What You’ll Love About This Recipe
This Carne Asada recipe brings the bold flavors of grilled marinated steak straight to your kitchen. Perfect for taco nights or backyard cookouts, it’s a dish that’s sure to impress.
- Easy to make, with simple ingredients and a marinade that does most of the work.
- Versatile, serving as the star of tacos, burritos, or even a hearty steak salad.
- Family-approved, offering a delicious meal that everyone will love and ask for again.
Recipe
Carne asada is a flavorful Mexican dish featuring marinated grilled steak, perfect for tacos, burritos, or served with sides like rice and beans. This recipe delivers tender, juicy steak with bold flavors.
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs flank steak or skirt steak
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup lime juice (about 2 limes)
- 1/4 cup orange juice (about 1 orange)
- 2 tbsp white vinegar
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions:
- In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, soy sauce, lime juice, orange juice, vinegar, garlic, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, black pepper, oregano, and cilantro to create the marinade.
- Place the steak in a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish and pour the marinade over it, ensuring it’s fully coated. Seal or cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, ideally overnight.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Remove the steak from the marinade and let excess drip off. Discard the marinade.
- Grill the steak for 5-7 minutes per side, or until it reaches your desired doneness (internal temperature of 135°F for medium-rare).
- Transfer the steak to a cutting board and let it rest for 5 minutes. Slice thinly against the grain.
Notes:
- For extra flavor, squeeze fresh lime juice over the sliced steak before serving.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Equipment:
Whatever you need, let me know!
Time:
Prep time: 10 minutes
Marinating time: 2 hours to overnight
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Cuisine:
Mexican
Serving:
Serves 6
Nutrition
Carne asada is a flavorful dish that can be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet. Here’s the nutritional information per serving:
Calories: 320
Protein: 26g
Fat: 22g
Carbohydrates: 3g
Fiber: 1g
Sodium: 480mg
What To Serve With It
I love serving my carne asada with simple side dishes like grilled veggies or cilantro-lime rice—they balance the bold flavors perfectly. If I’m making tacos, I pile on fresh toppings like diced onions, salsa, and a squeeze of lime for extra zing. Trust me, these combos make the meal feel complete without stealing the spotlight from the star of the show.
Side Dishes
Since carne asada’s bold flavors shine so brightly, I like to pair it with sides that complement without overpowering it. My go-to is grilled corn on the cob, brushed with lime butter and sprinkled with cotija cheese—it adds a sweet, tangy contrast. I also love a fresh, zesty avocado salad with cherry tomatoes and cilantro, which cools things down. Mexican street-style rice, with its tomato and cumin undertones, is another winner. For something simple, I’ll serve warm tortillas on the side, perfect for scooping up bites of steak. These sides balance the meal, letting the carne asada stay the star.
Taco Fillings
While those sides are great on their own, carne asada really comes alive when it’s tucked into warm tortillas with all the fixings. I love loading mine with fresh toppings like diced onions, cilantro, and tangy salsa verde. A squeeze of lime adds that zesty punch I can’t resist. Sometimes, I’ll throw in creamy guacamole or a sprinkle of cheese for extra richness. Don’t forget the beans—refried or black beans work perfectly. For a crunch, shredded lettuce or cabbage does the trick. Mix and match, and you’ll have tacos that taste amazing every single time. Trust me, it’s worth it!
