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April 21, 2021 7 Comments

Authentic Carne Asada

A blue plate with carne asada, ecuadorian lentil stew and ecuadorian yellow rice and a slice of limeMy sister lived in South America for a time, and one of the recipes she got from a friend there is this delicious Authentic Carne Asada. Carne Asada is one of my favorite things to order at a Mexican restaurant because it’s just so good! You’re going to be so happy with this recipe, and that you can make your own delicious Carne Asada in your own kitchen. While you’re at it, take things up a notch and make these Homemade Flour Tortillas. Buen provecho!

The simple flavors of cumin, garlic, salt, and pepper highlight the thin cuts of beef, and whether pan-seared or grilled over your grill, you just can’t go wrong with this mouth-watering Authentic Carne Asada. 

A white plate stacked with authentic carne asada and lime wedgesWhen my sister gave me this recipe, she also sent me traditional side dishes that are typically served with it. The Ecuadorian Lentil Stew is a little time-consuming but well worth it. It takes the place of the more traditional refried beans you would have at a Mexican restaurant. Instead of serving this with typical Oven Baked Spanish Rice, my sister gave me another authentic recipe for Ecuadorian Yellow Rice. Making all three of these together and wrapping them in a homemade tortilla is literally like heaven on earth. 

a plate of carne asada in the background with a hand holding a piece of it wrapped in a tortilla and topped with ecuadorian lentils and yellow rice. More Mexican Favorites Your Family Will Love

  • Best Ever Chicken Chimichanga Recipe
  • Creamy Cilantro Verde Enchiladas
  • Horchata Mexican Drink
  • Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas
  • Instant Pot Refried Beans
  • Chicken and Black Bean Chilaquiles

Step-by-step pictures for how to make authentic carne asada

a collage of nine photos showing step by step instructions on how to make authentic Carne Asada. Frequently Asked Questions About Making Authentic Carne Asada

What cut of meat should I use for carne asada?

Skirt steak is a great cut to use or any thin lean cut of beef. I can usually find thinly sliced flank steak at my grocery store. 

if i don’t have fresh garlic, can i use garlic powder?

I have never tried it with garlic powder. The fresh garlic really adds a depth of flavor I don’t think you’ll get with powder. 

what’s the best way to cook carne asada?

Either on your grill on in a frying pan. Either way, the thin cuts cook very quickly so you need to watch it closely to not overcook. 

does the meat need to marinate?

Not exactly. This recipe uses a paste, not a marinade. The recipe does suggest letting it sit for at least 30 minutes with the paste before cooking. 

can I cut the meat into strips instead of leaving it in flat pieces?

Yes. This will make it difficult to cook on the grill, but if you’re going to be cooking in a frying pan, this is a great option. Cut the meat before adding the rub/paste and proceed to follow the rest of the recipe as normal. 

what are the best things to serve on the side with carne asada?

Ecuadorian Lentil Stew, Ecuadorian Yellow Rice, and Homemade Flour Tortillas. We also like to squeeze lime wedges over our carne asada. Homemade Re-fried Beans and Oven Baked Spanish Rice are also another super tasty option!

A pinterest collage for authentic carne asada.

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4.0 from 2 reviews
Authentic Carne Asada
 
Print
Prep time
35 mins
Cook time
10 mins
Total time
45 mins
 
A mouthwatering dinner that makes you feel like you're in a restaurant. This authentic recipe is not only simple but is relatively healthy and really fun to make!
Author: Recipe From my Sister Merry
Cuisine: Ecuadorian
Serves: 6-8
Ingredients
  • 2 lbs thinly sliced beef steaks (about ¼ inch thick)
  • 6 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp cumin
  • ½ tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
  1. Mix the garlic, salt, cumin, and pepper in a small bowl to make a paste. Apply the paste evenly over the sliced meat. Cover and let sit for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Heat your grill or prepare a sautee/frying pan on the stove by heating it and adding a small amount of oil.
  3. Cook the seasoned meat, being cautious not to overcook. The thin pieces will only need a minute or two on each side.
  4. Serve with your favorite sides, a squeeze of lime, and enjoy!
3.4.3177

 

Something Sweet

Tres Leches Cake on a white plate with whipped cream and berriesTres Leches CakeFruit Pizza, Large sugar cookie with white frosting and fruit on top. You can only see half of it in the picture and the fruit is arranged in a pretty pattern. Very colorful.The Best Fruit PizzaGlass cup with horchata and ice and a cinnamon stick in itHorchata Mexican Drink

A pinterest collage with three photos showing authentic carne asada

Beef, Cooking Method, Dinners, Gluten Free, Main Categories, Meats, Mexican, More, Recipes, Skillet
authenitc mexican food, Authentic carne asada, carne asada, carne asada recipe, flank steak, mexican food at home, mexican food recipe, skirt steak
7 Comments

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7 Comments

  1. Jessica

    April 22, 2021 at 1:30 pm

    Really forward to making this with the lentils this weekend! Got my grocery list ready. #aprilgiveaway

    reply to this comment
    • Maria

      April 27, 2021 at 7:04 am

      YUM! YUM! YUM! This is one of my favorite meals! I hope you love it!

      reply to this comment
      • Manuel

        May 19, 2021 at 9:20 pm

        This is everything but authentic Mexican food, we never use cumin in carne asada, actually just a very few recipes do, why do you add cumin to everything you call “Mexican”, also carne asada literally means grilled meat, stop Americanizing our food, it’s part of our culture, too bad if you don’t have one.
        Carne asada is never served with rice nor lentils.
        That looks like shoe soles, carne asada is supposed to have some fat in it, where is the flavor??

        reply to this comment
        • Nicole

          January 11, 2022 at 11:04 am

          If you look at the Cuisine she has this labeled under, it’s not Mexican, it’s Ecuadorian. And from my experience, recipe flavors and ingredients can differ from family to family, regionally (even when in the same country), as well as from country to country. And I’m sure it’s not unheard of to fry the beef in a pan sometimes instead of grilling; I bet both ways taste great.

          reply to this comment
          • Maria

            January 12, 2022 at 4:11 am

            Thanks Nicole. 🙂

  2. Nicole

    January 23, 2022 at 11:48 pm

    Tonight was my first time making carne asada and it turned out great! The seasonings were simple and had lots of flavor. We all loved it and I’ll definitely make again. Thanks for the recipe! #JanuaryGiveaway

    reply to this comment
    • Maria

      January 26, 2022 at 6:19 am

      Yay! I am so glad you liked it!

      reply to this comment

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Hi, I'm Maria. A mom of five and a total foodie. My superpower is taking ordinary recipes and making them DELICIOUS. Your family will LOVE these meals! Come cook with me, I promise it will be amazing! Get started here or search my archives below.


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