Bistec a la Mexicana en Tortillas de Harina (Beef, Tomato and Chilli Tacos)
Thin strips of beef stewed with tomato, onion and fresh green chilli, a colourful Mexican home classic for flour tortillas.
Made with Flour tortillas and Frijoles de la olla (pot beans). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time30 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £2.29 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a wide pan over a high heat. Fry the beef strips in two batches for 2 minutes each until browned. Set aside.
4 min - 2
Add the remaining oil and cook the onion and jalapenos for 4 minutes until soft. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
4 min 30 s - 3
Add the tomatoes with a pinch of salt and cook for 6 minutes until they break down into a thick sauce.
6 min - 4
Return the beef and its juices to the pan and simmer for 4 minutes. Stir in half the coriander.
4 min - 5
Warm your ready made pot beans (see the base recipe) in a small pan with a little of their broth until steaming hot all the way through.
- 6
Warm your homemade flour tortillas (see the base recipe) in a dry pan. Serve the beef in the tortillas with a ladle of beans on the side and the remaining coriander.
Tips
- Slice the beef thinly across the grain for tender strips.
- Do not overcook the beef. It finishes cooking in the sauce, so it only needs a quick sear first.
- Use bacon fat or lard in place of oil if you want a more traditional flavour.
- Serve with plenty of lime and a hot salsa.
Storing and freezing
Cool the beef within 1 to 2 hours and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. Freeze for up to 2 months and reheat until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Why is it called a la mexicana?
A la mexicana refers to the combination of tomato, onion and fresh green chilli, which echoes the red, white and green of the Mexican flag. It is used for eggs and meat dishes.
Can I use a cheaper cut of beef?
Yes, but slow cooked cuts need much longer. For this quick version use rump, sirloin or flank, sliced thinly. Stewing steak needs about 1.5 hours of simmering.
How hot is this?
Medium. Remove the seeds from the jalapenos for a milder stew or add a serrano chilli for more kick.
More made with flour tortillas
Burritos de Carne Molida con Arroz y Frijoles (Beef and Rice Burritos)
EFNFBurritos de Carne Asada (Sonoran Steak Burritos)
NFEFBurritos de Desayuno con Pollo Asado y Huevo (Chicken and Egg Breakfast Burritos)
DFNFQuesadillas de Pollo en Chile Colorado (Red Chilli Chicken Quesadillas)
EFNFDouble check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.