Description
These Carne Asada Tacos feature perfectly marinated and grilled flank or skirt steak, delivering a smoky, savory flavor profile perfect for a quick and satisfying Mexican-inspired meal. Served on warm corn tortillas and topped with fresh onions, cilantro, lime, salsa, and creaminess from avocado, these tacos are bursting with rich textures and vibrant tastes.
Ingredients
Scale
Steak 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
Taco Assembly
- 8 small corn tortillas
- Toppings: diced onions, chopped cilantro, lime wedges, salsa, and 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 everything thoroughly to create a flavorful marinade.
- Marinate the steak: Rub the marinade mixture all over the flank or skirt steak ensuring it’s evenly coated. Cover the steak and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours in the refrigerator for a more intense flavor infusion.
- Preheat the grill: Heat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat to ensure a nice sear and grill marks on the steak.
- Grill the steak: Place the marinated steak on the hot grill. Cook for 5-6 minutes on each side, or until the steak reaches your desired level of doneness—135°F for medium-rare or 145°F for medium.
- Rest and slice the steak: Remove the steak from the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute. Then slice the steak thinly against 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 for added flavor.
- Assemble the tacos: Distribute the sliced carne asada evenly onto each tortilla. Top with diced onions, chopped cilantro, a squeeze of fresh lime, salsa, and avocado slices if desired.
- Serve: Serve the tacos immediately to enjoy the fresh flavors and juicy steak at its best.
Notes
- For deeper flavor, marinate the steak longer, up to 4 hours.
- Use corn tortillas for authentic flavor, but flour tortillas can be substituted.
- Adjust spice levels to your preference by adding extra chili powder or fresh jalapeños.
- Resting the steak properly after grilling is crucial for juicy, tender meat.
- Leftover carne asada can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and is great for burritos or salads.
