Perfect Skillet Carne Asada

If you’ve ever wondered how to make carne asada from scratch, then say “hello” to the Perfect Skillet Carne Asada. Tender flank steak is marinated in a blend of juices, jalapeños, and spices, for a tender meat that practically melts in your mouth with every bite. No more tough and rubbery steak; this recipe comes together in just ten minutes and is perfect for adding to your favorite tacos and salads, or just enjoying on its own!

Friends, if there’s one thing that you need to know about me, it’s that I am a steak girl through-and-through. Although once upon a time I was a vegan (that’s a story for another day), there is truly nothing that I love more than a good steak. Tender, juicy steak is not only packed with protein, iron, and vitamins, but it’s juicy, delicious, and tastes good in so many recipes. Whether I’m making a perfect pan-seared steak or the easiest steak tacos, in my eyes, there’s no wrong way to prepare steak. One of my favorite preparations? It’s none other than carne asada.

Whenever I go out for Mexican food with my boys, part of my go-to order is carne asada. If you’ve never had carne asada before, it’s made from perfectly marinated steak that is grilled in a pan to perfection. The marinade is so simple: it comes together with just some olive oil, orange juice, soy sauce, lime juice, garlic, jalapeño, red onion, and cilantro. The end result? A steak that is juicy, bursting with flavor, is a little spicy, a little sweet, and a whole lot of delicious!

Translating to “lightly grilled meat,” the best part about this carne asada is that the cook time is incredibly short. Just ten minutes of cook time (five minutes on each side) is enough to yield the perfect carne asada that is medium-rare – though of course, you can always cook it longer if you prefer a steak that’s well done! I love to serve this carne asada on top of a salad, wrapped in a tortilla with beans and cheese, or even served in tacos. No matter how you choose to serve it, you can’t go wrong – this carne asada is absolutely delicious!

What You Need to Make This Perfect Carne Asada

• Flank Steak: When it comes to making carne asada, flank steak is the perfect cut of meat to use. It has significant grain, is tender and chewy, and when marinated in the ingredients below, it takes on a bold flavor that is absolutely delicious in this recipe.
• Olive Oil: Olive oil is my favorite oil to use in this marinade recipe, as it’s full of healthy fats and has a delicious flavor.
• Orange Juice: When you think of the perfect carne asada marinade, orange juice probably doesn’t come to mind as one of the ingredients. However, don’t knock it until you try it: the orange juice adds a delicious, tangy flavor to this marinade that gives it a slight sweetness.
• Soy Sauce: If you want to keep this recipe gluten-free, be sure to use a gluten-free soy sauce alternative, like tamari or coconut aminos! Just keep in-mind that coconut aminos will be sweeter than traditional soy sauce, which can impact the flavor of this marinade.

• Lime: A squeeze of fresh lime juice adds brightness and acidity to this marinade – don’t skip it!
• Garlic: I will always recommend using fresh garlic cloves, whenever possible, for the best flavor, and this recipe is no exception.
• Jalapeños: I love the spicy kick that jalapeños add to this recipe. Just be sure to remove the seeds from them first, as that is where the majority of the spice is contained, so that it doesn’t end up being too spicy!
• Red Onion: The tanginess of red onion is essential when it comes to making the perfect carne asada recipe – don’t skip it!
• Cilantro: It wouldn’t be carne asada without the cilantro, so I love piling lots of fresh cilantro into this recipe.
• Cumin: Cumin is one of my favorite seasonings to use, especially in this carne asada recipe!
• Ground Black Pepper: A pinch of black pepper adds the perfect flavor to this steak. Don’t skip it!

How to Make This Carne Asada in Less Than One Hour

To make this carne asada, start by marinating the meat. Add the carne asada to a large baking dish or ziplock bag alongside all of the marinade ingredients: the olive oil, orange juice, soy sauce, lime juice, mashed garlic, chopped jalapeños, sliced red onion, chopped cilantro, cumin, and ground black pepper. Toss to coat well. If using a baking dish, be sure to cover the dish with foil.

Next, place the carne asada into the fridge and allow it to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight. Once you’re ready to cook the meat, heat a cast iron skillet, on the stove, over medium-high heat. Once the skillet is hot, add in the carne asada, reserving approximately 1/2 cup of the marinade for later.

Allow the meat to cook for five minutes, undisturbed, on one side. Then, flip and allow it to cook for another five minutes on the other side. Then, pour the remaining marinade on top of the meat.

Once the meat is cooked, remove it from the heat and allow it to rest for 10 minutes. Slice it across the grain, then serve and enjoy!

If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a review and rating below! To see more recipes and behind the scenes, follow along on Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube! I’m also now on Pinterest, so stop by and take a look at what’s new.

** Photography by Tanya Pilgrim