Description
Delicious and flavorful Carne Asada Tacos made with tender marinated flank or skirt steak grilled to perfection and served with fresh toppings on warm corn tortillas. A quick and easy Mexican-inspired recipe perfect for a satisfying meal any day of the week.
Ingredients
Scale
Steak and Marinade
- 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 fresh cilantro, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly to create a well-blended marinade.
- Marinate the Steak: Rub the marinade all over the flank or skirt steak, ensuring it is fully coated. Cover the steak and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours to develop deeper flavor.
- Heat the Grill: Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat to ensure it is hot enough for searing the steak.
- Grill the Steak: Place the marinated steak onto the hot grill. Cook for 5-6 minutes on each side until you reach the desired level of doneness (135°F for medium-rare, 145°F for medium).
- Rest and Slice the Steak: Remove the steak from the grill and let it rest for about 5 minutes. Then slice thinly across the grain to ensure tenderness.
- Warm the Tortillas: Place the corn tortillas on the grill for about 30 seconds per side until they are warm, soft, and slightly charred.
- Assemble the Tacos: Lay a few slices of the grilled carne asada onto each tortilla. Add diced onions, chopped cilantro, a squeeze of fresh lime juice, salsa, and avocado slices if using.
- Serve: Serve the tacos immediately and enjoy the fresh, vibrant flavors.
Notes
- Marinating the steak longer (up to 4 hours) enhances flavor but avoid exceeding 6 hours as the acidity may start to break down the meat excessively.
- Use a meat thermometer to check doneness for perfectly cooked steak: 135°F for medium-rare and 145°F for medium.
- If you don’t have a grill, you can use a grill pan or cast iron skillet for similar results.
- Warm tortillas prevent them from breaking when folded and add to the overall flavor.
- Customize toppings to taste; shredded cheese or pickled jalapeños also pair well with carne asada tacos.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
