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two carne asada tacos in a taco holder
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5 from 3 votes

Carne Asada Recipe

My Carne Asada Recipe is a guaranteed favorite that comes together in just 10 minutes after marinating! Enjoy carne asada beef in tacos, over rice, or simply as-is.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Marinating Time2 hours
Total Time2 hours 20 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: carne asada recipe, carne asada tacos, grilled carne asada, how to cook carne asada
Servings: 6
Calories: 245kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. skirt steak or flank steak, or top sirloin
  • 2 Tablespoons lime juice from 1 whole fresh lime
  • ¼ cup orange juice
  • 3 cloves garlic minced large cloves; use 3 if they're small
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper

See our Beef Temperature Chart for helpful tips on cooking any cut of beef!

Instructions

  • Trim any excess fat from the steak and, if you prefer, cut into slightly smaller lengths to make it easier to grill.
    carne asada taco ingredients on a blue platter
  • Put the orange juice, lime juice, garlic, cumin, salt and pepper in a freezer bag big enough to hold the meat, or container that allows the meat to lay coated in the marinade. Add the meat and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate to marinate at least 2 hours, but less than 8.
    marinating steak
  • When ready to cook, remove from refrigerator a few minutes early to come to room temperature and preheat grill. Grill for a few minutes on each side until cooked through.
    grilling steak in a cast iron skillet
  • Let your steak rest for about 5-10 minutes, then serve in thin slices by cutting against the grain using a sharp knife.
    sliced steak on a cutting board
  • Serve in tortillas and top with your preferred taco toppings, such as radishes, cilantro, spring onions, and avocado slices.
    two carne asada tacos in a taco holder

Notes

  • Note: Nutrition calculation does not include tortillas.
  • For perfectly cooked steak, pull your beef off of the heat 5 degrees below your preferred degree of doneness and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. Take a look at my Steak Temperature Chart for more info.
  • Always use a meat thermometer when checking if your beef is done.
  • Grill on high for best results (around 500°F). You don't need a grill to make this recipe. You can also use a cast iron skillet on the stove or in the oven under the broiler.
  • You can marinate the beef in a large plastic bag for easy clean up or in a bowl.
  • Cooking time is an estimate and depends on the thickness of your cut of beef. Use a meat thermometer for best results.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 245kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 294mg | Potassium: 483mg | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 40IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 2.8mg