• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Foodology Geek

  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • ☙ Iconic Recipes ❧
    • 🏝 California Food
    • 🍍 Hawaiian Food
    • 🌮 Mexican Recipes
    • 🏡 Family Recipes
  • Shop
  • 💌 Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • 🏠 BLOG
  • 🍍 ABOUT FG
  • 🗃 RECIPE INDEX
  • 📙 THE COOKBOOK
  • 🛒 SHOP
  • 📫 SUBSCRIBE
  • ➜ STORY EXPLORER
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Beef

    Carne Asada Tacos

    Published: Apr 28, 2022 by Laura Reigel · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump To Recipe Comments
    grilled carne asada on homemade corn tortillas with pico de gallo

    Carne Asada is one of my favorite Mexican recipes. It’s made with simple ingredients, easy to make, and it has the most delicious flavors. You can use this carne asada meat to make burritos, steak tacos, tortas, and even carne asada fries. 

    carne asada tacos served at a cookout with fresh limes and cotija cheese

    Living many years in San Diego allowed me to experience so much good food, and Carne Asada Burritos were a weekly occurrence, especially in college. 

    San Diego’s proximity to Baja California has influenced the Coastal Style of Mexican food that I’ve grown to love. The ingredients are fresh, the flavors are bold and the fish tacos and carne asada street tacos are second to none. 

    Southern California is also where Carne Asada Fried Originated. You may also see a California Style Carne Asada Burrito that contains French fries inside the burritos. Both of these So Cal dishes are not to be missed. 

    If you've been hanging out with me for a while you already know that tacos are my jam. I could eat tacos every single day. Seriously!!

    Growing up in San Diego, I had a front-row seat to what are arguably the best tacos on the planet. San Diego's Mexican food scene is heavily influenced by Baja California and the fresh flavor that come with it.

    My daughter actually cut her teeth on carne asada meat when she was a baby. Not joking!

    I've lived in the Bay Area now for about 12 years and I still haven't been able to find a carne asada taco that comes close to the ones that I've had in Chula Vista.

    Places like Tacos El Gordo, I mean you haven't lived if you haven't had tacos from Tacos El Gordo.

    Anyway....out of sheer desperation, I've had to learn how to make carne asada the way I know carne asada should taste. And now I'm going to share it with you.

    What is Carne Asada? 

    Carne Asada means grilled meat. Originating in Latin America, carne asada can be found at most taco stands and Mexican restaurants. This popular Mexican dish is sure to be found at your favorite Mexican restaurant and now you can make this easy recipe at home. 

    Carne asada starts with a flavorful marinade, and then the steak is seared on a hot grill. 

    If you’ve ever been to a carneceria, you will find that you can buy carne asada meat at the counter. You’ll find it thinly sliced and marinated, or you can buy the meat for carne asada that is cut but without a marinade.

    The Elements of a Perfect Taco

    To find the ultimate taco experience you need the perfect combination of fresh ingredients.

    • The perfect taco must have a fresh corn tortilla with the perfect chew.
    • The meat needs to be tender and seasoned to perfection.
    • Its toppings should be simple; pico de gallo, cilantro and onions, and some guacamole. DONE!

    What You’ll Love About This Carne Asada Recipe

    • Easy to make. With just a few ingredients you can toss together the marinade, pop it in the fridge and get ready to have the tastiest tacos that you've ever had.
    • Freezes beautifully. Carne Asada meat freezes beautifully. I highly recommend doubling this recipe. Trust me you're gonna want more tomorrow OR next week.
    • No kitchen clean-up. Because you grill this recipe, you'll have virtually no kitchen clean-up. No pots and pans to scrub!? Bonus!
    carne asada tacos with pepper sauce in a white platter
    PIN THIS RECIPE FOR LATER

    Carne Asada Ingredients

    This authentic carne asada recipe starts with beef and a carne asada marinade made with citrus juices, spices, fresh cilantro, and garlic. 

    Best Cut Of Meat For Homemade Carne Asada

    In my opinion, the best carne asada is made with thinly sliced flap steak.

    Flap Steak

    Beef flap meat is an inexpensive cut of meat with a rich beefy flavor. This cut of meat should be cooked to medium temperature. It tends to be mushy or chewy when its cooked too rare.

    You may see this cut steak called a bavette or a sirloin tip. A flap steak is cut from the sirloin bottom butt. It's near where the tri-tip is cut from.

    This cut of meat has a rough texture that allows it to take on marinades extremely well. It's often used to make grilled kabobs.

    Lean flank steak

    Flank steak is a very lean all-purpose beef cut. It's commonly used to make carne asada. However, because it's so lean it can be tough if it's overcooked or sliced too thick.

    This cut comes from the abdominal region of the cow and has a less intensely beefy flavor when compared to flap steak or skirt steak. Flank is my least favorite cut of beef to use with this recipe.

    If you do choose to use a flank steak make sure to sear it on a super hot grill and cook it on the rarer side. Make sure to slice the meat super thin so that it's easy to chew.

    Skirt Steak

    Skirt steak is a think long cut of beef that comes from the diaphragm of the steer. This cut is located just under the rib cage. This cut of beef has a pronounced grain and an intense beefy flavor.

