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Carne Asada Marinade Recipe

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If you’re looking to take your Mexican food game to the next level, this carne asada marinade recipe is the answer. With a perfectly balanced blend of citrus, herbs, spices, and beer, this marinade transforms even the most basic cuts of meat into a tender, mouthwatering masterpiece.

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By Brent Doud

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Updated on

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.
Marinated Carne Asada Sliced on a Cutting Board.
Prep Time: 2 hours
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: Carne Asada Marinade
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 415kcal

Carne Asada Marinade

Ingredients

Carne Asada Marinade

  • 1 Jalapeño Pepper Seeded. You can use serrano pepper or poblano for different heat levels.
  • 4 cloves Garlic
  • 1 bunch Fresh Cilantro If you don’t like cilantro, leave it out.
  • 3 Juice from 3 Limes
  • 2 tbsp Soy Sauce Use Tamari sauce to make this gluten free.
  • 1 tbsp Apple cider vinegar You can substitute white vinegar.
  • 1/3 cup Olive Oil
  • 6 oz Beer You can use a Mexican-style beer like Modelo or Corona; otherwise, any light lager beer will work.
  • 1 tsp Ground Cumin
  • 1 tsp Kosher Salt
  • 1 tsp Ancho Chili Powder You can use regular chili powder or smoked paprika.
  • 1 tsp Fresh Ground Pepper

Carne Asada Meat

  • 4 lbs Beef Flank Steak Other cuts of meat that are great for carne asada are skirt steak, flat meat, or hanger steak.

Equipment

  • Food Processor
  • Container or zipper-bags for marinating
  • Meat tenderizer or use a fork
  • Gas or Charcoal Grill
  • Meat Thermometer I use the Thermapen One
  • Meat knife

Instructions

Make the Carne Asada Marinade

  • Combine all the marinade ingredients in a food processor
    Combine all the carne asada marinade ingredients with a food processor.
  • Pulse until well combined and cilantro is finely choppedAlternatively, finely chop ingredients by hand and whisk together
    Blend until the cilantro is finely chopped.

Marinate The Meat

  • Tenderize the meat if it is thick with a fork or a meat tenderizer.
    Tenderize the carne asada so the marinade can penetrate the meat better.
  • Place meat in a container with a lid of a zip-top bag. Pour marinade over meat, ensuring even coverage. Cover and refrigerate for 2-24 hours
    Let the carne asada marinate in a zip-top bag for 2-24 hours.

Grill The Marinated Carne Asada

  • Preheat the grill to high heat. Grill until internal temperature reaches 135°F for medium-rare.
    Carne Asada is medium rare at 135ºF.

Rest and Slice

  • Rest for 15 minutes before slicing. Slice against the grain into 1/4-inch thick pieces
    Marinated Carne Asada Sliced on a Cutting Board.

Garnish and Serve

  • Serve with Fresh corn or flour tortillas, Mexican rice and refried beans, Fresh guacamole and pico de gallo.

Nutrition

Calories: 415kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 50g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 136mg | Sodium: 669mg | Potassium: 844mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 178IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 66mg | Iron: 4mg

Hot Tip

The key to perfect carne asada lies in two critical steps: proper marinating time (at least 2 hours, but not more than 48) and slicing against the grain. Cutting against the grain breaks down tough muscle fibers, ensuring each bite is tender and easy to chew.

Carne Asada Marinade Ingredients

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.

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
Marinated carne asada on a plate with tortillas, beans, pico de gallo, guacamole and sour cream.

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.

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