Description
This Mexican Carne Asada Marinade recipe features a flavorful and tender skirt steak marinated in a vibrant blend of citrus juices, soy sauce, fresh herbs, and spices. Perfectly grilled to achieve a delicious charred exterior and juicy interior, this dish is ideal for tacos, burrito bowls, quesadillas, or served alongside fresh sides. The marinade’s mix of acidity and seasoning tenderizes the meat while imparting a bold, aromatic taste typical of authentic carne asada.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 3 pounds skirt steak
Marinade
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- Juice of 1 lime or lemon
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- ½ cup onion, diced
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1 serrano pepper, diced
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Make the Marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, soy sauce, lime juice, orange juice, and red wine vinegar. Stir in the diced onion, chopped cilantro, crushed garlic, serrano pepper, and all spices until well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning to ensure a bold and aromatic flavor.
- Marinate the Steak: Place the skirt steak in a large resealable bag or shallow glass dish. Pour the marinade over the steak, ensuring it is fully coated. Seal or cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to tenderize the meat.
- Grill to Perfection: Preheat your grill to high heat. Remove the steak from the marinade and allow excess to drip off. Grill the meat for 3–5 minutes per side depending on thickness, until the exterior is charred and the inside reaches medium-rare to medium doneness.
- Rest and Slice: Transfer the grilled steak to a cutting board and let rest for 5–10 minutes to allow juices to redistribute. Slice thinly against the grain to maximize tenderness.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve the sliced carne asada with warm tortillas, guacamole, pico de gallo, and sour cream. It also pairs wonderfully with burrito bowls, quesadillas, or salads.
Notes
- Marinate the steak overnight for maximum flavor and tenderness.
- Use skirt steak for the best texture, but flank steak can be substituted.
- Adjust the heat by varying the amount of serrano pepper and red pepper flakes.
- Resting the steak after grilling is essential to retain juiciness.
- Slice against the grain to ensure tender bites.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
Keywords: Mexican Carne Asada, skirt steak marinade, grilled steak recipe, Mexican grilling, carne asada marinade
