Homemade Carne Asada Recipe

If you’re looking for a real Carne Asada recipe, this is it! Grilled Carne Asada tastes fantastic and looks great, even though it’s easy to make.

It’s already a treat for your senses before it even gets on the grill! For more delicious recipes, check out Vareniki and Greek Chicken Gyro.

What is Carne Asada?

Carne asada translates to “grilled meat.” This grilled meat can be made from various cuts, such as sirloin, tenderloin, skirt steak, or flank steak, with flank steak being the most common choice.

You don’t need an expensive or fancy cut of meat for carne asada, especially since it will be thinly sliced and chopped into small, bite-sized pieces for tacos, nachos, and bowls.

The two key elements that make carne asada so flavorful are the marinade and the fire-grilled char on the outside.

Carne Asada Marinade Ingredients

I won’t claim this is an authentic marinade since there isn’t one true recipe. However, I can share a marinade that will delight your taste buds, inspired by my travels in Mexico!

• Olive Oil and Lime Juice: These ingredients make the steak incredibly juicy and add a signature lime tang.
• Garlic and Cilantro: These aromatics are essential for adding fresh and bold flavors.
• Spices: A robust blend of cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper creates a flavorful punch.

How to Make Carne Asada

Now that you have your marinade ingredients ready, let’s get grilling! Here’s how to make this delicious carne asada:

Make the Marinade: Whisk all the marinade ingredients together in a small bowl.

Marinate the Steak: Place the flank steak in a large resealable bag or a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the steak, making sure it’s fully coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or overnight for the best flavor

Prepare the Grill: Preheat your grill to high heat. Lightly oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.

Grill the Steak: Remove the steak from the marinade and let any excess marinade drip off. Place the steak on the hot grill and cook for about 4-6 minutes per side, depending on your desired level of doneness.

Rest the Steak: Once cooked, remove the steak from the grill and let it rest for about 5 minutes. This helps the juices redistribute, making the meat more tender.

Slice and Serve: Slice the steak against the grain into thin strips. Serve with your favorite sides or use it to fill tacos, burritos, or bowls.

How Can You Serve Carne Asada?

To serve this dish , start by letting the meat rest for 5 minutes, then slice it thinly against the grain. Arrange the sliced meat on a platter and provide a variety of toppings such as chopped onions, fresh cilantro, lime wedges, diced tomatoes, sliced avocados, pico de gallo, and guacamole.

Accompany the Carne Asada with warm corn or flour tortillas, rice, beans, and grilled vegetables. Garnish the platter with lime wedges and fresh cilantro sprigs for extra flavor and visual appeal.

Offer sauces and condiments like hot sauce, sour cream, and shredded cheese to allow everyone to customize their tacos or plates, making for an enjoyable and interactive meal.

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Carne Asada Recipe

Carne Asada is a flavorful and juicy grilled steak, perfect for tacos, bowls, or enjoying on its own. This easy-to-follow recipe will guide you to make the best Carne Asada right at home.

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds flank steak
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup lime juice about 2-3 limes
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

• Make the Marinade:
• In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, minced garlic, chopped cilantro, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
• Marinate the Steak:
• Place the flank steak in a large resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the steak, ensuring it is fully coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or overnight for the best flavor.
• Prepare the Grill:
• Preheat your grill to high heat. Lightly oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.
• Grill the Steak:
• Remove the steak from the marinade and let any excess marinade drip off. Place the steak on the hot grill and cook for about 4-6 minutes per side, depending on your desired level of doneness.
• Rest the Steak:
• Once cooked, remove the steak from the grill and let it rest for about 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute.
• Slice and Serve:
• Slice the steak against the grain into thin strips. Serve with warm tortillas, rice, beans, and your favorite toppings like salsa, guacamole, or fresh cilantro.