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Learn how to make carne asada with this no-fail recipe that creates perfect Mexican-flavored meat to add to tacos, burritos, and more!
We use a delicious Carne Asada Marinade that flavors it perfectly for Carne Asada Tacos, Burritos, and more.
A Punch of Flavor to Love!
Carne asada is an easy dinner recipe you can whip up and add to any Mexican recipe you’d like!
Growing up in a Mexican household, we loved simple recipes like carne asada that were perfect for nights when we were craving restaurant-style Street Tacos and Chimichangas.
Why we love it:
- Authentic flavor. The marinade makes it juicy and packed with flavor and spices. The flavor is savory and perfectly complements the meat.
- Used in many dishes. We love grilling up the meat, slicing it or cubing it, and adding it to our favorite Mexican dinner recipes.
- Quick dinner. Make extra and freeze to use in Quesadillas with Homemade Flour Tortillas or on top of your favorite salad for a quick weeknight meal.
Ingredients
- flank steak – The best cut of beef to use for carne asada is either flank steak or skirt steak. Those types of beef are thin and easy to slice for tacos and other Mexican dishes.
- olive oil
- lime juice – fresh or from a bottle
- cilantro
- minced garlic
- cumin powder
- chili powder
- salt and black pepper- to taste
How to Make Carne Asada
- MARINADE. Whisk together the marinade ingredients (olive oil, lime juice, cilantro, minced garlic cloves, ground cumin, and chili powder) in a small bowl.
- MARINATE. Add the steak to the bowl, baking dish, or a bag (with the marinade poured over). Make sure the meat is coated and marinates in the refrigerator for at least 2-3 hours (it not only enhances the flavors but increases the tenderness of the meat). Discard excess marinade.
- GRILL. Heat your grill to medium-high heat and cook the marinated meat for 5-7 minutes on each side (internal meat temp should be at 125 degrees F when using an instant-read thermometer – we usually cook the meat to medium or medium-rare).
- Let the grilled meat rest on the cutting board for 5 minutes. Slice the carne asada at an angle against the grain with a sharp knife and serve warm.
No Grill? No Problem!
You can easily cook your carne asada on the stove top with a grill pan or cast iron skillet. Heat a large heavy skillet (cast iron works great) over high heat. Cook the meat for about 5 to 7 minutes per side, or until it’s done to your liking.
Storing Info
- Freeze in marinade. To make this authentic carne asada recipe ahead of time, freeze it in the marinade in a freezer bag. The meat will stay good for up to 6-8 months.
- To grill the meat, thaw it in the fridge in the marinade. Then grill and eat!
- Storing leftovers. Store any leftover cooked meat in an airtight container in the fridge. It will stay good for up to 3-4 days.
Serving Suggestions
- Steak Fajitas
- Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas
- Homemade Indian Fry Bread
- Chicken Tacos
- Enchilada Casserole
- Nachos
- Carne Asada Fries
Serve it on tortillas with your favorite toppings: Salsa, Pico de Gallo, Guacamole, cotija cheese, chopped onion, fresh cilantro, avocado, sour cream, lime wedges, or anything else you like.
For Some Mexican recipes:
Carne Asada Recipe
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds flank steak
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lime juice
- ½ cup cilantro, chopped
- 4 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Make marinade by combining olive oil, lime juice, cilantro, minced garlic, cumin, and chili powder in a small bowl.
- Add steak to the bowl or to a baking dish (with marinade poured over) making sure meat is coated and marinate for 2-3 hours.
- Heat grill to medium-high heat and cook meat for 5-7 minutes on each side. Let meat rest on a cutting board for 5 minutes.
- Slice meat at an angle against the grain with a sharp knife and serve warm.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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