That’s it, my friends! This is the best carne asada I’ve ever had. Super tender, super flavorful. Seriously hard to beat. Carne Asada translates to “Grilled Meat”, but that doesn’t say much about what it really is. What defines it is that amazing flavor of beef straight off the grill. Let’s discuss what it is and how to make carne asada at home. What once was likely a simple recipe of lightly seasoned meat tossed onto a grill is now a hugely popular and flavorful favorite. Some simply use a dry rub of salt and pepper with other seasonings, others only lime juice and spices. A lot of modern recipes call for soy sauce in the marinade, but I don’t find this used in many authentic carne asada recipes. It’s still a flavorful addition, though. I’ve been tweaking this recipe for a while now, using it on different cuts of meat. For me, it’s the best carne asada marinade I’ve ever had. The marinade helps to not only flavor the meat, but also tenderize it. You’ll notice how tender and juicy your steak becomes after you’ve grilled it. Each bite will melt in your mouth. Let’s talk about how to make carne asada, shall we? Fire up the grill, my friends. You can also cook it indoors on a grill pan or cast iron pan. Cooking time can vary depending on the thickness of the steak you’re using. I like to use my ThermoPop meat thermometer from ThermoWorks (I’m an affiliate). Works great! Almost there! Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H. Many authentic Mexican recipes use t-bone, ribeye, tenderloin, or short loin. I prefer flank steak because it is a slightly tougher cut of meat that benefits hugely from the marinade. Also, it grills up quickly, and once it is grilled, when you slice it against the grain, the meat falls right apart for the perfect combination of texture and flavor.
Slicing & Marinating
If your plan is to make tacos, you can slice the steak before you marinade it. This will cut down on your marinating time and will also help the marinade more deeply penetrate the meat. Otherwise, I like to marinate the steak whole to cook it through more uniformly. Or, try this Carne Asada Fries recipe. So good! You can also freeze it in freezer containers or vacuum sealed bags for 3 months or longer. That’s it, my friends! Let me know how you like the steak. I love it! Have a good one. NOTE: This recipe was updated on 4/5/24 to include new information, photos, and video. It was originally published on 7/17/19.
