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Authentic Carne Asada Marinade

Close-up of sliced carne asada showing the flavorful carne asada marinade and perfectly cooked meat.
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This authentic carne asada marinade recipe delivers tender, flavorful grilled steak perfect for tacos, burritos, or enjoying on its own. It features traditional Mexican flavors that will impress your family and friends.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup fresh lime juice (about 3–4 limes)
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
  • 2 pounds skirt steak or flank steak

Instructions

  1. In a bowl or a large zip-top bag, combine lime juice, olive oil, cilantro, minced garlic, cumin, oregano, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using).
  2. Whisk or shake the bag to combine the marinade ingredients.
  3. Add the steak to the marinade, ensuring it is fully coated.
  4. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or preferably 4-6 hours for deeper flavor. For skirt steak, 1-2 hours is sufficient.
  5. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
  6. Remove the steak from the marinade, letting any excess drip off. Discard the remaining marinade.
  7. Grill the steak for 4-6 minutes per side for medium-rare, or until your desired doneness.
  8. Let the steak rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing against the grain.

Notes

  • For a spicier marinade, add a minced jalapeño or serrano pepper to the marinade.
  • This marinade also works well for other cuts of beef, pork, or chicken.
  • If you don’t have fresh cilantro, you can use 1 tablespoon of dried cilantro, but fresh is recommended for best flavor.
  • Consider this marinade as part of your meal planning for a delicious weekend barbecue.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cutcooktaste.com/carne-asada-marinade/