Carne Picada Tacos

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You’ve landed on the best Carne Picada Tacos recipe packed with beef Carne Picada, my favorite spice mix, and easy-to-follow instructions.

I want your family to fall in love with these Carne Picada tacos like mine!

CARNE PICADA TACOS RECIPE

I’m sooo thankful I made that first batch of Beef Carne Picada meat.

I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. I had found a package of beef in the meat case labeled “Carne Picada,” but I wasn’t exactly familiar with it.

Long story short, my guys flipped over this Carne Picada recipe, which is now a staple at our house.

I appreciate how I can make a big pan of Beef Carne Picada for dinner and have leftovers that can be reheated quickly in the microwave when the guys need something fast for lunch or a snack later on.

Carne Picada travels well rolled into a flour tortilla or tucked inside a bun. I’m trying to eat more low-carb so I enjoy warm Carne Picada meat in a bowl topped with salsa and sour cream.

The meat is so flavorful, you do not miss the tortilla, truly.

You can make your carne picada meat by dicing a bottom round roast or a rump roast into small cubes.

I like this option since I’ve always got a freezer full of roasts to use up. And, using roast to make Carne Picada meat is super economical, too.

CARNE PICADA TACOS RECIPE INGREDIENTS

• Spices: chili powder, oregano flakes, cumin, granulated garlic, salt, black pepper, granulated sugar
• Carne Picada meat (small pieces of sliced steak or chopped roast)
• Corn Tortillas
• Limes for fresh lime juice
• Oil, for frying the meat – I like olive oil, but you can use vegetable oil or canola oil
• White or yellow onion
• Jalapeno, optional
• Your favorite taco toppings such as pico de gallo, shredded cheese or cotija cheese, chopped cilantro, etc

RECIPE TIPS

• If there’s time, let the meat marinate in the seasonings overnight to add more flavor.

• Ensure the skillet’s oil is nicely hot and sizzling before adding the Carne Picada meat. If the oil is hot, the meat will caramelize as it cooks, adding flavor.
  
• When browning the Carne Picada meat, don’t crowd the pan. Leave room so the heat can circulate around the meat. If browning the meat, and you can’t see the bottom of the skillet a bit, then the pan is overcrowded.
  
• Make your own Carne Picada meat if you cannot find beef labeled as Carne Picada meat in the meat case. This recipe shows you how. 

HOW TO MAKE CARNE PICADA TACOS

In a small bowl, combine the spices that make my favorite Carne Asada Seasoning blend. Set the mix aside.

In a large bowl, combine the meat with the spice blend. Add the lime juice to the meat, stirring to fully coa.

Let marinate for at least 1 hour. For best results, 4-8 hours is an optimal marinating time.

In a 12-inch heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat, add 1-2 tablespoons olive oil.

When the oil is nicely hot, add the diced onion and jalapeños, cooking them for a few minutes until slightly softened. Use a slotted spoon to remove the jalapenos and onions from a plate.

Add the seasoned meat to the drippings in the skillet, browning the beef on all sides. Ensure to cook in two batches to prevent overcrowding the pan.

The packed meat mixture in the pan steams (and develops a funky gray color) because it can’t caramelize.

After nicely browning both batches of meat, return all the meat to the skillet along with the reserved vegetables.

Cook for a few minutes until nicely hot throughout.

Serve the Carne Picada meat in warm corn tortillas with your favorite taco toppings.

IS CARNE PICADA GOOD FOR TACOS?

Carne Picada is very versatile. It makes a delicious filling for tacos, whether you use corn or flour tortillas, either one.

You can also use Carne Picada for making rice bowls or enchiladas. We even use Carne Picada meat at breakfast or brunch.

It’s delicious stirred into scrambled eggs. Just add cilantro, and you’re good to go.

HOW TO COOK CARNE PICADA FOR TACOS

This Carne Picada is made on your stovetop and cooks quickly in a skillet. It can be ready in just a few minutes.

This recipe makes a nice big batch of meat for tacos so you can have leftovers for later.

HOW TO SEASON CARNE PICDA FOR TACOS

This recipe incorporates one of my favorite seasoning blends. You can customize the seasonings any way you prefer.

I also like to season Carne Picada meat by using a nice hot skillet to get a good sear on the beef. Caramelization always provides the best flavor.

WHAT IS CARNE PICADA

Carne picada is pieces of minced or chopped beef or thin slices of steak that are well-seasoned with spices.

Sometimes, you will even find Carne Picada made from ground meat, such as ground beef or ground venison.

If you can’t find beef labeled “Carne Picada” in your grocer’s meat case. You can ask the butcher to chop up a roast, or you can make your own by mincing up the meat yourself.

Beef seems to be the most common type of meat used for making Carne Picada tacos, but there’s is no reason you can’t substitute minced pork or chicken.

Make this recipe using the same exact steps as if you were making it with beef.

ARE CARNE PICADA AND CARNE ASADA THE SAME THING?

Carne Asada and Carne Picada are completely different recipes though they are Mexican-inspired.

Carne Asada is typically grilled thinly-sliced steak, whereas Carne Picada is minced beef that is simmered in liquid (braised).

HOW TO SERVE CARNE PICADA TACOS

You can use corn or flour tortillas to make Carne Picada tacos. To add crunch and texture, toast them in a hot skillet until golden brown.

You can keep the tortillas warm on a baking sheet in the oven, or reheat the toasted tortillas in the microwave.

There are all kinds of different taco toppings to fancy up carne picada tacos, such as:

• crunchy diced onions – red, yellow, or white onions
• chopped cilantro – don’t mince it too finely or it can get too strong
• pickled red onions and jalapenos – just like they serve at QDoba!
• Colby-Jack or Monterrey Jack cheese – use whichever your fam prefers
• sliced or chopped avocados – be sure they are nicely ripen
• Mexican crema or sour cream – the creaminess offsets the seasonings so well
• Crumbled cotija cheese or queso fresco – yes, Mexican cheeses are perfect

SIDE DISHES TO SERVE WITH CARNE PICADA TACOS

If you’re a black bean fan like I am, you will enjoy Black Bean and Corn Salad – its soooo refreshing with lots of crunch and Southwest flavor.

And Pinto Bean Salad with Walnuts and Feta for tons of flavor and texture along with great fiber from the beans.

I hated slaw as a kid. Now, I can’t get enough of it, especially when it’s really crunchy! Mexican Coleslaw with Corn is just the ticket.

MORE FAVORITE RECIPES –

This Instant Pot Carne Asada is a similar recipe with slightly different flavoring. Give it a try!

My favorite crispy skillet steak is Milanesa Steak, for sure. My family loves this tender, thin-sliced breaded steak dish served with rice and salad. So fast and easy!

Looking for a perfect appetizer for a casual gathering? Taco Meat Party Pinwheels are great party food for a crowd.

Ideal for summer gatherings, watch parties, or Girls Night Out, Pitcher Margaritas are super fresh and tangy.This Cadillac margarita recipe features 2 secret ingredients that make this beverage extra-special.