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Authentic Carne Asada Marinade for Flavorful Grilling

Close-up of perfectly grilled and sliced steak coated in a rich Carne asada marinade, resting on a white plate.
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Fix that bland grilled meat problem with this authentic Mexican carne asada marinade. We perfected this recipe so your skirt or flank steak comes out tender and packed with citrus and chili flavor every time.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 pounds skirt steak or flank steak
  • 1 cup fresh lime juice (about 6-8 limes)
  • 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1-2 jalapeños, seeded and minced (optional, for spicy carne asada marinade)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the meat: Trim any excess fat from your skirt steak or flank steak. Place the meat in a large, sealable plastic bag or a non-reactive dish.
  2. Mix the marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together the lime juice, orange juice, cilantro, garlic, olive oil, soy sauce, cumin, oregano, salt, pepper, and minced jalapeños, if using. This is your best carne asada marinade base.
  3. Marinate the steak: Pour the marinade over the steak, ensuring the meat is fully coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish.
  4. Refrigerate: Let the steak marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or up to 12 hours for the most tender and flavorful result. Do not marinate longer than 12 hours, as the acid can start to break down the texture too much.
  5. Grill the steak: Remove the steak from the marinade, letting excess drip off, but do not rinse. Discard the used marinade. Grill over high heat for 4-6 minutes per side for medium-rare, depending on thickness.
  6. Rest and slice: Let the grilled carne asada rest for 10 minutes before slicing thinly against the grain. Serve immediately for tacos or burritos.

Notes

  • For the best results with your skirt steak carne asada marinade, use fresh lime juice; bottled juice changes the flavor profile.
  • If you are using flank steak, you may need to increase the grilling time slightly compared to skirt steak.
  • This citrus carne asada marinade works well for any cut you plan to grill.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://savorandpin.com/carne-asada-marinade-authentic-recipe-grilling/