How to Grill Carne Asada: The Perfect Recipe for an Amazing BBQ

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There’s nothing quite like a delicious BBQ on a warm summer day. And when it comes to grilled meats, carne asada is king! Carne asada is a delicious and popular dish in many Latin American countries.

But if you’re like most people you’re wondering how to grill carne asada, right? The key to making an excellent carne asada is to choose the right cuts of meat, marinate them properly, and grill them over high heat.

If you’re looking for a delicious and easy way to feed a crowd, carne asada is the perfect option. This Mexican-style grilled beef is juicy, flavorful, and can be served in various ways.

Plus, it’s relatively simple to prepare. Here’s everything you need to know about grilling carne asada and some tips on how best to grill it. Let’s go!

How To Grill Carne Asada

You probably have grilled something before, even if typically it’s not carne asada. However, don’t confuse this carne asada recipe with any other beef smoker recipes. It’s easy and smooth; all you need to do is follow these steps.

1. Choose The Right Beef

First, you’ll need to choose the proper cut of beef. Carne asada is typically made with grilled flank steak or skirt steak. Flank steak is more common in restaurants, while skirt steak is more common at home cooks.

Whichever you choose, make sure the meat is well-trimmed and not too thick (about one inch) or too thin (less than half an inch). The ideal thickness for carne asada is about one inch. It’s important to note that you’ll want to avoid using fatty cuts of meat as they will not taste as good when grilled.

Thin cuts of meat will dry out quickly, while thick cuts can be difficult to cook evenly. If you can’t find flank steak or skirt steaks, you can also use hanger steak, sirloin steak, or ribeye.

Flank steak and skirt steak are the most common cuts of meat used for carne asada, but you can also use hanger steak, sirloin steak, or ribeye. Just make sure the meat is well-trimmed and not too thick or too thin.

Once you’ve chosen your beef, it’s time to move on to the marinade.

2. Marinate The Flank Steak

Once you’ve chosen your cut of beef, it’s time to marinate it. This is a crucial step in the process because it adds flavor and helps to tenderize the meat. There are many different ways to marinate carne asada, but most recipes call for some combination of lime juice, orange juice, garlic, cumin, chili powder, and salt.

There are many different ways to marinate meat, but for carne asada, you’ll want to use a citrus-based marinade. This will help to tenderize the meat and give it a delicious flavor.

To make the marinade, you’ll need lime juice, orange juice, garlic, cumin, chili powder, and salt. Simply mix all of these ingredients together in a bowl or a zip-top bag.

Add the flank steak to the marinade and make sure it’s well coated. Then, cover it and refrigerate it for at least two hours, or up to overnight.

The longer you marinate the meat, the more flavorful it will be. However, don’t marinate it for more than 24 hours as this can make the texture of the beef tough.

Once the meat is marinated, it’s time to start grilling!

Best Marinade For Grilled Carne Asada Recipe:

Marinade Ingredients:

• Flank steak or skirt steak
• Lime juice
• Orange or citrus juice
• Garlic
• Cumin
• Chili powder
• Salt
• Olive Oil

Instructions:

Marinate the beef in a bowl or zip-lock bag with all of the ingredients for at least two hours, or up to overnight. The longer you marinate, the more flavorful the beef will be. Grill over high heat for best results.

3. Pre-heat The Grill

When you’re ready to cook the carne asada, pre-heat your grill to high heat. You want the grill to be hot so that it can sear the meat and create those beautiful grill marks.

If you use a gas grill, turn the burners on high and leave the grill to heat up for 15-20 minutes before adding the meat. If you’re using a charcoal grill, ensure you light up your coals and leave them to burn until they’re covered in grey ash.

You’ll know the grill is hot enough when you can hold your hand about an inch above the grates and only be able to leave it there for one or two seconds before it feels too hot.

Now that the grill is nice and hot, it’s time to start cooking!

4. Grill Your Carne Asada

When you’re ready to grill, pre-heat your grill to high heat. You’ll also want to brush the grates with oil so that the meat doesn’t stick. Then, it’s time to put the meat on the hot grill.

Grill the beef for two to three minutes per side, or until it’s nicely browned and cooked through. Remember to use tongs or a spatula to flip the meat so that you don’t puncture it.

Don’t forget to rest the grilled meat for a few minutes before slicing and serving. This helps to retain its juices and stay nice and tender.

5. Let It Rest

After grilling, it’s important to let the grilled meat rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing and serving. This helps to retain its juices and keep it nice and tender while it continues to cook after coming off the grill.

Once the meat has rested, slice it against the grain into thin strips and enjoy!

6. Slice And Serve The Grilled Carne Asada

Once it’s rested, it’s time to slice and serve the carne asada. You can either thinly slice it against the grain or cut it into thicker grilled steak cuts. If you’re serving it with tortillas, make sure to warm them up so they’re nice and pliable.

We prefer to slice the meat against the grain into thin strips. You can serve carne asada on its own, with tortillas and salsa for making tacos, or sliced over a salad.

