• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Sunday Supper Movement logo
  • Home
  • About
    • Contact Us
    • Sunday Supper Pledge
    • Family Foodie TV
  • Browse Recipes
    • Instant Pot Recipes
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Dinner Ideas
    • Side Dishes
    • Desserts
  • Holiday Recipes
  • Cooking Chart
  • Newsletter
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Browse Recipes
  • Holiday Recipes
  • Newsletter
  • Cookbooks
  • Media
  • Contact Us
  • The Sunday Supper Pledge
  • Follow us on social!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Grilling and BBQ » Carne Asada Recipe

    Carne Asada Recipe

    Published: Jun 7, 2022 Modified: Mar 10, 2023 by Isabel Laessig

    Share
    Pin
    Share

    This post may contain paid links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

    Jump to Recipe

    My Carne Asada recipe will be your new best friend for taco night! Using a simple lime and orange Mexican marinade inspired by traditional cuisine to tenderize the flank steak, this dish is effortlessly delicious. Cooks in 10 minutes after marinating!

    carne asada sliced on a plate with vegetables
    Jump to:
    • Carne Asada
    • What is Carne Asada?
    • Carne Asada Seasoning
    • Carne Asada Marinade
    • How to Make Carne Asada
    • Carne Asada Recipes Tips
    • How Long to Grill Flank Steak
    • Steak Temperature
    • How to Make Carne Asada Tacos
    • Carne Asada Recipe FAQs
    • What to Serve with Carne Asada
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 💬 Reviews

    Carne Asada

    My family loves Mexican-inspired recipes, and of them all, carne asada is easily one of our top 3 favorites. The aroma when the marinated beef hits the sizzling hot grill pan is heavenly! This is a perfectly grilled flank steak recipe with so much flavor, ideal for enjoying sliced on its own, over rice, or in tacos.

    The best part about homemade carne asada is how easy it is to make. Marinate it a couple of hours before dinnertime, then cook it up in just 10 minutes. It’s beyond simple and so tender!

    This recipe was just amazing. I made it for a party and everyone loved it!

    Janice on Pineterest
    carne asada sliced on a plate with vegetables and avocado

    What is Carne Asada?

    Carne asada literally translates to “grilled meat” or “grilled beef”. It is a traditional Mexican street food typically served in tacos. The beef shines with a simple but flavorful Mexican marinade of orange and lime juice, which both enhances its taste and helps tenderize the beef to keep it juicy!

    Carne asada sliced on a plate with vegetables

    Carne Asada Seasoning

    • garlic
    • cumin
    • salt and pepper

    Mixed with the citrus marinade juices, garlic, cumin, and salt and pepper make the perfect simple carne asada seasoning!

    Carne Asada Marinade

    • lime juice
    • orange juice
    • carne asada seasoning (above)

    While you’ll find many recipes with steak require a long list of ingredients, most traditional Mexican recipes keep it pretty minimal, using citrus juice, garlic, and simple seasoning. My simple carne asada marinade is the same.

    You can add some minced jalapeño if you want a bit of heat, or simply add it with your toppings later.

    How to Make Carne Asada

    1. Trim any excess fat from the steak and, if you prefer, cut into slightly smaller lengths to make it easier to grill.
      Steak with carne asada ingredients on a blue tray
    2. Put the orange juice, lime juice, garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper in a freezer bag big enough to hold the meat, or a container that allows the meat to lay flat.
    3. Mix the marinade ingredients, add the meat, and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate to marinate for at least 2 hours but less than 8.
      Carne asada marinating in a bowl
    4. When ready to cook, remove it from the refrigerator a few minutes early and allow it to come to room temperature while you preheat the grill to high. Then, grill for a few minutes on each side until cooked through.
      grilling steak for carne asada in a black pan
    5. Serve in thin slices, being sure to cut across the grain.

    This is a simple steak recipe that’s easy to make and perfect for a quick and delicious dinner. It just requires a little time to marinate, and then grilling is done in a flash.

    Carne Asada Recipes Tips

    • You could also use a beef chuck roast for the meat, but this should be cooked low and slow either in a roasting pan or slow cooker, as with my Beef Chuck Roast or Slow Cooker Chuck Roast recipes. The marinade will pair well with the beef.
    • No matter which cut you use for carne asada steak, always cut against the grain for the best results.
    • Marinate for at least 2 hours, but less than 8. You don’t want to marinate overnight as the muscle fibers in the beef will begin to break down too much.
    • You can marinate the beef in a large plastic bag for easy clean up or in a bowl.
    • Grill on medium-high (between 450-500°F). If you do not own an outdoor grill, you can make carne asada in the oven under a broiler or in a grill pan on the stove.
    • Cooking time is an estimate and depends on the thickness of your cut of beef. Use a meat thermometer for best results.

    How Long to Grill Flank Steak

    Flank steak is much thinner than other cuts of beef you might be familiar with grilling, so to reach your desired internal temperature, it may not take as long to cook.

    I suggest grilling the steak over medium-high heat for 4 to 5 minutes per side until it reaches 135°F for medium-rare, or 10 to 12 minutes until it reaches 145°F for medium.

    Steak Temperature

    Remember, the steak will continue to cook once you’ve removed it from the grill. Transfer steak to cutting board and let rest 5 minutes before slicing. I always like to refer to a Beef Temperature Chart while using an instant read thermometer for the perfect temperature each time!

    chart showing slices of beef with temperatures
    Desired DonenessTotal Time to Cook
    Rare11-13 minutes for 1″; 13-15 minutes for 1.5″
    Medium-rare12-14 minutes for 1″; 14-16 minutes for 1.5″
    Medium13-15 minutes for 1″; 15-17 minutes for 1.5″
    Medium-well14-16 minutes for 1″; 16-18 minutes for 1.5″
    Well-done15-17 minutes for 1″; 17-19 minutes for 1.5″

    How to Make Carne Asada Tacos

    Carne asada tacos are amazing. To make carne asada tacos, serve in tortillas of your choice with pico de gallo or salsa verde as a topping. Sliced tomatoes, radishes, and cilantro are also great choices. I like placing the tortillas on the grill for a short time to heat them up.

    Try serving Carne Asada with grilled green onions. Place the onions on the grill whole while you cook the meat; then peel off the outer charred layer as you serve. This combo is so delicious and is a traditional way to enjoy carne asada, and even better in carne asada tacos!

    Two Carne asada tacos

    Carne Asada Recipe FAQs

    Is carne asada only used for tacos?

    Carne asada is used for much more than tacos! You can enjoy it sliced on its own, in quesadillas, burritos, over rice, for fajitas, and as a base for any other of your favorite Mexican dishes.

    What cut of beef is best for carne asada?

    Carne asada is usually made using beef skirt steak; however, flank steak and sirloin flap meat can both be used, as they are tender and flavorful cuts of beef. For example, I love Rick Bayless’s recipes, and he uses flank steak for his carne asada recipe. No matter which cut you use for carne asada steak, always cut against the grain for the best results.

    Are flank steak and skirt steak the same thing?

    Though both cuts of meat look similar, skirt steak tends to contain more tough muscles than flank steak; however, following this carne asada recipe, both will turn out tender and incredibly flavorful. Both skirt and flank steak should be marinated first, then cooked to rare or medium rare for the most tender texture.

    Is carne asada keto-friendly?

    To make carne asada keto-friendly, omit the orange juice and substitute apple cider vinegar. Orange juice contains a good amount of sugar, even when it is freshly squeezed.

    What to Serve with Carne Asada

    • Elote
    • Corn Riblets
    • Mexican Street Corn Casserole
    • Tomato Cucumber Salad
    • Sauteed Peppers and Onions

    📋 Recipe

    carne asada sliced on a plate with vegetables and avocado

    Carne Asada Recipe

    Isabel Laessig
    Learn how to make carne asada perfectly following this delicious Carne Asada Recipe! Ready in 10 minutes after marinating, and so easy!
    4.78 from 9 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Marinating Time 2 hours hrs
    Total Time 2 hours hrs 20 minutes mins
    Course Main
    Cuisine Mexican
    Servings 3 approx
    Calories 245 kcal

    Equipment

    • grill or grill pan
    • Meat thermometer optional
    • Sharp knife
    • Cutting board

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 lb skirt steak or flank steak (top sirloin also works)
    • juice of 1 lime
    • ¼ cup orange juice
    • 2 cloves garlic (large, 3 if smaller)
    • ¼ teaspoon cumin
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon pepper
    Cooking Conversions

    See our Cooking Conversions Chart for help converting measurements!

    Instructions
     

    • Trim any excess fat from the steak and, if you prefer, cut into slightly smaller lengths to make it easier to grill.
      1 lb skirt steak
      Steak with carne asada ingredients on a blue tray
    • Put the orange juice, lime juice, garlic, cumin, salt and pepper in a freezer bag big enough to hold the meat, or container that allows the meat to lay coated in the marinade. Add the meat and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate to marinate at least 2 hours, but less than 8.
      juice of 1 lime, ¼ cup orange juice, 2 cloves garlic, ¼ teaspoon cumin, ¼ teaspoon pepper, ¼ teaspoon salt
      Carne asada marinating in a bowl
    • When ready to cook, remove from refrigerator a few minutes early to come to room temperature and preheat grill. Grill for a few minutes on each side until cooked through.
      grilling steak for carne asada in a black pan
    • Let your steak rest, then serve in thin slices. Be sure to cut it across the grain!
      Carne asada sliced on a cutting board

    Notes

    • This dish is traditionally served with grilled green onions. Simply put on the grill as you cook the beef, then dice them up and serve in tacos with the beef and pico de gallo on top. 
    RECIPE TIPS:
    1. Make sure to cut against the grain. This will ensure your Carne Asada steak is tender.
    2. You can marinate the beef in a large plastic bag for easy clean up or in a bowl.
    3. Grill on high for best results (around 500°F). If you do not own an outdoor grill, you can make Carne Asada in the oven under the broiler.
    4. Cooking time is an estimate and depends on the thickness of your cut of beef. Use a meat thermometer for best results.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 245kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 33gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 95mgSodium: 294mgPotassium: 483mgSugar: 2gVitamin A: 40IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 13mgIron: 2.8mg
    Keyword authentic carne asada recipe, carne asada, carne asada marinade, carne asada recipe
    Did you try this recipe?Tag #SundaySupper on social and leave a comment below!
    Share
    Pin
    Share

    More Grilling and BBQ

    • mushroom Swiss burger on a wood block
      Mushroom Swiss Burger Recipe
    • London broil cooking on the grill
      How to Cook London Broil
    • two lobster tails cooking on the grill
      Grilled Lobster Tail
    • Grilled pork chop sliced on a plate with a fork
      Grilled Pork Chops
    Isabel, AKA Family Foodie

    About Isabel Laessig

    Hi! I’m Isabel Laessig, also known as Family Foodie, creator of Sunday Supper Movement and author of the Boujee Steak Cookbook. Sunday Supper is my mission to bring family back around the dinner table. Join me in making family meal-time a tradition to celebrate!

    » About Me

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    No Comments

    Let us know what you think or ask a question about the recipe! Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Leave a rating!




    Primary Sidebar

    Isabel, AKA Family Foodie

    Hi! I’m Isabel Laessig, also known as Family Foodie. Sunday Supper is my mission to bring family back around the dinner table!

    • Family Foodie Facebook
    • Sunday Supper Pinterest
    • Sunday Supper Youtube
    • Family Foodie Instagram
    • Family Foodie Tiktok

    Sunday Dinner Ideas

    • Southern smothered pork chops in a cast iron skillet
      Pork Chop Recipes
    • Overhead shot of beef chuck roast recipe on a white platter with carrots and fresh herbs
      Beef Chuck Roast
    • up close baked portobello mushrooms surrounded by lettuce
      Portobello Mushroom Recipe
    • A fork with a bite of air fryer pork chops
      Air Fryer Pork Chops
    • Candied Bacon
    • Elotes Mexicanos on a white platter
      Elote Recipe

    Footer

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    logos of brands sunday supper has worked with

    Connect with us!

    Join us around our family table by following us on social media, including our Sunday Supper Recipes group!

    • facebook
    • instagram
    • pinterest
    • youtube

    Our Brands

    Follow all of our websites for the best recipes catered to your needs!

    Sunday Supper Movement |
    Best Beef Recipes | Easy Sauce Recipes | Side Dish Ideas | Pork Recipe Ideas

    About Us

    • Contact Us
    • About Isabel and Sunday Supper
    • Our Partners
    • Disclosure & Privacy
    • No AI

    ↑ back to top

    Sunday Supper Logo

    Copyright 2012-2023 Sunday Supper Movement®, All Rights Reserved.