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    Recipes » Main Course Recipes » Mexican Main Courses

    Carne Asada Recipe

    Published: Feb 23, 2023 by Marissa Stevens ·

    Gluten FreeLow CarbPaleoWhole30

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video

    If you're looking for an authentic Carne Asada recipe - this is it! Grilled Carne Asada tastes better and looks more beautiful than it has a right to, if you judge a meal by the amount of effort it takes. And it's a sensory pleasure before it even touches the grill!

    Carne Asada steak thinly sliced across the grain

    As you squeeze fresh orange, lime and lemon juices for the marinade, then whisk in cilantro, garlic and jalapeño, the aroma that floats up to your nose is nothing short of heavenly. Then the steak cooks hot and fast, on your table in about 20 minutes, complete with gorgeous grill marks and a perfectly pink and tender interior.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients You Need to Make Carne Asada
    • Carne Asada Marinade
    • FAQ
    • How Long to Grill?
    • How to Serve
    • How to Store
    • How to Make Carne Asada
    • Recipe Video
    • Carne Asada Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Ingredients You Need to Make Carne Asada

    Carne Asada Ingredients on a white marble board.
    • Steak: outside skirt steak is best for tenderness and flavor, but flank steak is also an option
    • Jalapeño: with the seeds if you like for extra spicy kick
    • Garlic: fresh garlic cloves
    • Fresh Cilantro: both the tender leaves and stems
    • Orange: juice of 1 fresh orange
    • Lime: juice of 1 fresh lime
    • Lemon: juice of 1 fresh lemon
    • Apple Cider Vinegar: or white vinegar
    • Olive Oil: extra-virgin olive oil
    • Ground Cumin
    • Kosher Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper

    Carne Asada Marinade

    Carne Asada marinade is an essential part of making this recipe authentic! Zesty, fresh citrus juices (lime juice, orange juice, and lemon juice) and apple cider vinegar tenderize the beef, while fresh cilantro, cumin, salt, and pepper season it to perfection. It's important to give the meat plenty of time to marinate, a minimum of 1 hour and up to 8 hours, to soak up all of the delicious flavors!

    Carne Asada in a glass dish covered in marinade.

    FAQ

    What is carne asada?

    The literal translation of the term means Carne (flesh, meat or beef) and Asada (roast, broiled, grilled), typically translated to 'Grilled Meat' and most often is seared in some way for that signature charred flavor (which you can get with a grill pan too using my recipe for Carne Asada in the oven.)

    What cut of beef is used for carne asada?

    There are several cuts of beef used to make Carne Asada including sirloin and tenderloin, but most recipes call for either flank steak or skirt steak. I've tried both and definitely prefer outside skirt steak for its flavor and texture. Either way you'll want to thinly slice the steak across the grain before serving for maximum tenderness!

    Carne Asada thinly cut on a cutting board and ready to serve.

    How Long to Grill?

    Grill the steak over a medium-high flame for 7 to 10 minutes until it reaches 130°F for medium rare, 10 to 12 minutes until it reaches 140°F for medium. (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.

    Carne asada cooking on the grill.

    How to Serve

    This grilled Mexican steak is perfect any time you have plans for an outdoor get together with friends and family. But be sure you make plenty (or make Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas to go with it!) Serve it on its own, or with warm tortillas, fresh pico de gallo and all the toppings for: 

    • Carne Asada Tacos
    • Carne Asada Burritos
    • Carne Asada Quesadillas
    • Carne Asada Steak Salad
    • Carne Asada Nachos
    • Carne Asada Fries

    How to Store

    Store leftover carne asada in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Or freeze in a freezer safe ziptop bag or container for up to 2 months.

