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Authentic Carne Asada Marinade for Tender, Flavorful Steak

Slices of medium-rare steak showing a beautiful sear, achieved using the carne asada marinade.
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This is the best carne asada marinade recipe, combining citrus, fresh herbs, and spices to tenderize your skirt or flank steak for grilling.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 pounds skirt steak or flank steak
  • 1 cup fresh lime juice (about 8-10 limes)
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large white onion, roughly chopped
  • 2 tablespoons orange juice
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon (Ethan’s secret tip)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the steak: If using flank steak, you may want to slice it against the grain into thinner strips before marinating, or pound it slightly to an even thickness.
  2. Combine marinade ingredients: In a blender or food processor, combine the lime juice, olive oil, cilantro, garlic, onion, orange juice, soy sauce, cumin, oregano, salt, pepper, chili powder, and cinnamon. Blend until the mixture is mostly smooth but still has some texture from the onion and cilantro.
  3. Marinate the meat: Place the steak in a large, non-reactive dish or a heavy-duty zip-top bag. Pour the marinade over the steak, ensuring all surfaces are coated.
  4. Refrigerate: Seal the container and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but preferably 8 to 12 hours for the best flavor and tenderness. Do not marinate for more than 24 hours, as the acid can start to break down the meat too much.
  5. Grill: Remove the steak from the marinade, letting excess drip off. Discard the remaining marinade. Grill over high heat for 3 to 5 minutes per side for medium-rare, depending on steak thickness.
  6. Rest and slice: Let the grilled carne asada rest for 10 minutes before slicing thinly against the grain.

Notes

  • For an extra layer of flavor, add one seeded and roughly chopped jalapeño or serrano pepper to the marinade mixture.
  • If you are using skirt steak, its natural grain is easier to follow for slicing after grilling.
  • This marinade works perfectly for achieving that authentic Mexican carne asada flavor for tacos or burritos.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://tastytipster.com/carne-asada-marinade-recipe-authentic-easy-best/