Cast-iron lamb tossed with fresh herbs oregano, basil, mint, cilantro, garlic, and lemon zest for these mini tacos. Simple yet bold, they offer savory richness with garden-fresh brightness.
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Fresh Herb Blend
A vibrant blend of cilantro, mint, basil, and oregano forms the aromatic heart of these tacos. Each herb plays a crucial role. Cilantro offers a bright, citrusy note. Mint provides a cool counterpoint. Basil adds a sweet, peppery depth. Oregano gives a warm, earthy foundation. This finely chopped blend cuts through the lamb’s richness, ensuring a lively, herbaceous finish.
Lamb
The cornerstone of these tacos is the lamb. a quick pan sear brings the richness and succulence to the forefront, offering a juicy, flavorful bite. The goal is incredibly tender, savory lamb, forming the perfect foundation.
Lemon & Garlic
Fresh lemon and pungent garlic introduce critical balance. Lemon provides bright acidity, cutting through the richness, while garlic adds subtle warmth and a foundational savory aroma. Together, they enhance flavor, ensuring well-rounded, harmonious tacos.
Mini Corn Tortillas
The mini corn tortilla is an integral component, bringing authentic earthiness and a delightful toasted aroma. These bite-sized tortillas are easy to handle, hold up well to fillings, and their subtly sweet flavor complements other ingredients. Warming or charring enhances their qualities, adding chew and toasted goodness.
TIPS & TRICKS FOR THE BEST LAMB STREET TACOS
Triple Check for bone-fragments
If you are removing lamb from the bone, take extra care to avoid bone fragments. Lamb bone can chip easily during removal. I recommend removing the lamb in large chunks before mincing. After removal, clean your workspace, discarding all trimmings and spare bones. Then, clean your cutting board thoroughly. Before mincing, feel the edges of the lamb pieces with your hands. This will help you find and remove any remaining bone fragments. Once you’ve confirmed it’s all meat, you can begin mincing.
Fresh herbs are a must for this recipe
When preparing your lamb tacos, the choice of herbs significantly impacts the final experience. Chopping fresh cilantro, mint, and basil roughly will introduce bursts of vibrant flavor. It creates a delightful textural contrast with each bite. This method allows the individual characteristics of the herbs to shine through. Alternatively, for a more integrated and subtly nuanced flavor profile, finely mincing the herbs ensures an even distribution. This provides a consistent herbaceous note in every mouthful.
Types of lamb cuts to use
The lamb cut you choose significantly impacts both cooking time and final texture. Ground lamb is ideal for a quick weeknight meal. It cooks rapidly and absorbs flavors excellently. For this recipe, I opted for lamb loin chops, which I de-boned and finely minced into bite-sized pieces. This method delivers the tenderness of the loin chop while allowing for quick cooking.
Heat your corn tortillas before serving
The tortillas are a crucial component of any taco. Properly warming them can elevate your dish from good to exceptional. A dry skillet (cast iron works particularly well) on medium-high heat is an excellent alternative. Heat each tortilla for about 30 seconds per side, until they are warm, soft, and slightly puffed. Avoid overcrowding the skillet to ensure even heating.
Can You Make This Recipe in Advance?
You can prepare many components of this lamb taco recipe in advance. This makes it a fantastic option for entertaining. It’s also great for busy weeknights! Prepare elements beforehand to significantly reduce your active cooking time. This will allow for a more relaxed and enjoyable experience when you’re ready to serve.
The Lamb Filling is the star of the show and can be cooked completely in advance. Once prepared, allow the lamb filling to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, the cooked lamb can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.
When you’re ready to serve, gently reheat the lamb filling. Warm your tortillas in a dry skillet. Then, set out all your prepped toppings for a fun, build-your-own taco bar experience!
EQUIPMENT NEEDED TO MAKE THIS RECIPE
- Cast iron skillet
- Citrus zester or microplane
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Tongs
- Serving Platter
SIMILAR INGREDIENTS TO
Lamb Lollipops + Honey Garlic Long Beans
Lamb Chops + Red Beans & Brown Butter Radishes
Braised Lamb, Fried Honey Queso Panela +Oregano Salt
ENJOY THIS RECIPE WITH
Taco Truck Green Sauce
NOPALES (CACTUS) BREAKFAST TACOS
CARNE PICADA STEAK TACOS
RECIPE
Lamb Street Tacos
Ingredients
Method
- In a bowl, combine the olive oil, herbs (oregano, basil, mint), minced garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, sea salt, minced red onion, and lemon juice and zest.
- Add the lamb to the mixture and marinate for at least 30 minutes, or preferably overnight, in the refrigerator.
- Heat a cast iron skillet over high heat.
- Add the marinated lamb to the hot skillet and cook for 10 minutes, or until a char is formed and the lamb is cooked through.
- Remove the lamb from the heat.
- Warm the corn tortillas. Fill each tortilla with the cooked lamb.
- Top with a squeeze of fresh lime juice, minced red onion, and minced cilantro. Serve immediately.
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