Carne Asada Recipe Marinated Grilled Steak

Slice into strips and serve with tortillas and your favorite toppings for a meal everyone will love!

What is Carne Asada?

I can never get enough Mexican food; from tacos and burritos to fresh pico de gallo and of course this recipe! Carne asada translates to “grilled beef” and in this recipe, it is marinated in a flavorful citrus mixture.

Carne Asada Marinade

The key to a tender carne asada is the marinade (and slicing the beef properly, more on tht below). The acidity in the marinade tenderizes the meat and gives the most delicious flavor! Allow at least a few of hours marinating time but overnight if you can!

Lime Juice and orange juice add acidity for tenderizing and lots of flavor
Soy Sauce adds salt and a nice savory flavor
Garlic adds flavor, I add 3 cloves but add more if you’d like!

Beef for Carne Asada

One of the reasons carne asada is so popular is because you can use a less expensive cut of meat, usually a skirt steak or a flank steak. You can, of course, use your favorite cuts, we sometimes use rib steak.

The marinade makes all the difference. It both tenderizes the meat and brings a savory flavor during the grilling process.

Most importantly, be sure to slice your beef against the grain. You will see long fibers in the meat, cut across the fibers for tender beef. If you cut with the fibers, you will get tough chewy meat.

To Make Carne Asada

Marinate the flank steak (or steak of your choice) at least four hours or overnight per recipe below.
Preheat the grill to medium heat and grill the marinated steak.
Rest and slice the steak across the grain.

Serve as steak tacos, burritos, fajitas, or just serve over my favorite version of cilantro tomato rice.

To Serve

This is the fun part! Set out toppings so everyone can build their own! Serve with warmed corn or flour tortillas and this delicious Mexican Corn salad.

TOPPING IDEAS

Sauces: Salsa, Guacamole, Sour Cream, or Pico de Gallo.
Crunchy Veggies: Sliced or diced Onions, cooked and diced potatoes, shredded cabbage, or shredded lettuce.
Other Veggies: Sliced avocados, sliced black olives, diced tomatoes, and sliced jalapenos!

More Mexican Favorites

Chicken Taquitos
Chicken Quesadillas
Pork Carnitas Recipe
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Cilantro Lime Chicken