Looking for the perfect recipe to make Carne Asada Tacos? Then look no further! These tacos are made with a deliciously marinated flank steak grilled to perfection, creating a beautiful charred exterior and a juicy and flavorful interior.

These amazing Carne Asada Tacos can be served with warm tortillas and topped with fresh cilantro, onions, guacamole, and your favorite homemade salsa or pico de gallo.

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A plate with three carne asada tacos topped with cilantro, onion, and roasted tomatillo salsa verde, and two lime wedges placed on the right side of the plate.

What Is Carne Asada?

Carne Asada literally translates to “grilled beef or steak”. It is a traditional Latin American dish but the Mexican version is the most popular here in the US given the proximity to our neighboring country.

In many Latin American countries, carne asada is usually made during special gatherings with our closest friends and family. So consider it a high honor if you’re ever invited to a carne asada.

A large portion of grilled flank steak or carne asada resting on a wooden cutting board.

Ingredients Needed For Carne Asada Tacos

Beef. Carne Asada Tacos are usually made with skirt steak because it has a fantastic beef flavor, has a high-fat content, and it tenderizes well when marinated for a long time. Flank steak is another option, although it is leaner and tougher than skirt steak. Another great cut of beef would be rib-eye because it is loaded with fat marbling and it is also very tender. It can be pricey, but totally worth it in my opinion.
Orange juice. It adds a fruity and sweet flavor to the steak.
Lime juice. It adds flavor and the acidity helps tenderize the meat.
Oil. This helps the marinade stick to the steak. Use your favorite.
Onion. You can use either white or yellow onion to add flavor.
Garlic. This ingredient is optional for some people, but for me, it’s a must!
Cilantro. An essential aromatic that should always be used in any Mexican-inspired marinade.
Cumin. It adds a slight hint of smokiness and nuttiness to the carne asada.
Chili powder. Just like cumin, it adds another layer of aromatic flavor. I don’t consider it spicy but if you’re not into spicy food feel free to substitute it with paprika or just omit it.
Salt and pepper. Always use them to taste.

Ingredients for carne asada including flank steak, orange, lime, onion, garlic, cumin, chili powder, salt, pepper, oil and cilantro.

How To Make Carne Asada Tacos

Making delicious Carne Asada Tacos could not be easier. Just marinade the steak, grill, and serve as follows:

Make the marinade by mixing the orange juice, lime juice, oil, onion, garlic, cilantro, cumin, chili powder, and salt and pepper in a bowl.
Place the steak in a large deep dish, add the marinade, cover, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. You can also marinate the steak in a large Ziplock bag.
Grill the steak over medium-high heat for 5-6 minutes per side. Grilling times will vary depending on the thickness of the steak and your personal preference.
Let the steak rest for about 10 minutes and then chop it into small pieces.
Serve it with warm tortillas, and all the fixings like fresh cilantro, chopped white onion, guacamole, pico de gallo, or roasted tomatillo salsa verde.

A deep ceramic roasting dish with two pieces of flank steak marinating in a carne asada marinade made with sliced white onion, chopped cilantro, and garlic.

Watch Carne Asada Tacos Video

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between carne asada tacos and steak street tacos?

Carne asada tacos are made with steak that has been marinated and grilled to your ideal internal temperature. We usually grill our steaks to medium which is about 140-145°F (60-63°C). But you can grill them less or longer depending on how well done you want them.

Steak street tacos go a step further. The steak is not only grilled but is also chopped up into small pieces and then cooked in a large skillet or griddle with a small amount of oil. This method brings out the natural sugars of the beef which give the tacos a phenomenal flavor.

What kind of beef should I use for carne asada tacos?

You can use skirt steak, which has more fat and it’s more tender, or flank steak, which is leaner and less tender. Sirloin will also work in a pinch if you don’t overcook it. But my favorite cut of meat will always be rib-eye due to its high-fat content. The higher the fat, the juicer and better the flavor. 😄

Grilled flank steak or carne asada chopped into smaller pieces on a wooden cutting board.

How to Store Carne Asada?

You can refrigerate leftover carne asada in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days.

You can also freeze it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

Tools Used For Making Carne Asada Tacos

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¡Buen Provecho!