This Mexican Carne Asada Marinade Recipe has been one of my secret recipes, until now! The marinade makes an amazingly flavorful and tender Carne Asada that you can serve as you would any other steak. However, I also recommend dicing it into cubes and using it to make California burritos and Carne Asada Fries!
Why This Recipe Works
Don't take this the wrong way, but you haven't had good Carne Asada until you've had it in San Diego. The fact that we are neighbors with Mexico means we are spoiled with amazing Mexican food! This includes delicious options like Mexican Breakfast Burritos, Carne Asada fries, Carne Asada tacos, and a San Diego original, the California Burrito!
This Mexican Carne Asada Marinade is the first step in making all the delicious food mentioned above. It has the perfect blend of ingredients and spices and the taste is incredible!
Like many, you may be thinking that soy sauce has no business in an authentic Carne Asada recipe. However, it really works in this recipe. Don't believe me? Try it for yourself and then let me know what you think.
What Goes into This Recipe
Recipe Ingredient Notes
- Flank or Skirt Steak — The best cuts of beef to use for making Carne Asada are flank and skirt steak. Both cuts of meat come in long strips. Flank steak is usually thicker and a lot leaner. Skirt, on the other hand, has a lot of marbling, which makes it perfect for this recipe.
- Onion & Garlic — If you don't have fresh onion and garlic, add 1 teaspoon of powdered onion and 1 teaspoon of powdered garlic instead.
- Vinegar — I prefer using red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar in the marinade, but distilled vinegar may be substituted.
- Citrus – Either lemon juice or lime juice can be used in the marinade. I also like to add some orange juice. Although you can use bottled juice, fresh is always best, if available.
How to Make Carne Asada Marinade
Step 1 | Make Marinade
Whisk all the marinade ingredients into a bowl.
Step 2 | Marinate Meat
Add meat and marinade to a large Ziploc bag and seal. Allow the meat to marinate for 4 or more hours, or overnight.
Step 3 | Grill Carne Asada
Barbecue meat using high heat, until charred on the surface, and cooked to medium-rare or medium. Don't overcook the meat.
Step 4 | Rest the Meat
Remove Carne Asada from the grill and allow to rest for a few minutes.
Step 5 | Slice and Serve
Slice the Carne Asada against the grain and serve with warm tortillas, guacamole, and sour cream.
Recipe FAQs
The two cuts of meat that are most often used to make Carne Asada are flank steak and skirt steak. Of the two, I prefer skirt steak. The two cuts have a lot in common.
First, they are located next to each other on a cow's body. Additionally, both cuts are lean and fibrous.
As a result, both flank steak and skirt steak do well being marinated in this Mexican Carne Asada marinade.
Carne Asada is best when cooked using high heat, for a short period of time, or to medium-rare.
Finally, the cooked meat should be cut across the grain. Following these steps will ensure the Carne Asada is tender, delicious, and full of flavor!
Carne Asada can be served in so many ways. Let's take a look at some of the possibilities. When served in restaurants, Carne Asada is often served with Mexican Rice and Chipotle Chorizo Beans.
Additionally, if you're doing Keto, or are on a low carb diet, you can slice the Carne Asada meat and serve it over a salad, or wrap it in a low carb tortilla.
Another delicious option would be to serve it diced, over nachos. Or, my favorite option, use it to make a Carne Asada Quesadillas!
Pro Tips
- The best meat for making Carne Asada, in my opinion, is skirt steak.
- Use approximately ¾ teaspoon of salt, for each pound of meat.
- Marinate the steak for a minimum of 4 hours, or preferably, overnight.
- Instead of discarding the leftover marinade, use it to marinate some boneless chicken to make Pollo Asada (Chicken Asada) the following day.
- Serve leftover Carne Asada diced ove Instant Pot Mexican Rice!
Related Recipes
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Mexican Carne Asada Marinade
Ingredients
- 3 pounds Skirt steak
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 1 lime or lemon (juiced)
- 2 tablespoon orange juice (freshly squeezed)
- 2 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- ½ cup onion (diced)
- ¼ cup cilantro (chopped)
- 4 cloves garlic (crushed)
- 1 Serrano pepper (diced)
- 2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Whisk all the marinade ingredients into a bowl. Add meat and marinade to a large Ziploc bag and seal. Allow the meat to marinate for 4 or more hours, or overnight.
- Barbecue meat using high heat, until charred on the surface, and cooked to medium-rare or medium. Don't overcook the meat.
