Why You’ll Love Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Beef Tacos Recipe
If you’re looking to level up your taco game, Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Beef Tacos are your new weeknight favorite. Combining sweet, smoky barbecue with savory garlic butter and melt-in-your-mouth beef, this taco recipe checks every box for flavor, texture, and comfort. The tortillas are lightly crisped, the beef is juicy and caramelized, and the honey-garlic glaze brings it all together. Whether you’re hosting a backyard party or need a dinner that wows the family, these tacos are a guaranteed win.
Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Beef Tacos are a flavor-packed twist on classic tacos that you’ll crave again and again. With rich barbecue sauce, garlic-infused butter, and a sticky touch of honey, this recipe turns an ordinary taco night into something unforgettable. And yes, you’ll want to dunk it in extra sauce because why not?
Pure Comfort
The heart of this dish is the Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Beef it’s the definition of comfort food. The beef is slow-cooked or seared until tender, then tossed in a sticky, sweet, buttery glaze that clings to every strand. Wrapped in warm tortillas and topped with fresh garnishes, every bite feels like a cozy hug. When you’re craving something that feels indulgent yet comforting, this recipe delivers.
Looking for more cozy weeknight meals? Try these easy saucy dinner ideas that deliver maximum flavor with minimal fuss.
Ingredients for Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Beef Tacos
For the Beef
1 ½ lbs flank steak or chuck roast, thinly sliced
2 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
For the Sauce
3 tbsp unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
⅓ cup honey
½ cup BBQ sauce (smoky preferred)
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp chili powder
¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
For the Tacos
10 small flour or corn tortillas
1 cup shredded lettuce
1 cup diced tomatoes
½ cup chopped red onions
1 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
Fresh cilantro, chopped
Lime wedges
What You Need
Making Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Beef Tacos doesn’t require much, just a few essentials:
- Large skillet or sauté pan
- Tongs for flipping beef
- Mixing bowl for tossing toppings
- Small saucepan for the honey BBQ garlic butter
- Cutting board and knife
Time to Cook Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Beef Tacos
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Steps to Make Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Beef Tacos
1. Prep the Beef
Slice your beef thinly against the grain for tenderness. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Make the Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Sauce
In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds. Stir in honey, BBQ sauce, soy sauce, paprika, chili powder, and red pepper flakes. Let it simmer for 5 minutes until thickened.
3. Sear the Beef
Heat olive oil in a skillet. Add the beef in batches, searing on both sides until browned. Don’t overcrowd the pan. Once cooked, return all beef to the skillet.
4. Coat the Beef
Pour the honey BBQ garlic butter sauce over the beef. Toss well to coat and cook for another 2-3 minutes so it caramelizes slightly.
5. Warm the Tortillas
Toast the tortillas in a dry skillet or warm them in foil in the oven.
6. Assemble Your Tacos
Add garlic butter BBQ beef to each tortilla. Top with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, cheese, and fresh cilantro. Finish with a squeeze of lime.
Make Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Beef Tacos Perfect
- Use homemade tortilla wraps for taco night for extra freshness.
- Thinly slicing your beef ensures quick cooking and tender bites.
- Add a drizzle of extra honey BBQ sauce on top for extra flavor.
- Want crunch? Toss in some crushed tortilla chips or a few pickled jalapeños.
Mix Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Beef Tacos Up
- Swap beef for chicken or pulled pork.
- Add pineapple chunks for a tropical sweet heat combo.
- Use spicy chipotle BBQ sauce for extra kick.
- Don’t eat beef? Try tofu or portobello mushrooms for a vegetarian twist.
Perfect Partners
Pair these tacos with sides that complement their sweet and smoky profile:
- Try them with this cheesy fusion taco pasta for a comforting combo.
- A cool avocado slaw or easy tortilla wraps make a great side.
- A glass of limeade or chilled beer is perfect for balance.
