Description
Mexican street magic comes alive with these mouthwatering Carne Asada Tacos, where sizzling marinated beef meets fresh cilantro and zesty lime. Each bite delivers authentic flavor that transports you straight to the bustling streets of Mexico City.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1.5 pounds (680 grams) flank steak or skirt steak
Marinade and Seasoning:
- 0.25 cup (60 milliliters) olive oil
- 0.25 cup (60 milliliters) fresh lime juice
- 0.25 cup (15 grams) fresh cilantro, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- Salt, to taste
Tacos and Toppings:
- 12 small corn tortillas
- 0.5 cup (75 grams) diced white onion or red onion
- 0.5 cup (30 grams) chopped fresh cilantro
- Lime wedges, for serving
- Crumbled cotija cheese, optional
- 3 ripe tomatoes, diced
- 0.5 red onion, finely chopped
- 0.25 cup (15 grams) fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1–2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and finely chopped
- Juice of 1 lime
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Optional toppings: salsa, guacamole, jalapeños, or hot sauce
Instructions
- Craft a zesty marinade by whisking together olive oil, lime juice, cilantro, garlic, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt in a medium bowl.
- Submerge the steak completely in the marinade, ensuring full coverage. Refrigerate for 2-4 hours or ideally overnight to maximize flavor penetration.
- Preheat a cast-iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan on high heat until it’s extremely hot, creating optimal conditions for a perfect sear.
- Extract the steak from the marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip off. Carefully place the meat in the scorching skillet.
- Cook the steak for 3-5 minutes per side, targeting an internal temperature of 130°F for medium-rare. Adjust cooking time based on steak thickness.
- Transfer the cooked meat to a cutting board and let it rest for 5-10 minutes, allowing internal juices to redistribute and ensure maximum tenderness.
- Slice the steak thinly against the grain to guarantee a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Warm tortillas in the same skillet over medium heat for approximately 30 seconds per side until they become pliable and develop slight char marks.
- Assemble tacos by layering sliced carne asada on warm tortillas, then garnish with diced onions, fresh cilantro, and a lime juice splash.
- Enhance with optional toppings like salsa, guacamole, or jalapeños. Serve immediately with additional lime wedges on the side.
Notes
- Marinate the steak overnight for maximum flavor infusion and tender meat texture.
- Use high-heat cooking method like cast-iron skillet to achieve perfect caramelized exterior and juicy interior.
- Slice meat against the grain to ensure maximum tenderness and easy chewing.
- Experiment with alternative protein options like chicken, portobello mushrooms, or tofu for diverse dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes (excluding marinating time)
- Cook Time: 10-15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg