Description
This mouthwatering Carne Asada recipe features tender skirt or flank steak marinated in a zesty citrus blend of orange juice, lime juice, garlic, jalapeño, and fresh cilantro. Perfectly grilled to achieve a charred, smoky flavor, this dish is ideal for tacos or burritos, accompanied by fresh avocado, pico de gallo, and lime wedges for a bright and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Marinade
- 4 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 1/2 cup Orange Juice
- 1/4 cup Lime Juice
- 1 bunch Coriander/Cilantro (chopped)
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black Pepper (freshly ground)
- 1/4 cup Olive Oil
- 1 medium Jalapeño (seeded and chopped)
- 2 tablespoons White Vinegar
Main
- 1 pound Beef (Skirt or Flank Steak)
To Serve
- 4 pieces Tortillas
- 1 medium Avocado (sliced)
- 1 cup Pico De Gallo or diced Tomatoes
- 1 bunch Cilantro Leaves (for garnish)
- 2 pieces Lime Wedges
Instructions
- Combine Marinade Ingredients: In a ziplock bag, mix together garlic, orange juice, lime juice, chopped cilantro, salt, black pepper, olive oil, jalapeño, and white vinegar to create the zesty marinade.
- Marinate Beef: Add the skirt or flank steak to the marinade bag, seal tightly, and massage the marinade into the meat ensuring it is well coated.
- Refrigerate to Marinate: Place the sealed bag in the refrigerator and let the beef marinate for at least 1 hour and up to 12 hours for maximum flavor and tenderness.
- Prepare for Cooking: Remove the marinated beef from the fridge 20 to 30 minutes before cooking to allow it to come to room temperature, promoting even cooking.
- Preheat Cooking Surface: Heat your BBQ grill or skillet to high heat and brush lightly with oil to prevent sticking.
- Cook the Steak: Grill or pan-sear the skirt steak for about 3 minutes on each side (4 minutes per side for medium rare) or the flank steak for 4 to 5 minutes per side until desired doneness is achieved.
- Rest the Meat: Remove the steak from heat and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute.
- Slice the Steak: Thinly slice the beef against the grain to ensure tenderness.
- Serve: Optionally squeeze fresh lime over the sliced steak and serve with warm tortillas, sliced avocado, pico de gallo, and garnish with cilantro leaves and lime wedges for a refreshing finishing touch.
Notes
- Marinating the beef overnight intensifies the flavors and tenderizes the meat.
- If fresh garlic is unavailable, garlic powder can be used as a substitute.
- Lemon juice can replace orange or lime juice if necessary, though it will alter the flavor slightly.
- Adjust the amount of jalapeño to control the heat level or omit it for a milder taste.
- Allowing the steak to rest after cooking is essential to keep it juicy.
- Slice against the grain to ensure maximum tenderness when eating.
