This post may contain affiliate links. Mexican carne asada marinade tender Carne Asada recipe is flavorful and proof that sometimes all you need is a few simple ingredients to make a delicious steak dinner. Juicy grilled flank steak full of incredible Mexican flavors makes this carne asada the best you’ve ever had! This tender Carne Asada recipe is flavorful and proof that sometimes all you need is a few simple ingredients to make a delicious meal!
You probably know Carne Asada as a meal you order at your favorite Mexican restaurant. When you take your first bite, it seems like one of those dishes that you just can’t make at home. Here I will give you a fool-proof recipe for the best Carne Asada with the perfect marinade. Carne Asada is marinated and prepared steak that has been sliced against the grain of the cut. It is simple, fast, and easy to make. It’s perfect for a small get-together or a large gathering. Yes, marinating your flank steak is key to make perfect carne asada.
Marinating the steak is important because the citrus flavors will make the meat tender while the oil will allow the citrus to disperse evenly. This will make your meat flavorful, juicy and give your meat that melt-in-your-mouth texture. To marinate your steak, you will use a combination of orange juice, olive oil and various herbs and spices. The flank steak is combined with this tenderizing marinade for a minimum of 2 hours, or as long as overnight.
Once it has finished marinating, take the steak out of the bag and discard any leftover marinade. Here’s a quick overview of what you’ll need to make this carne asada recipe. What Type of Meat Should I Use for Carne Asada? Traditionally, Carne Asada is made with skirt steak or flank steak. Personally, I prefer flank steak as it is more lean and seems to hold onto flavor better. Some people prefer the marbled appearance from the higher fat content of the skirt steak. It’s a personal preference, and neither is wrong.
Carne Asada couldn’t be any easier to make. Marinate the meat, grill it, cut it against the grain, and serve! Combine the orange juice, olive oil, cilantro, lime juice, lemon juice, white wine vinegar, cumin, salt, black pepper, jalapeno, and garlic in a large mixing bowl and whisk together until it is well blended. Combine the remaining marinade and steak in a large resealable freezer bag. Refrigerate the steak in the marinade for at least 2 hours, or overnight.
Preheat your grill to high heat, or 500 degrees. If you are cooking the Carne Asada on the stove, you will want to set it to high heat. Make sure the grill pan or skillet is hot before you start to cook the meat. Remove the steak from the marinade and pat dry. Add the steak to the preheated grill and cook for 6 to 8 minutes per side, or until you’ve reached your desired doneness. Note that if you use flank steak, it tastes best when it is cooked to rare or medium-rare because it’s a lean cut of steak.
Use an instant read meat thermometer to check the temperature for accuracy. Remove the steak from the heat and let it rest for 10 minutes. Giving the steak time to rest is very important! How Long Does it Take to Cook Carne Asada? This will depend on how thick the steak is.