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Dinner Beef Mexican
4.7 from 45 votes

Carne Asada

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By: Joanna Cismaru 35 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Carne Asada – Flank steak marinated with flavorful and fresh ingredients, then grilled to perfection. Try it served in tacos with your favorite toppings! Restaurant quality in the comfort of your own home.

overhead shot of carne asada sliced and garnished with sauce on a white plate

Carne Asada Recipe

Today’s recipe is Carne Asada which I’m in love with, because I’m on a taco kick lately and I’m in the mood to wrap everything in a tortilla and eat it. Luckily for me (and for all of you) this recipe is so easy to throw together. We’re achieving some big bold, look at me flavors today – so let’s get into it!

If you’ve never experimented with a recipe like this in your kitchen before, then brace yourself. It’s about to become your latest and greatest culinary creation. Guaranteed.

What Is Carne Asada?

Carne Asada is of Latin American origin and is usually made with flank steak or skirt steak which is grilled and then served as slices. Carne Asada actually means grilled beef or grilled meat. This recipe is fairly simple, I marinated the flank steak in an easy marinade but bursting with delicious flavors.

You can even do this the night before then next day when you come back from work just grill the steak, and serve it on corn tortillas with your favorite toppings. So easy and just superb flavors.

Ingredients You’ll Need

overhead shot of all ingredients needed to make carne asada
  • Olive oil – We want a nice neutral tasting oil to build the base of our marinade.
  • Lemon and Orange juice – We need lots of fresh citrus for our carne asada marinade.
  • Soy Sauce – I prefer the low sodium one.
  • Garlic – Use as much or little as you like.
  • Jalapeño – To give this steak a little bit of heat. Be sure to remove the seeds and ribs from the pepper.
  • Herbs – Cilantro, fresh and chopped up finely.
  • Spices – Cumin and chili powder for some great Mexican flavors.
  • Salt and pepper – Season to taste.
  • Flank steak – The best cut of beef you can use is flank steak, skirt or flat iron steak.

To Make Carne Asada Tacos

  • Tortillas – Either corn tortillas or flour tortillas.
  • Topping(s) – I made my own fresh pico de gallo and fresh cilantro. Other toppings you can use are sour cream, avocados, red onions, etc.

How To Make Carne Asada

process shots showing how to make carne asada
  1. Marinate the steak: In a large ziploc bag combine together all the marinade ingredients; the olive oil, lime juice, orange juice, soy sauce, garlic, jalapeño, cumin, chili powder, cilantro, salt and pepper. Reserve 1/4 cup in a bowl and set aside in the fridge. Add the flank steak to the bag, close the ziploc bag and shake the bag around a bit, making sure the steak is covered in the marinade. Place it in the fridge and let it marinate for 2 to 4 hours.
  2. Grill the carne asada: Preheat the grill to 400F. Grill the steak for about 5 to 7 minutes per side or until done to your likeness. Transfer it to a plate and cover with foil for 5-10 minutes to rest. Slice thin, against-the-grain, into strips, drizzle with reserved marinade and serve.

Cooking Your Steak To The Right Temperature

Not super familiar cooking with steak? Well I have an easy test to determine which temperature your carne asada is at without having to cut it open no matter the cut. It’s called the hand test:

  • First make the “okay” sign with your pointer finger and thumb. Now poke the fleshy part right under your thumb with your other pointer finger, that is how rare steak feels.
  • Next press your thumb and middle finger in the okay sign and feel that same fleshy part, that is how medium rare steak feels.
  • Press your ring finger and thumb in the “okay” sign and feel that fleshy part, that is how medium steak feels.
  • Now press your pinky and thumb together and feel the fleshy part, that is how well done steak feels.

The other more reliable option is to use a meat thermometer.

