Carne Asada
Skirt steak, orange and jalapeno come together in this Mexican beef — 65 minutes, 6 steps, and the kind of result worth repeating. Scroll down for the ingredient checklist, a serving scaler and unit converter, and the method broken into 6 steps.
You'll mainly reach for grill / broiler and pan. At medium difficulty across 6 steps, it's manageable with a little attention.
What you'll need
Shopping list (4)
Pantry staples (you likely have these)
Diet: contains meat, based on every ingredient listed below.
Contains: Soy
Allergen labels are informational and may not cover cross-contact; verify every package and consult a qualified professional for medical dietary needs. Diet labels are derived from the ingredient list on this page — how we verify diet and allergen labels.
Food-safety and allergen information is general, not medical advice. Follow current guidance from your local food-safety authority, verify product labels, and seek qualified advice for allergies or health conditions.
How to make it
- Whisk together the juice of the limes and orange, the minced garlic, finely chopped jalapeno, chopped cilantro stems, cumin, chili powder, olive oil and soy sauce to make the marinade.
- Pat the steak dry, place it in a dish or bag, pour over the marinade and turn to coat, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 8 hours, avoiding much longer as the acid can make the meat mealy.
- Take the steak out 30 minutes before cooking to come closer to room temperature, then scrape off excess marinade and season both sides generously with salt.
- Heat a grill or heavy cast-iron pan until very hot, then sear the steak for 3 to 4 minutes per side for medium-rare, looking for a deep char and an internal temperature of about 54C.
- Transfer the steak to a board and let it rest for 8 to 10 minutes so the juices redistribute before slicing.
- Slice thinly against the grain on a slight angle, scatter with chopped cilantro leaves and a squeeze of fresh lime, and serve with warm tortillas.
You'll use: Grill / broiler · Pan · Whisk
Ingredient substitutions
- Lime
- lemon
- Soy Sauce
- tamari (gluten-free) · coconut aminos
What to serve with Carne Asada
- Chicken Enchilada Casserole Chicken
- Cajun spiced fish tacos Seafood
- Crock Pot Chicken Baked Tacos Chicken
- Chickpea Fajitas Vegetarian
Tips & common questions
How long does Carne Asada take to make?
About 65 minutes from start to finish — an estimate based on the 6 steps and 11 ingredients. Times vary with your kitchen and how much prep you do ahead.
What can I use instead of lime?
Try lemon. See the substitutions section above for more swaps.
Can I scale this recipe up or down?
Yes — use the servings control above the ingredients and every quantity rescales automatically (fractions included). Cooking times stay roughly the same; very large batches may need a little longer.
How should I store leftovers?
Cool leftovers quickly, refrigerate in an airtight container, and eat within 3 days. Reheat until piping hot throughout.
Related recipes
Original recipe — developed in-house by Consomee. How we source, test & correct recipes.
Carne Asada is an original Mexican recipe developed in-house by Consomee. Photo: 001 Tacos de carnitas, carne asada y al pastor.jpg by Larry Miller, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons. We add the serving scaler, ingredient tools, timing and structure on top — how we source recipes.