Print

Authentic Carne Asada Marinade for Flavorful Grilling

Close-up of medium-rare sliced steak, showing char marks from grilling, prepared with carne asada marinade.
Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

This is our favorite Mexican carne asada marinade recipe, perfect for making skirt or flank steak incredibly tender and flavorful for your next taco night.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
  • 1/4 cup orange juice
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a spicy carne asada marinade)
  • 2 pounds skirt steak or flank steak

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the lime juice, orange juice, olive oil, cilantro, minced garlic, cumin, oregano, salt, pepper, chili powder, and cayenne pepper until well combined. This creates the best carne asada marinade.
  2. Place the skirt steak or flank steak in a large, resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish.
  3. Pour the marinade over the meat, making sure the steak is completely coated.
  4. Seal the bag or cover the dish. Refrigerate and let the meat marinate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, for the most tender steak.
  5. When ready to cook, remove the steak from the marinade and discard the excess liquid. Pat the steak slightly dry with paper towels.
  6. Grill the steak over high heat for 3 to 5 minutes per side for medium-rare, depending on thickness.
  7. Remove the steak from the grill and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing thinly against the grain.

Notes

  • For an authentic flavor, use fresh lime juice; bottled juice changes the taste.
  • If you are using flank steak carne asada marinade, you may need to increase the marinating time slightly.
  • This marinade works well for any cut of beef you plan to grill.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://delishdiarist.com/carne-asada-marinade-recipe-best-grilling/