Tacos al Carbón Recipe: How to Make Tacos Carbón

Tacos al carbón (“tacos cooked over charcoal” in Spanish) are an iconic Tex-Mex dish made with corn or flour tortillas stuffed with a smoky, slightly charred protein. Whether that main ingredient is pollo (chicken), camarones (shrimp), or carne asada (flank steak or skirt steak), tacos al carbón typically feature a mix of sautéed bell peppers and onions, like you’d find on a fajita plate at a Mexican restaurant.

Serve tacos al carbón with Tex-Mex accompaniments like shredded cheese, sour cream, lettuce, tomatoes, salsa or pico de gallo, and guacamole.

Tacos al carbón are a surefire winner for a weeknight meal or a dinner party. Like burritos and enchiladas, these delicious tacos are highly customizable:

1. 1. Make homemade tortillas. Making tortillas at home isn’t too tricky or time-consuming, and the payoff is fantastic. Unlike some classic Mexican tacos, tacos al carbón pair beautifully with both corn and flour tortillas. Depending on your preference, you can use this homemade flour tortilla recipe or this corn tortilla recipe.
2. 2. Use a broiler or grill pan if you don’t have a grill. If you have a charcoal grill, tacos al carbón are a great excuse to fire it up. You can even heat your tortillas on the grill. Char your protein under a broiler or on a grill pan if you don’t have a grill. Alternatively, use a very hot cast-iron skillet to approximate the “over charcoal” flavor. Whether you choose steak or vegan protein crumbles, char your protein to achieve that deep smoky flavor.
3. 3. Set up a toppings bar. Serve tacos al carbón family-style, with a Tex-Mex toppings bar of shredded lettuce, diced onion, diced tomatoes, lime wedges, thinly sliced green onions, hot sauce, and chopped cilantro. Or, choose more specialty toppings like Chef Gabriela Cámara’s salsa verde cruda, homemade guacamole, Mexican crema, thinly sliced jalapeños and radishes, canned chipotles in adobo sauce, and Mexican cheeses like queso fresco. Round out the meal with rice and Gabriela Cámara’s frijoles refritos recipe (refried beans).