DEAR SPRINGFIELD MAMA

Grilled skirt steak tacos (under $15)

Published by

Brittany Meiling

August 17, 2025

Skirt steak can be one of the most affordable cuts of beef—around $8 a pound—if you grab it at Aldi or one of the Mexican markets (there are several in Springfield). It’s super flavorful, but it does need a marinade and a fast, hot grill to stay tender.

Just toss it in a simple marinade (soy sauce, lime juice, garlic, olive oil—whatever you’ve got) in the morning, and grill it when you get home. While it’s cooking, sauté some diced peppers and onions, then tuck everything into warm tortillas. Chop the steak small so it stays in the taco instead of spilling out with every bite. I like topping with avocado and cilantro, but queso fresco and sour cream are just as good (and cheaper).

If you shop smart—green peppers instead of red, store-brand dairy, and corn tortillas—you can make this whole meal for under $15.

Bonus dessert: While the grill’s hot, add pineapple rings, dust with cinnamon, and grill until lightly charred. Serve with vanilla ice cream for summer on a plate.

I’m Brittany

Brittany Meiling is a former newspaper reporter and editor with bylines at the Los Angeles Times, San Diego Union-Tribune, and the Springfield Daily Citizen. Now a stay-at-home mom to one spirited kid, she writes Dear Springfield Mama to help local mothers feel more grounded, connected, and in the know. She’s traded newsroom deadlines for nature walks, budget grocery runs, and chasing beauty in the middle of it all.