Vietnamese-style Carne Asada Tacos

Ingredients

While the original Mexican Carne Asada Tacos typically feature marinated beef, the Vietnamese adaptation adds a unique twist. The beef is still marinated, but with Vietnamese flavors such as lemongrass, fish sauce, and garlic. The tacos are then garnished with traditional banh mi ingredients like pickled vegetables, fresh herbs, and a drizzle of spicy sriracha mayo. We alse have the original recipe for Carne asada tacos, so you can check it out.

• 500g (1.1 lb) beef steak, thinly sliced 500g (1.1 lb) beef steak, thinly sliced
• 2 stalks lemongrass, white parts only, minced 2 stalks lemongrass, white parts only, minced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon sugar 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon black pepper 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 8 small tortillas 8 small tortillas
• 1 cup pickled carrots and daikon radish 1 cup pickled carrots and daikon radish
• 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves
• 1 cup fresh mint leaves 1 cup fresh mint leaves
• 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves
• Sriracha mayo, for drizzling Sriracha mayo, for drizzling

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 15g, 5g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 20g, 5g
• Protein: 35g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a bowl, combine the minced lemongrass, garlic, fish sauce, soy sauce, vegetable oil, sugar, and black pepper. Mix well.
2. 2.
   Add the sliced beef to the marinade and toss until well coated. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for more flavor.
3. 3.
   Heat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Cook the marinated beef for 2-3 minutes per side, or until cooked to your desired doneness. Remove from heat and let it rest for a few minutes.
4. 4.
   Warm the tortillas on the grill or in a dry skillet until soft and pliable.
5. 5.
   To assemble the tacos, place a few slices of grilled beef on each tortilla. Top with pickled carrots and daikon radish, fresh cilantro, mint, and Thai basil leaves. Drizzle with sriracha mayo.
6. 6.
   Serve the Vietnamese-style Carne Asada Tacos immediately and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Lemongrass — Remove the tough outer layers before mincing the white parts for a more tender texture.
• Fish sauce — Look for a high-quality fish sauce for the best flavor. If unavailable, you can substitute with soy sauce.
• Pickled carrots and daikon radish — You can make your own by pickling julienned carrots and daikon radish in a mixture of vinegar, sugar, and salt.
• Sriracha mayo — Mix sriracha sauce with mayonnaise to achieve the desired level of spiciness.

Tips & Tricks

• For extra flavor, squeeze some fresh lime juice over the assembled tacos before serving.
• If you prefer a milder taste, reduce the amount of garlic and black pepper in the marinade.
• Experiment with different herbs like Thai basil, mint, and cilantro to find your favorite combination.
• If you don't have a grill, you can cook the beef in a hot skillet or broil it in the oven.
• Customize your tacos by adding sliced jalapenos or thinly sliced cucumber for extra crunch.

Serving advice

Serve the Vietnamese-style Carne Asada Tacos as a main course for a delicious and satisfying meal. Accompany them with a side of steamed rice or a refreshing green salad.

Presentation advice

Arrange the tacos on a platter, garnished with extra fresh herbs and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for an attractive presentation. Serve with a side of pickled vegetables for an authentic Vietnamese touch.