Easy Carne Asada Street Tacos recipe (2024)

FAQs

What cut of meat is used for carne asada tacos? ›

In Central and South America, we call pretty much any barbecued or grilled meat asado (or 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).

When cutting the steak for your carne asada tacos, though, be sure slice the steak against the grain so that every bite of steak is tender and easy to chew—if you cut with the grain (i.e. the way the muscle fibers are aligned) you'll wind up with relatively tough steak pieces, no matter how thinly you've sliced them.

How Much Carne Asada per Person? You'll need approximately ½ pound of meat per person served, although your guests can easily eat more if the carne asada is the star of the show and not a topping or addition to a more filling meal.

Corn tortillas are the BEST to use for these, but you could use flour tortillas if you like. Heat my corn tortillas on a griddle or skillet for a few minutes on each side. You could also throw them on the grill for a few seconds.

Beef

Carne asada / Main ingredient

Beef is the culinary name for meat from cattle. Beef can be prepared in various ways; cuts are often used for steak, which can be cooked to varying degrees of doneness, while trimmings are often ground or minced, as found in most hamburgers. Beef contains protein, iron, and vitamin B12.

Wikipedia

What Is Carne Asada Marinade? Orange juice, lemon juice, and lime juice add fruity flavor to this marinade. Soy sauce lends a rich, savory flavor to the steak. This marinade includes cilantro, garlic, chili powder, cumin, paprika, pepper, and oregano.

After the carne asada is grilled, it is important to let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing or chopping. While the steak cooks, the juices are forced away from the heat to the middle of the meat. The resting time allows for the redistribution and reabsorption of the juices throughout the whole steak.

Cheeses: I love to use cotija cheese for tacos, but queso fresco or any Mexican blend will work. Fresh Veggies: Thinly slice some radish for an extra fresh crunch.

To achieve tender and thin slices of flank steak for carne asada, you should slice it against the grain. This means cutting perpendicular to the long muscle fibers. Slicing against the grain helps break up the muscle fibers and results in a more tender texture.

Carne Asada 1 lb Cooked(6-8 servings) - Menu Ordering - Tuesdays Street Tacos & Burritos - Mexican Restaurant in Columbus, GA.

How many pounds of meat do I need for 20 tacos? ›

Most people will eat about 1 to 2 ounces of meat per taco. For 20 people figure at least 70 to 80 tacos. That's about 10 pounds of meat roughly. People tend to fill tacos with solid meats like not ground beef or chicken with less meat fillings than ground meats.

As a general rule, you should plan for about 1/4 to 1/2 pound of meat per person when making tacos. So for a family of four, you'll need around 1 to 2 pounds of ground beef. Of course, this can vary depending on your personal preferences and appetite, so adjust accordingly.

Mexicans fondly refer to this as 'la copia' (literally: the copy). If you ask around, you'll be given many reasons for this. But a popular explanation is that the second tortilla can be used to make another taco with any fillings that spill out the side.

Guacamole, rice, corn, chips and salsa are all great sides to serve with Carne Asada Tacos. Here are a few of my favorite Mexican side dishes to try! Grilled Stuffed Peppers – toss these on the grill, right alongside the carne asada. They're so easy to make & always a crowd pleaser!

The term carne asada in Spanish translates to roasted or grilled meat in English. That's why it's important to recognize that, in Mexico, carne asada refers to how the beef is cooked rather than a specific recipe.

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.

In Spanish, Carne literally means “flesh/meat/beef” and Asada means “roast/broiled/grilled,” so “grilled meat.” When it comes to “carne asada” in cooking, the term refers to grilled and sliced beef, usually skirt, flank or flap steak. The steak is associated with a charred flavor from searing the meat on the grill.

Use flank steak. It is a lean cut of beef and is best when cooked to medium rare and thinly sliced, making it perfect for tacos. Only marinate the steak in lime juice for 30 minutes or the steak will get mushy. This is a quick and easy recipe, you don't have to marinate the steak for hours.

This carne asada tacos recipe consists of a skirt steak marinated in lime juice, spices and garlic. It's grilled over a super high heat in a few minutes, resulting in flavorful, earthy and delicious carne asada. Serve it with tortillas, avocado, aguas frescas and an array of salsas and cotija for a delicious dinner.