Carne Asada Mexican Cuisine at Its Best

This Carne Asada is a popular Mexican dish of marinated and grilled asada meat, in this recipe I have infused the meat with the vibrant flavors of Mexican seasonings. This iconic dish is central to Mexican cuisine, with numerous variations and recipes available, each highlighting the rich cultural heritage of carne asada.

Recipe

The marinade, often a blend of citrus juices, spices, and herbs, infuses the meat with depth and character, creating a tender and flavorful result. You can enjoy it on its own or with Chimichurri Sauce, carne asada is a versatile and mouthwatering dish that is excellent for entertaining your guests.

You can also make Chili con Carne and Cowboy Caviar to serve along with Carne Asada.

Jump to:

⭐Why You'll Love This Carne Asada Recipe
🧾Ingredients
👩🏻‍🍳How to Make Carne Asada
📖Variations
🍽 How to Serve
💭Tips for Recipe Success
❓FAQ
🍛More Comfort Food Recipes!
📖 Recipe
💬 Comments

⭐Why You'll Love This Carne Asada Recipe

Here are a few reasons to fall in love with this recipe:

Easy Preparation: Despite its impressive flavors, this recipe is relatively simple to prepare.
Flavorful Marinade: The marinade featuring extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, and a blend of spices like cumin, chili flakes, and oregano infuses the leg of lamb with delicious flavor.
Tender and Juicy: Marinating the meat for an extended period helps tenderize it and allows the flavors to penetrate deeply resulting in a juicy and succulent carne asada with every bite.
Customizable: You can adjust the seasonings and spices in the marinade to suit your taste preferences. Whether you prefer it more spicy, tangy, or herbaceous, you have the flexibility to tailor the marinade to your liking.
Great for Gatherings: Carne asada is a fantastic dish for entertaining guests at backyard BBQs or family gatherings.

If you want more comfort food you should check out Spanish Meatballs in Sauce and Chicken Skewers (Pinchitos de Pollo).

🧾Ingredients

Here is a list of everything you need.

For Carne Asada:

Leg of Lamb: Provides the main protein component, offering rich and savory flavors with a tender texture when properly cooked. You can substitute the leg of lamb with other cuts of meat such as pork leg, pork shoulder, or even chicken breasts or thighs for a different flavor.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Acts as a base for the marinade, adding richness and moisture to the meat while helping to distribute the flavors of the spices evenly.
Red Wine Vinegar: Adds acidity to balance the richness of the meat and the extra virgin olive oil in the marinade. It also helps tenderize the meat. You can replace red wine vinegar with other types of vinegar such as apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar, or balsamic vinegar.
Sea Salt: Enhances the natural flavors of the meat and other ingredients while also helping to tenderize the meat.
Black Pepper: Provides a spicy and aromatic flavor.
Cumin Powder: Adds warmth and earthiness to the marinade.
Chili Flakes: Contribute heat and spiciness to the marinade.
Dried Oregano: Offers a fragrant and herbaceous flavor to the marinade.

For Vegetable Kabobs:

Red Onion: Provides a sweet and slightly pungent flavor to the kabobs when grilled.
Courgette (Zucchini): Offers a mild and slightly sweet flavor with a tender texture when grilled. You can replace courgette with yellow squash or eggplant.
Red Pepper: Adds sweetness and vibrant color to the kabobs, along with a mild, slightly tangy flavor.
Mushroom: Provides an earthy and savory flavor to the kabobs when grilled. You can substitute mushroom with tomatoes or chunks of pineapple.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Coats the vegetables, adding richness and moisture while helping them caramelize and develop flavor when grilled.
Salt: Enhances the natural flavors of the vegetables and helps to draw out moisture.
Black Pepper: Adds a subtle spicy and aromatic flavor to the vegetables.

See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

👩🏻‍🍳How to Make Carne Asada

These step-by-step instructions and photos will help you to visualize how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for a printable version of this recipe.

