Rating: 3.82
(11)

Carne Asada

September 11, 2024

Carne Asada is a delicious, grilled beef dish that is marinated in a mixture of citrus, garlic, and spices. It’s perfect for tacos, burritos, or just on its own with some fresh salsa.

What is carne asada?

Carne asada is a Mexican grilled beef dish, typically made with flank or skirt steak that’s marinated, grilled, and sliced thinly—perfect for tacos, burritos, or on its own.

What cut of meat is best for carne asada?

Skirt steak or flank steak are most traditional. They’re flavorful, grill beautifully, and soak up marinades well.

What’s in a traditional carne asada marinade?

Common ingredients include lime juice, orange juice, garlic, cilantro, jalapeño, soy sauce, olive oil, and spices like cumin or chili powder.

How long should I marinate the meat?

Marinate for at least 2 hours, but ideally overnight for maximum flavor.

How should carne asada be sliced?

Always slice against the grain to ensure tenderness.

What can I serve with carne asada?

Serve with warm tortillas, guacamole, salsa, grilled onions, rice, or beans—it’s super versatile!

Is carne asada spicy?

It can be mildly spicy depending on the marinade, but you can easily adjust the heat by skipping the chili or jalapeño.

Carne Asada
Carne Asada
3.82 from 11 votes
Carne Asada is a delicious, grilled beef dish that is marinated in a mixture of citrus, garlic, and spices. It’s perfect for tacos, burritos, or just on its own with some fresh salsa.
Servings 4 people
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs flank steak or skirt steak
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 1/4 cup lime juice freshly squeezed
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 cup cilantro chopped

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl, combine orange juice, lime juice, minced garlic, olive oil, ground cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
  • Place the flank steak in a plastic bag or shallow dish and pour the marinade over the meat. Make sure it is well coated. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or up to 8 hours.
  • Preheat a grill or grill pan to high heat. Remove the steak from the marinade and shake off excess marinade.
  • Grill the steak for 7-10 minutes per side, or until it reaches your desired level of doneness. Allow the steak to rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
  • Slice the steak against the grain into thin strips. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve!

Notes

🔹 Marinate for Flavor:
Let the beef marinate for at least 2 hours, or ideally overnight, to really soak up the flavors.
🔹 Use Skirt or Flank Steak:
These cuts are perfect for carne asada because they cook quickly and stay juicy when sliced thin.
🔹 High Heat Is Key:
Grill over high heat to get a good char on the outside while keeping the inside tender.
🔹 Don’t Overcook:
Aim for medium-rare to medium; overcooking can make the meat tough.
🔹 Rest Before Slicing:
Let the steak rest for 5–10 minutes after grilling to keep the juices inside.
🔹 Slice Against the Grain:
Cutting against the grain ensures every bite is tender and easy to chew.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 300kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 35gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 500mgPotassium: 650mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 10IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 5mgIron: 20mg
Calories: 300kcal
Meal Type: Lunch
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: Grilled Meat, Mexican Cuisine, tacos
Cooking Method: Baked
Time: 30-45 Min
Tried this recipe?Mention @coolinarco or tag #coolinarco!
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Join the Conversation
  1. 3 stars
    I followed the recipe but found it a bit bland. I might add more spices next time.

  2. User avatar marshall.botsford says:

    4 stars
    The cilantro really adds a nice touch. Didn’t know it would make such a difference!

  3. 2 stars
    This looks complicated, can’t I just buy carne asada at the store?

  4. User avatar arden.dickens28 says:

    5 stars
    This carne asada recipe was delicious! The marinade was flavorful and made the meat so tender. Definitely a hit at my BBQ!

  5. 5 stars
    I cooked this for my family and they loved it! Thanks for sharing! 😄

  6. User avatar anya.huel47 says:

    5 stars
    Yum! I made some tacos with this carne asada and it was fire! 🔥🔥🔥

  7. 2 stars
    Who puts orange juice in carne asada? That’s too sweet for a savory dish!

  8. User avatar sharie.ebert says:

    5 stars
    Grilled it for the first time and my husband said I should become a chef! Hehe.

  9. 4 stars
    Easy to follow! Turned out perfect, and I’m not even a pro chef, lol.

  10. 4 stars
    Marinating for 8 hours is too long, I did it for 1 hour and it was still good… Just sayin’!

  11. User avatar Gandalf the Grey says:

    3 stars
    What’s flank steak? Can I use round steak instead? 🤷‍♂️

3.82 from 11 votes
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