Enjoy! And don’t forget the margaritas!

The perfect carne asada is all about the beef. Choose a good quality, well-trimmed cut of meat, such as flank steak, skirt steak, or ribeye. Then, marinate it in flavorful citrus-based marinade ingredients.

7. Serve With Your Favorite Toppings

Carne asada is delicious, but it’s even better when topped with your favorite toppings. Popular toppings include guacamole, salsa, sour cream, cheese, and cilantro. Serve the grilled beef with tortillas and a side of rice and beans for a complete meal.

Now that you have all the tips to grill carne asada give it a try the next time you’re in the mood for Mexican food. It’s sure to be a hit! These steps answer your question on how to grill carne asada.

By following all of these steps you’re set to go.

How To Cook Carne Asada On The Stovetop?

If you’re looking for how to cook carne asada on the stovetop, look no further! This method is just as easy and yields delicious results.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Flank steak, skirt steak, or ribeye
• Citrus-based marinade
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Fresh Cilantro Leaves
• Soy Sauce
• Olive oil
• Tortillas
• Your favorite toppings

Instead of grilling the carne asada, heat a heavy skillet (preferably cast iron) over medium-high heat. Add a little oil to the pan and sear the beef for two to three minutes per side. Starting by searing the meat helps to lock in the juices and gives it a nice flavor.

Rest the meat for a few minutes before slicing and serving with your favorite toppings.

So there you have it, two easy methods for how to cook carne asada that will result in delicious, juicy, flavor-packed beef every time. Give them both a try and see which one you like better!

Some Tips On How To Grill Perfect Carne Asada Recipe:

• Pre-heat your grill to high heat before grilling the beef.
• Use oil to brush the grates, so the meat doesn’t stick.
• Grill for two to three minutes per side or until nicely browned and cooked through.
• Let the meat rest for a while prior to slicing and serving.
• Serve with your favorite toppings, such as guacamole, salsa, sour cream, cheese, or cilantro.

Best Carne Asada Recipe For Tacos:

To make the marinade, combine the orange juice, lime juice, garlic, cumin, chili powder, fresh cilantro, and salt in a large resealable bag. Add the beef and massage the bag so that the meat is well coated in the marinade. Seal the bag and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, we like to let it marinate overnight.

In a small bowl, combine the marinade ingredients and set them aside.

Heat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.

Remove the beef from the marinade and discard the excess marinade. Grill the beef for about three minutes per side, or until cooked through. Remove from grill and let rest for ten minutes.

Grilled Carne Asada FAQs

How Long Do You Grill Carne Asada On Each Side?

Carne asada should be cooked for two to three minutes per side. However, Depending on how thick the meat is, cooking times may differ. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness and cook until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you don’t have a meat thermometer, you can do it easily. First, get it nice and brown on one side. Once the meat has browned, flip it over and cook it for about the same amount of time on the other side. You can then remove the carne asada from heat and let it rest for some time before you can slice into it.

How Hot Should The Grill Be For Carne Asada?

According to most recipes, the grill should be between 375 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit for carne asada. This is hot enough to sear the meat and create a nice crust, while still cooking it through. If your grill is any hotter than 400 degrees, you run the risk of overcooking the meat.

What Is The Best Cut Of Beef For Grilled Carne Asada?

Several different cuts of beef can be used for carne asada, including flank steak, skirt steak, hanger steak, sirloin steak, or ribeye. Choose a cut that is well-trimmed and not too thick or thin. Flank steak and skirt steak are the most common cuts used in carne asada recipes. How long should you marinate carne asada?

Most carne asada recipes call for a minimum of a few hours of marinating, but overnight is even better. This allows the flavors to penetrate the meat fully and also helps to tenderize it.

What Are Some Common Toppings For Grilled Carne Asada?

Now that you already know how to grill carne asada, you may be wondering what toppings go best with it. Standard toppings for carne asada include guacamole, salsa, sour cream, cheese, and cilantro. Serve the grilled beef with tortillas and a side of rice and beans for a completely authentic meal.

Can Grilled Carne Asada Be Medium-rare?

Carne asada can be served rare, medium-rare, or well-done. It all depends on your preference. If you like your skirt steak rare, cook it for two minutes per side. For medium-rare, cook it for three minutes per side. And for well done, cook it for four minutes per side.

What Is A Good Side Dish For Grilled Carne Asada?

A good side dish for carne asada would be rice and beans or a simple salad. You could also serve it with some tortillas and make tacos. If you’re not serving the carne asada right away, you can keep it warm by wrapping it in foil or placing it in a slow cooker set on the “keep warm” setting. Just be sure not to overcook it, or the meat will become tough.

Leftover carne asada can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for three days. Reheat it in the oven, on the grill, or in a skillet on the stovetop.

Final Thoughts

So, there you have it – our perfect carne asada recipe. We hope you enjoy grilling this delicious dish as much as we do! And be sure to check out our other BBQ recipes for more inspiration. Happy cooking!