1. Remove the bone from the lamb leg and slice the meat into intervals of a few centimeters.

2. Arrange the lamb leg in a flat dish, then drizzle it with extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, sea salt, black pepper, cumin powder, chili flakes, and dried oregano.

3. Thoroughly blend the marinade to ensure even coverage over the lamb leg. Let the lamb marinate in the fridge for a minimum of 2 hours, or ideally overnight to enhance its flavor.

4. As the lamb marinates, prepare the vegetable kabobs. Slice the red onions into sizable pieces, and chop the courgette and red pepper into chunky sections.

5. Thread the vegetables onto skewers, alternating between the different vegetables to create colorful kabobs.

6. Take the lamb out of the marinade, then place it on the barbecue. Grill each side for approximately 15-20 minutes, or until it reaches your preferred level of doneness.

7. Drizzle the vegetable kabobs with extra virgin olive oil and season with salt and black pepper.

8. While the lamb is grilling, place the vegetable kabobs on the barbecue. Cook them until they're tender, usually about 10-15 minutes, remember to flip them occasionally for even cooking.

9. After the lamb reaches your desired level of doneness on the barbecue, take it off and allow it to rest for a few minutes before slicing.

10. Present the sliced carne asada alongside the grilled vegetable kabobs, and generously drizzle chimichurri sauce over the carne asada.

📖Variations

Chicken Carne Asada: For a lighter option, you can use chicken breasts or thighs. Marinate the chicken in the same marinade as the lamb, adjusting the marinating time as needed (chicken typically requires less time). Grill until fully cooked through.
Pork Carne Asada: Pork loin or tenderloin can be used for a flavorful variation. Marinate the pork in the same marinade as the lamb, and grill until cooked through. Pork may require a slightly longer cooking time compared to lamb.
Fajita-Style Carne Asada: Instead of serving the sliced meat and vegetables separately, you can slice the cooked meat and vegetables and serve them together in tortillas as fajitas. Add toppings like guacamole, salsa, sour cream, and cheese for a complete meal.

🍽 How to Serve

Grilled Vegetable Kabobs: The colorful vegetable kabobs provide a flavorful and nutritious side dish that pairs perfectly with the savory carne asada.
With Sauces: Serve the carne asada with Chimichurri sauce, Mojo Sauce or Muhammara.
With Salad: Serve sliced carne asada with a salad like Cold Stuffed Tomato Salad, Pasta Salad, Lentil Salad, Waldorf Salad, or Potato Salad.

💭Tips for Recipe Success

Marinate the Meat: Marinating the meat adds flavor and helps tenderize it. Marinate the meat for at least 2 hours, or overnight for maximum flavor.

Prepare the Grill: Make sure your BBQ or grill is just the right temperature before cooking the carne asada. Too hot can burn the outside and keep the inside raw, while too cold can make the meat tough. Shoot for medium-high heat when grilling.

Pat the Meat Dry: Before grilling, pat the marinated meat dry with paper towels. This helps remove excess moisture from the surface, allowing the meat to sear properly and develop a flavorful crust.

Let it Rest: Once the carne asada is cooked to your liking, remove it from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a juicier and more flavorful final dish.

Storage: To store leftover carne asada, cool it down, transfer to an airtight container, and refrigerate promptly for up to 3-4 days or freeze for longer storage.

❓FAQ

What is Asada Meat?

Asada meat refers to grilled or roasted meat, often marinated and seasoned, commonly used in Latin American cuisine such as carne asada tacos or burritos.

What meat is Carne Asada?

Carne asada is typically made with thinly sliced flank steak or skirt steak, marinated and grilled to perfection, resulting in tender and flavorful meat for various Mexican-inspired dishes.

Can you freeze leftover Carne Asada?

Yes, leftover carne asada can be frozen for longer storage. Allow it to cool, then transfer it to an airtight container or resealable freezer bags, removing as much air as possible. Label with the date and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

How do you reheat Carne Asada?

Carne asada can be reheated gently to avoid overcooking. You can reheat it in a skillet over medium heat, in the oven at a low temperature, or in the microwave in short intervals, flipping or stirring occasionally to ensure even heating.