The vampiro tacos is a popular Mexican street food that is crunchy, cheesy, and delicious. This guide covers everything you need to know about the history, ingredients, and how to make the best vampiro tacos at home.
Key Takeaways:
- Vampiro tacos originated in Sinaloa, Mexico and are also called tacos de asada
- They feature a grilled or pan-fried tortilla topped with melted cheese, grilled steak, salsa, onions, cilantro, and lime
- The name likely refers to the way the tortilla gets “sucked dry” of moisture when grilled
- Vampiros can be made with carne asada, al pastor, chorizo, shrimp, chicken or vegetarian fillings
- Making them requires just a few simple ingredients and techniques like grilling the tortillas and melting the cheese
What Are Vampiro Tacos?
A vampiro taco is a crispy, cheesy taco that hails from the Mexican state of Sinaloa. It features a grilled or pan-fried corn tortilla that gets topped with oozy melted cheese, strips of carne asada (grilled steak), salsa, onions, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.
This irresistible combination of textures and flavours has made the vampiro a popular street food and taqueria menu item across Mexico. It’s often served for lunch or as a late night snack.
While vampiro tacos go by different names regionally, the term “vampiro” specifically refers to the Sinaloa-style preparation.
The History and Origins of Vampiro Tacos
The vampiro taco traces its origins to the state of Sinaloa in northwestern Mexico. In the late 1980s and 1990s, vampiro tacos began appearing at food carts and street stalls in cities like Culiacán and Mazatlán.
From there, vampiros spread to taquerias and restaurants throughout Mexico. They became especially popular in Baja California, where they absorbed some influences from Tijuana-style tacos.
The exact origins of the name “vampiro” are obscure, but there are a few common theories:
- The tortilla gets “sucked” dry of moisture when grilled, like a vampire sucks blood
- The streaks of red salsa resemble blood dripping down a vampire’s chin
- The way the tortilla folds up resembles a bat’s wings
- The person who named them was a fan of vampire movies popular at the time
While the name is mysterious, the delicious flavors of the vampiro taco are crystal clear. It’s a winning combination of hot, crispy, melty, and fresh flavors and textures in every bite.
The Anatomy of a Vampiro Taco
A proper vampiro taco consists of just a few main components:
Grilled Tortilla – The base is one or two corn tortillas that have been grilled or pan-fried until hot and crispy. The tortilla gets slightly concave and bubble-shaped from the heat. This process of cooking the tortillas gives them an incredible crunch.
Melted Cheese – While the tortilla is still hot, shredded Oaxaca, mozzarella, or Monterey jack cheese gets sprinkled on top so it melts. The melted cheese layer is essential for the vampiro experience.
Carne Asada – Thinly sliced, grilled steak is the most traditional vampiro filling. Carne asada translates to “grilled beef.” Skirt, flank or sirloin steak are typical cuts used. The meat is chopped or sliced into strips.
Onions – Diced raw white or red onions add a fresh, pungent crunch.
Cilantro – Fresh chopped cilantro adds herbaceous flavor.
Salsa – A tomato-based red salsa, like salsa roja or salsa verde, enhances the flavor.
Lime Wedge – A squeeze of tangy lime juice right before eating balances all the flavors.
Extras – Guacamole, pico de gallo, chopped jalapeños, and Mexican crema are popular vampiro add-ons.
The ingredients can be adapted based on preference, but the tortillas and melted cheese are what make a vampiro taco distinct from a regular taco.
How to Make Vampiro Tacos
Making vampiro tacos at home is easy. With just a few ingredients and some simple cooking techniques, you can enjoy this Mexican favorite:
Grill or Pan-Fry the Tortillas
- Brush both sides of corn tortillas with oil
- Place tortillas directly on a hot grill or skillet over medium-high heat
- Cook 1-2 minutes per side until lightly charred and crispy
Melt the Cheese
- Flip tortillas and immediately top with shredded Oaxaca or Monterey Jack cheese
- Let cheese melt, about 1 minute
Add Filling and Toppings
- Slice carne asada or other filling into strips
- Top melted cheese with steak, salsa, onions, cilantro
- Squeeze lime juice over the vampiro just before eating
The key is to melt the cheese while the tortilla is piping hot. This allows the cheese to get nice and oozy within the crispy tortilla.
Feel free to get creative with fillings too. Grilled chicken, shrimp, chorizo sausage, barbacoa, and even sauteed vegetables or refried beans make delicious alternatives to the traditional carne asada.
Tips for Making Perfect Vampiro Tacos
Here are some helpful tips for achieving vampiro perfection:
- Use fresh, good quality corn tortillas – they crisp up better than stale ones
- Get the tortilla very hot before adding cheese so it melts immediately
- Use a melting cheese like Oaxaca, mozzarella, or Monterey jack
- Chop onions and cilantro small so they don’t fall out
- Slice the meat into thin strips for even distribution of filling
- Add salsa sparingly so it doesn’t make the tortilla soggy
- Squeeze lime juice over the vampiro right before taking a bite
- Serve with extra components like guacamole, crema, and jalapeños on the side
Vampiro Taco Variations
One of the great things about vampiros is how customizable they are. Just about any filling can be vampiro-fied! Here are some popular variations:
Al Pastor Vampiros
Thinly sliced pork al pastor makes a delicious substitution for carne asada. Al pastor features bold flavors from a marinade of chili peppers, vinegar, and pineapple.
