Description
This Carne Asada Mexican Street Tacos recipe features marinated skirt or flank steak grilled to perfection and served on warm corn tortillas with fresh onion, cilantro, and lime. Easy to prepare and bursting with classic flavors, these tacos are perfect for a quick dinner or casual gathering with friends and family.
Ingredients
Scale
Marinade and Steak
- 2 pounds skirt steak or flank steak
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup orange juice (freshly squeezed)
- 2 tablespoons lime juice (freshly squeezed)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
For Serving
- 12–16 small corn tortillas
- ½ cup diced white onion
- ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- Lime wedges
- Optional: salsa, avocado, guacamole, or pickled onions
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, soy sauce, orange juice, lime juice, garlic, cumin, chili powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes to create a flavorful marinade.
- Marinate the Steak: Place the skirt or flank steak in a zip-top bag or shallow dish, then pour the marinade over the meat. Seal or cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to infuse.
- Preheat Cooking Surface: Heat a grill or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until hot and ready for cooking.
- Grill the Steak: Remove the steak from the marinade and pat it dry to remove excess liquid. Grill for 4–6 minutes per side or until it reaches your preferred level of doneness. Remove from heat and let it rest for 5–10 minutes to redistribute juices.
- Slice the Meat: Cut the rested steak thinly against the grain, then chop the slices into bite-sized pieces suitable for tacos.
- Warm the Tortillas: Heat the corn tortillas in a dry skillet or over an open flame for 20–30 seconds on each side until warm and pliable.
- Assemble the Tacos: Place a generous portion of carne asada on each tortilla. Top with diced white onion, chopped cilantro, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Add optional toppings such as salsa, avocado slices, guacamole, or pickled onions if desired.
- Serve Immediately: Enjoy the tacos while hot and fresh for the best flavor and texture experience.
Notes
- Marinating the steak overnight yields the best flavor and tenderness, but 2 hours is sufficient if short on time.
- Make sure to slice the steak against the grain for a more tender bite.
- Use freshly squeezed citrus juices for the marinade for optimal brightness and flavor.
- Optional toppings like guacamole or pickled onions can add extra creaminess or tanginess to balance the smoky meat.
- If you don’t have a grill, a cast iron skillet on the stovetop works beautifully to sear the steak.
