Zesty Carne Asada Marinade
Elevate your steak game with this Zesty Carne Asada Marinade, featuring a vibrant blend of citrus juices and aromatic spices. Perfect for marinating skirt steak, flap meat, or even chicken for a delicious Pollo Asada twist! The marinade infuses the meat with a delightful balance of tanginess and heat, creating a savory flavor explosion. Ideal for barbecues, taco nights, or meal prepping, this recipe accommodates up to 4 pounds of meat and is sure to impress your family and friends. Don't forget to serve the marinated meat in various styles—whether whole, sliced, or diced in delicious tacos or burritos, every bite promises to be a taste sensation!
N/A
Servings
367
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
lime juice
1 (juiced)
lemon juice
1 (juiced)
orange juice
1 (or 1/2 cup if using pre-pressed)
chili powder
2 tablespoons (none)
dried oregano leaves
1 1/2 tablespoons (none)
ground cumin
2 tablespoons (none)
crushed coriander seeds
1 1/2 teaspoons (none)
garlic cloves
5 (coarsely chopped)
soy sauce
1/4-1/2 cup (depends on type (regular vs. lite))
jalapeno peppers
2 (sliced)
medium onion
1 (thinly sliced)
skirt steaks or flap meat
4 lbs (none)
Instructions
1
In a large 1-gallon ziplock bag, combine the lime juice, lemon juice, orange juice, chili powder, dried oregano, ground cumin, crushed coriander seeds, and chopped garlic. Mix well to create the marinade.
2
Add the soy sauce, sliced jalapenos, and thinly sliced onion to the marinade in the bag. Mix until all ingredients are well combined.
3
Add the skirt steaks (or flap meat) to the bag, ensuring they are fully submerged in the marinade. Seal the bag tightly, removing as much air as possible.
4
Gently massage the marinade into the meat to ensure even coating. Place the bag in the refrigerator and allow the meat to marinate for up to 24 hours, turning the bag occasionally to redistribute the marinade.
5
When ready to cook, preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Remove the meat from the marinade and discard the marinade.
6
Grill the meat for 6 to 8 minutes per side, or until it reaches your desired level of doneness (medium rare is recommended).
7
Once done, remove the meat from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing. Serve whole or slice or dice for tacos or burritos, garnishing as desired.
Nutrition Information
25g
Fat
7g
Carbs
23g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Zesty Carne Asada Marinade?
It is a vibrant blend of citrus juices and aromatic spices designed to infuse meat with a balance of tanginess and heat.
What types of meat work best with this marinade?
Skirt steak and flap meat are ideal, but it also works perfectly for chicken to create a Pollo Asada twist.
How much meat can this recipe accommodate?
This marinade recipe is designed to accommodate up to 4 pounds of meat.
How long should I marinate the meat?
You should marinate the meat in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours for the best flavor infusion.
What citrus juices are required for the marinade?
The recipe calls for lime juice, lemon juice, and orange juice.
Can I use pre-pressed orange juice?
Yes, you can use 1/2 cup of pre-pressed orange juice if you do not have a fresh orange to juice.
What spices are included in the marinade?
The blend includes chili powder, dried oregano leaves, ground cumin, and crushed coriander seeds.
Is there soy sauce in this carne asada marinade?
Yes, the recipe uses 1/4 to 1/2 cup of soy sauce depending on whether you prefer regular or lite.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
The recipe requires 5 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped.
Does the marinade contain jalapenos?
Yes, it includes 2 sliced jalapeno peppers for a spicy kick.
Should I include onions in the marinade?
Yes, one medium onion, thinly sliced, is added directly to the marinade bag.
What is the recommended cooking method?
Grilling on medium-high heat is the recommended method for this recipe.
How long should I grill the steak?
Grill the meat for 6 to 8 minutes per side.
What level of doneness is recommended for carne asada?
Medium-rare is the recommended level of doneness for the best texture and flavor.
Should I discard the marinade after cooking?
Yes, once you remove the meat for grilling, you should discard the remaining marinade.
Is it necessary to let the meat rest?
Yes, let the meat rest for a few minutes after grilling before you begin slicing it.
How should the meat be served?
You can serve it whole, sliced, or diced for use in tacos and burritos.
What is the calorie count for this recipe?
One serving contains approximately 367 calories.
How much protein is in this dish?
Each serving provides about 23 grams of protein.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 25 grams of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in the recipe?
There are 7 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
Can this marinade be used for meal prepping?
Yes, it is ideal for meal prepping as the meat can marinate for a full day before cooking.
Do I need to massage the marinade into the meat?
Yes, gently massaging the marinade ensures even coating and better flavor distribution.
How should I store the meat while it marinates?
Store the meat in a sealed 1-gallon ziplock bag in the refrigerator.
Should I remove the air from the marinade bag?
Yes, seal the bag tightly while removing as much air as possible to ensure the meat is fully submerged.
What kind of coriander is used?
The recipe calls for 1.5 teaspoons of crushed coriander seeds.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 12 total ingredients in this marinade and meat recipe.
Is this recipe considered spicy?
Yes, the combination of chili powder and jalapenos gives it a spicy profile.
Can I use this for a barbecue?
Absolutely, it is specifically noted as being ideal for barbecues and taco nights.
How often should I turn the bag during marination?
You should turn the bag occasionally to redistribute the marinade over the meat.