Carne Asada
Skirt steak marinated in citrus, garlic, chiles and cilantro, grilled over high heat and sliced thin for tacos with onion and lime.
By Theo Brandt, Test Kitchen Lead & Cheese Specialist
Published December 11, 2025
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 12 min
- Total
- 32 min
- Servings
- 6
- Level
- Easy
Carne asada is all about big flavor and a hot fire. Skirt steak is the classic cut because it is thin, well marbled, and soaks up a bright marinade of orange and lime juice, garlic, jalapeno, cumin and plenty of cilantro.
A few hours in the marinade is all it needs. Leave it much longer and the citrus starts to turn the surface mushy. When it hits the grill, cook it fast over the hottest part of the fire so the outside chars while the center stays juicy.
Slice it thinly against the grain and pile it into warm corn tortillas with chopped white onion, cilantro, salsa and a squeeze of lime. A crumble of cotija or queso fresco on top never hurts.
- Bright citrus chile marinade
- Charred and juicy skirt steak
- Taco night favorite
Ingredients
Directions
In a large bowl or baking dish, whisk together the orange juice, lime juice, olive oil, garlic, jalapeno, 3/4 cup cilantro, cumin, chile powder, salt and pepper.
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