Authentic Grilled Carne Asada Tacos

Can I be perfectly honest? This carne asada taco recipe is a desperate attempt to hold on to the last days of summer. I know everybody loves Fall. It's cool and crisp and laced with spiced pumpkin treats. But for me...I love the summer. The sun – the grilling – the being outside every day. So, in honor of summer and as a great farewell, I am posting one last hoorah of summer food.

I need to preface this post with a confession –I'm a taco snob.

Spending the better part of my formative years in San Diego I've had access to the best tacos and carne asada burritos, might I dare say, on the planet, it's been pretty hard to find anything that compares.

I've been to Mexico. I have been to Baja. I've lived on the East Coast. I've lived in the Mid West, in NorCal, and in So Cal. Over the years I've tried to find a taco shop that compares to my ideal San Diego taco shops; trust me, I'm still on the hunt.

In the meantime, I have to make my own. 

A perfect taco isn't as easy as it seems!

The struggle is real!

Trying to find the ultimate taco experience that's the perfect combination of fresh ingredients and hole in the wall taco shop ambiance.

The Elements of a Perfect Taco

• It 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!

My summer lovin' taco creation is not exactly a completely traditional taco shop taco – but it's fantastically delicious.

I try to cook with whatever we have in the fridge.

I like to think of it as being on an episode of Chopped in my own kitchen.

What are my mystery ingredients tonight?  

On this particular night, I had some flat iron steak in the fridge, some cabbage, and a few ears of corn.

So, of course, I would make a carne asada marinade and some roasted corn salsa. Right? Who wouldn't?

Amazing Roasted Corn Salsa

Another reason for the corn salsa, besides the fact that it is delicious, is that my daughter is vegan.

I am constantly inspired to fill her plate with some delicious healthy food.

While she hasn't yet completely converted her carnivorous mom, her decision to be vegan has ramped up our veggie game for sure and forced me to think of meals that are Vegan Adaptable.

For my daughter (we call her Bean), she had some roasted sweet potatoes with my taco seasoning blend and some roasted corn salsa.

I also made her a version of the avocado cilantro lime crema and chipotle crema with some vegan sour cream.

She warmed up some vegan refried beans and — bam! — a vegan-friendly taco night.

The corn salsa is great on tacos but I also eat with grilled meat or any kind.

And don't forget the cremas.  I did an Avocado Cilantro Lime Crema and a Chipotle Crema.