Al Chile Tacos: How to Make Authentic Mexican Street Tacos at Home

What are Al Chile Tacos?

Al chile tacos are a popular Mexican street food consisting of soft corn or flour tortillas filled with meat, onions, cilantro, and salsa. The “al chile” refers to the salsa – it’s a spicy red salsa made from chile peppers. Al chile tacos are full of intense, mouth-watering flavors thanks to the blend of marinated meats, sweet onions, fresh cilantro, and the kick from the salsa.

Origins of Al Chile Tacos

Al chile tacos originated in Mexico, where street vendors sell them from food carts and street stands. They are an on-the-go meal that’s become popular across Mexico. The term “al chile” means with chile peppers, and these tacos get their heat from the spicy red salsa. While the exact origins are unknown, al chile tacos are thought to have come from street vendors looking for a way to add more flavor to basic tacos.

Common Fillings and Toppings

Al chile tacos are highly customizable, but some classic fillings and toppings include:

• Carne asada – Thinly sliced, grilled steak
• Al pastor – Spiced pork that’s vertically roasted
• Carnitas – Braised, shredded pork
• Chorizo – Spicy Mexican sausage
• Lengua – Beef tongue
• Pollo – Shredded chicken
• Onions – Thinly sliced white, red, or green onions
• Cilantro – Fresh, chopped cilantro
• Salsa – The signature spicy, red chile salsa
• Limes – For squeezing over tacos

How Al Chile Tacos are Made

Making authentic al chile tacos requires just a few steps:

1. Marinate the meat. Most meats are marinated in a mixture of spices, chile peppers, vinegar, garlic, and onion to add flavor.
2. Grill or cook the meat. Meats can be grilled for a char and smoky flavor or slowly cooked until tender.
3. Warm the tortillas. Corn or flour tortillas are briefly warmed on a hot grill or comal to soften them and make them pliable for folding.
4. Assemble the tacos. Warmed tortillas are filled with meat, chopped white onion, cilantro leaves, then topped with the signature salsa.
5. Add any additional toppings. Extra ingredients like lime wedges, radish slices, guacamole or cotija cheese can be added on top.

The Signature Al Chile Salsa

The salsa is what truly makes these tacos “al chile.” The sauce is made by pureeing chile peppers, tomatoes, garlic, onion and spices together. It packs some serious heat! Different types of chile peppers can be used, but common options are:

• Guajillo – Mild, fruity heat
• Pasilla – Raisiny, moderate heat
• Ancho – Sweet with mild heat
• Arbol – Bright, hot peppers

The salsa brings a flavorful, fiery punch to balance the rich meats and creamy avocado in the tacos. A squeeze of lime adds brightness to cut through the heat.

Where to Find Al Chile Tacos

For authentic al chile tacos, look for street food carts and taquerias in Mexico. In the US, you may be able to find them at:

• Mexican restaurants and taquerias, especially in the Southwestern states
• Food trucks and carts in cities with large Mexican populations
• Hole-in-the-wall taco joints in Latino neighborhoods
• Some Tex-Mex restaurants may offer their own variations

Not in an area with great Mexican food? You can make tasty al chile tacos at home too. Look for corn tortillas at Latin grocery stores or major supermarkets.

How to Make Al Chile Tacos at Home

Making al pastor or carne asada on a vertical spit takes special equipment. But you can still make flavorful al chile tacos at home with easy carnitas or skillet chicken. Try this simple recipe:

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1 cup al chile taco sauce / salsa
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 12-15 corn tortillas
• Toppings: diced onion, cilantro, lime wedges

Directions:

1. In a bowl, mix chicken thighs with taco seasoning and let marinate for 30 minutes.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add marinated chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes per side until cooked through.
3. Warm tortillas on the skillet for about 30 seconds per side.
4. Slice chicken into strips. Serve in warm tortillas topped with salsa, onion, cilantro and a squeeze of lime.

Tips for Making Amazing Al Chile Tacos

• Use authentic ingredients like corn tortillas, chicken thighs, and salsa from the Hispanic foods aisle.
• Double marinate the meat in taco seasoning and al chile salsa for extra flavor.
• Make sure to char vegetables and meat for better flavor.
• Chop onions and cilantro small so they don’t fall out of tacos.
• Serve with extra lime, salsa, guacamole, and Mexican crema if desired.

Reasons to Love Al Chile Tacos

Some of the reasons al chile tacos have become so popular include:

• The spicy salsa adds incredible depth of flavor.
• Meats are flavorful from marinating and grilling.
• They’re inexpensive and easy to make.
• Customizable with your choice of meats and toppings.
• Portable – the perfect on-the-go meal.
• Satisfyingly savory, spicy and tangy.

With layered flavors from the meat, salsa, onions, cilantro and lime, al chile tacos make for an addictive street food-inspired meal. Their popularity continues to grow outside of Mexico for good reason. The next time you crave tacos, go “al chile” for a spicy, authentic experience.