Grilled Blackberry Steak Tacos with Fresh Blackberry Salsa: Your New Favorite Summer Meal
Grilled Blackberry Steak Tacos with a vibrant Blackberry Salsa offer a delightful and unexpected fusion of flavors, making them the ultimate fruity, savory summer dinner. Perfect for your next Taco Tuesday or any casual gathering, this recipe infuses tender steak with a unique, tart, and herbaceous blackberry marinade. The experience is elevated further with a fresh, homemade blackberry salsa that amplifies those delicious notes. This recipe generously serves 4-6 people, ensuring there’s enough to go around for everyone to enjoy this innovative culinary creation.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Oregon Berries. As always, all opinions are my own and reflect my genuine enthusiasm for their products.
Prepare to have your taste buds awakened, because blackberry steak is an incredible culinary revelation you absolutely *must* experience this summer. If the idea of incorporating blackberries into a savory dish seems a bit unconventional, I completely understand your initial hesitation. Many people often relegate berries solely to desserts or breakfast items. However, I’m here to challenge that notion and prove that the subtle sweetness and tartness of blackberries can brilliantly enhance and elevate savory meals, especially grilled steak.
My own journey into savory berry cooking began just a few months ago when I participated in an enlightening class with Oregon Berries. It was there that I first tried their frozen Marionberries, and the experience was truly transformative. Before this class, I had never considered using berries in such a way. It not only broadened my culinary horizons but also fundamentally changed how I perceive and utilize one of my all-time favorite fruits. The deep, complex flavor of the Marionberries, even when frozen, immediately suggested their potential beyond the sweet realm.
What makes Oregon blackberries so exceptional? It all starts with their meticulous harvesting process. These berries are picked at the very peak of their ripeness, ensuring maximum flavor and nutritional value. Within an astonishing 24 hours of being picked, they are flash-frozen. This rapid freezing process is critically important because it locks in not just their vibrant taste but also their stunning natural color. Just take a moment to observe the intense hue of the berries in the bag, or the rich, deep color of the marinade – it’s a testament to their superior quality. This careful handling means that whether you’re using fresh or frozen Oregon berries, you’re getting a product that’s consistently bursting with flavor and visual appeal.
Beyond their exquisite taste and quality, discovering products like Oregon Berries is genuinely exciting because they are proudly sourced from the USA. These delicious berries are cultivated by dedicated local Oregon families on multi-generational family farms, where a deep passion for their craft is evident in every berry. I had the privilege of experiencing this firsthand during the cooking class, where we had the unique opportunity to virtually meet one of these passionate farmers. Their commitment to sustainable practices and producing top-tier fruit shines through, making it a product you can feel good about supporting and enjoying.
On a personal note, navigating the postpartum period can be challenging, and finding the motivation to return to the kitchen felt particularly daunting for a while. However, the sheer excitement of experimenting with something novel, like incorporating these remarkable berries into savory dishes, was the spark I needed. It reinvigorated my passion for cooking and reminded me of the joy that creative culinary exploration can bring. These blackberry steak tacos became a symbol of that renewed enthusiasm, a delicious journey back to loving time in the kitchen.
table of contents
Toggle
The Magic of Blackberry Marinade: A Celebration of Flavor
The Oregon blackberries truly shine as the star ingredient, forming an exceptional and distinctive base for our savory marinade. When blended with other complementary flavors like soy sauce, honey, lime, and fresh herbs, the berries work their magic, tenderizing the steak and infusing it with an incredible depth of flavor. The natural acidity of the blackberries helps break down the meat fibers, resulting in a steak that is remarkably tender, juicy, and bursting with complex notes – a perfect foundation for these extraordinary tacos. This marinated steak is so flavorful, it’s versatile enough to be enjoyed on its own, sliced and served over a bed of greens for a gourmet salad, or, of course, nestled into warm tortillas.