Carnitas Vampiros
Braised, shredded pork carnitas are a tender and tasty choice. They add richness from the pork fat.
Chorizo Vampiros
Spicy Mexican chorizo sausage crumbled and cooked into the vampiro is an excellent option.
Shrimp Vampiros
For a seafood twist, try diced grilled shrimp or shrimp diabla in place of steak.
Chicken Vampiros
Grilled adobo chicken or tinga chicken work great in a vampiro.
Vegetarian Vampiros
For veggie vampiros, fill them with grilled mushrooms, peppers, onions, zucchini, spinach, or refried beans.
No matter what you stuff them with, finishing them tableside with fresh salsa, lime juice, and other condiments allows you to customize each vampiro to your liking.
Where to Find the Best Vampiro Tacos
While you can make tasty vampiros at home, tasting authentic ones in Mexico takes the experience to another level. Here are some of the top places to sample memorable vampiros:
Sinaloa – For the genuine article, head to taquerias and street stalls in Culiacán, Mazatlán and throughout Sinaloa, the birthplace of vampiros.
Tijuana – Vampiros get creative twists like guacamole and queso fresco at taquerias in Tijuana, Baja California.
Mexico City – In the capital, try the vampiros at favorites like El Tizoncito, Tacos Gus, and Tacos Hola.
Los Angeles – Taquerias like Tacos La Carreta, Tacos El Palomas, and Tacos Al Carbon serve Sinaloa-style vampiros.
Tucson, Arizona – Taqueria Pico de Gallo is known for excellent Sinaloan food including vampiros.
No trip to Mexico would be complete without sampling some vampiro tacos from street vendors and taquerias. Tracking down the best ones takes you on a delicious taco quest.
Why Vampiro Tacos Are So Popular
It’s easy to see why the vampiro taco has become so popular well beyond its original home in Sinaloa:
Mix of Textures – The tortilla is crispy, the cheese is melted and stringy, the meat is juicy and tender. This melding of textures in one bite is what makes them so craveable.
Customizable – With the endless filling options, you can make them to suit your tastes. Vegetarian, vegan, seafood – the possibilities are wide open.
Flavor Combo – Salty, spicy, savory, sweet, herby, and citrusy flavors unite through the components. The lime, in particular, adds a lovely bright note.
Satisfying – Whether you have them for a hearty lunch or late-night snack, vampiros satisfy, with their generous portions of protein, cheese, and toppings.
Portable – Vampiros are compact tacos perfect for eating on the go. Their construction keeps all the ingredients neatly contained.
Quick Prep – For taqueros, assembling a vampiro takes just seconds since it only requires heating the tortilla, melting the cheese, and topping with prepped ingredients.
It’s the ideal Mexican street food – easy to make, delicious to eat, and open to customization. The vampiro has earned its place among the pantheon of great Mexican antojitos.
Frequently Asked Questions About Vampiro Tacos
What is the difference between a vampiro taco and a regular taco?
The main difference is that a vampiro taco features a tortilla that gets grilled or pan-fried until crispy, whereas regular soft tacos use steamed tortillas. Vampiros also incorporate melted cheese between the tortilla and other fillings.
Are vampiros spicy?
Not inherently – they can be made as spicy or mild as you prefer. Most recipes call for a tomato-based salsa that provides medium heat. Adding extra jalapeños or a spicier salsa amps up the spice level.
What meat is traditionally used in vampiro tacos?
Thinly sliced grilled steak, known as carne asada, is the most traditional filling. Skirt, flank, sirloin, or ribeye are common cuts. But vampiros can be filled with anything from al pastor to chorizo to shrimp.
Do you need two tortillas for a vampiro taco?
While a single crispy tortilla is all that’s required for structure, using two tortillas with melted cheese in between takes them to the next level. The extra tortilla also prevents sogginess from the salsa and fillings.
How do you say “vampiro taco” in English?
There’s no direct English translation for vampiro taco. The most accurate phrase is simply “vampiro taco,” since this specific style of Mexican taco takes its name from the Spanish word. Other options are “vampire taco” or “vamp taco.”
Enjoy Sink-Your-Teeth-In Crispy, Cheesy Vampiro Tacos
With their bubbled, charred tortillas, oozing melted cheese, rich meat, and bright finishing squeeze of lime, vampiro tacos are a can’t-miss Mexican specialty. This guide outlines everything from their mysterious origins to expert tips for making the best ones at home. Whatever the story behind the name, there’s no myth that vampiro tacos are one of the tastiest foods you’ll ever sink your teeth into!
So fire up your grill or skillet to crisp those tortillas, top them amply with cheese, and fill them with your favorite meats or veggies. Then finish them with a squirt of lime, grab a cerveza, and get ready to enjoy a mouthwatering vampiro experience.
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