This Carne Asada delivers bold flavor with minimal hands-on time. After a few simple steps, you have a nutritious, flavorful steak that works well in a weeknight meal or for a casual gathering.
I've spent years testing simple, reliable ways to build flavor into budget-friendly cuts of meat. This Carne Asada recipe is one of my favorites. It's a versatile, Mexican-inspired steak that focuses on traditional flavor and methods while keeping the process practical and approachable.
You Will Love This Authentic Carne Asada Recipe
- Bold Flavor. This Mexican-inspired steak recipe has a savory, citrus flavor.
- Incredibly Simple. There is minimal prep and just a few simple steps to make this recipe.
- Versatile. Carne Asada can be served alone as the main dish or combined with numerous other ingredients to a create a hearty and nutritious meal.
What is Carne Asada
Carne Asada simply translates to "grilled meat" in Spanish and typically refers to a citrus-marinated beef that's cooked at a high temperature and thinly sliced.
Carne Asada Recipe Ingredients
- Steak: I used flank steak (more budget-friendly) but skirt steak is commonly used too
- Olive Oil: avocado oil will also work
- Lime Juice: provides the acidity in the marinade which helps tenderize the steak and creates a delicious, zesty flavor
- Produce: garlic cloves and a chipotle pepper
- Soy Sauce: I recommend choosing a low sodium option to help control flavor and sodium content. You can always add salt to taste later if needed.
- Spices and Herbs: cilantro, oregano, chili powder, cumin, and kosher salt
How to Make Carne Asada
- First, create the marinade by combining the marinade ingredients in a blender and blending until smooth. Pour over the steak, flip a few times to fully coat.
- Allow the steak to marinate at least two hours (up to 24 hours).
- When ready to cook, heat a large cast iron skillet to medium high heat. (If your skillet isn't big enough it is okay to cut the steak in half and do this in two batches)
- Add 1-2 tablespoons of avocado oil to the skillet. Then add the steak to the skillet and cook 4-5 minutes completely undisturbed. Now, take a peek, if your steak has a good sear, flip it. Cook another 4-5 minutes. Then you're ready to serve.
Best Carne Asada Recipe Tips
It's important you use the proper cook time depending on your preferred level of doneness. The best way to monitor your steak is to use a meat thermometer. Remember, the Carne Asada will continue to rise a few degrees while resting after removing from heat. Here is a simple guide to steak temperature and doneness:
- Medium Rare: 135 degrees F or 57 degrees C
- Medium: 145 degrees F or 63 degrees C
- Medium Well: 150 degrees F or 66 degrees C
- Well: 160 degrees F or 71 degrees C
How to marinate Carne Asada
You're accomplishing two things by marinating a steak: adding flavor and tenderizing your meat. When using a lean cut like flank steak, you will get much more tender meat if you marinate it for several hours in a mixture that can break down the tissue in the meat. The lime juice is your acidic ingredient helping you to tenderize in this recipe.
How to Serve Mexican Carne Asada
Before slicing the Carne Asada, let it rest for a few minutes first. This helps ensure every bite of steak is juicy! Then, to make the steak as tender as possible, cut slices diagonally against the grain. You can easily identify the grain when the steak is raw. It's the white lines you see running down the meat.
There are numerous side dishes that go well with Carne Asada. I've shared a few of my favorites below!
- Black Bean and Corn Salad
- Easy Mexican-Inspired Rice
- Air Fryer Fries
How to Store Carne Asada
Allow the meat to cool completely prior to storing. Then you can store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days when using an airtight container. If possible, store the steak with a few extra tablespoons of fresh marinade to keep it from being dried out while reheating.
To reheat, pour the marinade over the steak then warm it covered in the oven (350 degrees F) until it reaches about 120-125 degrees F. If you're in a hurry, you could also microwave in 20-second increments at 50% power until warm.
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Best Recipe for Carne Asada
This Carne Asada is a flavorful, citrus-marinated steak that's tender, juicy, and easy to prepare. With a few simple ingredients and quick cook time, this versatile recipe can be served on its own or used for tacos, bowls, salads, and more. Course DinnerCuisine Mexican Prep Time 5 minutes minutesCook Time 10 minutes minutesMarination Time 2 hours hoursTotal Time 2 hours hours 15 minutes minutes Servings 4 Calories 383kcal Author Annie HolmesIngredients
- 1.5 pound flank steak
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup lime juice
- 6 cloves garlic
- 1 chipotle pepper
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons each of oregano, chili powder, and kosher salt
- 1.5 teaspoon cumin
- ½ cup loose cilantro
Instructions
- Combine the marinade ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour over the steak, flip a few times to fully coat.
- Allow the steak to marinate at least two hours, or up to 24 hours.
- When ready to cook heat a large cast iron skillet to medium high heat. (If your skillet isn't big enough it is okay to cut the steak in half and do this in two batches)
- Add 1-2 tablespoons of avocado oil to the skillet.
- Place the steak into the hot skillet and cook 4-5 minutes on that side completely undisturbed. Take a peek and if your steak has a good sear, flip it. Cook another 4-5 minutes.
