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    Home » Recipes

    Authentic Carne Asada Recipe (Award-Winning)

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    This authentic Carne Asada is an award-winning recipe created by executive chef Forest Hamrick of La Hacienda at The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess.

    With this recipe, chef Hamrick won first place for four consecutive years at the Arizona Taco Festival in the beef category.

    Authentic Carne Asada is grilled steak that has been marinated with a blend of Mexican spices and chiles.

    This recipe is very versatile, you can eat carne asada in tacos, bowls, or pair it with your favorite vegetables. I love to make tacos with my homemade flour tortillas or eat it with my creamy roasted Mexican corn (Elote).

    What Kind of Meat is Carne Asada?

    The Carne Asada cut of meat is flank or skirt steak. This cut is perfect because it's thinly sliced, tender, and packs a ton of flavor during the marinating process.

    flank steak for carne asada
    Carne Asada is made with premium flank or skirt steak

    Carne Asada Marinade

    Guajillo Chiles

    In this recipe, the steak is marinated in a Chile Guajillo puree. You can buy these dried chiles in the Latin section of your supermarket or find them easily online.

    Guajillo chile is deep in smokiness without being spicy. It adds depth and flavor to the meat without being overpowering.

    I highly recommend making this marinade the day before, to allow all the ingredients to mix and add a deeper flavor.

    Adobo

    The recipe also calls for ¼ cup of adobo. I used the juice in the can of Chiles Chipotle in Adobo which I found easily in my supermarket in the Latin foods section.

    Achiote Paste

    The last ingredient that can be hard to find is the Achiote Paste also known as Annatto paste. If you have a Latin foods store nearby you will find it there or you can buy this online.

    Carne asada marinade
    Guajillo sauce for carne asada marinade

    How long to cook the steak for?

    Depending in the thickness of your cut of meat, you will cook the carne asada on high heat for 4-6 minutes on each side for a medium-rare temperature.

    Let the steak rest for about 2 minutes before slicing.

    Carne Asada on cutting board
    Carne Asada (Let rest 2 minutes before slicing)
    carne asada tacos on a plate
    Carne Asada tacos with guacamole, pickled onions and lime

    This recipe is featured in the book "Phoenix Cooks" by Christina Barrueta with Figure 1 Publishing, launching September first, 2020.

    Thanks to the publishing house and author for allowing me to share this recipe with you!

    carne asada tacos on a plate

    Carne Asada

    Isabel
    Grilled skirt steak with Mexican marinade
    4.91 from 50 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 1 hour hr
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Mexican
    Servings 4

    Ingredients
      

    1 yellow onion, roughly chopped

    1 large head garlic (4 oz)

    1 cup Guajillo Purée (see below)

    ½ cup orange juice

    ¼ cup achiote paste

    ¼ cup distilled white vinegar

    ¼ cup adobo sauce

    ¼ cup kosher salt

    1 teaspoon dried oregano

    1 teaspoon ground allspice

    1 teaspoon ground cumin

    1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

    2 dried bay leaves

    1 cup canola oil

    2 lbs prime skirt steak

    Guajillo Purée

    • 12 Dried Guajillo Chile pods stemmed and seeded.

    Instructions
     

    Guajillo Puree

    • Place chiles in a medium saucepan and add enough water to cover. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 30 minutes, until chiles are soft. Set aside to cool slightly.
      Transfer chiles to a blender, add 1 cup cooking liquid, and purée until smooth

    Carne Asada Marinade

    • in a blender add 1 cup of guajillo puree
    • Add the garlic cloves, onion, orange juice, achiote paste, vinegar, adobo sauce and all the spices including the bay leaves.
    • Blend until smooth
    • With the blender running, start addind the cup of canola oil until it emulsifies.
    • Place the steak in a bowl or ziplock bag and pour the marinade. Set aside for at least one hour or overnight.
    • Preheat the grill to high heat, remove the steak from the marinade and place on the grill. Cook for 4-6 minutes on each side for a medium-rare steak.
    • Let the steak rest for 2 minutes, slice and enjoy!
    Keyword Carne Asada, Carne Asada Tacos
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    Comments

    1. Doug

      August 18, 2024 at 5:56 pm

      DO NOT USE 1/4 CUP salt. Use 2 teaspoons.

      Reply
    4.91 from 50 votes (50 ratings without comment)

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