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Tasajo

A traditional Oaxacan dish — Tasajo, the salt-cured, sun-dried beef that comes from the Isthmus of Tehuantepec.

⏱ 20 minPrep time
🔥 15 minCook time
🍽 6Servings
🏷 DinnerCategory
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Grilled Oaxacan tasajo beef strips with tortillas and salsa

A traditional Oaxacan dish — Tasajo, the salt-cured, sun-dried beef that comes from the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. Thin sheets of beef are salted, air-dried, then grilled over coals until charred at the edges and impossibly savory. It is the classic filling for tlayudas and tacos, served with salsa, avocado and tortillas.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. Rub the beef sheets with lime juice and crushed garlic, then season both sides generously with the coarse salt and oregano.
  2. Lay the salted sheets on a wire rack and air-dry in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, ideally overnight — this is what gives tasajo its concentrated flavor.
  3. Rinse the salt from the surface if it looks excessive, then pat dry.
  4. Grill over hot coals or on a very hot cast-iron griddle for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until charred at the edges and medium-rare inside.
  5. Rest for 5 minutes, slice thinly against the grain, and serve with warm tortillas, salsa and avocado.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Butterfly a thick roast into thin sheets if your butcher cannot cut them for you. The drying step is what separates tasajo from ordinary grilled beef — do not skip it.

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Recipe details

Prep20 min
Cook15 min
Servings6
CategoryDinner
PublishedAugust 17, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →