The BEST Carne Asada

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February 2, 2023
36 Comments

I’ve tried many, MANY ways of making carne asada and this is by far the BEST one. If you’re looking for authentic Mexican flavors with the most tender beef, this is the recipe for you!

“Carne” means meat in Spanish and usually refers to beef. “Carne asada” means grilled meat and it can really be any cut of beef you prefer. It is marinated in citrus and Mexican spices, and can be used for a wide range of Mexican dishes!

Ingredients:

Beef-if you want the most tender and flavorful cut, my opinion is that skirt steak is the absolute BEST for carne asada. There are two types of skirt steak- outside and inside. Outside skirt is the best cut to choose, however it can be a bit difficult to find. Your best bet is your local butcher shop. I have used inside skirt a few times and it’s still good, but outside skirt is noticeably better. It is incredibly tender and melts like butter!
Citrus- for flavor & tenderizing the beef, you’ll need lime juice & orange juice. For an extra kick of acidity, I also add some white vinegar.
Spices-salt, pepper,garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, mexican organo, and chili powder
Garlic-softened roasted garlic grinded into a garlic salt paste in a molcajete is my favorite way to make salsas, and it’s how I make my carne asada marinades too. Grinding the salt and garlic into a paste will bring out the most flavor.
Beer-a little light beer to infuse moisture and flavor. Don’t worry if you can’t consume alcohol because I have a non-alcoholic substitute to make it halal! You can use ginger beer instead 🙂
Onion, cilantro, and jalapeno– these will be added to the marinade. The jalapeño will not make it spicy.

Traditional cuts for carne asada

Flap meat- I’m not sure if this is just my Mexican family or Mexicans as a whole, but I think the concept of seeing carne asada cooked to anything other than well done is an American thing. In my experience, flap meatis usually used for carne asada. It’s thin, cooked well done, and usually just eaten with our hands by tearing the pieces of beef (unless being chopped up for tacos, burritos, etc).
Skirt steak- this is the clear winner in my book, specifically outside skirt steak. It’s a long cut of beef that has plenty of fat marbling which means maximum flavor. This cut can be difficult to find so I recommend going to your local butcher shop. Make sure you ask for cuts that are at least 1/2 inch thick. If they don’t have it, inside skirt is easier to find in grocery stores but it’s noticabley tougher than outside skirt.
Flank steak- this is another popular cut. It’s thicker than skirt steak and also leaner, so it doesn’t have as much flavor but still good. It is also much easier to find.

Cooking instructions:

Grill

For the best results, I HIGHLY recommend firing up your grill for this! Carne asada means grilled meat after all.

The best way to cook skirt steak is fast & high. This means using SCORCHING high heat and cooking the steak for 3-4 minutes on each side depending on the thickness and desired doneness. It is okay to flip over a few times to get a more even char. That char is important! It adds that distinct flavor that we love with grilled meats.

If you are not confident in knowing when to pull the steaks off the grill, I recommend using a meat thermometer. When I use outside skirt for this, I don’t worry too much about the doneness because the meat is SO tender that having it a little overcooked is not a big deal. I actually prefer it to be cooked between medium and medium rare, but closer to medium.

Stove top (cast iron skillet)

If you don’t have a grill or don’t feel up to firing it up, you can definitely cook it on the stove. I recommend a cast iron skillet for this, using the same cooking instructions as the grill. Get the skillet as hot as possible! And maybe crack open a window or two so your smoke alarm doesn’t go off.

I use this method sometimes because my grill is a pain to fire up (it’s a charcoal grill). One great thing about the stove top method is that you can simultaneously cook the onions in the pan to impart even more flavor. When using the grill, I usually throw the skillet on it to cook the onions too.

Mexican dishes to make with carne asada

So you’ve made some carne asada and now you’re wondering what to eat with it. There are lots of Mexican dishes made with carne asada, here are a few:

Tacos
Gorditas
Carne asada fries
Quesadillas
Burritos
With frijoles andarroz rojo
Taquitos/flautas
Tortas

More recipes

Are you hosting or going to a bbq? Here are some of my other recipes that are great for these types of events!

Traditional Carnitas (Mexican Pork Confit)

Al Pastor

Mexican Shrimp Ceviche

Carne Asada

5 from 33 votes

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Ingredients

2 lbs skirt steak at least 1/2" thick outside skirt highly recommended
4 garlic cloves
1 tbsp coarse salt
1/4 onion sliced
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp Mexican oregano
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp onion powder
2 tsp white vinegar add 1 more tsp if you like it more tangy
1/4 cup lime juice (about 2 limes)
1/4 cup orange juice (about 1 small orange)
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup light beer or ginger beer to make it halal
1-2 jalapeno cut in half lengthwise
1/4 bunch cilantro

Instructions

Over medium low heat, roast the garlic cloves (with the skin on) in a pan and cover for 5 minutes or until the garlic is soft and browned on all sides.
Peel the skin off and add the roasted garlic to a molcajete (mortar) with 1 tbsp of salt. Grind to make a garlic salt paste.
Add chopped onion and lightly press with the pestle to release some juices.
Add the vinegar, lime juice, orange juice, olive oil, beer (or ginger beer to make it halal), and spices. Mix well by scraping the bottom of the molcajete to make sure you're incorporating all of the garlic salt paste.
Mix in the cilantro and jalapeno.
Trim off the silver skin membrane and any excess hard pieces of fat, but not too much because fat = flavor. Skirt steak comes in a long strip with the grains running perpendicular to it's length, so I recommend cutting it into 5 inch pieces rather than keeping it whole. For one, it may not fit on your grill in one long piece. Second, it's better to have shorter pieces of steak so that you can get nice uniform slices against the grain once it's ready to serve.
Pour marinade over the skirt steak in a container and massage into the steak. Marinade in the refrigerator for 2-4 hours. Take the marinated steak out of the refrigerator and let it rest at room temperature for 30 minutes before you cook it.
Shake off excess marinade and grill over SCORCHING high heat (at least 600 degrees F) for 3 to 4 minutes per side for medium rare, or 4-5 minutes on each side for medium. The timing will depend on how thick your steak is. I also add the jalapeños to the grill and just use a skillet for the onions.
You can also cook it on a cast iron skillet if you don't have a grill.
Let the steak rest for 5 minutes on a cool surface before cutting into it! This is very important, do not skip the resting period.
Cut the steak against the grain and enjoy 🙂

This Post Has 36 Comments

Lindsay May 25, 2024Reply

I’ve tried so many carne asada recipes and this one is my final keeper. The roasted garlic and other details made all the difference. My suggestion- while the meat is resting, heat a pan over medium heat with a little oil and add the onions and peppers from the marinade. Sauté until starting to brown and soften (about 5 minutes). They are SO good either on their own or added to tacos with the meat.
Hillbilly Farmer May 22, 2024Reply

I have been called a “food snob” because I am hard to impress.
The best tex-mex food I have had was what we fixed at home or a taqueria on the bad side of town.
This recipe is going into my personal book. It is the best carne asada I have had.
I cut a whole onion in half and grilled it along with the meat. We served on flour tortilla, grilled onion, a slice of avocado, and a squeeze of lime.
Due to time ingredients on hand I used home canned jalapeno and I added a tbs of home made adobo sauce. These ingredients put the salt a touch higher than I prefer, so next time I will back the salt down to 2 tsp when using home canned jalaps and adobo.
Daisy R. February 25, 2024Reply

My go to carne asada marinade recipe!! So flavorful and authentic tasting. My whole family loves this! I make this once a week, it’s in our weekly meal rotation.
Samantha February 24, 2024Reply

Phenomenal recipe with flavors that remind me of the authentic style carne asada from back home in California! 10/10 recommend!!
Denise February 22, 2024Reply

Wonderful recipe! I normally just wing it with a loose recipe I got from my father in law, but I used this for a recent family trip and it was a hit! Can’t wait to try more of your recipes.
Anonymous February 22, 2024Reply

She is not lying when she titled this recipe as the BEST Carne Asada! This is truly authentic. I’m from San Diego but have moved and miss the food from there, especially the Mexican food. I’m not able to find Mexican as good as California. With this recipe, it hits the cravings and the spot!
Iris D February 22, 2024Reply

My first recipe I made from Stella. The Best !!!!! 10000% My number one recipe when I make carne asada tacos
Leslie Mendoza February 21, 2024Reply

Better than my grandmas recipe 🤤
Valentina February 21, 2024Reply

This is by far the best carne asada recipe I ever tried! So delicious even my picky kids approve. We made it several times he love to add it to tacos, ramen soups, noodles. Or even eat it just on its own. The flavor is amazing! It’s perfect for meal prepping. I never have to buy premade carna asada again! Thanks so much for this fabulous recipe ❤️.
Boa February 21, 2024Reply

