Authentic Carne Asada + Street Tacos
Authentic Carne Asada is all about the marinade and giving the meat time to soak in all the flavors. The fresh cilantro-garlic-lime marinade will become your go-to for Flank Steak. We use this recipe to make the best Carne Asada Mexican Street Tacos!
Thank you to Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner. on behalf of the Beef Checkoff for sponsoring this recipe. I received compensation, but all opinions are my own.
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
What is Carne Asada?
Carne Asada is a Mexican beef recipe that has been marinated in a well-seasoned marinade then grilled to impart charred flavor. The beef is then thinly sliced and served as a main course or as an ingredient in other dishes like street tacos or nachos. When you start with such a delicious high-quality protein, there are so many different ways you can use Carne Asada.
The Best Cuts of Beef for Carne Asada:
- Flank Steak – our preferred cut because it is lean, tender, and cooks quickly
- Skirt Steak – a thinner and tasty cut (be careful not to overcook)
- Sirloin Steak or Tenderloin Steak can also be used if that is what you have on hand
Authentic Mexican Carne Asada Marinade:
An authentic Carne Asada marinade combines the classic Mexican flavors of cilantro, lime juice, garlic and is well-seasoned with chili powder and cumin. The addition of orange juice and soy sauce tenderizes the meat and also adds rich flavor.
Pro Tip: Marinate at least 6 hours but we highly recommend marinating overnight for the best flavor.
How Long to Grill Carne Asada:
Like any steak, Carne Asada should be grilled to your desired doneness. Depending on the thickness of your steak, you will want to grill over medium-high heat for 3-5 minutes per side, flipping once.
Flank Steak Doneness Chart:
Since Flank Steak is a thinner cut of beef, insert an instant-read thermometer horizontally into the side of the steak in the thickest part. A steak will continue to rise in temperature an additional approximately 5 degrees once off the grill so take it off the grill before it reaches the ideal temperature.
- Medium Rare doneness – a final temperature of 145˚F. The USDA recommends a minimum internal temperature of 145˚F.
- Medium doneness – the final temperature will reach 160˚F.
How to Cut Flank Steak:
Always slice a Flank Steak or Skirt Steak against the grain. See which way the meat fibers are running and cut perpendicular to those fibers. Cutting thin slices against the grain will make it much easier to chew the steak.
Make Street Tacos for Tailgating!
Beef is always a great choice for social gatherings and is our favorite fan food for game days! No matter what tailgating might look like for you this year, Carne Asada street tacos are perfect for your next party at home. Beef up your game day menu by making a taco bar with authentic street tacos.
Classic street tacos contain Carne Asada, cilantro, white onion, and hot sauce. If you want to spruce up your taco bar, you can also add some crumbled cotija cheese, Pico De Gallo or Chimichurri Sauce to top these off.
What to Serve with Carne Asada:
Carne Asada makes an excellent main course for the ultimate Mexican food feast.
- Grilled Mexican Street Corn – with the best toppings
- Classic Guacamole – or even our Corn Guacamole
- Homemade Churros – a famous Mexican dessert
- Tres Leches Cake – the moistest cake you’ll try
Authentic Carne Asada + Street Tacos
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a large shallow bowl or casserole dish, combine the marinade ingredients: lime juice, orange juice, soy sauce, olive oil, chopped cilantro, garlic, chili powder, cumin, and salt. Place Flank Steak into the marinade and turn several times to coat.
- Cover with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours and preferably overnight. Turn the steak once while marinating.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Place marinated steak onto the hot grill and cook 3-5 minutes per side, flipping once or until the steak has reached the desired doneness (145˚F for medium-rare and 160˚F for medium doneness).
- Remove from the grill, tent with foil, and rest 5-10 minutes then thinly slice against the grain.
Notes
Nutrition Per Serving
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Natasha Kravchuk
Hi! I'm Natasha Kravchuk. Here you'll find delicious, trusted recipes with easy step-by-step photos and videos. 
Hi natasha my name is Karen i love all of the recipes you made cause i get to make them as well. Everything turn out great and so yummy tasty 😋. My family loves when i made one of your recipes for either breakfast lunch or dinner even snack recipes. I hope you and your family are doing well. Thanks again for all your yummy recipes 😋 they ate all yummy good 😁❤️
I’m so happy you love our recipes! Thank you so much for the fantastic review and your encouraging words. I am smiling big reading your comment, Karen.
Love this recipe! I use it on my seitan steaks and chicken. I add a healthy pinch of cayenne powder, a diced jalapeño, some smoke-flavored salt and good to go! Thanks 😊
Hi Joe! I’m so glad you love the recipe. Thank you for the feedback.
Oh man this marinade is GOOD! I used it with carne picada and cooked the meat with all the juice.
Hi Sam! Thank you for sharing that!
Natasha. flank steak it was so delicious the store I went to only had skirt steak I was told they were very similar… no nothing alike. 😝
Natasha do you think this would work in an empanada? Every time I make empanadas the meat inside comes out too dry.
Thank you!
Hi Roe! I don’t see why not, but I have not tested it. Let us know if you experiment.
can i use a fresh orange and juice it instead of store bought orange juice??
Hi Terryn, I bet that could work! If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe.
If you have access to sour orange, whether fresh or bottled, you can substitute it for both the lime and the orange juice. Badia has bottled sour orange.
You can definitely use fresh juice instead of store bought. In fact I’d say fresh is a lot better!
Your recipe for authentic Carne Asada + street tacos is the bomb girl! I marinated it about a day and a half to two days and that meat was so tender. Grilling it on the grill put it over the top! I served lime wedges on the side and it was so good! I have cooked several of your recipes & they are delicious! Your Moist Banana Bread is one of my favorites! Thank you thank you.!
Hello Laurie, this just made my day bright! Thanks a lot for sharing that with us, we’re so happy to know that you love this recipe a lot!
This recipe, as all the others I’ve tried, did not disappoint! The marinade was spot on. Thank you, Natasha, for sharing your wonderful recipes. I usually don’t comment but felt as someone who regularly springs back to your page for reliable and delicious recipes it deserved the credit. Thank you 😊
Thank you so much for the awesome review and feedback. I’m glad you loved this recipe.
I have made this several times…..always a hit and rarely any leftovers. Many of my friends have asked for the recipe. I usually tweak recipes…..but with this one I dont need too…..maybe had heat spice for those who like more heat. Thank you
I’m happy to hear that you love the recipe as it is, Neil. Thank you for your good comments and feedback!
Doubled the marinade and used 3 flank steaks, and marinaded all day. Was looking forward to leftovers… but not a speck left! Made just as written and it was FANTASTIC! Meat was so tender, and SO delicious! Thank you for the recipe. Made your Churro’s for dessert, first time I made them and they looked professional! Great recipes! Thank you!
Sounds delicious! So glad you enjoyed this recipe, Paige. Thank you for sharing.
This didn’t turn out very well. The steak didn’t take on the marinade flavor and was really oily. Oh well.
Hi Barayt, I haven’t had that experience – I highly recommend marinating for the recommended time and making the recipe as written the first time without substitutions.
Outstanding post, you have pointed out some fantastic details , I besides conceive this s a very superb website.
Thank you, Lyda! 🙂
Will the steak work in an air fryer? I don’t have access to a grill.
I haven’t really tested this recipe using the air fryer to advise if it would give the same result.
I like to run my carne asada taco meat through a meat grinder to get it into smaller chunks prior to cooking. Do you think I should marinade the whole asada first then run through through the grinder or grind it first and then throw it in the marinade?
Hi William, I haven’t tested that to advise on the best way, but I think it could work. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe
Do I need to strip the cilantro down to just the leaves for the marinade or just chop stems and all?
Hi Frank, Cilantro stems are tender, flavorful, and edible, so you can include them, people don’t by preference, but they are totally fine to include.
Imadethis tonight it was so good! The marinade was the best, so much flavor came thru in the cook. Thank you.
Thank you for your awesome feedback, Russ. Glad you loved it!
Thank you, Natasha!
We made this with the elote and the tres leche cake and it was ALL incredible!
Hello Devin, I’m happy to know that you enjoyed this recipe. Thank you for sharing that with us!
Excellent recipe! Turned out perfect! Served this as mini steaks with chimichurri, corn salsa and roasted mexican potatoes! Delicious!
Thank you! I’m happy that you loved the recipe.
My 18 year old son said these were the bomb ! So tasty I will cherish your recipe forever. Thank you
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Stephanie!
