Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Beef Tacos Recipe

Sizzling Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Beef Tacos Recipe for Taco Night

Crispy corn tortillas wrapped around succulent beef drizzled with garlic butter honey bbq sauce create a mouthwatering fusion of flavors.

Smoky and sweet notes dance across each tender bite.

Mexican street food meets gourmet cooking in this irresistible taco experience.

Juicy meat caramelizes under a glossy, golden glaze that makes taste buds sing.

Bold spices mingle with rich, complex sauces for an unforgettable meal.

Each taco promises a delightful explosion of textures and aromas.

You’ll want to savor every single delectable morsel of this game-changing recipe.

Why These BBQ Beef Tacos Are a Sweet & Savory Dream

  • Savor Irresistible Flavor Combinations: These tacos deliver an incredible blend of sweet honey, smoky barbecue sauce, and rich garlic butter that creates a mouthwatering taste experience guaranteed to excite your taste buds.
  • Master Quick and Simple Cooking: Prepare these delectable tacos in minutes with minimal ingredients and straightforward cooking steps, perfect for busy home cooks who want restaurant-quality meals without complex techniques.
  • Create Crowd-Pleasing Meal Solution: Versatile and customizable tacos work perfectly for casual family dinners, game day gatherings, or weekend meal prep, appealing to both adults and kids with their dynamic flavor profile.
  • Elevate Weeknight Dinner Excitement: Transform ordinary beef into a gourmet-style meal that breaks the monotony of standard dinner routines, bringing restaurant-inspired creativity right to your kitchen with minimal effort.

Ingredients for Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Tacos

Main Protein:
  • Beef: Cubed meat that will be the star of the tacos, providing rich and hearty flavor.
Seasoning Group:
  • Garlic, Smoked Paprika, Salt, Pepper: Spices and herbs that will enhance the beef's taste and create a deep, complex flavor profile.
Sauce Ingredients:
  • Honey, Barbecue Sauce, Soy Sauce: Sweet and tangy liquids that will create a glossy, flavorful coating for the beef.
Taco Assembly Group:
  • Tortillas: Soft corn or flour base that will hold the seasoned beef and toppings.
  • Red Onion, Cilantro: Fresh ingredients that add crunch and brightness to the tacos.
Finishing Touches:
  • Butter: Adds richness and helps cook the beef with a golden color.
  • Sour Cream: Provides a cool and creamy contrast to the warm, spicy beef.

Cooking Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Tacos

Step 1: Season The Beef

Add flavor to your beef by mixing it with the following ingredients:
  • Minced garlic
  • Smoked paprika
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Massage the seasonings into the beef cubes thoroughly, ensuring every piece is coated with delicious spices.

Step 2: Sizzle The Beef

Heat a large skillet over medium-high temperature. Melt butter until it starts bubbling. Carefully place seasoned beef into the skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until beef develops a beautiful golden-brown exterior and reaches your preferred doneness.

Step 3: Create Tangy Sauce

Reduce skillet heat to medium-low. Pour these ingredients into the pan:
  • Honey
  • Barbecue sauce
  • Soy sauce

Stir ingredients together, coating beef completely. Allow sauce to simmer and slightly thicken for 2-3 minutes, developing rich flavor complexity.

Step 4: Warm Tortillas

Prepare tortillas by heating them in a dry skillet or directly over an open flame. Quickly warm each side for a few seconds until soft and flexible, making them perfect for folding.

Step 5: Build Mouthwatering Tacos

Assemble tacos by placing a generous portion of saucy beef in the center of each warm tortilla. Top with:
  • Diced red onion
  • Fresh chopped cilantro

These toppings add crunch and brightness to your tacos.

Step 6: Final Garnish And Serve

Complete your tacos with a drizzle of sour cream or your preferred taco sauce. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy the explosion of flavors in every bite.

Tips for Making BBQ Tacos That Shine

  • Meat Selection Magic: Choose chuck roast or sirloin for tender, flavorful beef that absorbs the marinade perfectly.
  • Sauce Balancing Act: Adjust honey and barbecue sauce ratios to control sweetness and tanginess according to personal preference.
  • Quick Cooking Technique: Sear beef at high heat to lock in juices and create delicious caramelized edges for maximum flavor.
  • Temperature Control: Use medium-high heat when cooking beef to prevent burning while achieving perfect browning and sealing in moisture.
  • Tortilla Transformation: Warm tortillas briefly on a skillet or directly over flame to enhance flexibility and prevent cracking during taco assembly.

BBQ Beef Taco Combos You Can Try

  • Spicy Kick Variation: Swap smoked paprika with cayenne pepper and add diced jalapeños to the beef for a fiery version of the original recipe.
  • Vegetarian Swap: Replace beef with jackfruit or firm tofu, seasoning identically and cooking with same method for plant-based taco lovers.
  • Low-Carb Option: Use lettuce wraps instead of tortillas and reduce honey quantity to minimize carbohydrate content while maintaining rich flavor profile.
  • Protein Alternative: Substitute beef with shredded chicken or ground turkey for different protein options that work perfectly with garlic butter honey BBQ sauce.

