Carne Asada Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What cut of meat is used for carne asada? ›

The most common type of meat used to make carne asada is skirt steak or flank steak. Skirt steak is usually thinner and a bit more fatty, whereas flank steak is often a thicker and leaner cut. As long as they're both sliced thinly after grilling, they both make great options for carne asada.

Ingredients. Salt, Chili Pepper, Garlic, Spices, Onion, Sugar, Rice Concentrate, Citric Acid, Lime Juice, Paprika Extractives (Color), Red Pepper, Lime Oil, Natural Flavor.

Don't over-marinate.

The carne asada marinade is highly acidic which means you don't want to marinate the steak as long as you would in a marinade without as much citrus. Don't marinate much longer than 12 hours or the muscle fibers can break down and become mushy.

By slicing against the grain, you effectively break down the muscle fibers, making the meat more tender and easier to chew. This technique is particularly important for cuts of meat that may otherwise be tough, such as flank steak or skirt steak.

Carne asada is also a very popular filling for burritos, which are also said to have originated in Northern Mexico. As well, you can add carne asada to quesadillas, tostadas and just about any other tortilla-based dish. Carne asada is often served with salsas, grilled onions, guacamole lime wedges and chopped cilantro.

Use tongs to flip the steak, and sear the other side for 2-4 minutes until browned. Cook to about 130 degrees F. Let rest 5-10 minutes, then slice against the grain and serve.

Information. Most recipes for marinating meat and poultry recommend six hours up to 24 hours. It is safe to keep the food in the marinade longer, but after two days it is possible that the marinade can start to break down the fibers of the meat, causing it to become mushy.

Add your steak to the grill and cook for 7-8 minutes per side or until it reaches 120F internal for medium rare. Once done, pull the steak off the grill and let rest for 10 minutes. Slice steak against the grain at an angle, top with sea salt and enjoy!

It is suggested that after you have marinated meat for a length of time – you should wash it off prior to cooking. However, this is dependent on what oils and spices you use, often it is down to personal preference.

Flap meat or flank steak does not like to be over cooked. This is where your meat thermometer comes in. After about 5 minutes of cook time, insert your thermometer into the thickest part. Cook and flip every couple of minutes until you reach about 5° under your desired doneness.

Should I dry carne asada before cooking? ›

Drain the steak from the marinade. Preheat grill to medium high heat. Using paper towels, pat both sides of the steak dry; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Add steak to grill, and cook, flipping once, until desired doneness, about 6 minutes per side for medium rare.

It's simple. If the food you're grilling is ¾ inch thick or less, don't put the lid down. If it's over ¾ inch—you guessed it—cover that sucker up.

Skirt steak is the cut of choice for carne asada throughout Southern California and it's my favorite too. But if you can't find it, you can substitute flap, flank, hanger, or top round (London broil). Skirt is the flattest of the cuts, so it doesn't take long to marinate or cook.

Whether you know it by its proper name or have seen it referred to as “London broil” at the grocery store or in certain restaurants, the lean flank steak delivers a strong beefy flavor and, when prepared and sliced properly, an unforgettable texture that sets it apart from other cuts.

Skirt and flank steaks are especially tough, so it's especially important to cut against the grain of the meat. They're used for similar dishes. Since both pieces of meat contain a similar beef flavor, they can be used interchangeably (such as with steak fajitas, London broil, steak salad, or carne asada tacos).

“Carne” means meat in Spanish and usually refers to beef. “Carne asada” means grilled meat and it can really be any cut of beef you prefer. It is marinated in citrus and Mexican spices, and can be used for a wide range of Mexican dishes!