Carne Asada Tacos (Charred, Citrusy, and Crazy Good)

Carne asada is simple: grilled steak kissed by fire, brightened with citrus and cilantro. No complicated salsas. No piles of cheese. Just meat, tortillas, and a few fresh things that belong together.

This marinade does the heavy lifting—orange, lime, garlic, soy sauce, and a little beer if you’ve got it. Fire up the grill. These tacos are waiting.

Ingredients

Serves 4-6.

For the Carne Asada:

• 2 lbs (900g) flank steak or skirt steak
• ¼ cup orange juice
• ¼ cup lime juice (about 3 limes)
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ cup chopped cilantro
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon salt
• Optional: ¼ cup beer (lager)

For Serving:

• Corn tortillas, warmed
• Chopped white onion
• Fresh cilantro
• Lime wedges
• Salsa verde or hot sauce
• Optional: sliced radishes, avocado

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Marinate the Steak

1. Whisk orange juice, lime juice, olive oil, garlic, cilantro, soy sauce, vinegar, cumin, chili powder, salt, pepper, and beer (if using).
2. Place steak in a ziplock bag or dish. Pour marinade over. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour (4 hours is better, not overnight—citrus can make meat mushy).

Step 2: Grill the Steak

1. Preheat grill or cast iron skillet to high heat.
2. Remove steak from marinade. Pat dry (important for char).
3. Grill for 5-7 minutes per side until charred and internal temp reaches 130-135°F for medium-rare.

Step 3: Rest and Slice

1. Let steak rest for 10 minutes. Slice thinly AGAINST the grain. Very thin. Carne asada needs thin slices.

Step 4: Assemble Tacos

1. Warm corn tortillas on the grill or in a dry skillet.
2. Pile on sliced steak. Top with onion, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.
3. Serve with salsa. Eat immediately. Repeat.

Summary

Marinate Time: 1-4 hours | Cook Time: 10 mins | Total Time: ~1.5 hours

Yield: 4-6 servings (10-12 tacos)

Difficulty: Easy

Storage Notes

Store leftover sliced steak in the fridge for 3 days. Reheat in a hot skillet for 30 seconds per side—microwave will ruin it. Leftover carne asada is great in quesadillas, burritos, or over rice. Don’t store assembled tacos (soggy tortillas are sad).