One of the greatest advantages of using Oregon berries is their year-round availability. Thanks to their efficient flash-freezing process, you can achieve the same consistent quality and vibrant flavor anytime, regardless of the season. This means that the unique and captivating blackberry marinade for these steak tacos, which truly makes them shine, can be a staple in your cooking rotation throughout the entire year. When fresh blackberries aren’t in season, frozen Oregon blackberries are not just a great alternative; they are often superior in quality, picked at peak ripeness and frozen to lock in maximum flavor and nutrients. Did you know that over 90% of frozen blackberries grown in the USA come from Oregon? By simply looking for the “Grown in the USA” label on the packaging at your grocery store, you can proudly support these dedicated Oregon berry farms and enjoy high-quality fruit.
Why Choose Oregon Blackberries?
The secret to these sensational tacos lies in the quality of the blackberries. Oregon’s unique climate and rich soil provide ideal growing conditions, contributing to berries that are exceptionally flavorful. The commitment of Oregon berry farmers to quick freezing methods ensures that the berries retain their nutritional integrity, vibrant color, and that perfect balance of sweet and tart that is crucial for our marinade. This dedication to quality means you’re getting berries that are not only delicious but also consistently deliver the best results in your culinary endeavors, whether sweet or savory.
Other Delightful Blackberry Creations: Blackberry Sidecar | Blackberry Lemon Icebox Cake | Sparkling Blackberry Vodka Lemonade | Blackberry Peach Shortcake Stacks
Essential Tools for Taco Perfection
To embark on your journey of creating these incredible grilled blackberry steak tacos, you’ll need a few key pieces of kitchen equipment. For preparing the smooth, rich marinade, a high-speed blender, such as a Vitamix, is absolutely indispensable. It ensures all the marinade ingredients are thoroughly combined and create a beautifully uniform consistency.
Of course, the star of the show, the steak, requires the right cooking method. You’ll need to fire up your grill – whether it’s charcoal, gas, or a pellet grill like a Traeger, the smoky char adds a fantastic dimension. Additionally, a sturdy cutting board and a sharp chef’s knife will be essential for expertly slicing the cooked steak against the grain, ensuring tender, melt-in-your-mouth strips for your tacos. Having these tools ready will make the cooking process smooth and enjoyable, leading to perfectly executed tacos.
Crafting Your Grilled Blackberry Steak Tacos!
Preparing the Flavorful Marinade
To prepare the luscious blackberry marinade, combine the thawed Oregon Marionberries (or fresh blackberries if in season), savory soy sauce, sweet honey, tangy lime juice, rich olive oil, pungent minced garlic, aromatic fresh thyme, fragrant rosemary leaves, and a touch of freshly ground black pepper into your high-speed blender. Process until the mixture achieves a perfectly smooth and vibrant consistency. This potent blend will be the secret to your steak’s incredible flavor.
Once the marinade is ready, place your skirt steak into a large, resealable bag. Carefully pour the blackberry marinade over the steak, ensuring it is completely submerged and coated. Seal the bag tightly, removing as much air as possible, and gently massage the steak to distribute the marinade evenly. Refrigerate the steak for a minimum of 6 hours, or ideally overnight for 12 hours, allowing the flavors to deeply penetrate the meat. About 30 minutes before you plan to grill, remove the steak from the refrigerator to let it come to room temperature; this helps it cook more evenly.
Grilling the Perfect Steak
Preheat your grill to a robust medium-high heat, aiming for a temperature range of 350˚ to 450˚F. A well-heated grill is crucial for achieving that desirable sear. Once hot, remove the marinated steak from the bag, discarding any excess marinade. Place the steak directly on the hot grill grates and cook for approximately 6 minutes on the first side. This initial sear will create a delicious crust.
Flip the steak and continue to grill for another 5 to 6 minutes for a perfect medium-rare doneness, which is often preferred for skirt steak in tacos due to its tenderness. If you prefer your steak more well-done, simply extend the cooking time by a few more minutes per side. Always use an instant-read thermometer for precision if you’re unsure. Once cooked to your liking, transfer the steak to a clean cutting board and allow it to rest for a full 10 minutes. This resting period is vital, as it allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more tender and flavorful slice. Finally, slice the steak against the grain into thin, bite-sized strips, then set aside, ready for assembly.
