Easy Carne Asada
Updated on December 4, 2024 by Rodney • This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. • 1 Comment • Jump to Recipe
This easy carne asada recipe can be made on a grill in on your smoker. Either way this meat is da bomb. Great alone or in tacos or burritos.
I’ve been dying to make some Carne Asada for some time now. Super easy to make but you need to prepare ahead of time so the meat can sit in the marinade for a minimum of 2 hours but ideally overnight.
So what is Carne Asada exactly? Carne Asada is a Mexican dish consisting of beef marinated then grilled and thinly sliced. Flank Steak or Skirt Steak but chuck steak is often used.
Since these cuts of beef are usually very tough, it is important to let them marinate as long as possible to make them as tender as possible. At least 2 hours but I like to let them go overnight when time permits.
I personally like to use Lawry’s Carne Asada Rub but if you don’t have any on hand and don’t want to buy some you can make your own rub.
In a small bowl combine the following ingredients for the rub: ground cumin, garlic powder, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, onion powder, black pepper and cayenne.
I often get asked about the cool trays I use when grilling. They are from Cuisinart and come in a pack of two – one red and one black. The idea is to use the red one for the raw meat and the black one for when the meat is cooked. This prevents cross-contamination. Here’s a link to the Grill Trays I use.
Equipment Needed
Using the right equipment can make a big difference. Here are my some of the Kitchen tools used in this recipe. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission on qualifying purchases to keep these recipes free. Simply click on an image below to see the most recent price on Amazon!
Gather your Ingredients
You will need the following ingredients to make this Easy Carne Asada recipe (see recipe card for quantities): Flank Steak, Vegetable Oil, Dried Oregano, Salt, Coarse Ground Pepper, Orange Juice, Fresh Lime Juice, Apple Cider Vinegar and Orange Slices.
How to Make Carne Asada
- In a bowl, combine all the marinade ingredients and mix well.
- Place the steak in a large resealable bag. Pour the marinade over the steak, rubbing to coat all over. Marinate in the refrigerator for a minimum of 2 hours (the longer the better).
- Remove the steak from the marinade, discarding the marinade. Season the steak on both sides with Carne Asada Rub. Let rest for 30 minutes.
Grill Method
- Place the steak directly on the grill grates over high heat. Close the lid and cook for 4-5 minutes. Flip the steak, close the lid and continue to cook until the internal temperature reaches 135˚F or your desired doneness.
- Remove the steak from grill and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing into thin slices against the grain into thin strips.
Smoke Method
- Set the smoker to 225°F. Place the steak directly on the grill grates. Close the lid and smoke for 30 minutes.
- Remove the steak from the grill and temporarily cover with foil. Increase the temperature to 450°F.
- Return the steak to the grill grates and sear until the internal temperature of reaches 135°F for medium-rare or your desired doneness, about 2 minutes each side.
- Remove the steak from the grill and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing it into thin slices against the grain into thin strips.
Assemble Tacos
- Place some meat in a tortilla and add your favorite toppings.
Printable Recipe Card
Easy Carne Asada
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Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs Flank Steak
- Carne Asada Dry Rub
- Tortillas, corn or flour
Marinade
- ¼ Cup Olive Oil
- 1 Tsp Ground Cumin
- 1 Tsp Salt
- 1 Tsp Ground Black Pepper
- ¾ Cup Orange Juice
- ¼ Cup Fresh Lime Juice
- 2 Tsp Apple Cider Vinegar
- 2 Garlic Cloves, minced
- 1 Fresh Jalapeño, finely chopped
Toppings (Optional)
- Pico de Gallo
- Mexican Crema
- Fresh Cilantro
- Guacamole
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine all the marinade ingredients and mix well.
- Place the steak in a large resealable bag. Pour the marinade over the steak, rubbing to coat all over. Marinate in the refrigerator for a minimum of 2 hours (the longer the better).
- Remove the steak from the marinade, discarding the marinade. Season the steak on both sides with Carne Asada Rub. Let rest for 30 minutes
GRILL METHOD
- Place the steak directly on the grill grates over high heat. Close the lid and cook for 4-5 minutes. Flip the steak, close the lid and continue to cook until the internal temperature reaches 135˚F or your desired doneness.
- Remove the steak from grill and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing into thin slices against the grain into thin strips.
SMOKE METHOD
- Set the smoker to 225°F. Place the steak directly on the grill grates. Close the lid and smoke for 30 minutes.
- Remove the steak from the grill and temporarily cover with foil. Increase the temperature to 450°F.
- Return the steak to the grill grates and sear until the internal temperature of reaches 135°F for medium-rare or your desired doneness, about 2 minutes each side.
- Remove the steak from grill and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing into thin slices against the grain into thin strips.
ASSEMBLE TACOS
- Place some meat in a tortilla and add your favorite toppings.
Equipment Needed
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Nutrition
Nutritional information provided for this recipe is based on 1 serving. This information is an estimate and may vary based on several factors. If nutritional information is important to you and your diet, please verify this recipe with a Registered Dietitian.
This wonderful recipe tops all my Carne Asada recipe that I used to make.