    I like to use this cut of beef if I am going to pan-sear the carne asada instead of grilling it. You want this cut of beef to be rare so cook it in an extremely hot pan. You just want to quickly sear the outside.

    🤓 Geek Wisdom: Ask your butcher to cut your steak thin. They have the sharpest knives and then you won't have to worry about it later.

    Carne Asada Marinade Recipe Ingredients

    Marinating the steak before grilling has two functions. It helps to tenderize the meat and it adds a delicious flavor to the meat. It's the best way to season carne asada.

    • Fresh limes. You'll need about a quarter cup of lime juice. Usually 2 to 3 limes depending on how juicy they are.
    • Oranges. Use a half cup of orange juice. Sour oranges are best.
    • Mexican beer. I like a light-dark Mexican beer for this recipe.
    • Onion. One-half of a white or red onion is fine.
    • Cilantro. Fresh cilantro. You'll want to use half of the bunch for the marinade and half to chop with the remainder of the white onion.
    • Serrano peppers. I usually add one or two chopped serrano peppers.
    • Spices. Oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper.
    • Olive oil.

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    1. Make the marinade. Place steak in a zip-top bag and add the marinade ingredients. You can also use a glass or plastic dish that you can cover tightly with plastic wrap. 
    2. Marinate the meat. For best results, marinate the meat overnight. 
    3. Prepare your grill. You can use a charcoal grill or a glass grill. Set it up for cooking with direct heat. If you don’t have an outdoor grill you can also use a grill pan.
    4. Bring your meat to room temperature. I usually take the meat out of the fridge at least one hour before I want to grill it. 
    5. Grill. Place the marinated steak on to the hot grill. Grill to the desired temperature. This may vary depending on the kind of meat that you chose to use. 
    6. Rest. Transfer the steak to a large cutting board and allow it to rest for 5 to 10 minutes. 
    7. Cut the meat into thin slices or small pieces. 

    How To Cook Carne Asada

    Traditionally, carne asada is grilled. But, what if you don't have a grill? Luckily you can still cook carne asada in a skillet on your stovetop.

    Cooking Carne Asada On The Grill

    1. Heat up the grill to high heat. I like to get my grill for about 500℉.
    2. Add the marinated carne asada to the grill.
    3. If your meat is cut thin, you'll only need to cook it for about a minute. (30 seconds on each side, tops)
    4. If you have a thicker cut of beef it may take a little longer. I like to get the internal temp to about 135℉ on a thicker steak cut.

    Cooking Carne Asada On The Stove

    1. Slice the marinated meat into bite-sized pieces.
    2. Heat up a large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat.
    3. Add the chopped meat to the skillet. use tongs or a metal spatula to sauté the meat for about a minute.
    4. If the meat you are using is a thin cut, you'll only need to cook it for a few minutes.
    5. If you have a thicker cut of beef it may take a little longer. I like to get the internal temp to about 135℉ on a thicker steak cut.

    Slicing Meat For Tacos

    To slice carne asada, use a sharp knife and slice against the grain.

    Carne Asada Tacos

    In my opinion, tacos should be simple. All you need is a really good warm tortilla, perfectly seasoned meat, a little cilantro and onion, and some simple guacamole.

    Storing + Freezing Tips

    Leftover carne asada freezes really well so don't be afraid to make a big batch and have more tacos next week.

    How to store leftover carne asada

    Leftover meat can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to a week.

    How to freeze leftover carne asada

    I like to freeze carne asada using a freezer bag. Add up to 3 cups into the zip-top freezer bag and press as much air out as you can. Seal and freeze for up to 4 months.

    How to reheat carne asada

    The best way to reheat carne asada is in a skillet.

    Heat the skillet over medium-high heat and add about 1 cup to the hot skillet. Toss in the skillet until the meat is fully reheated. The safe temperature for meat is 165℉.

    carne asada tacos topped with cilantro and lime and cotija cheese

    FAQs and Expert Tips

    What cut of meat is carne asada?

    Most carne asada recipes call for flank or skirt steak.

    However, carne asada translates into grilled meat. I typically use thinly sliced sirloin when I make carne asada.

    How much carne asada per person?

    Usually, a half-pound of meat per person is a good estimate. You will usually have a few people that eat more and some that eat less.

    Planning for a half-pound per person is usually a pretty good target. Always estimate on the high side so you don't run out.

    How to marinate carne asada.

    Marinate carne asada in a nonreactive container like glass or plastic.

    The easiest way to marinate carne asada is to add the marinade to a gallon-sized freezer bag and then add your meat to it. Seal it and let is sit in the fridge for up to 48 hours before grilling it.

    What else can you make with carne asada meat?

    What To Serve With Carne Asada Tacos

    Of course, tacos need all of the usual suspects like pico de gallo, guacamole, and corn tortillas.

    I also love having fresh limes, taco slaw, and diced cilantro and onions. And don't forget the Mexican Street Corn, it's so good and the perfect side dish to serve with tacos.

    Hungry for more Mexican Food?

