Description
These Carne Asada Tacos feature tender, marinated flank or skirt steak grilled to perfection and served on warm corn tortillas with fresh toppings like diced onions, cilantro, lime, salsa, and optional avocado. This quick and flavorful recipe is perfect for a delicious Mexican-inspired meal in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Marinade and Steak
- 1 ½ pounds flank steak or skirt steak
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Tacos
- 8 small corn tortillas
- Toppings: diced onions, chopped cilantro, lime wedges, salsa, and avocado (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, combine the minced garlic, ground cumin, chili powder, paprika, onion powder, lime juice, soy sauce, olive oil, chopped cilantro, salt, and pepper. Whisk everything together until well mixed to create a flavorful marinade.
- Marinate the Steak: Rub the marinade evenly all over the flank or skirt steak. Cover the steak and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate, or up to 4 hours for a deeper, richer taste.
- Preheat the Grill: Heat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Make sure it’s hot before placing the steak on it to get a good sear and grill marks.
- Grill the Steak: Place the marinated steak on the grill and cook for 5-6 minutes on each side. Cook until your desired doneness is reached—135°F internal temperature for medium-rare or 145°F for medium doneness.
- Rest and Slice the Steak: Remove the steak from the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes to retain its juices. Then slice the steak thinly against the grain to maximize tenderness.
- Warm the Tortillas: While the steak rests, warm the corn tortillas on the grill for about 30 seconds on each side until they are soft and slightly charred.
- Assemble the Tacos: Place a few slices of the grilled carne asada on each tortilla. Top with diced onions, chopped cilantro, a squeeze of lime, salsa, and avocado if you like.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve the assembled tacos immediately while warm for the best flavor and texture experience.
Notes
- Marinating the steak longer (up to 4 hours) enhances the flavor but avoid marinating overnight as acidity may start breaking down the meat too much.
- Slice the steak against the grain to ensure tenderness in each bite.
- If you don’t have a grill, a grill pan or broiler can be used as alternatives.
- For spicier tacos, add jalapeños or hot sauce as additional toppings.
- Corn tortillas are traditional and gluten-free; warm them well to prevent tearing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