- Remove Carne Asada from the grill and allow to rest for a few minutes.
- Slice the Carne Asada against the grain and serve with warm tortillas, guacamole, and sour cream.
Notes
- The best meat for making Carne Asada, in my opinion, is skirt steak.
- Use approximately ¾ teaspoon of salt, for each pound of meat.
- Marinate the steak for a minimum of 4 hours, or preferably, overnight.
- Instead of discarding the leftover marinade, use it to marinate some boneless chicken to make Pollo Asada (Chicken Asada) the following day.
- Serve leftover Carne Asada diced ove Instant Pot Mexican Rice!
Nutrition
This recipe was originally posted on 5/2/1019 and was updated on 1/8/2021 by adding a few additional images and recipe ingredient notes.
april says
I'm Mexican, and this is the best marinade ever! Made this for my mother's 80th Bday brunch, but I used thin cut ribeye steaks, and everybody loved it! Way better than any preparada we have EVER bought. Thank you!
Hilda Sterner says
Hi April, Thank you so much for the review! I get tired of hearing "this isn't authentic" haha, so I especially appreciate your comment! Happy Birthday to your mom!!!
Anthony says
OMG... amazing. Left SOCAL a few years back and this is just as good as any Carne Asada in San Diego... definitely my new favorite. Thanks for sharing
Hilda Sterner says
Congrats on escaping So Cal, we cut ties with San Diego last year. I'm glad that doesn't mean we have to stop enjoying good Mexican food. Save some of the Carne to make my California Burritos recipe!
Jackie says
Do you have a recipe for the Pollo chicken mentioned?? Or suggestion on how to cook the chicken after marinated?
Hilda Sterner says
Hi Jackie
I use the same marinade, except I add skinless and boneless chicken thighs. You would want to grill that in the same way you do the Carne Asada. Since the chicken is boneless it shouldn't take too long to grill.
Chief says
The best I ever made. My friends and family always request I make this when we get together. Thank you!
Chief says
I have made this recipe at least 10 times for family and friends and everyone said it is the best they have ever had. Thank you for such a delicious recipe.
Hilda Sterner says
Thanks, Chief, that's a great compliment. I really appreciate the review.😊Enjoy!
Devin says
U need to try this with really thin pork. It’s amazing. I too a lean pork loin and filet it 1/4” this pound it and soak for 5 hours. Turned out amazing.
Hilda Sterner says
I have used it on pork before and chicken, you're right, it's amazing! 🙂 Thank you for the review!
P Torres says
absolute best!!! I used barrette steak- it literally melted in your mouth!! TY for this great recipe!!
Andrea says
I’m excited to try this recipe. I’m wondering if the meat can be frozen in the marinade? I need to cut the meat in half, as we can’t eat the whole piece.
Thank you
Hilda Sterner says
Yes, absolutely. You can freeze the marinated steak until you're ready to grill it.
p torres says
If you use frozen meat, I definitely would marinate all night- I did regardless and it was so delicious 😋
Lisa says
Wow!! I live in San Diego and for many many years my family has always gotten our carne asada from a Mexican Market called Rodeos. They do the marinade and we just barbecue it. I have never been able to find anything that even comes close to their delicious carne asada.....until now!!!! I made homemade carne asada today using your recipe and my family thought it tasted just like Rodeos!! I feel like a rock star.:-) Thank you so very much for your recipe!!! <3
Hilda Sterner says
Hi Lisa,
I miss good Mexican food, let's just say Montana is not known for Mexican food like San Diego is! I used to live in Santee. I'm glad you and your family are enjoying the recipe, you rock star! ❤️
Blake says
This is my go to Carne Asada Marinade. It always turns out delicious.
Hilda Sterner says
Thanks, Blake! I really appreciate your review, enjoy!
Kelly Methey says
This recipe is the best, so easy and tasty. I so miss good Mexican food and this sure helps my longings! You can make so many dishes starting with this recipe. Thank you Hilda for another fantastic recipe!
Madison says
Hi! What if you don’t have vinegar on hand but have everything else? Is vinegar needed? Is there a replacement?
Hilda Sterner says
Hi Madison,
Just increase the amount of lemon/lime juice by 2 tablespoons.
David says
I used this marinade to slow cook my carne Asada for a change in pace and during rainy season.
Hilda Sterner says
Hi David,
That sounds very interesting, I haven't tried that yet. It might come in handy now that winter is setting in here in Montana. Thanks for the tip!
