homemade)
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• For the Tacos:
• 8 small soft flour or corn tortillas
• 1/2 cup shredded lettuce (optional)
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a mix)
• 1/4 cup diced red onion (optional)
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
• Lime wedges for serving

Instructions

1. Cook the beef:
   In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute, until fragrant.
   Add the ground beef (or sliced steak) to the skillet. Cook until browned, breaking up the meat with a spoon if using ground beef, or searing the steak slices until they’re cooked through. Season with salt and pepper.
   
2. Add the sauces and seasonings:
   Once the beef is fully cooked, add the honey, BBQ sauce, soy sauce, smoked paprika, and chili powder. Stir well to coat the meat evenly with the sauce.
   Let it simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly and the beef absorbs the flavors. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or honey depending on your desired sweetness.
   
3. Prepare the tortillas:
   While the beef is cooking, warm the tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until soft and pliable.
   
4. Assemble the tacos:
   Spoon the garlic butter honey BBQ beef onto each tortilla. Top with shredded lettuce, cheese, diced red onion, and cilantro for added freshness and crunch.
   
5. Serve:
   Serve the tacos with lime wedges on the side for a zesty squeeze over the top. Enjoy immediately!

Notes

You can substitute the ground beef with shredded chicken, pulled pork, or even grilled shrimp for variety.

For extra flavor, add a drizzle of extra BBQ sauce or a dollop of sour cream or guacamole.

If you like a bit more heat, feel free to sprinkle some chopped jalapeños or add a few dashes of hot sauce.