Name: The Best Carne Asada Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 1 1/2 lbs flank steak; Salt and pepper to taste; 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

Last updated on May 10th, 2019 at 12:52 pm

Carne Asada Recipe – marinated flank steak is quickly grilled over high heat until a bit charred on the outside, perfectly pink in the middle, super tender, juicy and amazingly delicious. Serve Carne Asada on its own or add it to tacos, burritos or salads.

Juicy, melt in your mouth Carne Asada is one of my favorite meals and my order of choice every time I eat at a Mexican restaurant. Carne Asada is incredibly tasty and easy to make at home. Although it requires some marinating time, this grilled flank steak takes very little time to prep and less than 10 minutes of grilling time!

In this post, I will try to answer many questions I once had about this delicious Mexican dish. You can always skip to the Carne Asada recipe, but you may be missing out on some good information and tips!

What is Carne Asada?

Carne Asada means “grilled meat” in Spanish. Simply put, it is beef seasoned and grilled over high heat. Of course, when I think of Carne Asada my mind travels to Mexico – or at least somewhere in Southern California – where Carne Asada is incredibly popular and made by marinating steak in a combination of citrus and spices, then grilled and served sliced with rice and beans or chopped and stuffed into burritos, tacos and quesadillas. Carne Asada fries, nachos and salads are also incredibly popular and equally tasty!

Is this an Authentic Asada Recipe?

When it comes to such a popular dish, everyone – including restaurants, claims to have the “authentic” or “original” recipe, yet they all taste a bit different. This recipe 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 am very happy with it. Everyone that tastes it loves it as it has so much flavor!

What Cut Of Beef To Use For Carne Asada?

Traditional Carne Asada is made with flank steak and skirt steak. Flank steak is leaner while skirt steak has more marbling and a meatier, richer flavor. Both cuts must be grilled quickly over hot heat and sliced against the grain to guarantee tender and juicy grilled meat. Asada can also be made with beef flap meat and sirloin.

Carne Asada Marinade

This easy Carne Asada marinade is the absolute best! It enhances the “beefiness” of the meat while adding loads of flavor and boosting the meat tenderness. The simple marinade ingredients can be mixed quickly into a ziptop bag or container. Add the meat and marinate covered for 2 hours or overnight.

How To Make This Carne Asada Recipe

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 grill to your desired doneness.
Remove the steak from the grill and allow it to rest for a few minutes.
Slice against the grain and enjoy!

How Long To Grill the Steak?

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 it. 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!

Frequently Asked Questions, Tips and Notes

Do I have to use a grill to make carne asada?
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!
The marinade recipe calls for jalapenos. Is this carne asada recipe spicy?
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.
What should I serve with Mexican Carne Asada?
A couple of tortillas and a squeeze of lime is all you need! However, this tasty dish can be served with:
Creamy Cilantro Lime Coleslaw
Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
Baked Beans with Bacon
Mexican Green Chile Rice Casserole
Cooking times are an estimate and will vary depending on the thickness of the meat.

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Grilled and sliced Carne Asada stuffed in a tortilla and topped with avocado

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5 from 5 votes