Mulitas

Learn how to make mulitas, a crispy tortilla sandwich filled with carne asada steak and plenty of shredded cheese. I love how they cook in just 10 minutes.

Craving more Mexican recipes? Try carne picada, beef barbacoa, and quesabirria tacos.

Having lived in Mexico for several years, I’ve got quite the arsenal of delicious dinners, but nothing beats my family’s favorite, Mulitas.

Table of Contents

1. What are mulitas?
2. Ingredients needed 
3. How to make mulitas 
4. Recipe tips and variations
5. Storage instructions
6. More Mexican recipes to try
7. Mulitas (Recipe Card)

What are mulitas?

Mulitas are ‘sandwich tacos,’ a popular Mexican street food. Thanks to social media and the popular street food movement, these are now a worldwide hit. They feature two tortillas filled with cheese, meat (often carne asada, birria meat, or arrachera), salsa, avocado, and more.

Here are some reasons why I adore this recipe:

• Easy to make. This is the kind of dish you can make for busy weeknight dinners or when you need to feed a crowd.
• Easy customization. I have a family of picky eaters, which works well for these!
• Healthy. Protein, fiber, and healthy fats tick all the major food groups, and I feel good about serving my family this.

Ingredients needed 

• Flank steak OR skirt steak. I prefer flank steak as it’s a little more tender but skirt steak also works just as well.
• Onion and garlic. Finely chopped. 
• Corn tortillas. The authentic tortilla to use. If you can’t find corn tortillas, flour tortillas will work. 
• Cheese. I like using a Mexican shredded cheese blend (a mix of Monterey Jack cheese and cheddar cheese), but any strongly flavored cheese that melts works well, including mozzarella cheese and Oaxaca cheese. If you can find cojita cheese, that is always a winner.
• Avocado. Either sliced or made into a guacamole. 
• Tomatoes. Finely chopped. You can also use pico de gallo.
• Salt and pepper. to taste. 
• Parsley. To serve. 

How to make mulitas 

I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Step 1- Make the meat filling. Season the steak with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped onions and saute for 3-4 minutes before adding the steak and cook until it’s no longer pink. Once done, put the cooked meat in a bowl and cover it with tinfoil to prevent it from drying out. 

Step 2- Prepare the avocado. Next, prepare the avocado by making it into guacamole or mashing it with olive oil, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. 

Step 3- Cook mulitas. Now, place a pan or skillet over medium-high heat and add some oil to heat the tortilla. Add a layer of cheese and then meat, a little parsley and add more cheese and cover with another tortilla. Brush the tortilla on top with oil. When the cheese melts, flip to cook the other side too. Gently press the tortillas to stick them with cheese and meat. Keep flipping and cooking until all the cheese melts. 

Step 4- Add the fillings and assemble. To serve mulitas, gently lift one side of the tortilla and add the guacamole, diced tomatoes, and optional Jalapenos. 

Recipe tips and variations

• Always slice the steak before cooking it. It cooks quicker and absorbs more of the aromatics.
• Choose larger corn tortillas so you have more room to add fillings and less risk of them breaking. I recommend at least 5 1/2 inches.
• Do not add the avocado or tomatoes until the mulita is fully cooked. 
• Change up the protein, and instead of beef, use chicken, lamb, fish, or even firm tofu.

Storage instructions

Do not store the assembled mulitas, as they must be eaten fresh. However, the cooked steak makes great leftovers.

To store: Store leftover steak in a sealable container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

To freeze: Place the cooked and cooled steak in an airtight container and freeze it for up to 6 months. Thaw the steak completely before assembling the mulitas. 

More Mexican recipes to try

• Torta– This Mexican sandwich is anything but boring.
• Pollo Asado– Mexican-style grilled or roasted chicken. It’s SO flavorful.
• Sofritas– The most flavorful vegetarian filling for tacos, quesadillas, and bowls.
• Carnitas– Slow cooked pork that MELTS in your mouth.
• Al Pastor– Sliced steak tacos (that also work well with Chicken!).

Originally published June 2022, updated and republished March 2024