This Carne Asada recipe is made with flank steak or skirt steak infused with the flavors of the best carne asada marinade. Cooked on a grill or stove top until perfectly tender and juicy, this authentic carne asada recipe is a great addition to any meal and definitely makes the best Mexican tacos!
When it comes to Mexican recipes, there is nothing quite as easy to make as carne asada. This recipe for asada is made with very simple ingredients like lime juice, orange juice, fresh cilantro, olive oil, cumin and chili powder.
The process is very simple as well. The meat marinates and soaks up all the flavors and seasonings from the best citrus carne asada marinade. You can marinate the meat for as little as 30 minutes. However, I recommend at least a couple of hours to get the most flavor, then cook it on the grill and serve it as a main course or as an ingredient in other recipes like burritos, tostadas, nachos, street tacos or tacos al carbon.
What is Carne Asada?
Carne Asada means “grilled meat” in Spanish. Simply put, it is beef seasoned with spices or a marinade and then grilled over high heat.
Is this an Authentic Carne Asada Recipe?
Carne Asada is a very popular Mexican recipe and even in Mexico the recipe for traditional carne asada varies from region to region and sometimes even from one home to another.
This recipe for asada style grilled steak is one I developed based on things I have eaten at restaurants, food trucks and at friend’s gatherings. It took me a while to get it exactly how I envisioned it, but I think is simply the best.
What Cut of Meat is Asada?
Carne Asada is made with flank steak or skirt steak. Our favorite cut is flank steak, which is a leaner cut of beef while skirt steak has more marbling and a meatier, richer flavor. Both cuts must be grilled quickly over high heat and sliced against the grain to guarantee tenderness and juiciness.
Carne asada can also be made with beef flap meat and sirloin.
Carne Asada Ingredients
- Flank Steak: Skirt steak, flap meat and sirloin beef can also be used.
- Olive Oil: This is my preferred oil but other mild oils can also be used.
- Orange Juice: I prefer using freshly squeezed orange juice. Bottled orange juice is very sweet and loaded with sugar. In a pinch, it works.
- Lime Juice: Fresh is best. Lime juice from a bottle doesn’t taste like real limes.
- Soy Sauce: Use tamari if you are following a gluten free diet.
- Cilantro: Fresh cilantro. I use both the leaves and the stems.
- Garlic: I use fresh garlic.
- Jalapeño: Jalapeños add flavor without lots of heat. You can always remove the veins and the seeds to make sure the jalapeño is mild. Serrano peppers can also be used.
- Carne Asada Seasoning and Spices: Cumin, Chili Powder, Salt and Pepper
Carne Asada Marinade
This easy Carne Asada recipe is really all about the marinade. Simple ingredients add the best flavor while enhancing the “beefiness” of the meat and boosting its tenderness. For best results, marinate the beef for 2-4 hours or overnight.
How to Make Carne Asada
- Trim the beef and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Mix the marinade ingredients.
- Marinate the steak.
- Heat the grill to high heat. Lightly grease the grill grates.
- Add the meat to the grill and cook to your desired doneness. A bit of charred edges is a good thing when it comes to this recipe.
- Remove the steak from the grill and allow it to rest for a few minutes.
- Slice against the grain and enjoy!
How long should I leave Carne Asada on the grill?
Cooking times will vary depending on the thickness of the meat but here are some guidelines:
- Grill the steak over high heat uncovered, flipping half way through, 7 to 10 minutes for medium rare (135°F ) and 10 to 12 minutes for medium (150°F – 155°F).
- Transfer the steak to a cutting board and allow it to rest for about 8-10 minutes before slicing. Due to carryover cooking, the steak temperature will continue to rise after it is removed from the grill.
- As always, it is best to under cook the beef than having overcooked gray, dry meat. If the beef is too pink for your taste, throw it back on the grill (or oven) for a few extra minutes. Problem solved!
Although asada is traditionally made on a grill, I have made this recipe indoors on a grill pan and in a cast iron skillet. I have also used a large skillet to sear the meat for about 4-5 minutes per side, then finished the cooking in a 325 degree oven until desired doneness was reached. I love Carne Asada tacos and the weather would never stop me from making them!
Jalapenos can sometimes be spicy (depending on nature’s bounty); however, this recipe makes a mildly spiced marinade and definitely a mild grilled steak. If you prefer some added heat, don’t remove the jalapeno ribs or use serrano chiles or something hotter.
Carne Asada Recipe Tips
- Cooking times are an estimate and will vary depending on the thickness of the meat.
- You can use an indoor grill pan when the weather outside is not great for grilling.
- Make the best ever Carne Asada Tacos al Carbon! Simply chop the steak and add it to warmed corn tortillas. Top with diced onions and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges and salsa.
- To make Mexican street tacos, top warm soft corn tortillas with sliced grilled asada steak and your favorite toppings. Sliced avocados, jalapenos, radishes, chopped onions, salsa and sour cream are great toppings!
You Can Serve This Easy Carne Asada Recipe With:
- Rice
- Creamy Cilantro Lime Coleslaw
- Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
- Mexican Green Chile Rice Casserole
- Charro Beans
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Carne Asada Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs flank steak
- Salt and pepper to taste
Carne Asada Marinade
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1/3 cup orange juice, freshly squeezed
- 1/4 cup lime juice, freshly squuezed
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 jalapeno, seeded and minced
Instructions
- Trim the flank steak and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- In a medium-size bowl, whisk together the marinade ingredients.
- Add the flank steak to a baking dish or large resealable plastic bag and pour the marinade over. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours to overnight. Press out any excess air if using a zip top bag.
- Preheat a grill to high heat. When the grill is hot, remove the steak from the marinade and discard the marinade.
- Grill the steak over high heat uncovered until your desired level of doneness, approximately 7 to 10 minutes for medium rare (135°F ) and 10 to 12 minutes for medium (150°F – 155°F). Flip the steak half way through the grilling process.
- Transfer the steak to a cutting board, tent with foil and let the meat rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Slice against the grain.
Chef’s Tips
- Cooking times are an estimate and will vary depending on the thickness of the meat.
- You can use an indoor grill pan when the weather outside is not great for grilling.
- Make the best ever Carne Asada Tacos al Carbon! Simply chop the steak and add it to warmed corn tortillas. Top with diced onions and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges and salsa.
- To make Mexican street tacos, top warm soft corn tortillas with sliced grilled asada steak and your favorite toppings. Sliced avocados, jalapenos, radishes, chopped onions, salsa and sour cream are great toppings!
Michael Taylor says
So good and easy!
MJV says
This is one of our family’s favorite recipes! I make it with all the fixin’s…pico de Gallo, guac, chopped romaine lettuce and cheese. We have it on bed of cilantro rice and my kids have coined this dinner “Chipotle Bowl” night (and they loooove Chipotle!).
Kathy says
Thank you! So happy to hear you all liked it.
Michaela Kenkel says
This carne asada looks like perfection! Cinco de Mayo menu plan complete!!
Jennifer Stewart says
Oh my, this looks marvelous The marinade on this is so flavorful. I can’t wait to try this out.
Brandi says
Carne Asada is one of my all time favorite meals! This looks absolutely AMAZING!!!!
Julie Menghini says
We love Carne Asada tacos at one of our favorite Mexican restaurants so I can’t wait to make them at home with this recipe!
KJ says
This looks incredible. We used to always buy our carne asada pre marinated because i could never make it how I like it!
Love the addition if jalapenos in this, it gives an amazing flavor!
Kathy says
Thank you! We did the same for a while until I came up with this recipe.
Cindy Grubbs says
Guest’s plan changed…. Is it okay to marinate for 2 days instead of overnight?
Kathy says
Hi Cindy, You may risk changing the texture of the meat because of the acid in the marinade.