Grilled Blackberry Steak Tacos with Fresh Blackberry Salsa: A Sweet & Savory Summer Delight
Transform your summer dinner routine with these extraordinary Grilled Blackberry Steak Tacos! Infused with the unique tart and herbaceous flavors of a blackberry marinade, the steak becomes incredibly tender and juicy. Crowned with a vibrant, fresh blackberry salsa, these tacos are not just a meal, but a culinary experience. Ideal for a festive Taco Tuesday or any warm-weather gathering, this recipe serves 4-6 and promises a delightful fusion of sweet and savory notes.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Oregon Berries. As always, all opinions are my own.
Prepare to have your taste buds awakened this summer, because blackberry steak is the next sensational dish you absolutely must add to your menu. If the idea of combining luscious blackberries with savory steak sounds unconventional, you’re not alone. Many people initially question this pairing, but I am here to enthusiastically prove that it’s not only possible but utterly delicious. This innovative approach to flavor will redefine your perception of fruit in savory cooking.
My journey into the world of savory blackberry dishes began a few months ago during an enlightening class with Oregon Berries. It was there that I had my first encounter with their exceptional frozen Marionberries, and the experience was truly transformative. Before this, I, like many, primarily associated berries with desserts or sweet breakfasts. However, that single class completely reshaped my culinary perspective, turning one of my favorite fruits into a versatile ingredient for a whole new realm of recipes. The unique tartness and subtle sweetness of the blackberries, when paired with the richness of steak, create a flavor profile that is surprisingly harmonious and deeply satisfying.
The Unbeatable Quality of Oregon Berries
What makes Oregon blackberries so special for this recipe and beyond? It’s their unparalleled quality, stemming from careful cultivation and rapid processing. These berries are harvested at the absolute peak of ripeness, ensuring maximum flavor and natural sweetness. Crucially, they are then flash-frozen within 24 hours of being picked. This rapid freezing process is a game-changer; it effectively locks in the berries’ vibrant taste, beautiful color, and essential nutrients, preserving them as if they were freshly picked. Just observe the stunning, deep hue of the berries in the bag, and then marvel at the rich, purple color they impart to the steak marinade! This commitment to quality means you get consistent, delicious results every time.
Beyond their incredible taste, discovering products from the USA is always a source of great satisfaction. Oregon Berries are grown by dedicated local families on multi-generational farms across Oregon. These farmers pour their hearts and souls into their work, a passion that was palpable when I virtually met one of them during the cooking class. Supporting Oregon Berries means not only enjoying superior quality fruit but also contributing to the livelihood of these passionate American farming families who uphold sustainable practices and agricultural heritage.
There are times in life when finding joy and inspiration in the kitchen can be challenging. For me, navigating the postpartum period made returning to cooking feel like an uphill battle. However, the sheer excitement of experimenting with something novel, like incorporating these incredible berries into savory dishes, was the precise spark I needed. It reignited my culinary creativity and pulled me back into the comforting, fulfilling routine of cooking and creating delicious meals. This recipe isn’t just about food; it’s about rediscovering a passion through unexpected flavors.
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A Celebration of Blackberry Flavor in Every Bite
These Grilled Blackberry Steak Tacos truly are a beautiful celebration of the blackberry, showcasing its incredible versatility beyond sweet applications. The Oregon blackberries form the perfect foundation for a truly unique and flavor-packed marinade. This marinade, with its delicate balance of tartness, sweetness, and herbaceous notes, works wonders on the skirt steak. The acid in the berries, combined with other ingredients, tenderizes the meat while deeply infusing it with a complex flavor that is both bright and savory. The result is incredibly flavorful and juicy steak, making it absolutely ideal for filling warm corn tortillas.
While these tacos are a standout, the marinated and grilled steak is so delicious, you might find yourself wanting to serve it in other ways. It’s fantastic on its own as a main course, or thinly sliced and arranged atop your favorite crisp summer salad for a gourmet touch. To truly elevate the taco experience and “embolden” those amazing blackberry flavors, we highly recommend topping your tacos with our fresh blackberry salsa. This vibrant salsa adds a burst of freshness, a slight kick, and another layer of fruity goodness that complements the steak perfectly.
