Juicy Braised Brisket Tacos With Street Corn and Jalapeno Lime Ranch Recipe

Tender, slow-cooked beef brisket dances with zesty street corn in a recipe that blends bold Mexican street food flavors.

Succulent braised brisket tacos with street corn and jalapeño lime ranch promise a mouthwatering culinary adventure.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of smoky, spicy, and creamy elements that will awaken your taste buds.

The jalapeño lime ranch adds a cool, tangy kick that complements the rich, melt-in-your-mouth brisket.

Crisp corn brings a sweet crunch that elevates the entire dish.

Fresh ingredients and simple techniques make this recipe accessible to home cooks of all skill levels.

You’ll want to bookmark this crowd-pleasing taco experience that turns an ordinary meal into a festive celebration.

Braised Brisket Tacos with Zesty Ranch Twist

• Dive into a taste adventure with tender, spice-rubbed beef that's bursting with smoky chipotle and aromatic spices, creating a mouthwatering experience in every bite.
• Easily adaptable recipe allows home cooks to adjust spice levels, swap ingredients, and make it perfectly suited to individual taste preferences and dietary needs.
• Impress friends and family with restaurant-quality tacos that combine multiple components like braised beef, zesty corn salad, and creamy jalapeño lime ranch for a show-stopping meal.
• Break down complex flavors into manageable steps, making this recipe approachable for home cooks while delivering gourmet-level deliciousness that looks like you spent hours in the kitchen.

Brisket Taco Ingredients and Street Corn

• Beef Brisket: A tender, flavorful cut perfect for slow braising and creating rich, succulent meat for tacos.

• Chipotle Powder, Paprika, Oregano, Allspice, Coriander: A complex spice mixture that adds depth, smokiness, and warm aromatics to the beef.

• Onion, Garlic: Aromatic base that provides foundational flavor and depth to the braising sauce.

• Corn, Scallions, Cotija Cheese, Cilantro, Jalapeno: Fresh ingredients that create a bright, zesty street corn salad with multiple textures and flavors.

• Mayonnaise, Lime Juice, Lime Zest, Chili Powder, Salt: Creamy and tangy ingredients that enhance and bind the corn salad together.

• Cilantro, Pickled Jalapenos, Mayonnaise, Sour Cream, Ranch Seasoning: Zesty and creamy components that create a bold, spicy ranch sauce.

• Garlic Powder, Salt, Lime Juice, Buttermilk: Smooth ingredients that balance and thin the ranch sauce.

• Tortillas, Shredded Cheese: Classic taco foundation that provides structure and additional richness.

• Lime Wedges: Bright citrus element to enhance and freshen the final dish.

Tools for Flavorful Brisket Taco Prep

• Instant Pot or Large Pot: Essential for searing beef and cooking the brisket.
• Two Forks: Perfect for shredding the tender beef after cooking.
• Food Processor: Needed to blend ingredients for the jalapeno lime ranch.
• Grilling Surface or Grill Pan: Used for preparing the street corn.
• Sharp Knife: Crucial for dicing onions, mincing garlic, and cutting corn kernels.
• Mixing Bowls: Necessary for preparing spice rub, corn salad, and ranch sauce.
• Cooking Spoon or Spatula: Helps in stirring and sautéing ingredients.
• Small Bowl: Useful for mixing spice rub and measuring ingredients.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately measure spices and seasonings.
• Tongs: Helpful for handling and turning beef during searing.

How to Make Braised Brisket Tacos Easily

Step 1: Create Flavor-Packed Spice Blend

• Chipotle powder
• Paprika
• Oregano
• Allspice
• Coriander

Completely coat beef chunks with this vibrant spice mixture, ensuring every piece is generously covered.

Step 2: Brown the Beef

Heat olive oil in an Instant Pot or large pot over medium heat.

Carefully sear each side of the beef chunks until a deep golden-brown crust forms.

Remove browned meat and set aside for later.

Step 3: Build a Flavor Foundation

In the same pot, sauté diced onions and minced garlic until they become soft and translucent.