Tasty Sides for Honey BBQ Beef Tacos

  • Craft Beer Complement: Select a hoppy IPA with citrus notes to cut through the rich, sweet beef and balance the garlic butter's intensity.
  • Wine Harmony Match: Choose a medium-bodied Zinfandel with bold fruit undertones that can stand up to the robust BBQ and honey flavors.
  • Refreshing Cocktail Boost: Mix a spicy margarita with jalapeño-infused tequila to enhance the taco's complex flavor profile and provide a cooling contrast.
  • Non-Alcoholic Zingy Option: Brew a Mexican-style agua fresca with pineapple and lime to cleanse the palate and complement the sweet and savory taco elements.

Storage Advice for BBQ Beef Tacos

  • Transfer leftover beef to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Separate the meat from tortillas to prevent sogginess and maintain texture.
  • Pack cooled beef in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Label with the date to track freshness.
  • Place beef in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle a few drops of water to prevent drying. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until thoroughly warmed.

FAQs for Garlic Butter BBQ Tacos

  • Can I use a different type of meat for this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute beef with chicken, pork, or even plant-based alternatives like tofu or jackfruit. Just adjust cooking times accordingly to ensure the meat is properly cooked.

  • How spicy are these tacos?

The recipe as written is mild. If you want more heat, add some red pepper flakes to the seasoning or use a spicy barbecue sauce to kick up the spice level.

  • Do I need any special equipment to make these tacos?

No, just a standard skillet and a way to warm tortillas are sufficient. A cast-iron skillet works great, but any large pan will do the job.

  • Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Absolutely! The honey and barbecue sauce create a sweet and mild flavor that most children enjoy. The recipe is not too complex and has ingredients kids typically like.

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Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Beef Tacos Recipe

Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Beef Tacos Recipe


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4.7 from 16 reviews

  • Total Time: 22 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Savory garlic butter honey bbq beef tacos bring mouthwatering Mexican-inspired flavors to your dinner table. Juicy marinated beef nestled in warm tortillas creates an irresistible meal you won’t be able to resist.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein:

  • 1 pound (454 grams) beef steak (such as flank or sirloin), cut into small cubes

Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers:

  • 2 tablespoons garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Sauce Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce

Taco Assembly Ingredients:

  • 6 small flour or corn tortillas
  • 1/2 cup red onion, diced
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1/4 cup sour cream or taco sauce for drizzling

Instructions

  1. Prepare the beef by combining cubed meat with minced garlic, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Thoroughly coat the beef, ensuring even seasoning distribution.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and melt butter completely. Once bubbling, add seasoned beef and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally until beef browns nicely.
  3. Reduce heat to medium-low and introduce honey, barbecue sauce, and soy sauce into the skillet. Stir to coat beef pieces evenly, allowing sauce to simmer and thicken for 2-3 minutes.
  4. Simultaneously warm tortillas in a separate dry skillet or over direct flame for a few seconds on each side until soft and flexible.
  5. Construct tacos by placing a generous portion of garlic butter honey BBQ beef in the center of each warm tortilla. Enhance with diced red onion and fresh cilantro for added texture and flavor.
  6. Complete the dish by drizzling sour cream or preferred taco sauce over the assembled tacos. Serve immediately while warm to maintain optimal taste and temperature.

Notes

  • Tenderize beef by marinating in seasoning mix for 30 minutes before cooking to enhance flavor absorption and meat softness.
  • Adjust honey BBQ sauce sweetness by balancing barbecue sauce’s tanginess with more or less honey depending on personal preference.
  • Choose corn tortillas for gluten-free option or use lettuce wraps for low-carb alternative to traditional wheat tortillas.
  • Experiment with protein variations like shredded chicken or plant-based meat substitutes for diverse dietary needs while maintaining similar cooking technique.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 410
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 580 mg
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 34 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 25 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
Truc Tran (Kris)

Truc Tran (Kris)

Senior Food Editor

Expertise

Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Development, Baking and Pastry, Food Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Vietnamese Food Evaluation Expert

Education

  • Hospitality (Commercial Cookery) at TasTAFE
  • Culinary Arts at Kendall College (Australia Branch in Sydney)
  • Vietnamese Cuisine Head Chef at HNAAu School (Vietnam, International Joint Training Program)

Truc Tran (Kris), an experienced food writer and editor, is great at exploring and describing global cuisines, from simple street food to fancy dining. In her writing, she skillfully mixes different flavors, cooking methods, and culinary traditions, showing the unique character of various cultures through their food and drinks. On azcuisines.com, Kris highlights her knowledge, especially in Asian cuisine and worldwide traditional dishes.

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