Description
Delicious and authentic Carne Asada Tacos made with marinated flank or skirt steak grilled to perfection, served warm on corn tortillas with classic toppings like onions, cilantro, lime, salsa, and avocado. Perfect for a quick and flavorful meal that embodies traditional Mexican street food.
Ingredients
Scale
Marinade and Steak
- 1 ½ pounds flank steak or skirt steak
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
- Salt and pepper to taste
Tortillas and Toppings
- 8 small corn tortillas
- Diced onions
- Chopped cilantro
- Lime wedges
- Salsa
- Avocado (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, combine the minced garlic, ground cumin, chili powder, paprika, onion powder, lime juice, soy sauce, olive oil, chopped cilantro, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well integrated.
- Marinate the Steak: Rub the marinade mixture evenly all over the flank or skirt steak. Cover the bowl or wrap the steak and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, up to 4 hours to allow deep flavor absorption.
- Preheat the Grill: Heat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat until hot and ready for cooking.
- Cook the Steak: Place the marinated steak on the grill and cook for about 5 to 6 minutes per side, or until it reaches your preferred doneness (135°F for medium-rare, 145°F for medium). Use a meat thermometer for accuracy.
- Rest and Slice the Steak: Remove the steak from the grill and let it rest on a cutting board for 5 minutes. Then slice the meat thinly against the grain for maximum tenderness.
- Warm the Tortillas: Place the corn tortillas on the grill and warm them for about 30 seconds on each side until soft and slightly charred.
- Assemble the Tacos: Lay a few slices of carne asada on each warmed tortilla. Top with diced onions, chopped cilantro, a squeeze of lime, salsa, and avocado if desired.
- Serve: Serve the tacos immediately and enjoy the authentic flavors of this classic Mexican dish.
Notes
- Marinate the steak longer for more intense flavor, up to 4 hours or overnight if time permits.
- Use fresh lime juice for the best bright, citrusy taste in the marinade.
- For a smoky flavor, use a charcoal grill instead of a gas grill or grill pan.
- Make sure to slice the steak against the grain to keep meat tender.
- Customize toppings to your preference; adding pickled jalapeños adds a spicy kick.
- If corn tortillas are unavailable, flour tortillas are a suitable substitute, though flavor will vary.
