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Smashed Cowboy Butter Steak Tacos

Delicious and satisfying tacos filled with seared steak, crispy edges, and a rich garlic-butter sauce, perfect for weeknights or special occasions.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Calories: 600
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Smashed Cowboy Butter Steak
  • 1.5 lbs sirloin or ribeye steak, finely chopped or shaved
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 cloves garlic, grated
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
  • 0.5 tsp paprika
  • 0.25 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
  • Salt & pepper to taste Salt & pepper to taste
For Serving
  • 8-10 pieces small flour or corn tortillas
  • 1.5 cups shredded Monterey Jack or mozzarella
  • 1 tbsp oil for brushing
  • 0.5 cups mayonnaise or sour cream
  • 2 cloves garlic, grated
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • as needed optional Fresh cilantro
  • as needed optional Diced onions
  • as needed optional Sliced jalapeños
  • as needed optional Avocado
  • as needed optional Lime wedges

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or griddle over high heat.
  2. Add the chopped steak and smash it flat into the hot pan.
  3. Let it sear undisturbed until deeply browned and crispy at the edges.
  4. Stir in onion and garlic and cook until fragrant.
  5. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and Worcestershire sauce.
  6. Remove from heat and immediately stir in the melted cowboy butter until the steak is glossy, juicy, and dripping with bold garlic-butter flavor.
Make the Garlic Sauce
  1. Whisk together mayonnaise, grated garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt until smooth, creamy, and punchy.
  2. Chill briefly for best flavor.
Build the Smashed Steak Tacos
  1. Heat a clean skillet over medium heat.
  2. Lay tortillas flat and sprinkle cheese evenly over one side of each tortilla.
  3. Add a generous scoop of smashed cowboy butter steak on top of the cheese.
  4. Fold tortillas in half and gently press.
Crisp Until Golden
  1. Cook tacos until the tortillas are golden and crispy and the cheese melts into the steak.
  2. Flip and crisp the other side until locked together and crunchy.
Serve
  1. Drizzle generously with creamy garlic sauce and finish with cilantro, onions, jalapeños, or a squeeze of lime.
  2. Serve hot, crispy, buttery, and absolutely loaded with flavor.

Notes

Don't overcrowd the pan — give the meat room to crisp. Also, melt the butter and stir it in right off the heat so it glosses the steak without steaming it.