Carne Asada Tacos

4.80 from 5 votes

Marinated steak is seasoned with authentic Mexican spices, cooked until tender and thinly sliced to serve in tacos with cilantro and onion. These authentic tacos are marinated and grilled, but can also be cooked in the Instant pot or oven. View the recipe post above for step-by-step instructions.

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Prep Time10

Cook Time15

Marinade time4

Total Time4 25

Servings: servings

Author: Molly Thompson

INGREDIENTS

Carne Asada Marinade

1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup fresh squeezed orange juice (about 1 medium orange)
2 Tablespoons lime juice (about 1 medium lime)
1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro
4 cloves garlic minced
2 teaspoons chili powder
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 pounds flank steak pounded to an even thin thickness (Note 3)

Carne Asada Tacos

1/2 cup finely chopped cilantro
1/2 medium white onion finley diced
10 Corn Tortillas
Lime wedges
More optional toppings: guacamole, chipotle corn salsa, grilled pineapple salsa, Mexican pickled onions

INSTRUCTIONS

Marinade the steak: Whisk together the marinade ingredients in a large bowl or shake in a plastic bag. Add the steak and turn to coat. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or up to 4).
1/4 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup fresh squeezed orange juice, 2 Tablespoons lime juice, 1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro, 4 cloves garlic, 2 teaspoons chili powder, 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 2 pounds flank steak
Grill the steak: Grease the grill grates and preheat to medium-high heat (400-450°F). Grill for 6-8 minutes on each side (depending on thickness), until the internal temperature reaches 135°F for medium-rare.
Cut the steak: Remove the steak to a clean cutting board and rest for 10 minutes to allow the juices to reabsorb. Use a sharp knife to cube into bite-sized pieces.
Prep the toppings: While the steak is resting, chop and prep your desired toppings. Throw the tortillas on the grill for 1-2 minutes to warm or heat in the microwave or oven so they're warm and pliable.
1/2 cup finely chopped cilantro, 1/2 medium white onion, 10 Corn Tortillas
Serve: Add a spoonful of steak to the warm tortillas. Top with onion, cilantro, cotija cheese, other optional toppings, and a squeeze of lime juice.

Notes

Note 1. Soy Sauce. Authentic Carne Asada calls for regular (not reduced sodium) soy sauce. Use coconut aminos for a gluten-free and soy-free option.

Note 2. Fresh Garlic. I recommend using fresh garlic, but you can use 1-2 teaspoons of garlic powder in a pinch.

Note 3. Flank Steak. You can use skirt steak and flank steak interchangeably in this recipe for the best results. For more steak options, check out one of these flank steak substitutes.

Note 4. Toppings. Classic carne asada features a generous amount of fresh cilantro, white onion, and lime juice. Try guacamole, red onion, cotija cheese, pico de gallo, or other Mexican taco toppings. See the blog post above for even more topping ideas.

Cooking them Indoors?

Oven: Preheat the oven to broil and place the marinated steak on a foil-lined rimmed pan. Broil for 5-7 minutes on each side.
Stove Top: heat a cast iron skillet on the stove over medium-high heat. Sear the steak for 2-3 minutes on each side then turn the heat down to medium-low and continue cooking until the internal temperature reaches about 135°F. It should take about 10 minutes in total.

Nutrition

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