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Authentic Carne Asada Marinade

Close-up of perfectly grilled and sliced steak showing a medium-rare center, coated in the rich carne asada marinade.

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A simple, flavorful marinade recipe for tender and authentic carne asada, perfect for grilling.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds skirt steak or flank steak
  • 1 cup fresh orange juice
  • 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced (optional)

Instructions

  1. Place the steak in a large, resealable plastic bag or shallow dish.
  2. In a bowl, whisk together the orange juice, lime juice, cilantro, garlic, olive oil, soy sauce, cumin, oregano, pepper, salt, and jalapeño, if using.
  3. Pour the marinade over the steak, making sure the meat is fully coated.
  4. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight.
  5. Remove the steak from the marinade and pat it dry before grilling. Discard the remaining marinade.
  6. Grill the steak over medium-high heat for 3 to 5 minutes per side for medium-rare, depending on thickness.
  7. Let the meat rest for 10 minutes before slicing thinly against the grain.

Notes

  • For extra flavor, add 1 teaspoon of chili powder to the marinade mixture.
  • If you do not have fresh orange juice, use an equal amount of pineapple juice for a slightly sweeter marinade.
  • Always slice the cooked steak against the grain for maximum tenderness.

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