Carne Asada Tacos

Juicy, marinated and grilled Carne Asada Tacos served in warm corn tortillas with fresh pico de gallo and avocado. These delicious tacos are just as good as ones you could buy off the street in Mexico!

I’ve got every Mexican recipe you need to have killer Mexican fiesta.  Start with a big bowl of chips and homemade salsa, then serve an array of amazing tacos; carne asada, pork carnitas, fajtas, and grilled chicken street tacos. Be sure to include a large platter of authentic Mexican rice and homemade refried beans.  Serve horchata to drink, tres leches cake for dessert and if you ever host such a party, please don’t forget to invite me!

What is carne asada?

The term carne asada refers to grilled steak (typically skirt or flank steak) that has been sliced thinly. You can eat the steak as a main dish or serve it inside tacos, burritos, quesadillas, on a salad or more.

How to Make Carne Asada Tacos:

1. Marinate.  Mix marinade ingredients in a large bowl or bag.  Place steak in marinade and leave it covered, in the refrigerator for 2-5 hours.

2. Grill the steak. Place steak on the grill and cook for about 3-5 minutes per side, or until medium rare or medium.

3. Serve inside a warm tortilla with pico de gallo and sliced avocado.

Tips for perfect carne asada tacos:

• Grill the steak on high heat. Flank steak is such a thin cut of meat that you want to be able to sear the outside of the meat, without overcooking the inside. So, make sure your grill is hot before placing the meat on it.
• Rest the steak.  As with most meat, you want to let it rest after grilling to allow the juices to settle in the meat, making it juicier and more tender. If you cut into it directly off the grill, without waiting, you will loose a lot of the juices.
• Cut across the grain.  That means, notice the directional lines in the flank steak grain and slice perpendicular to them. If you cut along the grain then the meat will be tougher and chewier to eat.

To Serve:

• Fresh pico de gallo or 5-minute salsa is a MUST for serving!
• Corn tortillas are the BEST to use for these, but you could use flour tortillas if you like.Heat my corn tortillas on a griddle or skillet for a few minutes on each side. You could also throw them on the grill for a few seconds.
• Serve with a side of:
  • Authentic Mexican rice
  • Refried beans
  • Mexican corn (Elote or Esquites)
  • Charro Beans

Additional Adaptations:

• Slow cooker carne asada: place steak and marinade ingredients in a slow cooker.  Cook on high for 3 to 4 hours, or on low for 6 to 8 hours.
• Keto carne asada: omit the tortilla and serve the carne asada in a lettuce wrap.
• Burrito style carne asada: wrap the steak, pico, and rice inside a large flour tortilla.  Fill with any other desired toppings. Serve with rice and beans.

Consider trying these popular Mexican recipes:

• Cheese Enchiladas
• Authentic Mexican Rice
• Tres Leches Cake
• Horchata

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Carne Asada Tacos

Juicy, marinated and grilled Carne Asada Tacos served in warm corn tortillas with fresh pico de gallo and avocado.

5 from 2 votes

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Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Mexican

Prep Time: 2 hours

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes

Servings: 5

Calories: 586kcal

Author: Lauren Allen

Video

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds flank steak1 1/2 pounds flank steak
• salt and freshly ground black peppersalt and freshly ground black pepper
• 4 cloves garlic , minced4 cloves garlic , minced
• 1/2 cup fresh chopped cilantro1/2 cup fresh chopped cilantro
• 1 teaspoon chili powder1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/3 cup olive oil1/3 cup olive oil
• 2 Tablespoons white vinegar2 Tablespoons white vinegar
• 2 limes , juiced2 limes , juiced
• 1/2 of an orange , juiced1/2 of an orange , juiced

For serving:

• 10 white corn tortillas warmed10 white corn tortillas warmed
• Pico de Gallo , or salsaPico de Gallo , or salsa
• avocadoavocado
• Valentina hot sauce optional, for toppingValentina hot sauce optional, for topping
• Mexican RiceMexican Rice

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

• Season steak on both sides with salt and pepper.
• In a mixing bowl, stir together the marinade ingredients. 
• Place flank steak in a bowl or large ziplock bag and pour marinade over steak. 
• Seal/cover and refrigerate, allowing the steak to marinade for 2 - 5 hours. Remove steak from the refrigerator 20 minutes before grilling.
• Heat grill to high and brush the grill grates lightly with oil. Lift steak from the bag of marinade, allowing excess marinade to drip off. 
  
• Place steak on the grill and cook for about 3-5 minutes per side, or until desired doneness (depending on whether you like yours medium rare or well done). 
• Transfer steak to a cutting board, cover with aluminum foil and allow to rest 5 minutes. Cut the steak, against the grain, into very, very thin strips.
• Warm corn tortillas on a hot dry skillet. Top with steak, pico de gallo, sliced avocado and hot sauce , if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 586kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 43g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 108mg | Sodium: 141mg | Potassium: 1031mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 495IU | Vitamin C: 29.9mg | Calcium: 121mg | Iron: 4.8mg

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*Nutritional info does not include toppings

Have you tried this recipe?!

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I originally shared this recipe July 2013. Updated June 2020 with process photos and additional tips.