Carne Asada Marinade Recipe

Some say that all you need on your carne asada is salt, fresh pepper, and maybe a touch of garlic, but sometimes you want to kick up the flavor and marinate the meat to get a flavor boost and tenderize the meat a bit.

My carne asada marinade recipe combines fresh citrus, beer, fresh herbs, and seasonings to create a very tender and flavorful Mexican-style fire grilled beef. What makes this marinade exceptional is the balance of flavors from lime juice and beer and the depth of flavor from fresh herbs and peppers. If you like Mexican food, try our smoked beef enchilada recipe as well.

Carne Asada Marinade Ingredients

• 1 jalapeño, seeded
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1 bunch fresh cilantro leaves
• Juice of 3 limes
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 6 oz beer
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon ancho chili powder
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Carne Asada Meat

• 4 lbs beef flank steak.

Ingredient Substitutions

• Meat: Other cuts of meat that are great for carne asada are skirt steak, flat meat, or hanger steak.
• Jalapeño: You can use serrano pepper or poblano for different heat levels
• Fresh cilantro: Some people don’t like cilantro. If you don’t prefer it, leave it out.
• Beer: You can use a Mexican-style beer like Modelo or Corona; otherwise, any light lager beer will work.
• Ancho chili powder: You can use regular chili powder or smoked paprika.

Equipment Needed

• Food processor (or sharp knife for manual chopping)
• Large container or zip-bags for marinating
• Meat fork or meat tenderizer
• Gas or charcoal grill
• Meat thermometer
• Cutting Board
• Sharp meat knife

How to Make Carne Asada Marinade – Step by Step

Step 1. Make the marinade

• Combine all marinade ingredients in a food processor
• Pulse until well combined and cilantro is finely chopped
• Alternatively, finely chop ingredients by hand and whisk together

Step 2: Marinate the meat

• Tenderize the meat if it is thick with a fork or a meat tenderizer. This will allow the marinade to penetrate the meat better, resulting in tender and juicy carne asada.
• Place meat in a container with a lid or a zip-top bag.
• Pour marinade over meat, ensuring even coverage
• Cover and refrigerate for 2-48 hours

Step 3: Grill the Carne Asada

• Preheat the grill to high heat
• Grill until internal temperature reaches 135°F for medium-rare
• Rest for 15 minutes before slicing
• Slice against the grain into 1/4-inch thick pieces

Recipe Variations

1. Spicy Version: Double the jalapeños and add chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.
2. Citrus-Forward: Add orange juice and zest for brighter flavors.
3. Tequila Twist: Replace beer with tequila

What to Serve With Carne Asada

1. Fresh corn or flour tortillas
2. Mexican rice and refried beans
3. Fresh guacamole and pico de gallo
4. Grilled vegetables like peppers and onions

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I freeze this marinated meat? Yes, you can freeze the meat in the marinade for up to 3 months. Vacuum sealing or zipper bags will work best when freezing. Thaw completely before grilling.
• Why use beer in the marinade? Beer will help tenderize the meat while adding some depth of flavor.
• How long should I marinate the meat? While a minimum of 2 hours is required, 8-48 hours is ideal for optimal flavor penetration without compromising meat texture.

Storing and Reheating

• Store leftover carne asada in an airtight container for up to 3 days
• Reheat briefly in a hot skillet to maintain texture
• Can be served cold in salads

Serving Size

4lbs of carne asada should feed 8-10 people. For a family of 4, halve all ingredients and use 2 lbs of carne asada meat.