Grilled Carne Asada with Citrus Marinade

Grilled Carne Asada is a tender, juicy, and flavorful way to prepare beef steak on the grill. Marinated with lime juice, cilantro, jalapeno, garlic, cumin, paprika, and apple cider vinegar, this easy carne asada recipe is perfect for street tacos, burritos, burrito bowls, nachos, or serving simply with warm tortillas. However you enjoy it, this grilled Mexican beef is a delicious main dish that is simple enough for a weeknight meal and tasty enough for a cookout.

If you have never tried carne asada, it is marinated beef that is grilled or seared, then sliced thinly against the grain. The marinade gives the steak a bright citrus flavor, a little peppery heat, and plenty of savory depth. The result is a juicy, tender steak that works beautifully as a taco filling but is just as good in burritos, rice bowls, or served with your favorite toppings. Add pico de gallo, guacamole, chopped onion, cilantro, sour cream, or cheese to build a meal your family will love.

Why you’ll love this authentic Carne Asada recipe

• A simple marinade transforms flank steak into juicy, flavorful grilled carne asada with very little effort.
• The recipe is flexible. You can use a different cut of beef, adjust the pepper for more or less heat, or make small ingredient swaps as needed.
• It is an excellent filling for street tacos, burritos, burrito bowls, and more. Slice it thin, add warm tortillas, and finish with your favorite toppings.

Ingredients

This easy carne asada recipe uses a short list of ingredients, but each one adds flavor to the marinade. The lime juice and vinegar help brighten the steak, while the herbs, pepper, garlic, and spices make every bite savory and delicious.

• Oil – Vegetable oil works well, but any neutral-flavored oil can be used. A light olive oil or a blend of olive oil and neutral oil can also work.
• Lime Juice – Fresh lime juice gives the marinade a bright, citrusy flavor.
• Cilantro – Fresh chopped cilantro adds a classic fresh flavor to the steak.
• Jalapeno – Jalapeno brings a good balance of flavor and gentle heat.
• Garlic – Minced garlic adds savory depth. Jarred minced garlic is fine for this recipe.
• Seasonings – Cumin and paprika add warm, smoky flavor to the marinade.
• Vinegar – Apple cider vinegar adds acidity and helps the marinade flavor the meat.
• Steak – Flank steak is a great choice for grilled carne asada because it marinates well and is easy to slice against the grain.

See the recipe card below for exact quantities.

How to make Carne Asada on the grill

Making carne asada on the grill is very simple. Most of the time is hands-off while the steak marinates. Piercing the steak with a fork helps the marinade reach more of the meat, and slicing against the grain after grilling keeps the beef tender.

1. Prepare the marinade by mixing the oil, lime juice, cilantro, jalapeno, garlic, cumin, paprika, and apple cider vinegar in a wide, shallow dish. Place the steak on a cutting board and pierce it all over with a fork on both sides.
2. Place the flank steak in the marinade and turn it several times so both sides are coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, turning the steak occasionally while it marinates.
3. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Remove the steak from the marinade and grill for 6 minutes on one side. Flip and cook for another 6 minutes. Remove from the grill and let the steak rest for 5 minutes. Slice against the grain and serve as desired.

Substitutions

If you are missing an ingredient or want to adjust the recipe, these substitutions can help you make a flavorful grilled carne asada without much trouble.

• Lime Juice – Bottled lime juice can be used if you do not have fresh limes. One lime usually gives about 1 to 2 tablespoons of juice, depending on size and juiciness.
• Cilantro – If you do not enjoy cilantro, use parsley instead and add a little extra lemon or lime juice for brightness.
• Steak – Flank steak is ideal, but skirt steak or hanger steak are good alternatives. In a pinch, other beef cuts can be used, though texture and cooking time may vary.

Variations

This grilled carne asada recipe is easy to customize. Keep the basic marinade the same and make small changes to fit your taste.

• Spicy Carne Asada or Mild Carne Asada – For a milder flavor, use an Anaheim pepper. For more heat, use a serrano pepper instead of jalapeno.
• Pollo Asado – For a chicken version, use the same flavor idea with chicken and adjust the cooking time as needed.

Storage / Freezing

Storage: Store leftover grilled carne asada in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Reheat gently and use it in tacos, burritos, bowls, salads, or quesadillas.

Freezing: Once the cooked steak has cooled, place it in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 6 months. The beef may be slightly drier after freezing and reheating, but it will still work well in recipes with toppings, salsa, or rice.

Top tip

Marinate the carne asada for at least 3 hours. If you have time, marinating it overnight will give the steak deeper flavor.

FAQ

Here are answers to common questions about making grilled carne asada at home.

Other Mexican Inspired Recipes

Looking for more Mexican-inspired main dishes? These recipes pair well with the same toppings and sides:

Side Dishes

Serve grilled carne asada with rice, salsa, pico de gallo, chips, tortillas, or your favorite Mexican-inspired sides.

5 from 3 votes

Grilled Carne Asada

By: Jen Lunsford

Grilled Carne Asada is a tender, juicy, and flavorful beef recipe made with a simple citrus and herb marinade. It is perfect for street tacos, burritos, burrito bowls, and easy family meals.

Prep: 10 mins

Cook: 12 mins

Marinate Time: 3 hrs

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup Vegetable Oil
• 3 Lime Juice, juice of 3 limes
• 1/2 cup Cilantro, chopped
• 1 Jalapeno, seeded and diced
• 1 tbsp minced Garlic
• 1 tsp Cumin
• 1 tsp Paprika
• 1 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
• 2 lb Flank Steak

Instructions

• In a large bowl or shallow dish, combine the vegetable oil, lime juice, cilantro, jalapeno, garlic, cumin, paprika, and apple cider vinegar.
• Stir until the marinade is well mixed.
• Pierce the flank steak all over with a fork on both sides.
• Place the steak in the marinade and turn it to coat both sides.
• Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, turning the steak occasionally.
• Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
• Grill the steak for 6 minutes on each side.
• Remove the steak from the grill and let it rest for about 5 minutes.
• Slice the meat against the grain and serve warm.

Nutrition

Calories: 218kcal, Carbohydrates: 3g, Protein: 33g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 91mg, Sodium: 82mg

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