    How to Make Carne Asada

    Combine all marinade ingredients in a large, glass baking dish. Add raw skirt steak or flank steak, turning to coat and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour and up to 8 hours (any longer will start to break down the meat).

    how to make carne asada step by step

    Recipe Video

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    Carne-Asada thinly sliced across the grain featured

    Carne Asada Recipe

    Marissa Stevens
    A trifecta of citrus juices makes this grilled Carne Asada especially succulent!
    5 from 39 votes
    Save Recipe Saved! Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Marinating Time 1 hr
    Total Time 1 hr 30 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Mexican
    Servings 6 people
    Calories 344 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 pounds skirt steak trimmed of excess fat (recipe note #2)

    Carne Asada Marinade

    • 1 jalapeño seeded and minced
    • 4 cloves garlic minced
    • ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves chopped
    • juice of 1 orange
    • juice of 1 lime
    • juice of 1 lemon
    • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
    • ⅓ cup olive oil
    • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

    Instructions
     

    • In a large glass baking dish whisk together Carne Asada marinade ingredients (jalapeño through black pepper) until combined. Add skirt steak in a single layer, turning to coat with marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, but no longer than 8 hours (longer will begin to break down the meat - recipe note #3).
    • When you're ready to grill: preheat an outdoor grill to medium-high heat. Grill steaks for 7 to 10 minutes per side, turning once for medium-rare. Remove steaks and allow to rest for 5 minutes.
    • Slice thinly across the grain and serve.

    Notes

    1. To make this version, we started with a recipe from Tyler Florence and switched it up to make it our own: swapping in apple cider vinegar, reducing the oil a bit and adding a third citrus flavor (lemon) and some cumin. Adding lemon juice to the mix happened by chance. I'd just finished a batch of homemade tonic water which left us with a slew of lemons, limes and oranges, flesh and juice intact, sans zest. And I love the citrus trifecta - now I may always use making tonic water as an excuse to make Carne Asada!
    2. Ask your butcher or grocery meat counter for 'outside skirt steak' for the most flavorful and juicy results.
    3. Note that the longer you marinate the skirt steak, the more tender and flavorful it will be come. But be sure to grill it within 8 hours to maintain the texture of the meat.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 344kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 32gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 95mgSodium: 489mgPotassium: 469mgVitamin A: 125IUVitamin C: 4.4mgCalcium: 16mgIron: 3mg
    Keyword 4th of July, Cinco de Mayo, easy, father's day, Independence Day, keto, low carb
    Tried this recipe?I'd love to see it! Tag me on Instagram at @pinchandswirl or leave me a comment and rating below.

    More Mexican Main Courses

    • Birria Ramen
    • Slow Cooker Birria de Res
    • Shrimp Tacos
    • Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Meghan says

      September 07, 2022 at 3:40 pm

      5 stars
      My 13 year old son made this for his social studies class. This was so delicious we went out and bought everything again to make it the following weekend! Perfect amount of heat, and the marinade was perfect. Highly recommend!

      • Marissa Stevens says

        September 08, 2022 at 3:57 pm

        I love to hear that, Meghan!! Thank you so much for coming back to let me know!

    2. Lolly says

      August 31, 2022 at 9:26 pm

      So good! I added about a half cup of modelo naranja beer, and some galic seasoning as well. It’s was perfect 🥰

      • Marissa Stevens says

        September 01, 2022 at 3:13 pm

        So glad you enjoyed this and made it your own, Lolly!

    3. Araechris says

      July 31, 2022 at 6:49 am

      5 stars
      So delicious. There wasn’t one bite left. I used flank steak instead of skirt steak and marinated it for about 6 hours. A great thing to make for company!

      • Marissa Stevens says

        July 31, 2022 at 11:12 am

        That's so good to hear, Araechris! Thank you for coming back to let me know.

    4. Patti says

      June 15, 2022 at 7:33 am

      5 stars
      Can you use a flank steak for this recipe? It's what I have in the freezer.

      • Marissa Stevens says

        June 22, 2022 at 10:59 am

        Yes, absolutely!

    5. Mel A says

      May 29, 2022 at 4:34 pm

      5 stars
      Love this marinade! Thank you

      • Marissa Stevens says

        May 30, 2022 at 9:33 am

        My pleasure, Mel! So glad you're enjoying it!

    6. Don says

      May 22, 2022 at 6:07 pm

      I think the key is less is more. I marinated for about 3 hours and that was good. Very good marinade and this will be in the grilling rotation..

      • Marissa Stevens says

        May 23, 2022 at 12:00 pm

        So glad you're enjoying the recipe, Don!