One of the most fantastic advantages of using frozen Oregon blackberries is their year-round availability. This means you don’t have to wait for a specific season to enjoy the incredible quality and taste that makes this marinade so special. Whether it’s the dead of winter or the height of summer, you can always whip up these shining steak tacos. In fact, when fresh blackberries aren’t in season, high-quality frozen blackberries are not just an alternative; they are often superior to out-of-season fresh options in terms of flavor and nutritional value. Did you know that over 90% of frozen blackberries grown in the USA come from Oregon? To ensure you’re getting the best and supporting American agriculture, simply look for “Grown in the USA” on the packaging at your local grocery store. This simple step helps sustain dedicated Oregon berry farms and brings premium flavor to your table.
More Delicious Blackberry Recipes to Try: Blackberry Sidecar | Blackberry Lemon Icebox Cake | Sparkling Blackberry Vodka Lemonade | Blackberry Peach Shortcake Stacks
Essential Tools for This Recipe
To ensure the smoothest and most delicious outcome for your grilled blackberry steak tacos, having the right kitchen tools on hand makes all the difference.
For creating that beautifully smooth, flavorful blackberry marinade, a **high-speed blender** (like a Vitamix) is your best friend. It effortlessly combines all the ingredients into a perfectly consistent mixture, ensuring maximum flavor infusion into your steak. While a regular blender can work, a high-speed one guarantees a silky-smooth marinade without any unwanted berry chunks.
Of course, for achieving that perfect char and tenderness, you’ll need to fire up your **grill**. A good quality grill is essential for even cooking and imparting that smoky flavor. Don’t forget your grilling essentials like **tongs** for easy flipping. Once the steak is cooked to perfection, a sturdy **cutting board** and a sharp **chef’s knife** will be invaluable for slicing the meat thinly and against the grain, which is key for maximum tenderness in your tacos. These basic tools will set you up for success in creating these sensational summer tacos.
Crafting Your Grilled Blackberry Steak Tacos!
The Blackberry Marinade
The magic of these tacos begins with our blackberry marinade. To start, gather all the marinade ingredients—Oregon Berries frozen Marionberries (thawed and drained), soy sauce, honey, lime juice, olive oil, minced garlic, fresh thyme, fresh rosemary, and black pepper. Add them all to your high-speed blender and process until the mixture is completely smooth and vibrant. The rich color and aroma will instantly tell you you’re on the right track!
Next, place your skirt steak into a large, resealable bag. Pour the freshly blended marinade over the steak, ensuring it’s fully submerged. Seal the bag tightly, pressing out any excess air, and then gently massage the steak within the bag to ensure every inch is thoroughly coated with the aromatic marinade. This step is crucial for both tenderizing the meat and infusing it with that incredible blackberry flavor. Allow the steak to marinate in the refrigerator for a minimum of 6 hours, and ideally up to 12 hours, for the deepest flavor penetration. About 30 minutes before you plan to cook, remove the steak from the refrigerator to let it rest at room temperature. This brief rest helps the steak cook more evenly and prevents it from seizing up when it hits the hot grill.
Grilling the Perfect Steak
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, aiming for a temperature between 350˚ and 450˚F. A properly preheated grill ensures beautiful grill marks and prevents sticking. Once hot, remove the steak from the marinade, letting any excess drip off. Place the steak directly on the grill grates and cook for approximately 6 minutes on one side. Then, flip the steak and continue to grill for another 5 to 6 minutes for a perfect medium-rare doneness. If you prefer your steak more well-done, simply extend the cooking time by a few minutes on each side. Remember, skirt steak cooks relatively quickly due to its thinness.
After grilling, immediately transfer the cooked steak to a clean cutting board and allow it to rest for at least 10 minutes. This resting period is incredibly important; it allows the juices within the meat to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and juicy slice. Skipping this step can lead to dry steak. Once rested, slice the steak thinly against the grain. Slicing against the grain breaks up the tough muscle fibers, ensuring each bite of your taco meat is incredibly tender and easy to chew. Set the sliced steak aside, ready for assembly.
