Carne Asada

- Carne Asada
- Featured Comment
- REASONS TO MAKE CARNE ASADA
- WHAT IS CARNE ASADA
- TIPS AND TRICKS FOR SUCCESS
- FREEZING AND STORAGE
- Storage
- Reheating
- Freeze before cooking
- Freeze after cooking
- WHAT TO SERVE WITH CARNE ASADA
- TOOLS FOR THIS RECIPE
- CARNE ASADA: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- Recipe
- Ingredients
- Equipment
- Instructions
Cilantro, olive oil, soy sauce, orange + lime juice, garlic, jalapeno and cumin make for the easiest and most flavorful marinade. SO SO GOOD.
REASONS TO MAKE CARNE ASADA
- Easy, simple, flavorful marinade
- Juiciest, most tender flank steak
- Great make-ahead recipe, marinating ahead of time
- Has so many uses, perfect as an entree with rice and salsa or stuffing tacos and burritos
WHAT IS CARNE ASADA
Carne asada, translated to “grilled meat”, is typically made with skirt steak, flap steak or flank steak, marinated in lime juice and then grilled or seared for that charred flavor. Carne asada can be served as a main dish with rice and beans, and can also be served as a filling for burritos, tacos and quesadillas.
TIPS AND TRICKS FOR SUCCESS
- Use a hot cast iron grill pan. When opting to cook indoors, a heavy bottom pan, such as a cast iron grill pan or large cast iron skillet, retains heat much better than a nonstick skillet, allowing for even cooking, a better sear and smoky, caramelized flavors.
- Use reduced sodium soy sauce. Reduced sodium has less sodium and less salt without compromising flavor. The soy sauce will also add flavor, saltiness and umami.
- Use freshly squeezed lime juice. While bottled lime juice can work in a pinch, freshly squeezed is ideal here for its vibrant, stronger flavors.
- Let your meat rest. Let your meat rest for at least 5 minutes prior to serving, allowing the juices to redistribute – this will allow for maximum flavor and juiciness.
- Slice against the grain. This will shorten muscle fibers, leaving you with more tender (less chewy) pieces of meat.
- Double the sauce. Need extra sauce for tacos or burrito bowls? The sauce portion can easily be doubled or tripled for those saucy folks!
FREEZING AND STORAGE
Storage
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Reheating
Reheat in the oven at 250°F, covered in aluminum foil until warmed through.
Freeze before cooking
Transfer the marinated meat to an airtight, resealable freezer bag. Label, date and freeze up to 3 months. To cook, thaw overnight in the fridge and cook as directed, adding a few more minutes of cook time as needed.
Freeze after cooking
Let cool completely. Transfer the meat to an airtight, resealable freezer bag. Label, date and freeze up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge, reheating in the oven at 250°F, covered in aluminum foil until warmed through.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH CARNE ASADA
- Mexican Rice
- Mexican Corn Dip
- Instant Pot Chicken Nachos
- Creamy Chorizo Queso Dip
- Roasted Sweet Potatoes
TOOLS FOR THIS RECIPE
Cast iron grill pan or large cast iron skillet
CARNE ASADA: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Skirt steak, flat iron steak and hanger steak are all great options here.
Patting the steak dry will allow for a better sear and crust. If there is too much moisture (marinade), the meat will steam instead.
No grill, no problem. A cast iron grill pan or a large cast iron skillet will work beautifully here, especially during those winter months when it’s too cold to grill out!
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Recipe
Yield: 6 servings
Prep: 4 hours
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 4 hours
Ingredients
Equipment
Cast Iron Grill Pan
Instructions
1. In a medium bowl, combine cilantro, olive oil, soy sauce, orange juice, lime juice, garlic, jalapeno, cumin and 1 teaspoon pepper; set aside 1/2 cup of the mixture in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
2. In a gallon size Ziploc bag or large bowl, combine steak and remaining cilantro mixture; marinate for at least 4 hours to overnight, turning the bag occasionally. Drain the steak from the marinade.
3. Preheat grill to medium high heat. Using paper towels, pat both sides of the steak dry; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
4. Add steak to grill, and cook, flipping once, until desired doneness, about 6 minutes per side for medium rare. Let rest 5 minutes.
5. Thinly slice steak against the grain and serve with reserved 1/2 cup cilantro mixture.
Featured Comment
Elise
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