Rare120 to 125°F
Medium Rare130-140°F
Medium145°F
sliced carne asada on a white platter with pico de gallo in the background

Expert Tips

  1. If you don’t have a grill you can use a grill pan to cook your steak on.
  2. Poke holes with a fork in your steak before introducing it to the marinade to really ensure we get full flavor penetration.
  3. Looking for a flavor bomb? Then let that steak marinate for 4 – 8 hours, believe me it’ll make all the difference in the world.
  4. If you can’t find flank steak, give skirt or flat iron steak a try. They’re both nice and tender alternatives.
  5. Let the carne asada rest after cooking! If you see liquid on your cutting board once you’ve cut into your meat, abandon ship, all hope is lost. Well that’s not exactly true but for supple, moist meat you need to give it some alone time after coming off the heat.
  6. Slice it up thinly against the grain. This makes a big difference! If you slice with the grain, your steak will be much more tough and chewy rather than soft.

How To Serve

You can make this a meal all in its own stacked in a soft tortilla and topped with your favorite veggies and sauces. Make your own burritos and serve it alongside rice and refried beans. Check out these ideas that you can serve on top of your tacos or on the side!

  • Homemade Salsa
  • Pico de Gallo Recipe
  • Guacamole
  • Mexican Street Corn Slaw
  • Street Corn Salad
  • Mexican Chicken And Rice Salad
  • Cilantro Lime Rice
overhead shot of two tacos with carne asada and pico de gallo

Stove-top Option

It’s not always grilling season and if you don’t have an indoor grill, not to worry. You can cook a perfect flank steak on the stovetop in a skillet or grill pan. You will want to use a cast iron skillet or cast iron grill pan for best results. Here’s how:

  1. Follow the instructions for making the marinade and marinating the steak.
  2. Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a large skillet over high heat. The high heat is important. Add the steak to the skillet and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until well browned.
  3. Using a pair of tongs, check the steak to see if it’s browned on the bottom and flip on to the other side. If it’s not browned continue cooking for another minute until well browned. Cook on the other side for another 2 to 3 minutes.
  4. Transfer the steak to a cutting board and let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing.

Make Ahead

The cooked carne asada stored in airtight containers will keep for up to 3 days in the fridge. The reserved marinade will last about a week.

You can freeze the marinated steak in an airtight container or in freezer bags for 3 – 4 months, but keep in mind that you don’t want to refreeze beef after it’s thawed, so prepare wisely! Allow the beef to thaw at room temperature before carrying on with the recipe.

overhead shot of sliced carne asada on a white plate with pico de gallo and corn tortillas

More Delicious Mexican Recipes To Try

  • Pollo Asado (Chicken Asado)
  • Birria Tacos
  • Instant Pot Chicken Tinga
  • Chimichangas
  • Easy Chicken Fajitas
  • Magic Flan Cake (Chocoflan)
  • Barbacoa
  • Pork Carnitas
  • Tex Mex Chilaquiles
  • Beef Empanadas

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

overhead shot of carne asada on a plate topped with chimichurri
Print
4.72 from 45 votes

Carne Asada

Prep 15 minutes
Cook 14 minutes
Total 29 minutes
Rate Recipe
Carne Asada – perfectly marinated flank steak, grilled to perfection, then served in tacos with your favorite toppings! Restaurant quality in the comfort of your own home.
10

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoon olive oil
  • ¼ cup lime juice (freshly squeezed)
  • ½ cup orange juice (freshly squeezed)
  • ¼ cup soy sauce (low sodium)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 jalapeno (minced)
  • 1 teaspoon cumin (ground)
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ cup cilantro (fresh, chopped)
  • ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
  • 2 pound flank steak

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

Instructions 

  • Marinate steak. In a large ziploc bag combine together the olive oil, lime juice, orange juice, soy sauce, garlic, jalapeno, cumin, chili powder, cilantro, salt and pepper. Reserve 1/4 cup in a bowl and set aside in the fridge. Add the flank steak to the bag, close the ziploc bag and shake the bag around a bit, making sure the steak is covered in the marinade. Place it in the fridge and let it marinate for 2 to 4 hours.
  • Prep the grill. Heat your grill till it gets to about 400°F.
  • Grill the steak. Grill the steak for about 5 to 7 minutes per side or until done to your likeness. Transfer it to a plate and cover it with aluminum foil. Let it rest for about 5 minutes before slicing it into thin strips. If you slice it right away all the juices will come out and you'll end up with a dry steak.
  • Slice and serve. Thinly slice the steak against the grain and serve with remaining reserved marinade. Serve immediately.

