The term “tacos al carbón” represents a wide range of tacos, not a single dish. “Al carbón” translates to “cooked over charcoal” in Spanish, so the only non-negotiable aspect of these tacos is a charred or grilled filling. Read ahead to learn more about tacos al carbón.

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, <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-sour-cream' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-sour-cream","linkCopy":"sour cream","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>sour cream</a>, 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. __Make homemade tortillas__. Making tortillas at home isn’t too tricky or time-consuming, and the payoff is fantastic. Unlike some classic [Mexican tacos](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-authentic-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](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-flour-tortillas) or this [corn tortilla recipe](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-corn-tortillas).
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. __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](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/gabriela-camaras-salsa-verde-cruda-recipe), homemade guacamole, [Mexican crema](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-homemade-mexican-crema), thinly sliced jalapeños and radishes, canned chipotles in adobo sauce, and [Mexican cheeses](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-mexican-cheese) like queso fresco. Round out the meal with rice and Gabriela Cámara’s [frijoles refritos recipe](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/gabriela-camaras-frijoles-refritos-recipe) (refried beans).
The term “tacos al carbón” represents a wide range of tacos, not a single dish. “Al carbón” translates to “cooked over charcoal” in Spanish, so the only non-negotiable aspect of these tacos is a charred or grilled filling. Read ahead to learn more about tacos al 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, <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-sour-cream' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-sour-cream","linkCopy":"sour cream","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>sour cream</a>, lettuce, tomatoes, salsa or pico de gallo, and guacamole.

What Are Tacos Al Carbón?

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: <ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Make homemade tortillas. Making tortillas at home isn’t too tricky or time-consuming, and the payoff is fantastic. Unlike some classic <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-authentic-mexican-tacos' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-authentic-mexican-tacos","linkCopy":"Mexican tacos","category":null}'>Mexican tacos</a>, tacos al carbón pair beautifully with both corn and flour tortillas. Depending on your preference, you can use this <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-flour-tortillas' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-flour-tortillas","linkCopy":"homemade flour tortilla recipe","category":null}'>homemade flour tortilla recipe</a> or this <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-corn-tortillas' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-corn-tortillas","linkCopy":"corn tortilla recipe","category":null}'>corn tortilla recipe</a>. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 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. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 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 <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/gabriela-camaras-salsa-verde-cruda-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/gabriela-camaras-salsa-verde-cruda-recipe","linkCopy":"salsa verde cruda","category":null}'>salsa verde cruda</a>, homemade guacamole, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-homemade-mexican-crema' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-homemade-mexican-crema","linkCopy":"Mexican crema","category":null}'>Mexican crema</a>, thinly sliced jalapeños and radishes, canned chipotles in adobo sauce, and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-mexican-cheese' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-mexican-cheese","linkCopy":"Mexican cheeses","category":null}'>Mexican cheeses</a> like queso fresco. Round out the meal with rice and Gabriela Cámara’s <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/gabriela-camaras-frijoles-refritos-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/gabriela-camaras-frijoles-refritos-recipe","linkCopy":"frijoles refritos recipe","category":null}'>frijoles refritos recipe</a> (refried beans). </li></ol>

3 Tips for Making Tacos Al Carbón

Easy Chicken Tacos Al Carbón Recipe

The term “tacos al carbón” represents a wide range of tacos, not a single dish. “Al carbón” translates to “cooked over charcoal” in Spanish, so the only non-negotiable aspect of these tacos is a charred or grilled filling. Read ahead to learn more about tacos al carbón.

The term “tacos al carbón” represents a wide range of tacos, not a single dish. “Al carbón” translates to “cooked over charcoal” in Spanish, so the only non-negotiable aspect of these tacos is a charred or grilled filling. Read ahead to learn more about tacos al carbón.
