Carne Asada Marinade (for Grilled Steak)

This carne asada marinade is bold, zesty, and comes together fast in the blender with fresh lime juice, garlic, cumin, and jalapeño-classic flavor in every bite. It's an easy way to make juicy, flavorful carne asada steak at home. The marinade does double duty, tenderizing the meat and serving as a sauce for finishing. After a quick 10-12 minutes on the grill, the steak is charred, juicy, and ready to slice for tacos, bowls, or simple plates.

Carne asada is usually made with thin, flavorful cuts of beef that cook quickly over high heat. Skirt steak is the more traditional choice, but flank steak (my usual choice), flat iron steak, hanger steak, or flap steak/bavette all work well. The key is a bold marinade, a hot grill, and slicing the steak thinly across the grain for the best texture. With fresh lime, garlic, cumin, jalapeño, and cilantro, this marinade adds bright, savory flavor without extra fuss.

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• Carne Asada Marinade Recipe Highlights
• Ingredients You'll Need
• Substitutions and Variations
• How to Make a Flank Steak Marinade
• Serving Suggestions
• Recipe FAQs
• More Mexican-Inspired Recipes
• Did You Make This Recipe?
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

Carne Asada Marinade Recipe Highlights

• Big, bold flavor - Fresh lime, orange juice, cilantro, garlic, jalapeño, cumin, and oregano create a bright, punchy carne asada marinade.
• Fast grilling - Thinner steak cuts cook quickly over high heat, making this an easy recipe for tacos, bowls, salads, or grilled vegetables.
• Double-duty marinade - Reserve some clean marinade before adding the meat, then use it as a fresh finishing sauce for extra flavor.

For another flank steak recipe, try this Asian inspired flank steak recipe with ginger.

Ingredients You'll Need

• Steak - Skirt steak is the more traditional cut for carne asada, with bold beefy flavor. Flank steak is easier to find, lean, reliable, and slices beautifully, which makes it my go-to for this carne asada marinade. Flat iron, hanger, or flap steak are good alternatives.
• Cilantro - Adds fresh, herbaceous flavor.
• Oil - Use avocado oil or olive oil for richness and body.
• Jalapeño - Adds gentle heat. Seed and devein it for a milder marinade.
• Citrus juice - Fresh orange and lime juice adds acidity, balancing the richness of the steak.
• Garlic - Adds bold, savory depth.
• White onion - Gives the marinade mild onion flavor without overpowering.
• Cumin - Warm, earthy, and classic with carne asada flavors.
• Mexican oregano - Adds earthy, herbal depth. Regular oregano works if needed.

Please see the recipe card for measurements, salt, and black pepper.

Chef's Tip - Fresh Spices Matter:
Ground spices lose potency over time. For the best carne asada flavor, use fresh cumin and oregano (ideally within 6-12 months). If your spices smell flat, they'll taste flat. Store them in a cool dark place like a drawer, cabinet, or pantry, not next to the stove where light and heat degrade their flavor.

Substitutions and Variations

• Spice it up - Use a serrano pepper instead of jalapeño, add a pinch of red pepper flakes, or use the whole jalapeño with the seeds and white veins.
• Onion alternatives - Swap the white onion for red onion or shallot for a similar sharp-sweet flavor.
• Extra savory depth - Add 1 tablespoon of tamari or soy sauce. Not traditional, but it adds umami.
• Cilantro-free option - Use flat-leaf parsley, or a mix of parsley and fresh oregano, for a different herb profile.
• Tequila option - Add 1-2 tablespoons blanco tequila for a clean, bright flavor, or reposado for a slightly warmer note. Use just a little so it enhances the marinade without overpowering the lime, garlic, and cilantro.

Chef's Tip: how to get perfect grill marks? Use the 10:00 and 2:00 trick. When you lay the meat on the grill, point one end towards 10:00 on the clock. When first set of grill marks are set, move that point to 2:00. When grill marks are set, flip the steak and finish grilling.

If the sounds of a little tequila in the marinade sounds fun, try this grilled tequila lime shrimp!

How to Make a Flank Steak Marinade

1. Make carne asada marinade - Add all marinade ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Reserve half to use as a finishing sauce if desired.
2. Marinate steak - Place the steak in a zip-top bag with half of the marinade. Seal and marinate at room temperature for 1 hour, or refrigerate for up to 6 hours.
3. Prepare to grill - Remove the steak from the marinade and discard the used marinade. If the steak has been refrigerated, let it sit at room temperature for about 45 minutes to take the chill off.
4. Preheat your grill - Set to high and clean the grates well. Oil the grates to prevent sticking. Grill the steak for 11-12 minutes total.
5. Rest the steak - Remove the carne asada from the grill and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing to allow the juices to redistribute.
6. Slice the steak - Slice thinly across the grain to maximize tenderness. Use a sharp chef's knife or a sharp slicing knife.

Serving Suggestions

Serve carne asada with warm corn tortillas and thinly sliced vegetables for easy tacos. For a grain-free option, use cassava tortillas and pair with a crisp slaw. It's also great with:

• Salad greens for a carne asada salad.
• Mexican rice.
• Pinto beans or black beans.
• Avocado sauce or guacamole.
• Smoked salsa, ranchero sauce, or salsa verde.
• Grilled vegetables, like grilled zucchini.

Storage and Leftovers

Let the steak cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To freeze leftover carne asada, slice the cooked steak thinly, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheat gently in a covered skillet over low heat with a splash of broth or reserved marinade, or enjoy cold on salads, tacos, or wraps.

For another terrific Mexican-inspired recipe, try this Mexican chicken tortilla soup. It's filled with big bold flavors and topped with wonderful garnishes.

Recipe FAQs

More Mexican-Inspired Recipes

Build a complete meal with these Mexican-inspired recipes, from flavorful mains and fresh salsas to sauces, sides, and easy weeknight favorites, and check out the Mexican-inspired recipes page.

Did You Make This Recipe?

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