Equipment

  • Instant Read Meat Thermometer

Video

Notes

  1. If you don’t have a grill you can use a grill pan to cook your steak on.
  2. Poke holes with a fork in your steak before introducing it to the marinade to really ensure we get full flavor penetration.
  3. Looking for a flavor bomb? Then let that steak marinate for 4 – 8 hours, believe me it’ll make all the difference in the world.
  4. If you can’t find flank steak, give skirt or flat iron steak a try. They’re both nice and tender alternatives.
  5. Let the carne asada rest after cooking! If you see liquid on your cutting board once you’ve cut into your meat, abandon ship, all hope is lost. Well that’s not exactly true but for supple, moist meat you need to give it some alone time after coming off the heat.
  6. Slice it up thinly against the grain. This makes a big difference! If you slice with the grain, your steak will be much more tough and chewy rather than soft.
  7. Storing leftovers: The cooked carne asada stored in airtight containers will keep for up to 3 days in the fridge. The reserved marinade will last about a week.
  8. Freezing: You can freeze the marinated steak in an airtight container or in freezer bags for 3 – 4 months, but keep in mind that you don’t want to refreeze beef after it’s thawed, so prepare wisely! Allow the beef to thaw at room temperature before carrying on with the recipe.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1servingCalories: 175kcal (9%)Carbohydrates: 3g (1%)Protein: 20g (40%)Fat: 9g (14%)Saturated Fat: 2g (13%)Cholesterol: 54mg (18%)Sodium: 381mg (17%)Potassium: 368mg (11%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 1g (1%)Vitamin A: 153IU (3%)Vitamin C: 10mg (12%)Calcium: 25mg (3%)Iron: 2mg (11%)
© Author Joanna Cismaru

Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.

overhead shot of carne asada on a plate topped with chimichurri

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Joanna Cismaru

Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

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35 Comments
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Jennifer Warren
Jennifer Warren
Posted: 5 months ago

5 stars
This recipe is perfect. I’ve made it many, many times since I found it here about a year ago. I’ve never changed a thing, and the results have been no less than spectacular every single time. Thank you for sharing your carne wisdom! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

1
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Jennifer Warren
Posted: 5 months ago

My pleasure, so glad you like it!

0
Reply
Andrea
Andrea
Posted: 9 months ago

5 stars
What is the best way to reheat the leftover meat?

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Andrea
Posted: 9 months ago

I would say the best way to reheat it is either in the oven at low temperature until heated through.

0
Reply
Kris Marie
Kris Marie
Posted: 9 months ago

5 stars
The Spring rain has cleared out and it’s a perfect day to grill, so yesterday I thawed out a skirt steak and I just threw together the marinade and in the fridge it went to marinate all day! Plan on making your pico to accompany this absolutely delicious steak!! A big thank you Jo!

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Kris Marie
Posted: 9 months ago

Glad you liked it, Kris!

0
Reply
Sue Lascelles
Sue Lascelles
Posted: 10 months ago

5 stars
It was absolutely delicious and has been added to my list of “repeat” recipes. I followed your suggestion of making tacos with the steak and the Mexican street corn slaw. “Chef’s kiss”. It was amazing. I can always count on you for dinner ideas any given day.

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Sue Lascelles
Posted: 10 months ago

That’s great Sue, so glad you liked it! 🙂

0
Reply
Kris Marie
Kris Marie
Posted: 10 months ago

This recipe just came into my inbox and I pulled my small flank steak out of the freezer as I want to make this tomorrow night for my husband’s birthday! Can I use canned jalapeños instead of fresh? Thank you, looking forward to this!

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Kris Marie
Posted: 10 months ago

Sure, why not. 🙂 Hope you like it!

0
Reply
Kris Marie
Kris Marie
Reply to  Joanna Cismaru
Posted: 10 months ago

5 stars
Hi Joanna! We just devoured this for my husband’s birthday dinner! I also made your pico de gallo to accompany this! Absolutely incredible! Thank you SO much for an awesome recipe! A keeper!

0
Reply
Laura
Laura
Posted: 2 years ago

I dont have orange just lemon juice. Can I still do this marinade without orange juice?

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Laura
Posted: 2 years ago

Sure, substitute it with some chicken broth, and a bit of lemon juice.

0
Reply
Amy A. Wells
Amy A. Wells
Posted: 2 years ago

5 stars
This is a wonderful recipe, it is easy and turns out amazing! My whole family loved this!

0
Reply
Kelly P
Kelly P
Posted: 2 years ago

5 stars
I don’t usually comment but had to here because this was delicious and a family pleaser! Even my 4 year old son enjoyed it! We have made tacos, quesadillas and taco bowls with the meat. I paired with homemade mexican rice and a simple black bean and corn mixture. Thank you for sharing such a great recipe!

0
Reply
Alex Walenz
Alex Walenz
Posted: 2 years ago

Hi! I’m going to try this tonight. What is the 1/4 cup of reserved marinade for? Just to use with something else at another time?

Also, I got the last piece of flank steak at the store this morning…it’s only 1.44#. What cooking time do you suggest for that size?

0
Reply
Jo Cooks Team
Jo Cooks Team
Reply to  Alex Walenz
Posted: 2 years ago

In step 4 you’ll see we said “serve with remaining marinade”.
You can reduce the cooking time by a minute or two! Still use nice and high heat and test the steak doneness pressing it with your finger.

0
Reply
Alex
Alex
Reply to  Jo Cooks Team
Posted: 2 years ago

Excuse me, sorry.

0
Reply
Jo Cooks Team
Jo Cooks Team
Reply to  Alex
Posted: 2 years ago

No problem! 🙂

0
Reply
Katherine
Katherine
Posted: 2 years ago

This was beyond delicious! My family loved it and is requesting it again. Even my daughter gobbled it up and she doesn’t usually eat carne asada. Great recipe! I’ll be stopping by again for more of your recipes.

0
Reply
Jo Cooks Team
Jo Cooks Team
Reply to  Katherine
Posted: 2 years ago

That’s awesome! We’re glad even your toughest critic was a fan 🙂

0
Reply
Renee
Renee
Posted: 3 years ago

5 stars
Thank you for this recipe! This was incredibly flavorful & delicious!

0
Reply
Janet Bradley
Janet Bradley
Posted: 3 years ago

I have flank steak that is already cut up, can I follow the recipe using the already
cut up flank steak (not marinated yet). I soooo wanna try this recipe.

0
Reply
Jo Cooks Team 2
Jo Cooks Team 2
Reply to  Janet Bradley
Posted: 3 years ago

Cooking time might be a little different, but absolutely you can! Happy cooking 🙂

0
Reply
Baltisraul
Baltisraul
Posted: 3 years ago

5 stars
This is one truly great marinade. I can see this going to the front of my recipe box to use on many types of meat. Don’t know if this is the gospel truth but at a cooking class I took at Publix Supermarket a few years ago, the Chef said that resting any meat that is under 1″ thick is not necessary. There is no volume left for the juices to redistribute. He said just cover it and finish your meal and that will statisfy the need to rest any further.

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Baltisraul
Posted: 3 years ago

Actually that is true, I’ve also read many articles that talk about how marinating really doesn’t do much other than add flavor to the meat, but I think in thin pieces of steak like this, it might work a bit more.

0
Reply
Baltisraul
Baltisraul
Reply to  Joanna Cismaru
Posted: 3 years ago

5 stars
Agreed. Adding flavor to a flank steak, etc, is very important. I have found that adding a splash of vinegar to the marinade helps some with tenderizing. Adding Accent(MSG) in place of the salt is our go to ingredient in all marinades that require salt. Either way I’m using this recipe. I loved it.

0
Reply
Mina
Mina
Posted: 3 years ago

Can I make this in a skillet?

0
Reply
Jo Cooks Team
Jo Cooks Team
Reply to  Mina
Posted: 3 years ago

Absolutely 🙂

0
Reply
Joanna
Joanna
Posted: 3 years ago

5 stars
Thank you for this recipe, both my boys always order carne asada when we dine out Mexican, so I was thrilled to use this marinade for a beautiful strip steak I had on hand. My son loved it, ate the whole thing other than a sliver of fat! Served it with cilantro rice and corn.

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Joanna
Posted: 3 years ago

So glad you liked it!

0
Reply

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Hey there!

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

Read More
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