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Authentic Carne Asada Marinade for Flavorful Grilling

Close-up of medium-rare steak slices, likely carne asada, showing juicy interior after using the best carne asada marinade.
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Follow this easy recipe for the best carne asada marinade, packed with traditional Mexican flavors like lime and cilantro, to make your skirt or flank steak incredibly tender and flavorful for grilling.

Ingredients

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

Instructions

  1. Prepare the steak: Trim any excess fat from your skirt steak or flank steak. Place the meat in a large, sealable plastic bag or a shallow glass dish.
  2. Mix the marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, cilantro, minced garlic, minced jalapeño (if using), cumin, oregano, salt, pepper, and orange juice. This creates a bright citrus carne asada marinade.
  3. Marinate the meat: Pour the marinade over the steak, ensuring it is fully coated. If using a bag, press out the air and seal it.
  4. Refrigerate: Marinate the steak in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, for the best flavor penetration. Do not marinate for more than 12 hours, as the acid can start to break down the meat too much.
  5. Grill: Remove the steak from the marinade, letting excess drip off. Discard the remaining marinade. Grill over high heat for 3 to 5 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.

Notes

  • For an even deeper flavor, you can add 1 tablespoon of soy sauce to this Mexican carne asada marinade.
  • If you prefer a milder heat, use only half a jalapeño or substitute with a poblano pepper.
  • This marinade works perfectly for flank steak carne asada marinade or skirt steak carne asada marinade.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://savorsensations.com/carne-asada-marinade-recipe-easy-authentic/