Sizzling Carne Asada Recipe: Backyard BBQ Star

Fire up the grill and get ready for a mouthwatering carne asada recipe that’ll make your taste buds dance with excitement.

Tender, juicy beef marinated in a zesty blend of citrus and spices promises an explosion of flavor in every bite.

This classic Mexican dish brings the sizzle and passion of street-side grilling straight to your backyard.

Rich, marbled cuts of beef absorb a complex marinade that infuses each slice with incredible depth.

Lime, garlic, and cilantro create a vibrant symphony of tastes that elevate this simple protein into a culinary masterpiece.

Bold and straightforward, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality results with minimal effort.

You’ll impress everyone at the table with these perfectly charred, succulent meat slices that practically melt in your mouth.

Tools You’ll Need for Carne Asada

• Grill or Broiler: Essential for achieving those perfect char marks and juicy flavor.
• Large Skillet or Grill Pan: Backup cooking method with great searing potential.
• Instant-Read Thermometer: Key for checking precise meat doneness.
• Cutting Board: Needed for preparing ingredients and slicing cooked steak.
• Paper Towels: Used for patting meat dry and oiling grill grates.
• Zip Top Bag or 9×13-inch Baking Dish: Perfect for marinating the steak.
• Whisk: For mixing marinade ingredients smoothly.
• Sharp Knife: Crucial for trimming and slicing steak and chopping herbs.
• Citrus Juicer or Reamer: Helps extract fresh orange and lime juice.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate marinade ingredients.

Cooking Instructions for Carne Asada

• Flavor Explosion Preparation

Create a zesty marinade bursting with citrusy and herbal notes. Combine fresh orange and lime juices with aromatic garlic, spicy jalapeño, and fragrant cilantro. Whisk together with oil and spices to unlock a symphony of flavors.

• Meat Selection and Marinating

Choose a premium cut of flank or skirt steak. Slice the meat into manageable pieces, then bathe it in the vibrant marinade. Let the meat soak up the incredible flavors in the refrigerator for a few hours, allowing each fiber to become infused with deliciousness.

• Grilling Magic

Bring the steak to room temperature before cooking. Fire up the grill to scorching hot temperatures. Sear the meat quickly, creating those mouthwatering char marks that seal in juiciness. Cook to your preferred doneness, watching for perfect caramelization.

• Resting and Serving

Remove the steak from heat and let it rest, allowing the juices to redistribute. Slice against the grain to ensure maximum tenderness. Serve immediately and watch everyone’s eyes light up with excitement as they dig into this flavor-packed dish.

Flavor Tips for Carne Asada

• Adjust jalapeño levels by removing seeds and membranes for milder flavor or adding extra for a spicier kick. Fresh chili peppers can replace jalapeños for different heat profiles.
• Swap flank or skirt steak with chicken, pork, or portobello mushrooms for vegetarian options. Each protein absorbs marinade differently, creating unique flavor experiences.
• Always slice meat across the grain to ensure maximum tenderness. Use a sharp knife and cut thin, diagonal slices for melt-in-your-mouth texture that enhances overall eating enjoyment.
• Experiment with additional ingredients like soy sauce, orange zest, or beer to deepen marinade flavors. Consider replacing some oil with tequila for a bolder Mexican-inspired profile.
• Use a reliable meat thermometer to achieve precise doneness. Let meat rest after cooking to redistribute juices, guaranteeing a juicy and flavorful result every time.

Plating Ideas for Carne Asada

• Zesty Taco Night Centerpiece: Create a vibrant taco bar with warm tortillas, fresh chopped onions, cilantro, lime wedges, and sliced avocados surrounding the perfectly grilled carne asada.
• Protein-Packed Salad Topper: Slice the carne asada thinly and arrange over a bed of mixed greens, black beans, corn, and a tangy citrus vinaigrette for a light, refreshing meal option.
• Mexican-Inspired Comfort Bowl: Layer the sliced steak over cilantro-lime rice, topped with grilled peppers, black beans, and a drizzle of spicy salsa for a hearty and satisfying dinner experience.
• Quick Appetizer Delight: Cut the carne asada into small bite-sized pieces and serve on mini corn tortillas with a dollop of fresh guacamole and a sprinkle of queso fresco for crowd-pleasing party bites.

Storage Plan for Carne Asada

• Refrigerator Ready Storage: Store cooked carne asada in an airtight container for up to 4 days, keeping the meat tender and flavorful without losing its juicy texture.
• Freezer Friendly Portions: Slice leftover steak into strips and freeze in sealed freezer bags for quick meal prep, lasting up to 3 months without compromising taste quality.
• Meal Transformation Tricks: Repurpose extra carne asada into tacos, salads, nachos, or burrito bowls for exciting next-day lunch and dinner options that feel completely fresh.
• Smart Marination Strategy: Always marinate in the coldest part of your refrigerator, using leak-proof containers to prevent cross-contamination and maintain optimal meat flavor and safety.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients List for Carne Asada

• Vegetable Oil: Provides smooth, even coating and helps transfer heat for perfect searing.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances meat's natural flavors and helps tenderize the protein.
• Ground Cumin: Adds warm, earthy undertones characteristic of authentic Mexican cuisine.
• Black Pepper: Delivers subtle heat and aromatic depth to the marinade.

• Oranges, Limes: Bright, zesty juices that help break down meat fibers and add vibrant, tangy flavor profile.
• Cilantro: Fresh herb that introduces herbaceous, slightly peppery notes and classic Mexican essence.

• Garlic: Robust, pungent ingredient that deepens overall flavor complexity.
• Jalapeño: Introduces controlled spiciness and authentic Mexican pepper character, adjustable to personal heat preference.

• Flank Steak, Skirt Steak: Lean, flavorful cuts perfect for quick, high-heat cooking methods, best when sliced against grain for maximum tenderness.

Sizzling Carne Asada Recipe

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4.8 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Sizzling carne asada brings Mexican grilling tradition to life with marinated beef slices charred to perfection. Zesty lime, cilantro, and smoky notes create a memorable meal you’ll savor with friends and family.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1.5–2 lbs (680–907 g) skirt or flank steak
• ⅓ cup (80 ml) vegetable oil
• ⅓ cup (80 ml) orange juice
• 3 tbsps (45 ml) lime juice
• 1.75 tsps kosher salt
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 0.5 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 0.25 cup (15 g) fresh cilantro, finely chopped
• 0.5 medium jalapeño, finely chopped
• Vegetable oil, for grilling or stovetop cooking

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Instructions

1. Marinade Creation: Blend vegetable oil, kosher salt, ground cumin, and black pepper in a large container, infusing with fresh orange and lime juices to create a vibrant citrus foundation.
2. Flavor Enhancers: Incorporate minced garlic, jalapeño (seeds optional for heat control), and finely chopped cilantro leaves and stems, whisking until the mixture becomes aromatic and well-integrated.
3. Meat Preparation: Cut flank or skirt steak into uniform 3-4 inch pieces, thoroughly coating with the marinade and refrigerating for 2-8 hours to allow deep flavor penetration.
4. Temperature Readiness: Remove steak from refrigerator, letting it reach room temperature while preparing the cooking surface – whether grill set to 500ºF, broiler, or stovetop skillet.
5. Cooking Technique: For grilling, place steak on clean, oiled grates, cooking 3-4 minutes per side; alternatively, use broiler or heavy skillet, ensuring even heat distribution and watching for perfect char.
6. Resting and Serving: Allow cooked meat to rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly across the grain, maximizing tenderness and presenting with optional fresh cilantro garnish.

Notes

• Marinate Strategically: Let steak absorb citrus and spice flavors for minimum 2 hours, maximum 8 hours to prevent meat from becoming mushy.
• Temperature Matters: Bring meat to room temperature before cooking to ensure even heat distribution and more consistent results.
• Slicing Technique: Cut against meat’s grain at a 45-degree angle to guarantee maximum tenderness and prevent tough, chewy texture.
• Resting is Crucial: Allow cooked steak to rest for 5 minutes, letting juices redistribute and preventing dry, stringy meat when slicing.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 8 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg