The Best Carne Asada Marinade

This is the best carne asada marinade and it’s super easy to put together! Get the recipe below or watch the video for a step-by-step guide.

The key to the best carne asada is creating the perfect marinade. You use this marinade on a skirt or flank steak and let it marinate for at least 4 hours, then grill it to a nice medium rare (or however you like it).

Carne asada is great for making tacos, burritos, or even just as is with a side of calabacitas and black beans. In New Mexico, a lot of restaurants serve chopped up carne asada over fries, topped with cheese and a crema. They’re sooo good. Probably going to make those soon, so I’ll be sure to share the recipe!

What kind of Meat to use for Carne Asada

For carne asada, you’ll want to use either skirt steak or flank steak. Skirt steak is tougher than flank steak and has a more intense flavor, which is fine, as long as you cook it rare or medium-rare. If you prefer a more well done steak, I suggest going with flank steak. Both cuts of meat will benefit from this marinade.

The Best Carne Asada Marinade

Here’s what you need to make a carne asada marinade:

• 2 1/2 lb flank steak
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• Juice from 3 limes
• Juice from 1 orange
• 1/2 cup fresh chopped cilantro
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp chili powder
• salt and pepper, to taste

Combine olive oil, lime juice, orange juice, cilantro, garlic, cumin, chili, salt and pepper in a bowl or mason jar. If using a bowl, whisk together until fully incorporated. If using a mason jar, secure the lid and shake for 15 – 20 seconds.

Add steak to a large plastic bag, cover with marinade, and seal bag. Refrigerate at least 4 hours, and up to 24 hours. The longer you let it marinade, the better the carne asada will be.

You can cook this on an outdoor grill, or on a grill pan inside.

Outdoor Grill: heat grill to medium-high and lightly oil grate. Cook until desired doneness – about 7 minutes per side for medium rare.

Indoor Grill: Heat grill pan to medium-high. Add olive oil to pan then cook steak until desired doneness – 10 minutes per side for medium rare.

Here’s a guide for internal temp of the meat:

• Rare: 125°F
• Medium Rare: 135°F
• Medium: 145°F
• Medium Well: 150°F
• Well Done: 160°F

Once your carne asada is cooked to your liking, let it rest for 5 minutes, then slice against the grain.

Pin it –>

Save this to your New Mexican Pinterest board so you can make it anytime you’re craving carne asada:

Side Dishes for Carne Asada

Need some ideas for what to serve along side carne asada? Try these:

• Green Chile Pasta Noodles
• Homemade Sopapillas
• Bacon Wrapped Chile Rellenos