Assembling Your Delicious Tacos
While the steak rests, prepare your fresh blackberry salsa. In a small bowl, gently stir together the halved fresh blackberries, finely minced serrano peppers (seeded for less heat, or leave some seeds for extra kick), finely chopped red onion, diced seeded tomato, and fresh cilantro. The combination of sweet, spicy, and tangy elements in the salsa will provide a refreshing counterpoint to the rich steak.
Now for the fun part: assembling your tacos! Warm your corn tortillas until they are pliable and soft – a quick pass over an open flame, a warm skillet, or a stack wrapped in a damp paper towel in the microwave works perfectly. Add generous slices of the grilled blackberry steak to each warmed tortilla. Spoon a dollop of your fresh blackberry salsa over the steak, then crumble a good amount of queso fresco on top for a creamy, salty finish. Feel free to add any other favorite taco toppings you might enjoy, such as sliced avocado, a drizzle of crema, pickled red onions, or extra fresh cilantro. Serve immediately and savor every unique, flavorful bite!
Need some more inspiration for tacos? Check out my tacos recipe page!
Diving Deeper into Marionberries: Oregon’s Special Berry
So, what exactly are Marionberries? Often hailed as the “King of Blackberries,” Marionberries are a specific, cultivated type of blackberry developed by Oregon State University in the mid-20th century, named after Marion County, Oregon. They are known for being larger, glossier, and more intensely flavored than your average blackberry. What truly sets them apart is their incredibly complex, rich, and earthy flavor profile, which masterfully balances both sweetness and tartness. This depth of flavor is precisely why they excel in savory applications like our steak marinade.
Beyond their taste, Marionberries also boast a slightly firmer texture, which contributes to their excellent freezing qualities and structural integrity, even after thawing. I cannot recommend them highly enough – not only are they perfect for this blackberry steak taco recipe, but their exceptional flavor makes them ideal for simply popping into your mouth as a healthy snack, adding to smoothies, or using in a myriad of other sweet and savory dishes all year long. Seek them out at your local grocery store, especially in the frozen fruit aisle, and look for that “Grown in the USA” label to ensure you’re getting authentic Oregon quality.
For a tasty cocktail to pair with these savory tacos, try this refreshing blackberry gin fizz!
Grilled Blackberry Steak Tacos with Blackberry Salsa
equipment
-
Shun Classic Limited Edition Paring Knife
-
Utility Cutting Board
-
9-Inch Tongs
-
Hickory Hardwood Grill Pellets
-
Traeger Lil Tex Elite 34 Pellet Grill
ingredients
- 2 lbs skirt steak
- 1 1/2 cups Oregon Berries Frozen Marionberries thawed and drained (or fresh blackberries)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 Tbsp lime juice
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tsp fresh rosemary leaves
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 12 corn tortillas warmed
- 1/3 cup crumbled queso fresco
- 1 cup fresh blackberries halved
- 2 serrano peppers seeded and minced (adjust to heat preference)
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion
- 1/2 cup chopped seeded tomato
- 1 tsp freshly chopped cilantro
instructions
-
Add blackberries, soy sauce, honey, lime juice, olive oil, garlic, thyme, rosemary, and black pepper to a high-speed blender. Blend until smooth and completely combined.
-
Place the skirt steak in a resealable bag and pour in the blackberry marinade. Seal the bag, ensuring the steak is fully coated, and refrigerate for 6 to 12 hours. Before cooking, remove the steak from the refrigerator 30 minutes in advance to allow it to reach room temperature.
-
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (350˚ to 450˚F). Remove the steak from the marinade, shaking off any excess. Grill the steak for approximately 6 minutes on one side to achieve a good sear. Flip the steak and continue to cook for another 5 to 6 minutes for a medium-rare finish. Adjust grilling time as needed for your desired level of doneness.
-
Transfer the cooked steak to a cutting board and let it rest for 10 minutes. This step is crucial for juicy results. Then, slice the steak against the grain into thin strips.
-
In a small bowl, gently stir together all the salsa ingredients: halved fresh blackberries, minced serrano peppers, chopped red onion, diced tomato, and fresh cilantro.
-
To assemble the tacos, place generous slices of the grilled blackberry steak into warmed corn tortillas. Top with a spoonful of the fresh blackberry salsa and a sprinkle of crumbled queso fresco. Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious, unique tacos!