Busy Day Hero
This is a great recipe for hectic days prep the sauce in advance and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to cook, just heat it up and toss with seared beef.
Work Ahead
The BBQ beef can be fully cooked ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 2 months. Simply reheat and serve!
Save Some For Later
Leftover beef makes an incredible sandwich, rice bowl, or topping for nachos. Store any extras in an airtight container and reheat gently for best texture.
Everyone’s Happy
From picky eaters to BBQ lovers, these tacos please every palate. You can keep toppings separate for kids or spice it up for the adventurous ones in the family.
Good For You Too
Using lean cuts of beef and controlling the sweetness makes this dish a healthier indulgence. Add fresh veggies or swap in low-carb tortillas for a lighter option.
Easy Clean Up
Only two pans—one for the beef and one for the sauce make this a breeze to clean up. Use foil when heating tortillas to save dish duty!
Switch It Up
Want more BBQ taco inspiration? Check out this BBQ-style taco twist with a fast-food vibe. Or for deep flavors, dive into slow-cooked taco flavor.
Simply Perfect
Sweet, savory, sticky, and bold Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Beef Tacos hit every note you want from a taco. They’re great for gatherings, quiet dinners, or even meal prep. The buttery glaze and the BBQ tang create a combination that feels restaurant-worthy, yet totally doable in your kitchen.
FAQs for Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Beef Tacos
1. Can I use chicken instead of beef?
Yes! Chicken thighs or breasts work great. Just adjust cook time accordingly.
2. Is this recipe spicy?
It’s mildly spicy, but you can reduce or skip the red pepper flakes.
3. What’s the best BBQ sauce to use?
Smoky or honey-based BBQ sauces pair best. You can also go spicy for a kick.
4. How do I keep the tortillas from tearing?
Warm them before assembling to make them more pliable.
5. Can I grill the beef instead?
Absolutely! Grilling adds extra charred flavor just slice after grilling and toss in sauce.
6. Can I make it dairy-free?
Yes! Use vegan butter or olive oil instead of butter.
Conclusion for Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Beef Tacos
If tacos are your love language, Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Beef Tacos speak it fluently. They’re saucy, savory, and just the right amount of sweet. With easy prep and mouthwatering results, this dish will earn a permanent spot in your dinner rotation.
Looking for more inspiration? Try this slow-cooked taco flavor or explore fun sides like this BBQ-style taco twist. Whether it’s Taco Tuesday or just Tuesday, these beef tacos make it unforgettable.
Happy cooking with Rita chef ❤️!
Print
Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Beef Tacos
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 10 tacos 1x
Description
These Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Beef Tacos combine tender beef, garlic butter, sweet honey, and smoky BBQ sauce wrapped in warm tortillas for a flavor-packed dinner.
Ingredients
1 ½ lbs flank steak or chuck roast, thinly sliced
2 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
3 tbsp unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
⅓ cup honey
½ cup BBQ sauce
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp chili powder
¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
10 small flour or corn tortillas
1 cup shredded lettuce
1 cup diced tomatoes
½ cup chopped red onions
1 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
Fresh cilantro, chopped
Lime wedges
Instructions
Slice the beef thinly against the grain and season with salt and pepper.
In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat and sauté garlic until fragrant.
Stir in honey, BBQ sauce, soy sauce, paprika, chili powder, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 5 minutes.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet and sear the beef in batches until browned.
Return all beef to the skillet and pour in the sauce. Toss to coat and cook for 2–3 more minutes.
Warm the tortillas in a skillet or oven.
Assemble the tacos with beef, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, cheese, and cilantro.
Serve with lime wedges and extra sauce if desired.
Notes
Use chicken or pork as a substitute for beef. For added flavor, grill the beef before slicing. Make it spicier with hot BBQ sauce or more red pepper flakes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sauté + Simmer
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 taco
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Beef Tacos, BBQ beef taco recipe, sweet and smoky beef tacos, honey garlic tacos