Easy and Delicious Carne Asada Marinade and Grilled Steak Recipe
This authentic Carne Asada recipe features thinly sliced flank steak marinated in a vibrant mixture of lime juice, pineapple juice, garlic, cilantro, and spices. After marinating for several hours, the steak is quickly grilled to perfection, giving it a smoky, charred exterior while remaining juicy inside. Perfect for tacos, burritos, or served with rice and beans, this flavorful Mexican classic is a crowd-pleaser for any meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 2 pounds thinly sliced flank steak
Marinade
- 2 limes, juiced
- ½ cup pineapple juice (or fresh orange juice)
- 4 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1 cup cilantro, chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ cup olive oil
- 2 jalapeños, seeded and minced
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- ½ cup chopped white onion
- 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 tablespoon Maggi jugo (or substitute with soy sauce and a splash of Worcestershire sauce)
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
Instructions
- Prepare the Meat: Place the thinly sliced flank steak into a glass dish with a lid or a large ziplock bag, ready for marinating.
- Make the Marinade: In a mixing bowl, combine lime juice, pineapple juice, crushed garlic, chopped cilantro, salt, pepper, olive oil, minced jalapeños, white vinegar, chopped onion, Mexican oregano, cumin, Maggi jugo (or its substitutes), and chili powder. Stir thoroughly to mix all the flavors together.
- Marinate the Steak: Pour the marinade over the flank steak in the dish or ziplock bag. Toss well to ensure the meat is evenly coated. Seal the container or bag and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, ideally 4 hours, but no longer than 6 hours for maximum flavor without compromising texture.
- Preheat the Grill: Remove the steak from the marinade and discard the leftover marinade. Turn your grill to high heat to prepare for quick cooking.
- Grill the Steak: Place the marinated meat on the hot grill. Grill each side for 2 to 3 minutes for medium-rare to medium doneness. For well-done steak, grill for 3 to 4 minutes per side. Adjust cooking time if your flank steak slices are thicker than usual.
- Rest the Steak: Remove the steak from the grill and wrap it loosely with foil. Let it rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute and ensure tender meat.
- Slice and Serve: Slice the steak against the grain into strips. Serve as desired in tacos, burritos, or over rice and beans for a delicious and authentic Mexican meal.
Notes
- Marinate the steak between 2 to 6 hours for optimal flavor and tenderness; do not exceed 6 hours to avoid overpowering acidity.
- Use thinly sliced flank steak to ensure quick and even grilling.
- Resting the meat after grilling is essential to keep it juicy and flavorful.
- If Maggi jugo is unavailable, a mixture of soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce makes a great substitute.
- Adjust the level of heat by controlling the amount of jalapeño seeds or omitting them altogether for a milder taste.
Keywords: Carne Asada, Flank Steak, Mexican recipe, Grilled steak, Marinade, Tacos, Burritos, Mexican cuisine