What cut of meat is best for carne asada?

The BEST cuts for the Mexican version of the dish we all know and love are either skirt steak or flank steak . Personally, I prefer skirt steak (pictured). It's more tender and flavourful than flank and can be cooked well done (for those who prefer well) without getting tough and chewy.

How do you make carne asada not chewy?

You want to cut perpendicular to the muscle fibers so they become as short as possible . You can a have melt in your mouth steak off the grill but if you cut it parallel to the grain you will end up with long muscle fibers AKA chewy, rubbery tough meat. So cut AGAINST the grain!

What is carne asada marinade made of?

Ingredients ¾ cup soy sauce. ½ cup olive oil. ½ cup red wine vinegar. ½ orange, sliced. ⅓ cup lime juice. ⅓ cup orange juice. ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce. ¼ bunch cilantro, stems cut off and leaves chopped. More items...

How many pounds of carne asada do I need to feed 10 people?

Carne asada is a simple dish that isn't any more difficult to make than other grilled meat. When making carne asada, figure on about 1/2 pound of raw meat person . If necessary, trim the meat of any excess fat.

What meat is the same as carne asada?

Carne asada is grilled and sliced beef, usually skirt steak, flap steak, or flank steak though chuck steak (known as diezmillo in Spanish) can also be used . It is usually marinated then grilled or seared to impart a charred flavor. Carne asada can be served on its own or as an ingredient in other dishes.

What are the two types of carne asada?

Skirt steak and flank steak are the two most popular choices and both are great options! Skirt and flank are thin cuts that will cook quickly and give you loads of beefy flavor -- that's a tough combo to turn down when you're making Carne Asada at home!

The Best Carne Asada | Lite Cravings | Healthier Recipes (2024)

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Melt-in-your-mouth steak that bursts with tangy citrus flavor–the BEST Carne Asada you can make. It just happens to be super easy, too!

The Best Carne Asada | Lite Cravings | Healthier Recipes (1)

BBQ Season + Taco Tuesday = a match made in heaven! We’ve been grilling almost every day recently, so I’ve been getting more adventurous with what I’m trying.

Living in SoCal, we have soooo many great Mexican food joints. One of Jeff’s favorite foods is carne asada. It’s his go-to burrito choice.

He has a few Mexican food places that he loves, and lots that he thinks aren’t so good. According to him, the carne asada is the best way to test out a restaurant. It can be dry and tasteless, or the best damn thing you’ve every put in your mouth.

So I was a little intimidated to test this one out on him. My version is a little unconventional, with some non-authentic ingredients.

But Jeff said it was the BEST carne asada he’s ever had! And I was able to keep it healthy, making sure that it wasn’t packed with grease. A new staple in our house!

The Best Carne Asada | Lite Cravings | Healthier Recipes (2)

It’s all about the marinade

I love how simple it is to throw this marinade together. The citrus and spice combo is complex and tenderizing, but it only take about 5 minutes to throw together.

For best results, you need to marinate this overnight. It will be fine after about 4 hours, but the longer marinating time puts it over the top.

Freshly squeezed lime juice is the center of the flavor bomb. Don’t buy the jarred stuff! It’s worth it to juice by hand.

Fresh cilantro and garlic are also a must. If you like a little bit of heat, a jalapeno is great, too. all of the other ingredients you probably already have on hand.

Important Tips

Flank steak is an absolute must. Skirt steak is too fatty, and sirloin or round will turn out too tough.

Flank steak is great for quick grilling because it’s long and thin, so you can sear it on high to get a nice char without burning. How long you cook it depends on how well done you like your steak.

We prefer on the rarer side of medium-rare, so it only needs a few minutes.

You definitely don’t need a grill to make this, though. A skillet on high heat will work nicely. Just make sure you’re getting some deep color on it.

Looking for some side dishes? My Easy Refried Beans and Simple Rice Pilaf are fantastic with this. Add some grilled veggies and you’re good to go!

I’d love to hear from you if you make this recipe! It makes my day when you share your pics on Instagram and tag me (@litecravings). Don’t forget to use #litecravingsrecipes to make sure I see it. If I don’t get a chance to scroll through my tags quickly enough, I won’t see your post. I always make a point to look through the hashtags, though, so I’ll see it there!