Carne Asada Recipe
Make Carne Asada Recipe in just 2h 25m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Marinade
To Serve
Method
Marinade
- 1
- 2
Make the marinade
In a medium bowl or large zip-top bag, combine fresh lime juice, orange juice, olive oil, soy sauce, chopped cilantro, minced garlic, ground cumin, dried oregano, black pepper, kosher salt, and minced chipotle (if using). Whisk or shake until combined.
- 3
Marinate the steak
Place the steak in the bowl or bag and pour the marinade over it, turning to coat both sides. Press out excess air and seal the bag (or cover bowl). Refrigerate for 1–6 hours. For best flavor without over-tenderizing, 2–4 hours is ideal; avoid more than 8 hours with highly acidic marinades.
Cook & Rest
- 4
Bring to room temperature
About 30 minutes before cooking, remove the steak from the refrigerator and let it sit covered at room temperature so it cooks more evenly.
- 5
- 6
Sear the steak
Remove the steak from the marinade, letting excess drip off (reserve marinade if you plan to make a finishing sauce — see notes). Place steak on the hot grill or skillet. Cook for 3–5 minutes per side for medium-rare (internal temp 125–130°F / 52–54°C). For medium, cook 5–7 minutes per side (135°F / 57°C). Avoid moving the steak too much so a good crust forms.
- 7
Rest and slice
Transfer the cooked steak to a cutting board and loosely tent with foil. Let rest 8–10 minutes to allow juices to redistribute. Slice thinly against the grain into 1/4-inch strips for tacos or 1/2-inch slices for plates.
To Serve
- 8
Warm tortillas and assemble
Warm tortillas on the grill or in a dry skillet 20–30 seconds per side until pliable. Place sliced carne asada on tortillas and top with diced onion, fresh cilantro leaves, a squeeze of lime, and salsa or pico de gallo. Add sliced avocado or a spoonful of guacamole if desired.
- 9
Optional finishing sauce
If you reserved marinade, bring it to a boil in a small saucepan for 3–4 minutes to kill bacteria and reduce slightly; whisk in 1 tablespoon olive oil and adjust salt to make a quick sauce to drizzle over the sliced steak.
- 10
Serving suggestion
Serve immediately with extra lime wedges and hot salsa on the side. Leftover sliced carne asada reheats well and can be used in burritos, salads, or rice bowls.