    • Mexican Street Corn - Grilled & Addictive
    • Pineapple Salsa Recipe
    • Creamy Shrimp Enchiladas
    • Corn Salsa Recipe

    ➽ Did you make this recipe? I love to see what's going on in your kitchen. Please show me what you're cooking. 🍳 Tag me @foodologygeek on your favorite social channel! Facebook, Instagram & Pinterest. If you loved ❤︎ this recipe, please leave a five ★ review and a comment!

    carne asada tacos topped with cilantro and lime and cotija cheese
    Favorite Saved!

    Carne Asada Tacos

    Laura Reigel
    Marinated and grilled carne asada steak recipe. This meat is super flavorful and tender. It makes the best carnea asada tacos, burritos, and tortas.
    PRINT PIN SAVE SAVED
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Mexican
    Servings 6 people
    Calories 339 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 to 3 lbs steak flank steak, flat iron, sirloin, filet, or chateaubriand steak

    Marinade

    • ¼ cup lime juice 2 to 3 limes
    • ½ cup orange juice sour oranges are best
    • 1 cup Mexican beer
    • 2 teaspoons olive oil
    • 2 serrano peppers or jalapeños sliced
    • ½ white onion sliced
    • ½ bunch fresh cilantro chopped
    • 1 tablespoon dried oregano chopped
    • 2 teaspoons dried cumin
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

    Chipotle Crema

    • ½ cup creme fraiche for vegan version substitute vegan sour cream
    • 2-3 whole chipotle peppers

    Avocado Cilantro Lime Crema

    • ½ cup creme fraiche for vegan version substitute vegan sour cream
    • ½ avocado
    • ½ bunch fresh cilantro
    • ½ lime juiced

    Other Toppings and Stuff

    • diced avocado
    • guacamole
    • taco slaw finely shredded
    • diced white onion
    • fresh cilantro
    • cotija cheese hard mexican cheese
    • corn tortillas
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    How to Marinade Carne Asada

    • Marinade for 2 hours minimum (I usually marinade overnight).
    • Place ingredients in a high powered blender and blend until smooth. Add a little water if you like your crema on the thinner side.

    How To Grill Carne Asada

    • Grill on High. Usually, 2 minutes each side for medium rare (140°F).
      *grill temperatures may vary
    • Cover with foil and allow meat to rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

    YOUR OWN NOTES

    Click here to add your own private notes.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 339kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 31gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 92mgSodium: 469mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gCalcium: 35mgIron: 3mg
    Keyword carne asada, Tacos
    DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Snap a 📸 and share it. Tag me @foodologygeek and don't forget to hashtag #foodologygeek!

    More Beef Recipes

    • Pot Roast Recipe
    • Japanese Beef Curry Recipe - Easy & Delicious
    • The BEST Bolognese Sauce Recipe
    • World's BEST Steak Marinade
    178 shares

    About Laura Reigel

    Laura is the owner and CEO of Foodology Geek. She holds a degree in Physiology and Neuroscience as well as a Certification as a Nutrition Coach. Laura uses her love of cooking and science to create healthy real food recipes that you'll love eating.

    As a certified recipe hoarder, and meal prep maven Laura is passionate about sharing her love for cooking easy from-scratch recipes. She also shares the occasional family recipe and all of the technical details.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Steven

      July 24, 2021 at 12:15 pm

      I'm very confused. In the main part is says to use oranges but in the print out it doesn't say oranges. Also it says serano pepper in the main part but jalapeno in the print out. Which one is which I'm lost.

      Reply
      • Laura Reigel

        July 24, 2021 at 2:39 pm

        OMG, so sorry! Thank you for catching this typo. I've updated the recipe card.

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Review this recipe!




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    laura reigel from foodology geek profile shot

    Hi, I'm Laura! Welcome to Foodology Geek restaurant-inspired recipes & culinary science.

    You'll recipes inspired by restaurants that I visit when I travel. I recreate them in my kitchen so that you can make them in yours.

    The best things in life can be found around the table with family and friends. Make them delicious!

    Find out more about me →

    🦃 It's Almost Turkey Day

    Check out our collection of Thanksgiving Recipes.

    • Classic Pumpkin Pie
    • Smoked Turkey Legs
    • How To Make The BEST Smoked Turkey Breast
    • Homemade Poultry Seasoning Recipe

    All Things Pumpkin

    • Pumpkin Cookies With Cream Cheese Frosting
    • Vegan Pumpkin Pie Tart
    • Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • Classic Pumpkin Pie
    • DIY Pumpkin Pie Spice Recipe
    • Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars with Caramel Sauce

    🥂 Trending...

    • Potluck Recipes
    • Hawaiian Coleslaw - Sweet & Savory
    • How to Make Homemade Roasted Nuts
    • Pork Fried Rice
    • Smoked Kalua Pork - Authentic Hawaiian Flavor
    • How To Make Crostini

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Instagram
    • TikTok

    Subscribe to our newsletter

    Our Cookbook

    Privacy Policy

    Disclaimer

    Terms & Conditions

    Accessibility Policy

    Contact us at: hello@foodologygeek.com

    Copyright © 2022 Foodology Geek

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.AcceptReject Read More
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT
    178 shares
    178 shares