Flank Steak Tostadas
Do you guys remember what cooking was like before Al Gore invented the Internet? When, if you didn’t know how to cook something, you had to either reference the few cookbooks you had on hand, or call somebody who knew how to cook that item?
My mom and I have always been fans of tostadas (a.k.a. chalupas, at some restaurants). Crunchy, flat corn tortillas topped with whatever you want. Since we liked them so much at restaurants, we continually tried to make them at home when I was younger.
We tried everything to get those tortillas crunchy – fried them to within an inch of their life, baked them, fried them and then baked them. They always turned out….OK. They were somewhat crunchy, but also still chewy, and not quite the same as the restaurant version we loved.
Fast forward 20 years, when my hubs and I decide we want to make tostadas. Now, a 5-second Google search reveals a foolproof method – spray the tortillas with nonstick cooking spray and then bake them.
Of course, why didn’t we think of this before? It works like a charm, I tell ya. So, lets thank our lucky stars for the internet, and whip up these crunchy steak tostadas for a quick dinner this week (or even include these crunchy shells as part of a fajita bar with my shrimp fajita recipe). Crunch crunch crunch crunch.
Make these with flank steak or a flat iron steak on grill.
Flank Steak Tostadas
Ingredients
- 8 corn tortillas
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 1 pound flank steak marinated overnight using a half-batch of this Alton Brown recipe
- 1 can black beans, drained 15.5 ounces (reserve 1-1/2 tablespoons liquid from can)
- 2 tablespoons pickled jalapeños
- 2 cups shredded iceberg or romaine lettuce
- 1 cup crumbled queso fresco
- 1 cup guacamole prepared using your favorite recipe
- Hot sauce
- Lime wedges for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Spray both sides of tortillas with cooking spray; place on rimmed baking pan. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until very crispy, turning once.
- Meanwhile, preheat grill for direct grilling over medium-high heat. Remove steak from marinade; discard marinade. Grill steak 8 to 10 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 135 degrees F for medium-rare, flipping once halfway through cooking. Transfer to plate; let rest at least 5 minutes before slicing.
- Place beans and their liquid, and jalapeños in food processor; process until smooth. Microwave bean mixture 60 seconds or until hot.
You can also make tortilla chips using the same oven crisping process . . . If I recall, it was a quick google search for homemade tortilla chips that inspired the tostada shell creation.
You can also make tortilla chips using the same oven crisping process . . . If I recall, it was a quick google search for homemade tortilla chips that inspired the tostada shell creation.
You can also make tortilla chips using the same oven crisping process . . . If I recall, it was a quick google search for homemade tortilla chips that inspired the tostada shell creation.
Oh, how wonderful! I need to try Alton Brown’s marinade ASAP!
Oh, how wonderful! I need to try Alton Brown’s marinade ASAP!
Thanks, Vicki! Sorry your beans turned out dry – I think depending on the brand, sometimes you may need a little extra juice from the can. I’ll add that to the recipe. So glad you had a great dinner!
Hmm, not sure why my post was authored by Guest, but just wanted to follow up on how dinner turned out. Meat had good flavor although i’ll definitely skip the sugar and blender next time. My beans were a little too dry so next time, I will leave them whole and not drain them totally. Overall, good flavor, easy to prepare and a new addition to my recipe box. Thanks again!
You’re welcome! Hope your dinner turned out great!
Making these tonight with AB’s marinade although I wish I didn’t add the brown sugar or blenderize it. Nonetheless, I’m sure this is going to be an awesome dinner! Thank you for sharing.
Making these tonight with AB’s marinade although I wish I didn’t add the brown sugar or blenderize it. Nonetheless, I’m sure this is going to be an awesome dinner! Thank you for sharing.
You’re welcome! Hope your dinner turned out great!
Hmm, not sure why my post was authored by Guest, but just wanted to follow up on how dinner turned out. Meat had good flavor although i’ll definitely skip the sugar and blender next time. My beans were a little too dry so next time, I will leave them whole and not drain them totally. Overall, good flavor, easy to prepare and a new addition to my recipe box. Thanks again!
Thanks, Vicki! Sorry your beans turned out dry – I think depending on the brand, sometimes you may need a little extra juice from the can. I’ll add that to the recipe. So glad you had a great dinner!
Awesome, Pamela! I hope you enjoy, and please let me know how it turns out!
Need to make these tostadas! We try to have one “taco inspired” recipe a week, this is next weeks!
Need to make these tostadas! We try to have one “taco inspired” recipe a week, this is next weeks!
Awesome, Pamela! I hope you enjoy, and please let me know how it turns out!
Thanks Renee! While just about any steak marinade works here, I really do recommend trying that Alton Brown one, if you haven’t already. It’s just the perfect balance of flavors. Plus, I almost always have all of the ingredients on hand.
Fabulous recipe. Now to get a flank steak marinating. I see my dinner tomorrow night.
Fabulous recipe. Now to get a flank steak marinating. I see my dinner tomorrow night.
Thanks Renee! While just about any steak marinade works here, I really do recommend trying that Alton Brown one, if you haven’t already. It’s just the perfect balance of flavors. Plus, I almost always have all of the ingredients on hand.