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Best Carne Asada for Tacos

by Lola Dweck
Make authentic carne asada for tacos with juicy skirt steak, a citrus marinade, and beer. This easy carne asada recipe delivers tender, flavorful steak perfect for tacos, burritos, and more.
5 from 3 votes
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
SALT, MARINATE, AND REFRIGERATE MEAT 8 hours
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 6
Calories 409 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 3 pounds skirt steak or flap steak
  • 2 tablespoons salt or to taste (see notes below)
  • 6 limes juiced
  • 3 oranges juiced
  • 1 red onion thinly sliced
  • 2 ounces beer or tequila this helps tenderize the meat

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the marinade. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of salt evenly on both sides of the meat at least 4 hours in advance. I like to salt my meat the day before. In a large bowl or zip top bag, combine orange juice, lime juice, beer, and thinly sliced red onion.
  • Marinate the meat. Add the meat to the marinade and coat thoroughly. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours; ideally 4-12 hours for deeper flavor.
  • Cook the carne asada. Remove the meat from the refrigerator about 20-20 minutes before cooking and bring to room temperature.Heat a grill, grill pan, or cast iron skillet to high heat. Carne asada cooks best with a very hot surface. Remove excess marinade. Grill or sear for about 3-5 minutes per side for thin skirt steak. Cook until nicely charred outside and medium-rare to medium inside.Transfer the meat to a cutting board and let it rest for 5-10 minutes to keep the juices inside.
  • Serve and enjoy. Cut the meat thinly against the grain. This keeps it tender. Serve in tacos, burritos, alongside Mexican rice, or with grilled onions and tortillas.

A Note from Lola

A NOTE ON NUTRITIONAL VALUES

Nutritional sodium values may appear higher than the actual amount consumed even though much of it is discarded with the marinade before cooking

A NOTE ON SALT

I only use Diamond Kosher Salt when cooking, which is less salty than other salts. This means that I am able to use more, without over salting my recipes. If you use regular table salt or sea salt, please reduce the amount of salt you use and taste as you cook to avoid over salting! 

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5poundsCalories: 409kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 50gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 143mgSodium: 2478mgPotassium: 879mgFiber: 4gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 199IUVitamin C: 56mgCalcium: 68mgIron: 5mg
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