Mexican Steak Kebab-Inspired Skillet Recipe (Alambres)

Beefy, savory, and flavorful, steak alambres make the perfect tacos for meat lovers! With steak, bacon, onions, and bell peppers all wrapped in a warm tortilla, it’s a dish you’ll want to make for a special occasion.

As someone who enjoys eating steak occasionally, I really like the savory flavors of this dish. The seared steak bites and the rich flavor of the bacon paired with the onions and bell peppers, which get sweet as they cook, make a fantastic combination for a taco!

I usually like to pair alambres with a bright and fresh salsa, like a pico de gallo. It contrasts so well with the rich flavor of the steak and bacon. I hope you enjoy this dish on your next taco night!

What are Alambres?

Alambres is classic Mexican dish made with steak, bacon, onions, and bell peppers. This dish is traditionally cooked by cutting up these ingredients and then inserting them onto a metal skewer in order to grill. At taquerias or in a home kitchen the skewer is usually omitted and the meat and vegetables are usually cooked on a skillet or griddle. Both methods produce great results, delicious seared meat, onions and bell peppers that sweeten as they cook. This recipe will be for cooking at home in your kitchen and on a skillet, no skewers needed!

Cheese can be added to the alambres, this is usually done when cooked on a skillet or griddle. The cheese is usually added at the end of the cooking, it then melts to produce an extra layer of flavor. Steak, bacon, sweet vegetables, and a layer of melted cheese. Perfect for an amazing taco!

The name alambres, which means wires in English, refers to the metal skewer resembling electric wires. When it comes to naming things, Mexicans can be very playful and funny. As you might know, other dishes like pico de gallo or enchiladas suizas have fun names as well. It’s definitely a part of Mexican culture, and it’s also one of things I enjoy most about Mexico!

What Type of Steak to Use?

There are several cuts of steak you can use to make alambres. Popular cuts are rib eye, New York strip, or top sirloin. I usually like to use rib eye because it’s got a good amount of fat, which helps keep the meat tender and moist. If you prefer a leaner cut of meat, top sirloin is a good steak for this dish. Whichever cut of steak you decide to cook with, you’ll end up with tasty alambres!

How to Make Steak Alambres

1. Add chopped bacon to large pan over medium heat and cook for about 5 to 10 minutes until fat is rendered and bacon is cooked and starts to crisp up.
2. Remove bacon from pan and set aside. Leave rendered bacon fat in the pan.
3. Season chopped steak with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Add chopped steak to the pan and cook for about 2 to 3 minutes per side or until seared.
5. Remove chopped steak from the pan and set aside.
6. Add chopped onions and bell peppers to the pan and cook for about 3 to 5 minutes or until onion is well coated in the fat, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon to scrape off the browned bits on the bottom of the pan.
7. Add chopped steak and bacon back into the onion and bell pepper mixture, stir for about 1 to 2 minutes to reheat meat.
8. Add shredded cheese to the top of the mixture and stir until it melts, usually about 1 to 2 minutes. This step is optional.

Tips and Suggestions

1. If you prefer crispier bacon cook to desired crispiness.
2. You may need to add cooking oil to the pan at some point, if the bacon doesn’t render enough fat. This will help get a good sear on the steak.
3. When you add the shredded cheese you can also leave it on top of the meat and cover for a few minutes to melt, instead of stirring into mixture.

How to Store Steak Alambres

Alambres can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Make sure to store in an airtight container.

How to Reheat Steak Alambres

To reheat alambres, add the leftovers to a pan and add a little water to the pan. The water will help generate steam. Cook on medium low or medium heat, covered for about 5 to 10 minutes or until warmed through.

How to Eat Steak Alambres

The most popular way to eat alambres is definitely in a taco, and it makes a very delicious one! It’s hard to beat a steak, bacon, and cheese taco. I usually like to serve alambres with a good salsa, one of my favorites for this dish is pico de gallo. It brings a nice fresh and bright flavor to the richness of the steak and bacon. Other ways you could enjoy alambres are in a torta, sandwich, served over rice, or simply on its own. Whatever way you decide to eat this dish, you’ll be eating a tasty meal!

I hope you enjoy this steak alambres recipe. Please let me know in the comments below if you make it and how it went.

Gracias y provecho!

Raul

Mexican Steak Kebab-Inspired Skillet Recipe (Alambres)

Steak alambres is a classic Mexican dish perfect for tacos. It's made with steak, bacon, onions, and bell peppers.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Servings: 4 people

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Mexican

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb rib eye steak chopped into 1/2 inch cubes
• 4 bacon slices chopped into 1/2 inch pieces
• 1/2 white onion chopped into 1/2 inch pieces
• 1 green bell pepper chopped into 1/2 inch pieces
• 1 red bell pepper chopped into 1/2 inch pieces
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• Canola, vegetable, or avocado oil add only if needed to coat pan
• 1/2 cup Shredded Chihuahua cheese, Muenster Cheese, or Monterey Jack cheese Optional

Method

 

1. Add chopped bacon to large pan over medium heat and cook for about 5 to 10 minutes until fat is rendered and bacon is cooked and starts to crisp up.
2. Remove bacon from pan and set aside. Leave rendered bacon fat in the pan.
3. Season chopped steak with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Add chopped rib eye steak to the pan and cook for about 2 to 3 minutes per side or until seared.
5. Remove chopped rib eye from the pan and set aside.
6. Add chopped onions and bell peppers to the pan and cook for about 3 to 5 minutes or until onion is well coated in the fat, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon to scrape off the browned bits on the bottom of the pan.
7. Add chopped steak and bacon back into the onion and bell pepper mixture, stir for about 1 to 2 minutes to reheat meat.
8. If using, add shredded cheese to the top of the mixture and stir until it melts, usually about 1 to 2 minutes.

Notes

1. If you prefer crispier bacon cook to desired crispiness.
2. You can substitute the rib eye for New York strip or  top sirloin steak.
3. You may need to add cooking oil to the pan at some point, if the bacon doesn’t render enough fat. This will help get a good sear on the steak.
4. When you add the shredded cheese you can also leave it on top of the meat and cover for a few minutes to melt, instead of stirring into mixture.