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This carne asada recipe is so easy and perfect for dinner. The steak is marinaded and grilled to perfection. Leftovers can be used in tacos, nachos, burrito bowls and fries.
We largely missed out on winter this year since we were in southern hemisphere (New Zealand and Australia) for almost 2.5 months.
After coming home and missing the brunt of snow storms in Colorado has me feeling like it’s almost summer already, which means I am ready to start grilling!
And what a better way to start my summer grilling than with a nice piece of Carne Asada? Better yet, with an easy recipe that I can make ahead and just pop on the grill for 20 minutes? Yes, count me in!
Carne Asada Recipe
What is Carne Asada and How to Cook it?
Carne asada literally means grilled meat. It’s a dish popular in Mexico and for most of South America, although preparations and seasonings differ from country to country.
As the name suggests, authentic Carne Asada is grilled, but it can also be pan fried in a cast iron pan.
The most important thing about making carne asada however is that you marinade the meat to impart flavor. The beef needs to be marinated for at least 4 hours in the refrigerator for best results.
What Cut of Meat is Used for Carne Asada?
Carne Asada can be made with different cuts of beef. Traditionally, skirt steaks, flank steaks or sirloin steaks are used.
Skirt and flank steaks are tougher cuts of meat than sirloin, which means you need to marinade them a little longer and preferably cook the steaks to temperatures of medium well or less.
Easy Marinade
There are several marinade recipes for Carne Asada, but it usually includes cilantro, garlic, lime, salt, and jalapeño.
You can use soy sauce to flavor the steak even more and brown sugar, honey or orange to caramelize the meat.
Beer is also a favorite and helps tenderize the meat.
Mexican oregano is traditional, but optional and cumin imparts a good smoky flavor to the meat.
This recipe is basic and you can add your own touch according to your preferences.
Carne Asada Recipe
Equipment
- Grill
- Large Bowl
Ingredients
- 2.5 lbs flank steak
- 1 large bunch of cilantro chopped small
- 6 garlic cloves minced
- 2 limes juiced
- 1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1 tbsp cumin
- 1 tbsp oregano
- 1/2 jalapeno pepper seeded and diced small optional
- salt
Instructions
- Place meat in a large bowl or ziplock bag.
- Mix all other ingredients into the bowl or bag and coat meat well.
- Cover bowl with plastic wrap and put it in the fridge for 4-24 hrs.
- Preheat the grill to medium high heat. Place steaks on the grill and let it cook for 6-10 minutes per side depending on your preference. Only turn the meat once.
- Remove the meat from heat and let it rest for 5 minutes. Slice it thinly against the grain and serve.
Nutrition
How to Serve This Recipe
Serve carne asada with corn tortillas, lime wedges, onions and cilantro.
If you have left overs, here are some recipes to try:
- Tacos
- Enchiladas
- Carne Asada Fries
- Burritos
- Carne Asada Plate
- Carne Asada Sandwiches
If you liked this recipe, you might also like Beef Gyudon!
What recipe should I make next?
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This website contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and participant in other programs, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.
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