Mojo Steak Tacos Recipes

TACOS CARNE ASADA

Steps:

• Lay the flank steak in a large baking dish and pour the mojo over it. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour or up to 8 hours, so the flavors can sink into the meat. Don't marinate the steak for more than 8 hours though, or the fibers break down too much and the meat gets mushy.
• Preheat an outdoor grill or a ridged grill pan over medium-high flame (you can also use a broiler). Brush the grates with a little oil to prevent the meat from sticking. Pull the steak out of the mojo marinade and season the steak on both sides with salt and pepper. Grill (or broil) the steak for 7 to 10 minutes per side, turning once, until medium-rare. Remove the steak to a cutting board and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to settle. Thinly slice the steak across the grain on a diagonal.
• Warm the tortillas for 30 seconds on each side in a dry skillet or on the grill, until toasty and pliable.
• To make the tacos, stack up 2 of the warm tortillas, lay about 4 ounces of beef down the center, and sprinkle with some lettuce, onion, and cheese. Top each taco with a spoonful of the Pico de Gallo salsa and garnish with lime wedges. Repeat with the remaining tortillas.
• In a mortar and pestle or bowl, mash together the garlic, jalapeno, cilantro, salt, and pepper to make a paste. Put the paste in a glass jar or plastic container. Add the lime juice, orange juice, vinegar, and oil. Shake it up really well to combine. Use as a marinade for chicken or beef or as a table condiment.
• Yield: approximately 1 1/4 cups
• In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients together. Toss thoroughly. Let it sit for 15 minutes hour to allow the flavors to marry.
• Yield: 2 cups

MARINATED MOJO STEAK TACOS WITH QUICK GUAC

Steps:

• STEAK MARINADE: Combine the ingredients for the marinade in a large shallow bowl except for the steak. Give it a taste and check for seasonings, adjust to preference. Coat the steak with the marinade and let sit covered in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours and up to 24 hours. Remove from the refrigerator 30 minute prior to cooking.
• COOK THE STEAK: Set a large cast iron skillet or pan over high heat and let heat up for a couple of minutes. Add the steak to the pan and cook on each side for about 3-6 minutes or longer depending on the thickness and your preference for doneness. Feel for desired firmness. 4 minutes/side will yield a medium doneness. If the pan becomes too hot, reduce the heat to medium-high. Remove the steak from the pan and allow to rest for several minutes tented with a piece of foil. Slice the meat against the grain into thin slices. If dicing, I like to do so at an angle so the meat cubes are tender.
• ASSEMBLY: Grab tortillas and spread with my quick guac (recipe in notes), top with the steak, diced onions, cilantro, and squeeze on a little lime! Enjoy!

MOJO PORK TACOS

Steps:

• For the pork: Combine the cilantro, parsley, garlic, grapefruit juice, lime juice, orange juice, oregano and black pepper in a blender and purée. Pour the marinade over the pork butt in a bowl and refrigerate, covered, for 24 hours.
• To cook the pork, place it in a preheated smoker, using an oak and apple wood blend. Smoke until the internal temperature has reached 185 to 190 degrees F, 8 to 12 hours (see Cook's Note). When finished, the pork should be tender enough to yield fully to the touch. Cover and let cool, 1 hour. Using your weight, press down on the pork to break up. Uncover and pull apart/shred any remaining chunks of meat.
• For the apple-jicama slaw: Combine the vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper in a small pot and simmer for 45 minutes. Allow to cool. Peel the jicama and slice into thin sheets using a mandoline. Stack the sheets and julienne into thin sticks. Apply the same process to the apples, leaving the skin on. Combine half the marinade with the jicama and apple in a bowl, then finish with the cilantro leaves. Reserve the remaining marinade to use directly on the pork.
• For the pico de gallo: Combine the tomatoes, onions, garlic, cilantro, jalapeños and lime juice in a bowl, then toss to mix and season to your preference.
• Heat the tortillas in your preferred method (a dry sauté pan over medium heat works well). Pile the mojo pork into a folded tortilla, then top with the juicy apple-jicama slaw and finish with picked cilantro and pico de gallo.

CHEF JOHN'S GRILLED MOJO BEEF

Steps:

• Cut skirt steaks into about 3 or 4 smaller pieces so it's easier to fit them into marinade dish.
• Whisk orange juice, lime juice, olive oil, garlic, salt, cumin, pepper, oregano, and cayenne pepper together in a large bowl. Place skirt steak pieces, 1 at a time, into the marinade to thoroughly coat them. Add sliced onions and toss with the meat.
• Transfer mixture and marinade to a resealable plastic bag. Squeeze out air, seal bag, and place on a dish. Refrigerate 2 to 3 hours.
• Transfer pieces of meat onto paper towel-lined rimmed sheet pan to drain for a couple of minutes.
• Cook over hot coals. Grill first side 3 to 4 minutes. Turn and grill second side until internal temperature is about 125 degrees F (53 degrees C). Look for a shiny glossy surface indicating the meat juice is coming to the surface; this indicates the meat is just about done. Transfer to a plate and allow meat to rest a few minutes.
• Slice into 1/2-inch slices and arrange on a serving plate. Spoon accumulated juices over the meat. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with coarse salt and chopped cilantro. Serve with lime wedges.