Loved this recipe. Used it to make carne asada for burrito bowls and my daughter loved it. Thanks for sharing,
Mallory February 21, 2024Reply

this is my favorite recipe! when i was shopping for the ingredients to make this recipe there was another woman shopping looking at the steaks. she looked at my cart and asked what I was making. i told her carne asada and she said she was making the same thing. i showed her your recipe on my phone and she said your version looked better than the one she was making. true story! thanks for the great recipe.
@gangstavee February 21, 2024Reply
See Also
Arizona Burrito with Carne Asada, Potatoes & Poblanos – Familia Kitchen

My favorite recipe hands down! So easy to follow and I love that you give alternatives. This is the best carne asada and I will never make it any other way.
Ly February 21, 2024Reply

My go to recipe to make carne asada at home! Thank you for the great recipe!
Chrystal February 21, 2024Reply

Love this recipe! This is what I use to make my tacos de carne asada.
v.mpn February 21, 2024Reply

SO good! would definitely make it again!
Marisol February 21, 2024Reply

Loved this recipe! So flavorful and easy to do.
Thank you for sharing
Mia February 21, 2024Reply

We’ve made this marinade a couple times now & it’s so, so, so good! You will not be disappointed!
Laura February 21, 2024Reply

I’ve made this for my family for taco night and it was a huge hit! It was so good! It was my first actual Mexican recipe
I’ve tried and I can’t wait to try more of her recipes. I’ll probably try the Al Pastor at home next 😋
Thank you so much for sharing your recipes and cultural knowledge with us! I know I can never question your recipes 🌶️
Leilani D February 21, 2024Reply

I’ve been following Stellanspice since lockdown and have used many of her recipes. This carne asada is hands down one of my favorites. We relocated from SoCal to NYC where you can find top rated cuisines from all over the world…except for Mexican food! Ask any transplant. This recipe gives me a taste of home and is always a hit sharing with friends!
Anonymous February 21, 2024Reply

I tried this recipe and my whole family loved the carne asada it was soooo good. 😋
anonym0es February 21, 2024Reply

Yummmm! The step by step instructions and describing what type of steak to use…THANK YOU! It makes things easier on what to buy. Can’t wait to make them when we go camping!
Dylan Zacherle February 21, 2024Reply

my Go To Carne recipe! Reminds me of the carne I would get at the local Mexican restaurant, and that’s hard to beat. Double down and make the Carne Asada Gorditas by Stella to fully enjoy this recipe. Trust me, it’s worth it.
1. Jocelyn February 22, 2024Reply
  
  This was amazing! Thank you so much for sharing
  Thank you
Laidaland February 21, 2024Reply

This marinade is 10/10!
Queen.lota (Instagram) February 21, 2024Reply

100/10 recommend this recipe! My favorite recipe and it was my first time seeing her on IG so I tested out to see if Stellanspice can be my go to for recipes. The beer helped out a lot and her thoroughness of instructions help me so much! Thank you!
Glyt01 February 21, 2024Reply

This recipe is soooo good! I’ve made it twice (using a grill and case iron skillet) and gotten rave reviews. This is my favorite carne asada marinade.
Rina February 8, 2024Reply

This was delicious. Flavourful and Juicy!
Vi January 12, 2024Reply
Can you marinate this overnight?
1. Vi January 13, 2024Reply
  
  Update: marinated it for 6 hours. Best carne asada I’ve ever had! Will definitely make it again
Jenn September 15, 2023Reply

Wow I haven’t made it yet but by the photos alone i’m giving it 5 stars! Cant wait to make it! 🙂
Tristan June 20, 2023Reply

3 for 3! First the Al Pastor, then the Pazole, and now the Carne Asada! ALL WINNERS! This has great flavor, super easy to make (although I just roasted a whole head of garlic in the oven so I had it for other things), and so versatile! I’m heading to your Korean recipes next! One other change I made out of necessity. I didn’t have oranges on hand but I did have Trader Joes’ Spicy Tangerine Juice. I’ll try with oranges next time, but this was really really good! Bravo to you for such a great and approachable recipe!
1. stellanspice June 21, 2023Reply
  Hi Tristan, thanks so much for following up again! If you want to try another one of my most popular Mexican recipes, please check out my carnitas! Excited for you to try my Korean recipes, as I am much more comfortable cooking Korean. Please let me know how they turn out.
Kim February 19, 2023Reply

Just left a comment on insta, but this was amazing. We are a Latino/Asian house and have made carne pretty often. This will be our new go to marinade!
Shannon February 7, 2023Reply

This came out so excellent! It took me back to my time living in Tucson. Thanks for sharing!
S B February 6, 2023Reply

Made this last night. Best carne asada we’ve had! Our whole family enjoyed it and it paired well with your Mexican rice. Thank you for the great recipes!
Colby Raimer February 2, 2023Reply
Can’t wait Stella!!!