Kid-Approved Steak Enchilada Recipe: Easy Weeknight Win
If there’s anything that this motherhood journey has shown me, it’s that mealtime can feel like a balancing act. You want to serve classic, hearty dishes—but when you have kids? You need to plan around visible veggies, chewy meats, and anything too spicy or unfamiliar. But honestly, navigating those little challenges is just part of the parenting puzzle that always feels worth it.
I love finding new, creative ways to make adult favorites with kid-friendly twists. And one of my recent favorites? My kid-approved steak enchilada recipe. It’s delicious, nutritious, and surprisingly adaptable to a variety of little eaters' taste buds. And the best part? You don’t have to be a gourmet chef to make it—you just need a handful of simple ingredients and a little bit of excitement!
So, today, I’m thrilled to share this kid-friendly take on steak enchiladas! It’s been a hit at my dinner table, and I’m confident your family will love it too. You can keep the flavors mild, the textures familiar, and the taste everything you expected and more. Let’s dive in!
Kid-Approved Steak Enchilada Recipe: Easy Weeknight Win
When it comes to meal planning with little ones, tastes, textures, colors, and smells can all impact whether they dive in or push the plate away—whether they’re picky eaters or not. And this doesn’t just make finding foods they actually enjoy a little trickier. It also makes getting all those good-for-you ingredients on their plate harder, too.
This is why I love sharing kid-friendly ways to make mealtime classics—whether it’s homemade chicken soup or hidden vegetable mac and cheese! You don’t have to take certain foods off the menu—you just have to find simple ways to make them work for your kids.
And although steak enchiladas may seem an intimidating meal, they’re actually incredibly easy to make! Especially since for this recipe, we’re opting for store-bought ingredients to cut down on prep time. It’s a simple, stress-free way to introduce protein, incorporate fresh ingredients, and serve a meal the whole family will love.
But before jumping into the recipe, let’s first discuss which type of steak is the best to use. With so many different cuts, flavors, and textures, it can be hard to know what to grab! However, choosing the best kind of steak helps everything cook up just right—and makes the whole meal come together perfectly.
What Is the Best Steak for Enchiladas for Kids?
When you’re at the store, grabbing steak for your kid-friendly enchiladas, chances are you’re staring at a whole lot of meat that looks pretty much the same. Ultimately, you just want something tender, easy to chew, and full of flavor! So, let’s talk about types, cuts, and timing.
For the best type of steak, my go-to picks are either flank steak or sirloin. You still get all the protein and iron—you just don’t have to deal with those extra chewy parts. And of course, the cut you choose matters, but so does how you cook it. A rare steak might only need 3 to 5 minutes, while a well-done one can take 15 minutes or more. Even then, though, that’s not too bad for a meal that’s as yummy as it is good for you!
And if you want to make chewing even easier, thinly slice the steak against the grain and chop it into bite-sized pieces. Not only does this cut out all that tougher muscle, but it also reduces the risk of choking! Pair your perfectly cooked steak enchiladas with a dinner side dish of your choice, and voila! A quick, kid-friendly meal that’s full of both flavor and nutrients.
Don’t forget: When you’re grocery shopping, make sure you grab steak and not ground beef. They might come from the same animal, but they have completely different textures, tastes, and cooking requirements. That said, if you’re more of a ground beef family, I’ve got the perfect kid-friendly beef enchilada recipe that I’d be happy to share next!
How to Make Steak Enchiladas for Kids
Ingredients for the Steak:
1 lb flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced or cut into bite-size pieces
1 tbsp olive oil
½ tsp paprika
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp cumin
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: Lime juice for flavor
Ingredients for the Enchiladas:
8-12 small flour tortillas or corn tortillas
2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese
1 (15 oz) can mild red enchilada sauce
Optional: ½ cup sour cream for mixing or topping
Optional add-ins: black beans, sweet corn, onions, and mixed sautéed peppers
Ingredients for Garnish:
Diced avocado
Sour cream
Chopped cilantro
Extra cheese
Instructions:
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Step 2: Add all of your steak seasonings to a mixing bowl. After mixing, sprinkle it over the steaks.
Step 3: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the steak to the skillet, and cook for 4 to 5 minutes or until browned and cooked through.
Step 4: In the same skillet, add your onions and peppers. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes or until softened.
Step 5: Mix black beans and ½ of the enchilada sauce. Mix well, toss it into the skillet, and cook for 1 to 2 minutes.
Step 6: Warm your tortillas in the microwave for just a few seconds. This makes them more flexible.
Step 7: Spread enchilada sauce over the base of a baking dish, then line the dish with tortillas.
Step 8: Spoon in your steak, fillings, and cheese. Roll each tortilla up and place it seam-side down.
Step 9: Pour the remaining enchilada sauce evenly over the rolled tortillas. You can also add a sprinkle of cheese!
Step 10: Bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly.
Step 11: Once finished, add on your garnishes and serve! Enjoy!
Enjoy your favorite meals with easy, kid-friendly twists.
Planning meals the whole family will enjoy can be stressful—trust me, I get it! You want the nutrients, you want the flavor, and you want everyone to feel satisfied. But instead of taking your favorite foods off the menu, try adapting them to be more kid-friendly! All it takes is a few ingredient swaps and a handful of mindful adjustments.
Next time you plan to scour Google for kid-approved recipes, just head to the Mothercould blog! You can find everything from quick breakfasts to healthy snacks designed to make mealtime easier and more enjoyable. Also, don’t forget to check out Mothercould In Your Pocket. Become a member for instant access to sensory play ideas, cleaning hacks, and downloadable activity packs.
Speaking of sensory play ideas, transform your home into a place of creativity and connection by ordering our new book, Playful by Design! Let it be your go-to guide for self-directed play and thoughtfully planned spaces designed to help your littles grow, evolve, and learn—all while having fun.