Add remaining beef cooking ingredients, stirring to create a rich base for braising.

Step 4: Slow Cook the Beef

Return seared beef to the pot, making sure it’s fully submerged in the cooking liquid.

• Pressure cooker: Cook for 60 minutes
• Stovetop: Simmer for 2-3 hours

Cook until the beef becomes incredibly tender and easily falls apart.

Step 5: Shred and Intensify Flavors

Remove beef from the pot and shred using two forks.

Return shredded meat to the pot, using the sauté function to reduce liquid and concentrate flavors.

Step 6: Craft Street Corn Salad

Grill corn and remove kernels from cobs.

• Mayonnaise
• Garlic
• Lime juice and zest
• Scallions
• Cotija cheese
• Cilantro
• Jalapeño
• Chili powder
• Salt

Refrigerate until ready to use.

Step 7: Whip Up Jalapeño Lime Ranch

• Cilantro
• Pickled jalapeños

• Mayonnaise
• Sour cream
• Ranch seasoning
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Lime juice
• Buttermilk

Blend until smooth and creamy.

Refrigerate to let flavors develop.

Step 8: Assemble Golden Tacos

Lightly oil tortillas and heat in a pan.

• Shredded cheese
• Braised beef
• Corn salad

Cook until tortillas turn golden and remain flexible.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Drizzle with Jalapeño Lime Ranch.

Fold tortillas and serve warm with fresh lime wedges on the side.

Tips for Juicy Brisket Tacos Every Time

• Ensure even coating of beef by patting it dry before applying the spice blend, allowing each chunk to absorb maximum flavor.
• Choose a well-marbled brisket cut and cook low and slow to guarantee melt-in-your-mouth texture that shreds effortlessly.
• Char the corn on a grill or cast-iron skillet for deeper smoky notes and caramelized kernels before mixing with other ingredients.
• Let the Jalapeno Lime Ranch sit in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving to allow flavors to meld and intensify.
• Warm tortillas briefly on each side to prevent cracking and create a soft, pliable wrap for the delicious filling.

Brisket Taco Variations for Your Table

• Vegetarian Brisket Alternative: Replace beef with jackfruit or seitan, using the same spice rub and cooking method for a plant-based protein option.
• Slow Cooker Method: Transform the Instant Pot recipe into a hands-off slow cooker version, cooking on low for 8 hours until meat becomes tender and easily shredded.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use corn tortillas, ensure ranch seasoning is gluten-free, and swap regular mayo with avocado or olive oil-based mayonnaise for celiac-friendly preparation.
• Low-Carb Option: Swap tortillas with large lettuce leaves, reduce corn in salad, and increase protein and vegetable content for a keto-friendly approach.

Ways to Serve Brisket Tacos with Ranch

• Flavor Fiesta Plating: Create a vibrant taco spread on a large wooden board with colorful toppings like fresh cilantro, lime wedges, and extra cotija cheese scattered around the tacos.
• Spice Level Customization: Set out small bowls of extra chopped jalapeños, hot sauce, and chili flakes so guests can adjust the heat to their preference and personalize their taco experience.
• Family-Style Taco Bar: Arrange all components separately in beautiful serving dishes, allowing everyone to build their own tacos with the braised brisket, corn salad, and zesty ranch as individual components.
• Refreshing Beverage Pairing: Serve ice-cold Mexican beer, margaritas, or a bright citrus-infused agua fresca to complement the rich, spicy flavors of the braised brisket tacos.

How to Store Brisket Tacos and Street Corn

• Store shredded beef, corn salad, and Jalapeno Lime Ranch separately in airtight containers for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze beef in sealed freezer bags for up to 3 months, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn.
• Place beef in a microwave-safe dish, add a splash of broth to prevent drying, cover, and heat in 30-second intervals until warmed through.
• Warm beef in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally and adding a little liquid to maintain moisture and prevent sticking.

FAQs

• What makes the braised brisket different from traditional taco meat?