Used sirloin steak because it was super on sale and grilled 5 min each side, steak turned out so good!!!! Only had low sodium soy sauce so added a little extra salt 🙂 i make your chicken fajitas often and these tacos will now also be on rotation! thanks for the great recipe
You’re so welcome! Great to hear that you enjoyed this recipe a lot.
Hi Natasha!!
Unfortunately we’re a young group of roommates with no grill, but we do have an oven and a stove! How would you recommend cooking this on either one of those??
We love your recipes!!! ♥️
Hi Alex, you could still make it work in an oven. Heat your oven broiler to high with a rack 3-5 inches away from your broiler. line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and oil the surface lightly. Broil for 4 to 6 minutes then flip and broil another 4-6 minutes, depending on the desired doneness. I hope you love the oven-baked carne asada!
I prepared it this way tonight and it turned out perfect. So tender and full of flavor.
Great to hear that you enjoyed it!
Hi Natasha,
What degrees would you set the oven on when you say “heat the oven to high”?
Hi Christine, we set it to the high setting using the oven broiler. Most ovens only have a high or low setting.
Love your recipes! But sorry, this is not how you make carne asada!
This is the recipe that we love but feel free to share your recipe too.
I’m making this tonight. I intend to make recipe as written,however, I hate cilantro. Will the marinade be “off” by leaving it out or does it really need that flavor?
Hi Belinda, it does create a more authentic flavor but you could substitute with parsley instead.
This was delicious!! I didn’t use the parsley since I had already started marinating it before your reply, but, I think next time I’ll try the cilantro for more authentic flavor
You are amazing thanks for sharing you recipes always 👍😘
You’re so nice! Thank you!
I’m curious- why not low sodium soy sauce? This marinade looks delicious and I can’t wait to try it!
Hi Michelle, it’s just a lower salt content. If using regular, I would use a little less.
What an awesome recipe – just tried it this weekend! My husband grew up eating authentic Mexican food & he said this is the best carne asada he’s ever had!
Wow, that is a great compliment! Thanks to you both for trying out this recipe. Glad you both loved it!
Would flat iron steak work for this recipe?
Hi Julie, that should work fine with flat iron steak.
Just beautiful and tasty. the meat was so tender and my whole family loved it. Another one of yours to add to my favourite. thanks Natasha xx
Hello Nina, that is awesome. Thank you for sharing that with us, I’m glad you enjoyed this recipe!
Hi! I’m 52 and, believe it or not, totally new to cooking (HATED it until this year lol!) I am looking forward to trying this, I LOVE these tacos! 🙂
I hope you love this recipe, Victoria!
This is also great as carne asada burrito with guacamole, sour cream and salsa that we always order at a Mexican restaurant.
Yes, for sure! Please let us know how it goes if you try this.
How can i cook the steak if i don’t have access to a grill?
Hi Liz, I have only tested this on a grill. It may work on a flat top or a large cast-iron pan. If you test that I would love to know how you like it.
The marinade for this recipe is absolutely delicious. I added diced jalapeño To give it some kick. Delicious!
I am so delighted that you enjoyed it, and yes I totally agree the marinade is a keeper!
I would like to know what kind of tortillas would be the best for this delicious recipe.
Thank you
We love it with small corn tortillas!
This is such an amazing meal! I love how easy you can make this! Perfect for weeknights!
That’s so great! I’m so happy you enjoyed that Toni!
This looks so tasty and yummy! Can’t wait to make this recipe!
I hope you love this recipe Beth!
This is so good! Carne Asada is one of my favorites! You can use it in so many dishes. Our favorite for this is tacos.
Isn’t it the best!
looks so so good , can’t wait to try….thanks for sharing
You’re most welcome! I hope you like it.
One of our go-dinners! A family favorite. Great recipe
I’m so happy to hear that! That’s so great!
Delicious! Such great flavor! Perfect for our next taco night!
Thank you so much for your good comments and feedback, Betsy.
Looks so good, can’t wait to try it!
It is so good, I hope you’ll love it!
Thank you!!!! I’m Mexican and I love the recipe, and the toppings, I think onion and cilantro are the best toppings, now all you need is a Mexican salsa, I love your channel and I follow you for sometime now and I have made plenty of your recipes, thank you again
You’re welcome, Miriam! I’m so happy you love this recipe! I want to know more about that Mexican salsa!