Assembling Your Tacos
While your steak rests, prepare your fresh blackberry salsa. In a small bowl, gently stir together the halved fresh blackberries, minced serrano peppers (seeded for less heat, or left in for more), chopped red onion, diced seeded tomato, and fresh chopped cilantro. This salsa adds a bright, zesty, and slightly spicy counterpoint to the rich steak.
Now for the grand finale – assembling your delicious tacos! Take your warmed corn tortillas (a warm tortilla is key for flexibility and flavor) and load them with generous slices of the grilled blackberry steak. Spoon a dollop of your vibrant blackberry salsa over the steak. Finally, sprinkle some crumbled queso fresco for a creamy, salty finish. Feel free to customize your tacos with any other favorite toppings you enjoy, such as fresh avocado slices, a drizzle of crema, or pickled red onions. Serve immediately and savor the incredible fusion of flavors in every bite!
Seeking More Taco Inspiration? Check out my tacos recipe page!
What Exactly Are Marionberries?
You might be curious about the “Marionberries” mentioned in this recipe. Marionberries are not just any blackberry; they are a distinctive type of blackberry that originated and is primarily cultivated in Oregon. Often referred to as the “King of Blackberries,” they offer a flavor profile that is far more complex and nuanced than a standard blackberry. They boast a rich, earthy flavor, with a perfect balance of intense sweetness and refreshing tartness that tantalizes the palate.
Beyond their exquisite taste, Marionberries also tend to have a slightly firmer texture, making them excellent for both cooking and enjoying fresh. Their deep, dark purple hue is indicative of their high antioxidant content, adding to their appeal. I wholeheartedly recommend seeking out Marionberries, not only for their starring role in this incredible taco recipe but also for simply popping them into your mouth as a delicious, healthy snack throughout the year. Their unique flavor truly stands out, making them a premium choice for any culinary application, sweet or savory.
For a tasty cocktail to perfectly pair with these unique and flavorful tacos, be sure to check out this delightful blackberry gin fizz! Its refreshing notes will complement the tacos beautifully.
Grilled Blackberry Steak Tacos with Blackberry Salsa Recipe
Equipment
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Shun Classic Limited Edition Paring Knife
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Utility Cutting Board
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9-Inch Tongs
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Hickory Hardwood Grill Pellets
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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)
- 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
- Optional: avocado, crema, pickled onions, extra cilantro
- 1 cup fresh blackberries halved
- 2 serrano peppers seeded and minced
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion
- 1/2 cup chopped seeded tomato
- 1 tsp freshly chopped cilantro
Instructions
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Prepare Marinade: Add thawed and drained Oregon Berries Marionberries (or fresh blackberries), soy sauce, honey, lime juice, olive oil, minced garlic, fresh thyme leaves, fresh rosemary leaves, and black pepper to a high-speed blender. Blend until completely smooth and free of lumps.
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Marinate Steak: Place the skirt steak in a large, resealable bag. Pour the prepared blackberry marinade over the steak. Seal the bag, ensuring to press out any excess air, and gently massage the steak to ensure it is thoroughly coated. Refrigerate for 6 to 12 hours. Before cooking, remove the steak from the refrigerator 30 minutes in advance to allow it to come to room temperature for even cooking.
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Grill Steak: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (350˚ to 450˚F). Remove the steak from the marinade, allowing any excess to drip off. Grill the steak for approximately 6 minutes on one side. Flip and cook for another 5 to 6 minutes, or until it reaches your desired doneness (for medium-rare).
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Rest & Slice Steak: Transfer the cooked steak to a cutting board and let it rest for 10 minutes. This is crucial for juicy results. Then, slice the steak thinly against the grain into strips. Set aside.
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Prepare Salsa: In a small bowl, stir together the halved fresh blackberries, seeded and minced serrano peppers, chopped red onion, chopped seeded tomato, and freshly chopped cilantro for your vibrant salsa.
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Assemble Tacos: Warm your corn tortillas. Add generous slices of the grilled blackberry steak to each tortilla. Top with a spoonful of the fresh blackberry salsa and a sprinkle of crumbled queso fresco. Serve immediately with any additional desired toppings like avocado or crema.