The slow-cooking method and unique spice blend of chipotle, paprika, oregano, allspice, and coriander create a deep, complex flavor profile that sets this brisket apart from standard taco fillings.

• Can I make this recipe if I don't have an Instant Pot?

Absolutely! You can use a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot and simmer the beef on the stovetop for 2-3 hours until tender, following the same preparation steps.

• Is this recipe spicy?

The recipe has a moderate heat level from jalapenos and chipotle powder. You can easily adjust the spiciness by reducing or removing the jalapenos in the corn salad and ranch sauce.

Braised Brisket Tacos With Street Corn and Jalapeno Lime Ranch Recipe

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4.7 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Succulent braised brisket tacos bring Mexican street flavors to life with tender meat and zesty accompaniments. Corn and jalapeño lime ranch create a perfect harmony of textures and bold southwestern flavors you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Protein:

• 3 lb (1.36 kg) brisket or beef chuck, divided into 4 chunks
• 1 cup (240 ml) shredded cheese (quesadilla cheese, mozzarella, or Monterey Jack)
• 1/3 cup (50 g) grated cotija cheese
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) buttermilk (or milk as substitute)

Spices and Seasonings:

• 1.5 tablespoons chipotle powder
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon coriander
• 1/2–1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 tablespoon dry ranch seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Salt and pepper to taste

Vegetables, Herbs, and Other Ingredients:

• 6 garlic cloves, smashed or minced
• 1 sweet onion, diced
• 3/4 cup (180 ml) orange juice
• 1 lime, juiced
• 14 oz (400 g) can crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons chipotle adobo sauce
• 2 cups (480 ml) beef stock
• 8 flour tortillas
• 4 ears corn, husked and grilled (or frozen corn)
• 3 tablespoons mayo
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 lime, juiced and zested
• 1

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Instructions

1. Combine chipotle powder, paprika, oregano, allspice, and coriander to create a robust spice rub. Thoroughly coat beef chunks with this aromatic mixture.
2. Warm olive oil in an Instant Pot or large pot over medium-high heat. Sear beef chunks until each side develops a rich, golden-brown crust, then transfer to a separate plate.
3. In the same pot, sauté diced onions and minced garlic until they become translucent and fragrant. Add remaining liquid ingredients, stirring to create a cohesive braising base.
4. Reintroduce seared beef to the pot, ensuring it’s completely submerged in the cooking liquid. Pressure cook at high pressure for 60 minutes or simmer on low heat for 2-3 hours until meat becomes fork-tender.
5. Extract beef from the liquid and use two forks to shred the meat into delicate strands. Return shredded beef to the pot, using the sauté function to reduce liquid and intensify flavors.
6. Grill corn until lightly charred, then slice kernels off the cob. Combine grilled corn with mayo, garlic, lime juice and zest, scallions, cotija cheese, cilantro, jalapeño, chili powder, and salt. Chill mixture to meld flavors.
7. In a food processor, blend cilantro and pickled jalapeños. Incorporate mayo, sour cream, ranch seasoning, garlic powder, salt, lime juice, and buttermilk until smooth. Refrigerate to allow flavors to develop.
8. Lightly oil tortillas and warm in a skillet until flexible. Layer with shredded cheese, braised beef, and corn salad. Toast until tortillas turn golden and crisp.
9. Drizzle with jalapeño lime ranch, fold tortillas, and serve immediately with fresh lime wedges for an extra burst of citrus.

Notes

• Customize Spice Blend Adjust the spice rub intensity by increasing or decreasing chipotle powder for heat lovers or those with milder preferences.
• Tenderize Meat Choose a well-marbled brisket cut to ensure maximum tenderness and rich flavor during braising.
• Make Ahead Friendly Prepare the beef and corn salad a day in advance to allow flavors to develop and simplify meal preparation.
• Dietary Adaptations Swap corn tortillas for lettuce wraps to create a low-carb version, or use plant-based meat alternatives for a vegetarian option.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 570
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 950 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg