Name: Carne Asada Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: ¼ cup olive oil; ¼ cup orange juice (freshly squeezed); 2 tablespoons lime juice; ¼ cup soy sauce; 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro; 4 garlic cloves (minced); 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1 teaspoon chili powder; 1 teaspoon paprika; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon black pepper; 1 jalapeño (seeded and finely chopped, optional); 2 pounds flank or skirt steak

Description

Carne Asada is a flavorful Mexican grilled steak marinated with citrus juices, soy sauce, fresh cilantro, and spices. This juicy and tender dish is perfect for tacos, burritos, or a hearty main course served alongside rice and beans. The marinade tenderizes the flank or skirt steak, infusing it with a delicious smoky and tangy flavor that is enhanced when grilled to medium-rare perfection.

Ingredients

Scale

Marinade Ingredients

¼ cup olive oil
¼ cup orange juice (freshly squeezed)
2 tablespoons lime juice
¼ cup soy sauce
3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
4 garlic cloves (minced)
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 jalapeño (seeded and finely chopped, optional)

Main Ingredient

2 pounds flank or skirt steak

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Instructions

Prepare the Marinade: In a large bowl or zip-top bag, whisk together olive oil, orange juice, lime juice, soy sauce, cilantro, garlic, cumin, chili powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and jalapeño if using. This mixture will tenderize and flavor the steak.
Marinate the Steak: Add the flank or skirt steak to the marinade, ensuring it is well coated. Seal the bag or cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to deeply penetrate the meat.
Preheat the Grill: Heat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat, ensuring it is hot before placing the steak on it. This will help achieve perfect grill marks and seal in juices.
Grill the Steak: Remove the steak from the marinade and allow excess to drip off. Grill the steak for 5–7 minutes on each side, or until it reaches your desired doneness, ideally 135°F for medium-rare.
Rest and Slice: Transfer the grilled steak to a cutting board and let it rest for 5–10 minutes. This resting period helps the juices redistribute within the meat. Then, slice the steak thinly against the grain for maximum tenderness before serving.

Notes

Carne asada is versatile—great for tacos, burritos, salads, or served with rice and beans.
You can substitute flank steak with flat iron or sirloin steak if preferred.
For an extra smoky flavor, grill over charcoal or add a touch of liquid smoke to the marinade.