Juicy Carne Asada Recipe: Grill Master’s Dream Dinner

Beef lovers dream of the perfect carne asada that melts in your mouth with robust flavors.

This authentic Mexican grilled meat recipe brings sizzling excitement to your dinner table.

Marinated with zesty spices and lime, the carne asada creates a mouthwatering aroma that draws everyone to the grill.

Tender slices of beef promise a delectable experience that goes beyond ordinary meals.

Crafted with simple ingredients and traditional techniques, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality results at home.

Each bite promises a burst of smoky, tangy goodness that celebrates the rich culinary heritage of Mexico.

Prepare to savor a meal that will become a new family favorite.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 4

Carne Asada Must-Haves for Grilling Glory

• Lime Juice: Tenderizes the meat and adds a zesty, bright flavor profile.
• Olive Oil: Helps distribute marinade evenly and creates a rich, smooth coating.
• Garlic: Delivers robust, aromatic depth and classic Mexican culinary essence.
• Cilantro: Introduces fresh, herbal notes that complement the meat's richness.
• Chili Powder, Cumin: Provide warm, earthy spice layers and traditional southwestern complexity.

• Flank Steak: Lean cut with intense beef flavor, perfect for absorbing marinade and grilling.

• Jalapeño: Adds optional fiery kick and vibrant green pepper intensity for heat lovers.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasoning to elevate and balance overall meat flavor profile.

Grilling Gear for Carne Asada Night

• Large Bowl: Essential for mixing marinade ingredients and coating the steak thoroughly.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending marinade components smoothly and evenly.
• Ziplock Bag: Great alternative to bowl for marinating, allows full meat coverage.
• Measuring Cups/Spoons: Helps accurately measure marinade ingredients.
• Knife: Useful for trimming excess fat from steak if needed.

How to Make Carne Asada That Hits the Spot

• Craft the Magic Marinade

Mix your favorite seasonings and liquid ingredients in a spacious container. Create a flavor explosion that will transform your meat into a mouth-watering masterpiece.

• Bath the Meat in Flavor

Gently place your steak into the marinade mixture, ensuring every inch gets coated with the delicious blend. Massage the marinade into the meat like you’re giving it a spa treatment.

• Let the Flavor Develop

Seal the container and pop it into the refrigerator. Allow the meat to soak up all those incredible flavors for a minimum of 2 hours. For the most epic taste experience, let it marinate overnight and watch the magic happen.

• Prepare to Grill

Remove the steak from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before cooking. This helps the meat cook more evenly and ensures a perfectly juicy result. Get ready to impress everyone with your culinary skills!

• Cook to Perfection

Fire up the grill or heat a cast-iron skillet to high temperature. Sear the marinated steak, creating a beautiful caramelized exterior while keeping the inside tender and succulent. Let the meat rest for a few minutes after cooking to lock in those incredible juices.

Marinade Tips & Bold Flavor Variations

• Marinating Magic: Let the steak soak in the marinade overnight for maximum flavor penetration and tenderness.
• Slicing Secrets: Cut the carne asada against the grain to ensure each bite is incredibly juicy and easy to chew.
• Grill Master Technique: Preheat the grill to high heat and let the steak rest at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking for perfect sear and even cooking.
• Dietary Flexibility: Swap beef with chicken or portobello mushrooms for a lighter protein option, or use plant-based alternatives for a vegetarian twist.
• Leftover Love: Transform extra carne asada into delicious tacos, burritos, or salad toppers for quick and tasty meal repurposing.

Slicing & Serving Carne Asada Like a Pro

• Festive Taco Night: Transform your carne asada into a vibrant taco spread with warm tortillas, fresh salsa, and crisp toppings like diced onions and chopped cilantro.
• Hearty Steak Salad: Slice the grilled meat over a bed of mixed greens, adding avocado, corn, and a zesty lime dressing for a protein-packed meal.
• Flavor-Packed Burrito Bowl: Chop the carne asada and layer it over cilantro-lime rice with black beans, roasted peppers, and a dollop of sour cream for a satisfying dinner.
• Leftover Steak Sandwich: Pile thinly sliced carne asada onto crusty bread with caramelized onions, pepper jack cheese, and a smoky chipotle mayo for a next-day lunch treat.

Save That Asada for Tomorrow’s Tacos

• Flavor Infusion Strategy: Marinate your steak in the refrigerator to allow deep seasoning penetration, which helps tenderize and enhance meat's natural taste.
• Smart Storing Technique: Keep marinated meat in an airtight container or sealed plastic bag, placing it on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator to prevent potential drips.
• Freshness Window: Consume marinated carne asada within 2-3 days for optimal quality and taste, ensuring food safety and peak flavor profile.
• Quick Prep Hack: Slice extra marinated meat into portion-sized packages before freezing, allowing convenient future meal preparation with minimal thawing time needed.

Sizzling Carne Asada Recipe

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4.6 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Juicy carne asada brings Mexican grilling traditions to your table with tender, marinated beef. Sizzling skirt steak delivers bold flavor profiles perfect for tacos, burritos, and weekend gatherings you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 lbs (900g) skirt steak or flank steak
• ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• ⅓ cup olive oil
• ¼ cup fresh lime juice
• ¼ cup fresh orange juice
• 2 tbsps soy sauce
• 2 tbsps apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp chili powder
• ½ tsp ground black pepper
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp oregano
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes

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Instructions

1. Marinade Preparation: Blend citrus juices, fragrant herbs, and bold spices in a spacious mixing bowl, creating a zesty and complex flavor foundation for the beef.
2. Marinating Process: Thoroughly coat the beef in the vibrant liquid mixture, ensuring complete coverage, then securely seal and refrigerate for a minimum of two hours, preferably overnight, to intensify flavor and tenderize the meat.
3. Temperature Equalization: Remove the marinated beef from refrigeration 30 minutes prior to cooking, allowing it to reach room temperature for uniform heat distribution during grilling.
4. Heat Preparation: Ignite the grill or heavy skillet to high temperature, generating optimal conditions for achieving a perfectly caramelized exterior and succulent interior.
5. Grilling Technique: Swiftly cook the marinated beef over intense heat, rotating once to develop a robust charred crust while preserving the meat’s natural juiciness.
6. Resting and Slicing: Allow the grilled beef to rest for 5-7 minutes, enabling internal juice redistribution, then slice against the grain into delicate strips, enhancing both texture and visual appeal for serving.

Notes

• Optimize Marinade Intensity: Let beef marinate overnight for maximum flavor penetration, ensuring each bite bursts with zesty citrus and aromatic herb notes.
• Master Perfect Meat Temperature: Allow meat to reach room temperature before grilling, which guarantees even cooking and prevents tough, uneven texture.
• Control Grilling Heat: Use high, direct heat to create a beautiful caramelized exterior while maintaining a juicy, tender interior for premium taste and texture.
• Slice for Superior Texture: Cut meat against the grain into thin strips to enhance tenderness and improve overall eating experience, making each slice more succulent and easy to chew.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 8 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg