Carne asada is a popular Mexican dish consisting of grilled and sliced beef. Flank steak or skirt steak are usually used to make authentic carne asada. The meat is marinated in a blend of flavors like garlic, citrus juice, cilantro, and spices before being cooked. In this article, I will instruct you how to cook tasty carne asada in 3 different ways.
1. How To Cook Carne Asada on Stovetop
Ingredients
- 1-1.5 lbs flank or skirt steak
- 1⁄4 cup olive oil
- 1⁄4 cup lime or lemon juice
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Lime wedges for serving
Instructions
In a bowl or resealable bag, combine the olive oil, citrus juice, garlic, chili powder, cumin and salt. Add the steak and turn to coat evenly. Marinate for at least 30 minutes up to overnight.
Heat 1 tsp oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove steak from marinade and pat dry with paper towels.
Add steak to skillet and cook for 4-6 minutes per side, until charred and internal temperature reaches 145°F for medium-rare doneness.
Transfer steak to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing thinly across the grain.
Serve the carne asada with warmed tortillas, pico de gallo, guacamole and lime wedges.
2. How To Cook Carne Asada in Oven
Ingredients
- 2 lbs flank steak or skirt steak
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup lime juice (about 2-3 limes)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
Make the marinade: In a large resealable bag or shallow dish, combine the olive oil, lime juice, garlic, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
Add the flank or skirt steak to the marinade, making sure the meat is fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to 24 hours.
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Remove the steak from the marinade and pat it dry with paper towels. Discard the used marinade.
Line a large baking sheet or oven-safe skillet with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Place the marinated steak on the prepared pan.
Bake the carne asada in the preheated oven for 12-18 minutes, flipping the steak halfway through, until it reaches your desired doneness. For medium-rare, the internal temperature should be around 130-135°F (54-57°C).
Once cooked, transfer the steak to a cutting board and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing against the grain into thin strips.
Serve the carne asada with your favorite accompaniments, such as tortillas, rice, beans, guacamole, salsa, or chopped onions and cilantro.
3. How To Cook Carne Asada on Grill
Ingredients
- 2 lbs flank or skirt steak
- 1⁄4 cup olive oil
- 3 tbsp lime juice
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1⁄2 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
In a large resealable plastic bag, combine olive oil, lime juice, garlic, and dry seasonings. Add steak, seal and turn bag to coat. Marinate 30 mins-1 hour.
Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Oil grates.
Remove steak from marinade and pat dry. Grill for 6-8 minutes per side for medium-rare doneness, 145°F internally.
Transfer steak to a cutting board and let rest 5-10 minutes.
Slice thinly across the grain. Serve grilled carne asada with desired taco toppings.
With its robust marinated flavor, carne asada is delicious made using a variety of cooking methods. Follow these recipes in this article to cook flavorful carne asada steak at home
