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Authentic Carne Asada Marinade

Close-up of perfectly cooked, medium-rare steak slices, glistening from the Carne asada marinade.
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A simple, flavorful marinade recipe using lime, cilantro, and spices to tenderize and season steak 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 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

Instructions

  1. Place the steak in a large, non-reactive dish or a large zip-top bag.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, cilantro, garlic, cumin, oregano, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if you are using them.
  3. Pour the marinade over the steak, ensuring all surfaces are coated.
  4. Cover the dish or seal the bag. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or up to 12 hours for best flavor.
  5. Remove the steak from the marinade and pat it dry with paper towels before grilling. Discard the remaining marinade.
  6. Grill the steak over high heat for 3 to 5 minutes per side for medium-rare, depending on thickness.
  7. Let the steak rest for 10 minutes before slicing thinly against the grain.

Notes

  • For extra depth, add 1/4 cup of orange juice to the marinade mixture.
  • If you prefer a spicier marinade, add one minced jalapeño or serrano pepper.
  • Always pat the meat dry before grilling to achieve a better sear.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://spoonsprout.com/carne-asada-marinade-recipe-easy-best-grilling/