Carne Asada & Cheese Recipe
Make Carne Asada & Cheese Recipe in just 1h . Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Marinated Carne Asada
Assembly
Method
Marinated Carne Asada
- 1
Prepare the marinade
In a medium bowl whisk together lime juice, orange juice, olive oil, soy sauce, minced garlic, chopped cilantro, ground cumin, dried oregano, smoked paprika, kosher salt, and black pepper until combined.
- 2
Marinate the steak
Place the trimmed steak in a shallow dish or resealable plastic bag. Pour the marinade over the steak, turning to coat both sides. Press out excess air (if using a bag) and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours. (Do not marinate more than 8 hours for best texture.)
- 3
Bring to room temperature
About 20 minutes before cooking, remove the steak from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature while you preheat your grill or skillet. Drain excess marinade and pat the steak dry with paper towels to promote good browning.
- 4
Cook the steak
Preheat a cast-iron skillet or heavy grill to high heat (medium-high to high). Lightly oil the cooking surface. Cook the steak 3–5 minutes per side for medium-rare (depending on thickness) until a deep brown crust forms and internal temperature reaches 125–130°F (51–54°C) for medium-rare or 135°F (57°C) for medium. Avoid overcooking. Let the steak rest on a cutting board for 5–10 minutes under tented foil.
- 5
Slice thinly
Slice the rested steak thinly against the grain into bite-sized strips for easy assembly.
Assembly
- 6
Prep tortillas and cheese
Heat a clean skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place shredded cheese in a small bowl so it's ready to work with. Keep tortillas nearby covered with a clean towel to stay warm and pliable.
- 7
Make carne asada & cheese tortillas
Lightly butter or oil one side of a tortilla. Place the tortilla buttered-side down on the preheated skillet. Sprinkle about 1/4 cup of shredded cheese evenly over the tortilla, then arrange a generous portion (about 3–4 oz) of the sliced carne asada over half the tortilla. Sprinkle a little extra cheese on top of the meat (this helps the top tortilla stick if you make a quesadilla-style fold).
- 8
Fold and cook
Fold the tortilla over to make a half-moon, pressing gently with a spatula. Cook 1.5–2 minutes per side or until the tortilla is golden brown and the cheese is melted, flipping carefully once. Adjust heat as needed to avoid burning while allowing cheese to melt fully.
- 9
Finish and serve
Remove from skillet and let sit 1 minute, then slice in half if desired. Serve with lime wedges, chopped onion and cilantro, and salsa or hot sauce to taste.