Sizzling Homemade Carne Asada Recipe – Juicy Grilled Perfection

Crispy, tender carne asada bursts with authentic Mexican flavor that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Marinated beef strips promise a delightful culinary adventure straight from traditional grilling techniques.

Backyard cookouts and weekend gatherings deserve something special that impresses everyone at the table.

Zesty lime, fragrant cilantro, and robust spices combine to create a mouthwatering experience.

Perfectly charred edges and juicy interiors guarantee this dish will become your new go-to recipe.

Weeknight dinners or weekend celebrations suddenly feel more exciting with these vibrant, smoky meat slices.

You’ll want to fire up the grill and savor every single bite of this incredible meal.

What Makes Carne Asada So Good

• Quick Weekend Warrior Dish: Carne asada transforms a simple steak into a flavor-packed meal with minimal cooking skills required, perfect for busy home cooks looking to impress.
• Customizable Flavor Adventure: The flexible marinade allows personal taste tweaks, letting you experiment with different spices and herbs to match your palate without complicated techniques.
• Crowd-Pleasing Party Star: This recipe serves multiple people effortlessly, making it an ideal choice for gatherings, backyard barbecues, and family dinners where everyone craves delicious, shareable food.
• Super-Fast Weeknight Solution: From marinating to grilling, this dish comes together in just a few hours, delivering restaurant-quality results with straightforward preparation steps that even novice cooks can master quickly.

What Goes In Carne Asada

• Steak: Flavorful beef cut that serves as the star of the dish, preferably flank or skirt steak with good marbling for tender results.

• Lime Juice, Orange Juice: Citrus acids help tenderize the meat and add bright, zesty flavor to the steak.
• Garlic, Cilantro: Classic Mexican aromatics that provide depth and traditional taste profile.
• Olive Oil: Helps distribute marinade and prevents meat from sticking during grilling.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the meat's natural flavors.

• Tortillas: Soft corn or flour wraps for wrapping carne asada.
• Salsa, Guacamole: Fresh condiments that complement the grilled meat's rich flavor.
• Rice, Beans: Traditional side dishes that round out the Mexican-style meal.
• Grilled Vegetables: Adds nutritional balance and extra smoky flavor to the plate.

How To Cook Carne Asada

Step 1: Unleash Flavor Magic

• Fresh lime juice
• Chopped cilantro
• Minced garlic
• Orange juice
• Olive oil
• Soy sauce
• Ground cumin
• Chili powder

Submerge the flank steak completely in this zesty mixture. Seal tightly and let the meat soak up all those incredible flavors in the refrigerator. Give it at least 2 hours, but overnight will make your taste buds dance with joy.

Step 2: Fire Up The Grill

Crank your grill to scorching hot temperatures. Shake off excess marinade from the steak, letting those droplets fall away. Lay the meat on the grill with confidence, listening for that satisfying sizzle. Cook each side until you see those beautiful char marks. Aim for a perfect medium-rare with a warm pink center. Once done, let the steak rest and relax for a few minutes – this helps keep all those delicious juices locked inside.

Step 3: Slice And Celebrate

Grab a sharp knife and slice the steak against the grain. This technique ensures each bite is tender and packed with flavor. Arrange those beautiful meat strips on a platter. Serve alongside warm corn tortillas, fresh salsa, creamy guacamole, and maybe some cilantro-lime rice. Your dinner is about to become legendary!

Helpful Tips For Carne Asada

• Marinate Masterfully: Boost flavor by letting the steak soak in the marinade overnight, allowing the citrus and spices to deeply penetrate the meat for a more intense taste experience.
• Grill with Precision: Use a meat thermometer to ensure perfect doneness, aiming for medium-rare at 130-135°F to keep the carne asada juicy and tender without overcooking.
• Slice Like a Pro: Always cut against the grain to break down muscle fibers, creating more tender and easier-to-chew meat strips that melt in your mouth.
• Versatile Meal Hack: Transform leftover carne asada into delicious tacos, burritos, or salad toppers for quick and exciting meal variations throughout the week.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Swap tortillas with lettuce wraps or serve over cauliflower rice to make this dish keto-friendly and diet-conscious.

How To Store Carne Asada The Right Way

• Refrigerate leftover carne asada in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
• Keep the sliced meat in a sealed container to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.
• When reheating, use a skillet on medium-low heat with a splash of beef broth to help retain the meat's juiciness.
• Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can make the steak tough and chewy.
• Freeze cooked carne asada for maximum 2 months by wrapping tightly in plastic wrap and placing in a freezer-safe bag.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before gently rewarming.
• Pro tip: Cold carne asada also makes an amazing addition to salads, tacos, or quick lunch bowls for easy meal prep throughout the week.

Best Foods To Eat With Carne Asada

• Pair with Zesty Margaritas: Blend the tangy lime marinade flavors with a classic margarita, using fresh lime juice, tequila, and a salt rim to complement the carne asada's bold taste.
• Serve with Fresh Cilantro-Lime Rice: Create a vibrant side dish that echoes the marinade's citrusy notes, adding brightness and acidity to balance the rich, grilled meat.
• Match with Smoky Grilled Corn Salsa: Develop a charred, sweet-and-spicy accompaniment that enhances the steak's grilled character, bringing additional layers of flavor to the plate.
• Complement with Mexican-Style Amber Ale: Select a robust beer with caramel undertones that can stand up to the meat's intense grilled profile while cutting through its richness.

Different Ways To Enjoy Carne Asada

• Citrus Zest Explosion: Boost marinade with fresh orange and lime zest for a bright, tangy flavor profile that enhances the meat's richness.
• Smoky Chipotle Adventure: Incorporate chipotle peppers in adobo sauce to create a spicy, deep smoky undertone that transforms the traditional carne asada.
• Herb Garden Fusion: Blend fresh cilantro, mint, and oregano into the marinade for an herbaceous complexity that elevates the classic recipe.
• Tequila Infusion Method: Add a splash of high-quality tequila to the marinade, creating a deeper, more robust flavor that tenderizes the meat and adds sophisticated Mexican-inspired notes.

Answers About Carne Asada

FAQs for Carne Asada:

• What cut of beef works best for carne asada?

Flank steak or skirt steak are traditional choices because they’re flavorful, lean, and absorb marinades wonderfully. These cuts are perfect for grilling and deliver that classic Mexican-style texture.

• Can I make carne asada without a grill?

Absolutely! A cast-iron skillet or heavy-bottom pan works great. You’ll still get those delicious caramelized edges and juicy interior. Just ensure your pan is super hot before cooking.

• How do I know I'm cutting the meat against the grain?

Look for the muscle fibers running in one direction, then slice perpendicular to those lines. This technique breaks up tough muscle fibers, making each bite more tender and easier to chew.

• Is carne asada spicy?

Not inherently. The marinade typically includes citrus, herbs, and spices that add incredible flavor without overwhelming heat. You can always adjust the chili content to suit your preference.

Carne Asada Recipe

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4.7 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Sizzling Mexican Carne Asada brings bold flavors straight from traditional grilling techniques. Juicy marinated beef slices deliver authentic southwestern zest, promising a delicious meal that will transport you to street-side Mexican cuisine.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2 lbs (900g) skirt steak or flank steak

Liquid Ingredients:

• ⅓ cup olive oil
• ¼ cup fresh lime juice
• ¼ cup fresh orange juice
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

Spices and Herbs:

• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon oregano (Mexican oregano if available)
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro

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Instructions

1. Prepare a vibrant marinade by combining zesty citrus juices, aromatic herbs, and robust spices in a spacious container, creating a flavor-packed bath for the meat.
2. Submerge the flank steak completely in the marinade, ensuring every fiber absorbs the intense seasoning. Refrigerate for a minimum of two hours, allowing the flavors to penetrate deeply and tenderize the protein.
3. Heat your grilling surface to an intense temperature, creating the perfect environment for achieving a beautifully caramelized exterior while maintaining a juicy interior.
4. Carefully remove the steak from the marinade, letting excess liquid drip away. Pat the meat dry to promote optimal searing and prevent steaming.
5. Place the steak on the scorching hot grill, listening for the satisfying sizzle that signals the beginning of a perfect crust formation.
6. Cook each side for approximately 3-4 minutes, rotating once to create appealing crosshatch grill marks. Aim for a medium-rare doneness that preserves the meat’s natural tenderness.
7. Transfer the grilled steak to a cutting board and allow it to rest, letting the internal juices redistribute and ensure maximum flavor and moisture.
8. Using a sharp knife, slice the meat against the grain into thin, elegant strips that showcase the steak’s perfect texture and caramelized exterior.
9. Accompany the carne asada with warm tortillas, fresh cilantro, lime wedges, vibrant salsa, creamy guacamole, and your favorite traditional Mexican side dishes for an authentic culinary experience.

Notes

• Choose flank or skirt steak for authentic, traditional flavor and best texture.
• Marinate meat at room temperature to help seasonings penetrate deeper and ensure even cooking.
• Pat steak completely dry before grilling to achieve perfect caramelized exterior and beautiful grill marks.
• Allow meat to rest after cooking so juices redistribute, creating more tender and succulent slices.
• Slice against the grain at a 45-degree angle to break down muscle fibers and maximize tenderness.
• Experiment with marinade by adding orange juice or beer for extra depth and tenderizing effect.
• Use a meat thermometer to guarantee precise doneness without overcooking.
• Consider gluten-free option by using tamari instead of soy sauce in marinade.
• For vegetarian adaptation, replace steak with portobello mushrooms or firm tofu, maintaining similar marinade techniques.
• Leftover carne asada works wonderfully in tacos, salads, or burrito bowls within 3-4 days when stored properly.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 469
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 420 mg
• Fat: 34 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 29 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 8 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 38 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg