Carne Asada is a beloved Mexican dish that brings together the bold flavors of marinated beef, grilled to perfection. With its smoky, charred exterior and tender, juicy interior, Carne Asada is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways – from tacos to burritos, or simply served alongside rice and beans for a satisfying meal. The marinade, often made with lime, garlic, and a blend of spices, infuses the beef with vibrant flavors, making each bite an unforgettable experience.
What makes Carne Asada so special is the balance of flavors in the marinade. The tangy lime juice adds brightness, while the garlic and spices (like cumin, chili powder, and paprika) provide depth and warmth. Some recipes even include a splash of orange juice for a hint of sweetness, creating a marinade that enhances the natural richness of the beef. The key to Carne Asada’s tender texture is marinating the beef long enough to allow the flavors to soak in, ensuring every bite is juicy and full of flavor.
Traditionally, this Mexican dish is made with skirt steak or flank steak, which are both flavorful cuts that benefit from marinating and quick grilling. After grilling, the beef is sliced thinly against the grain, making it perfect for tacos, fajitas, or even as a topping for salads or rice bowls.
Carne Asada is incredibly versatile and can be paired with a variety of sides. Tacos, topped with cilantro, onions, and a squeeze of lime, are a classic choice. You can also serve Carne Asada with grilled vegetables, guacamole, or Mexican street corn (Elote) for a complete meal. If you’re in the mood for something different, try it on a burrito or as part of a quesadilla for a tasty twist.
This dish is perfect for backyard barbecues, family dinners, or any time you want to enjoy something savory, smoky, and full of flavor. Whether you keep it traditional or get creative with your toppings, Carne Asada is sure to become a favorite in your meal rotation.
Mexican grilled beef dish, typically made with flank or skirt steak that’s marinated, grilled, and sliced thinly—perfect for tacos, burritos, or on its own.
Skirt steak or flank steak are most traditional. They’re flavorful, grill beautifully, and soak up marinades well.
Common ingredients include lime juice, orange juice, garlic, cilantro, jalapeño, soy sauce, olive oil, and spices like cumin or chili powder.
Marinate for at least 2 hours, but ideally overnight for maximum flavor.
Always slice against the grain to ensure tenderness.
Serve with warm tortillas, guacamole, salsa, grilled onions, rice, or beans—it’s super versatile!
It can be mildly spicy depending on the marinade, but you can easily adjust the heat by skipping the chili or jalapeño.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs flank steak or skirt steak
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup lime juice freshly squeezed
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup cilantro chopped
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine orange juice, lime juice, minced garlic, olive oil, ground cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
- Place the flank steak in a plastic bag or shallow dish and pour the marinade over the meat. Make sure it is well coated. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or up to 8 hours.
- Preheat a grill or grill pan to high heat. Remove the steak from the marinade and shake off excess marinade.
- Grill the steak for 7-10 minutes per side, or until it reaches your desired level of doneness. Allow the steak to rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
- Slice the steak against the grain into thin strips. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve!
Notes
Let the beef marinate for at least 2 hours, or ideally overnight, to really soak up the flavors. 🔹 Use Skirt or Flank Steak:
These cuts are perfect for carne asada because they cook quickly and stay juicy when sliced thin. 🔹 High Heat Is Key:
Grill over high heat to get a good char on the outside while keeping the inside tender. 🔹 Don’t Overcook:
Aim for medium-rare to medium; overcooking can make the meat tough. 🔹 Rest Before Slicing:
Let the steak rest for 5–10 minutes after grilling to keep the juices inside. 🔹 Slice Against the Grain:
Cutting against the grain ensures every bite is tender and easy to chew.
Nutrition
This is too simple. You really need more seasoning for flavor. I added some jalapeños and paprika. Way better!
This carne asada recipe is amazing! The marinade is perfect, and my family loved it! Definitely a repeat dish!
Looks good, but I’m not sure about all that lime juice. Isn’t it too sour for steak? 🤔
I totally agree! This recipe has become a staple in my house as well. So flavorful! 🍊🌿
I followed the recipe but found it a bit bland. I might add more spices next time.
Marinade was too tangy for my taste, should’ve cut the citrus.
Nah, I liked it! More citrus means more flavor! Just gotta adjust for your taste buds. 🤷♂️
I thought the marinade was perfect! Tangy is what makes carne asada so flavorful. Maybe try using less juice next time?
The cilantro really adds a nice touch. Didn’t know it would make such a difference!
Flavor is amazing! The orange juice makes it taste like restaurant carne asada. I sliced against the grain and it was perfect.
Totally agree—orange + lime is magic. I’m glad slicing against the grain worked out for you!
Meat and sauce were great, but too much cilantro for my taste. I hate that stuff!
The marinade was tasty, but my steak came out tough. Not sure if I overcooked or didn’t slice against the grain hard enough. Flavor was there, texture not so much.
I followed the recipe, but my steak was really tough. I think I cooked it too long. Maybe I’ll try again but with a different cut of meat.
5 stars. But also—can I use chicken? (joking… unless?) The marinade smells amazing. My family ate the whole thing instantly.
This looks complicated, can’t I just buy carne asada at the store?
Made this last weekend and the citrus marinade is legit. Super flavorful and the cumin/chili combo gives it that carne asada vibe. I let it marinate closer to 6 hours—perfect.
This carne asada recipe was delicious! The marinade was flavorful and made the meat so tender. Definitely a hit at my BBQ!
Pretty good. I only marinated ~2 hours because I forgot, but it still tasted flavorful. Next time I’ll go closer to 6-8 hours though. Also wish the instructions said something about slicing timing—rest actually matters!
I added a pinch of chili flakes and wow, kicked it up a notch! Yum!
Chili flakes? Really? I thought it was supposed to be a simple carne asada. Isn’t that too much?
That sounds amazing! I love spice in my food. Gonna try that next time! 🌶️
I cooked this for my family and they loved it! Thanks for sharing! 😄
Yum! I made some tacos with this carne asada and it was fire! 🔥🔥🔥
I dont like cilantro, can I use parsley? My steak turned out tough tho.
I think cilantro on top is a must. It makes it taste fresh instead of just “spiced meat.” I rested 10 minutes and that helped the slices.
Totally agree—cilantro really makes it taste brighter, like it’s not just “spiced meat.” Also glad you rested it; slicing after resting helps it stay juicy.
I’m not sure about cilantro being a must… it’s good but I’ve had it taste like soap before. I usually do parsley or just extra lime. And I’ve always rested closer to 10 minutes too 😅
Didn’t turn out how I expected. The steak was tough even after marinating. I think I cooked it too long.
So easy to follow! I’m not a pro but the recipe made me look like one. Thanks!
Looks easy. Gonna try it. Hope it tastes like the real carne asada from a restaurant 😅
Who puts orange juice in carne asada? That’s too sweet for a savory dish!
Honestly pretty solid. I used skirt steak and it grilled fast, but the flavor was great. Next time I’ll maybe add a little extra chili powder for more heat.
Why do people use flank steak? Skirt’s way better for tacos!
Grilled it for the first time and my husband said I should become a chef! Hehe.
This is how my grandma made it, love it! Just like home.
I love how food can bring back such sweet memories! Carne asada reminds me of family gatherings too. Yum!
Made this last weekend—super flavorful! The orange + lime combo is legit. I only marinated about 3 hours and it still turned out great. Will grill again.
Seriously, who marinades their steak for 8 hours? I did 30 min and it was fine!
I marinate for 2-3 hours max! 8 hours just seems too long. Isn’t it overkill?
I totally agree! I never have patience for long marinades. 30 min is good enough for me!
This was amazing! The flavors were perfect and my family loved it. Will definitely make again!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! It’s one of my favorites too. What sides did you serve with it?
Looks good, but I don’t know about marinating that long. Seems like overkill. Might try it, but I’ll cut it down.
I can’t believe how quick this is to make! I usually take forever in the kitchen but this was easy peasy!
Easy to follow! Turned out perfect, and I’m not even a pro chef, lol.
Is flank steak the same as skirt steak? I used skirt, wasn’t sure if the taste would differ. It was still good!
What even is flank steak? I used chicken instead. It turned out good but not sure if it’s the same. Do you guys think chicken works?
Chicken is a good substitute if you like it. It’s not the same but if it tastes good, who cares? Just don’t call it carne asada then! 😂
Not gonna lie, I was skeptical about orange juice in carne asada. But I tried it and it was actually better than my usual recipe. Only thing: I marinated closer to 10 hours and the meat got a bit too tender/mushy. Next time I’ll stick to 8.
I’m glad it worked for you! The orange juice totally makes sense to me—acid + citrus can punch up the flavor, but yeah, 10 hours can absolutely go from tender to mushy. Sticking to 8 is a solid call.
Mine came out a little too salty. I think my cumin/chili powder was stronger than the recipe. Still tasted good though, just needed less salt in the mix.
Easy to follow, but my steak was tough… what did I do wrong?
Meh. Tasted mostly like citrus and not enough spice. I added more cumin and chili powder next time. Also cilantro makes it weird for my family, lol.
I tried this but used chicken instead of steak. It was okay, not what I expected.
Marinating for 8 hours is too long, I did it for 1 hour and it was still good… Just sayin’!