Weight Loss Friendly Steak Tacos and Caramelized Onions

Steak Tacos That Fit Your Goals—Without Sacrificing Flavor

Tacos aren’t just for indulgent nights—they can be a perfect balance of protein, fiber, and rich flavors while still supporting your health goals. These Weight Loss Friendly Steak Tacos deliver tender, marinated steak with a deep umami kick, sweet and savory caramelized onions, and a tangy topping to boot. With the right approach, you can enjoy satisfying meals that taste indulgent but keep you feeling your best on your weight loss journey.

How to Make Your Steak Extra Tender & Flavorful

The secret to incredibly tender, restaurant-quality beef? A simple marinade using baking soda and cornstarch. The baking soda helps break down muscle fibers for a juicy bite, while cornstarch locks in moisture during cooking. This way, even a lean trimmed rib-eye can taste awesome. Letting the steak marinate for at least 30 minutes ensures that the flavors absorb, and slicing it as thin as possible (¼-inch or less) keeps every bite tender.

Building a Balanced, Satisfying Plate

Tacos don’t have to be just protein and carbs. Adding fiber-rich, veggie-forward sides boosts satiety and micronutrients. Try pairing these steak tacos with:

• Crispy Roasted Brussels Sprouts – Tossed with olive oil, salt, and a splash of balsamic.

• Mexican-Inspired Slaw – A refreshing mix of shredded cabbage, lime juice, and a touch of honey.

• Grilled Peppers & Zucchini – Adds smoky depth and pairs well with the steak’s caramelized onions.

Meal Prep Made Simple

This recipe works great for meal prepping or busy weeknights. Make the steak and onions in advance, store them in the fridge, and quickly reheat before assembling your tacos. For extra variety, serve leftovers in a bowl with brown rice and avocado or over a bed of greens for an easy, high-protein salad.

By focusing on bold flavors, smart ingredient choices, and balanced portions, these steak tacos offer the best of both worlds—comforting, satisfying, and aligned with your goals.

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Weight Loss Friendly Steak Tacos with Caramlized Onions

Yield: 4

Author: Megan Gaul from Partake Meal Planning

Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 50 MinTotal time: 1 Hour

These Weight Loss Friendly Steak Tacos with Caramelized Onions prove that delicious, satisfying meals have a place in any weight management plan. With tender marinated steak, rich golden onions, and the flexibility to choose crunchy taco shells or high-fiber wraps, this recipe balances flavor, protein, and food freedom. Instead of restriction, you get a meal that feels indulgent while keeping you full and energized. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, meal prep, or a healthier taco night, these tacos deliver bold taste without sacrificing your goals.

Ingredients

For the beef:

• 10 oz rib-eye steak
• 1 ½ tsp garlic powder
• 1 ½ tsp black pepper
• ⅓ tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp cornstarch (around 6 g)
• 1 generous tbsp low sodium soy sauce (around 15 - 20 ml)
• 1 tsp olive oil (around 4 g)
• ½ tsp canola oil (around 2 g)

For the onion topping:

• 1 large yellow or sweet/vidalia onion, or 2 small (around ½ lb)
• 1 heaping tbsp butter (around 16 g)
• 1-2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2-1 tsp kosher salt (to taste)

For serving

• 4 medium-sized low-carb tortillas
• OR
• 10 crunchy taco shells (will change nutrition information)
• Favorite drizzle or dipping sauce (I used hatch chili bacon ranch dip, 5 g per taco or 10 g per burrito. You can get creative here!)

Instructions

Begin the onions and meat:

1. Take out a large deep-sided nonstick pan, and heat it on medium for a few minutes. Then in the pan, add the onions, a generous pinch of salt, and 3-4 tbsps of water. Cover and let cook on medium-low for 10 minutes without disturbing it.
2. While onions are sweating, in a separate bowl combine the beef, the garlic powder, pepper, baking soda, corn starch, soy sauce, and olive oil. Let sit for 30 min on the counter while you caramelize the onions. If you do this earlier in the day, then marinate it in fridge, and be sure to take it out 20 min before you intend to cook.
3. Back to the onions. Remove the cover and cook for a few more minutes to allow the water to evaporate completely. Then, add the butter and cook the onions on medium to medium-low heat.(The butter should froth a bit it, but not smoke). Stir every few minutes. Once they’re considerably browned and start to taste a little sweeter (around 45 minutes), they’re almost done. Add Worcestershire, sauté for another few minutes, and set aside in a bowl.

Cook the meat

1. In the same pan, turn heat to high. Add canola oil (I like to use a pastry brush or silicone kitchen brush to evenly distribute the oil onto the pan).
2. When shimmering, add beef and brown on 1 side (just a minute or two). Then stir and cook for a minute or two more until medium or medium rare, remove from pan, and tent with foil.
3. This amount of steak filling can make 4 burritos or 10 small tacos. Build your tacos or burritos with beef, onions, and 2 tsp of the drizzled condiment of your choice.

Notes

To ensure this recipe stays weight loss friendly, look for lean, boneless rib-eye, approximately 220 calories per 4 ounces raw.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

289

Fat

15.8 g

Sat. Fat

6.3 g

Carbs

22.1 g

Fiber

13.3 g

Net carbs

8.8 g

Sugar

3.3 g

Protein

19.8 g

Sodium

1453.6 mg

Cholesterol

45.1 mg

This wepbage provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online nutrition data from manufacturer and food retailer websites. By accessing or using this recipe, you are acknowledging and agreeing to the full nutrition information disclaimer for this website, which you can read in its entirety here.