    7. Marisa says

      May 05, 2022 at 4:52 pm

      5 stars
      STOP HERE!! This is an excellent recipe!!! Did 2 limes and half of a lemon. Other then that I followed the recipe. My skirt steak was only a half pound. I marinated it for one and a half hours. I felt like I was eating an expensive steak. Thank you for this recipe ❤️

      • Marissa Stevens says

        May 06, 2022 at 9:53 am

        aww...my pleasure, Marisa! So glad you're enjoyed this and thanks so much for coming back to let me know.

    8. Sue says

      April 18, 2022 at 4:26 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe is so easy! I've now made it into a mainstay. I get lazy and put everything in the food processor. Sometimes I forget ingredients and it still tastes great.

      I use a gallon food bag and try to take as much air away as possible.

      I use flap steak and when I'm too lazy to grill, I'll finish it in a cast iron. Someone else in the comment section also heats theirs in the oven, puts over high heat to sear, and finishes off in the oven. It's great as well.

      I cut up, serve with tortillas, caramelized onions, peppers, guacamole and sour cream. It's also great in quesadillas!

      Thanks!!

      • Marissa Stevens says

        April 19, 2022 at 1:26 pm

        I love this, Sue! Thank you for all of your cooking notes - so glad you're enjoying this recipe!

    9. Quinn says

      March 14, 2022 at 9:58 am

      5 stars
      Marinade was very tasty & easy to put together. Next time will probably marinate the full 8 hours to try and tenderize meat as much as possible (we left it in 3-4 hrs and meat was still a little tough, possibly because it was a little thicker than normal).

      • Marissa Stevens says

        March 21, 2022 at 10:47 am

        So glad you enjoyed this, Quinn! Thank you for your cooking notes.

    10. Mary Sheridan says

      March 07, 2022 at 12:21 pm

      This is my go to marinade, it is easy, you usually have most of the ingredients and it taste wonderful. Many people of asked me for the recipe.

      • Marissa Stevens says

        March 07, 2022 at 12:50 pm

        I'm so happy to hear this, Mary! Thank you for letting me know.

    11. Debbie says

      February 27, 2022 at 7:13 pm

      5 stars
      Love this recipe, made it for dinner and wish I had taken a photo as it’s all gone!!! It was so flavorful, I did add a few more garlic cloves, we like garlic! Other than that, the recipe is 100% fantastic as is. 🙂

      • Marissa Stevens says

        February 28, 2022 at 4:16 pm

        I'm so glad to hear this, Debbie! Thank you for coming back to let me know!

    12. Mojo says

      January 09, 2022 at 8:58 pm

      5 stars
      Great recipe. My boys ate it up!! I took some liberties...
      1/2 cup of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce instead of the jalapeño, 1 T brown sugar and 7 cloves garlic.
      I cooked it in a cast iron skillet I had in the oven at 500. Took it out and placed on stove top on high. 2 T olive oil then seared 2 min a side. (Lots of smoke...boys had fun, opening doors to let it out at -10 in Northern MN). I put it back in oven still at 500 until instant read thermometer read 130. Then rested covered w tin foil 5 min. Delicious!!! I forgot to save marinade that wasn't tainted with raw meat, to mix in end game. Boys were licking the marinade bowl.
      Than oh s again for the recipe!!!!
      Highly recommend.

      • Marissa Stevens says

        January 10, 2022 at 8:37 am

        haha...thanks so much. Glad you and your boys enjoyed this and made it your own!

    13. Beth says

      December 22, 2021 at 4:41 pm

      5 stars
      This was outstanding and packs great flavor. I only changed 1 thing. I reduced the amount of apple cider vinegar to 1 tbsp. These remind me of when I lived in
      OB in Socal. Love this thanks for sharing.

      • Marissa Stevens says

        December 25, 2021 at 7:14 am

        So glad this was a hit, Beth! Thank you for coming back to let me know!

    14. Valentina says

      December 14, 2021 at 8:25 am

      Hi Marissa. My son requested carne asada a couple of days ago, and I remembered seeing this here. Made it last night and it was fantastic! I made extra marinade and for my younger vegetarian son, I tossed it with onion, zucchini and peppers and sautéed it. Delicious. Your recipes are always spot on. 🙂 Valentina

      • Marissa Stevens says

        December 15, 2021 at 10:18 am

        You're so kind, Valentina, thank you. I'm so glad this was a hit with you and your family and what a great idea to use the marinade for veggies!

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