Nicole B. says
Very easy and delicious! I marinaded enough for more than one meal and vacuum packed the rest after it was marinated and put in freezer for later. We sliced it up and made tacos that were to die for!! Will definitely make this again!
Hilda Sterner says
Hi Nicole, thanks so much for the review. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Melody says
Can this be used on a pork rump roast?
Hilda Sterner says
Hi Melody, I've never tried this marinade on a roast, but I'm sure it would taste good. It just wouldn't be considered "carne asada."
Vanessa C. says
Hi! It says to grill the meat however I don’t have a grill at the moment 🙁 any other suggestions for how to cook it? Cast iron maybe?
Hilda Sterner says
Definitely, a hot cast iron to the rescue!
Vanessa Cruz says
GREAT! 😄
Bilkis says
Hi Hilda ! loved the steak marinade recipe which I included in my file for keeps, it came out delicious, tender with the best spices which are always available. Made steak rolls next day with left overs.
Thank you for sharing.
From South Africa
Hilda Sterner says
Hi Bilkis,
Wow, all the way from South Africa! Sometimes I forget the far reach of the internet. I'm so glad that you enjoyed the marinade and appreciate that you came back to review the recipe. Take care!
Lisa C. says
Definitely the best Carne asada recipe I have had! Used it last night on flank steak. Love, love love it ❤️
Hilda Sterner says
Hi Lisa,
Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it and thank you for stopping by and leaving a review. ❤️
Eileen says
I’ve been looking for ages for a carne asada recipe that I like, and I love this one! So good!
Hilda Sterner says
Hi Eileen,
What a compliment. I really appreciate that. Thank you so much for your comment!❤️
Paul Bojanac says
From Cali love Carn Asada live in Pittsburgh now so thanks for the recipe 🤙
HildaSterner says
I understand, being from San Diego and now living in Montana, enjoy!
Basti says
Hey, what are 2 T ? Does it mean Cups or Spoons?
HildaSterner says
Hi Basti,
T stands for Tablespoons and tsp. stands for teaspoons.
Basti says
Many Thanks. I‘ve just tried the marinade and it was very good!
HildaSterner says
Thank you!
Delores says
Made this recipe. It was delicious, turned out better than what I had hoped for.
HildaSterner says
Thank you Delores, I'm glad you enjoyed the Carne Asada and thanks for the review!
Teresa Evers says
I just made this marinade , used flank steak because that’s all I had . Marinaded the meat for 24 hours . My husband just loved it, very flavorful and tender. I will definitely make this again. Thank you Hilda for another amazing recipe .
HildaSterner says
Hi Teresa,
So glad you two liked it! As always, thanks for the great review!
Jana says
This is amazing!!! I’m definitely making this again! I just dumped all of the marinade ingredients in my blender to chop the veggies, and everything soaked into the meat so well! It was juicy and tender, with a perfect flavor! It wasn’t spicy like I feared. It also took mere minutes to cook and looked amazing sliced thinly on an angle.
HildaSterner says
Thanks, Jana! I'm so glad you liked it. It sounds like the perfect way to do it too!
Steven says
Tried this last night. Amazing flavor. I used it on Filet Mignon I know why? But OMG it was tasty. The following morning I used some of the marinade on my eggs.
HildaSterner says
Hi Steven,
I'm so glad you liked it! Have a wonderful day and thank you for your review!
Jan A Speer says
This is an awesome marinade. My first attempt at Carne Asada and it turned out so well! I also appreciate the easy to find ingredients and clear instructions and photos. This has lots of great layers of flavors! I would make no changes to this recipe.
HildaSterner says
Thanks, Jan. I'm glad you liked it. It's the only one we use! Have a great day and stay safe!
Daniel Sandoval says
Hello, I do want to try this recipe. I am also confused by the 2.T in orange juice and vinegar. What is 2. T? Or what is the proper amount. Thank you.
HildaSterner says
Hi Daniel, "T." is an abbreviation for "Tablespoon." Hope that clarifies the recipe for you, good luck!
Sulema says
Excuse my ignorance l, What is 2 T. ?
HildaSterner says
Hi Sulema, "T." stands for "Tablespoon," while "tsp." means "teaspoon." Have a beautiful day!
Kathy Cortez says
I want to try this for my self
Dorothy says
WE LOVED IT! MADE IT TODAY!
HildaSterner says
Thanks, Dorothy, I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'm making some today too. Thanks for the feedback!
Karly says
This looks amazing! Thanks for sharing.
HildaSterner says
Thanks, Karly, I hope you give it a try!