Chipotle Carne Asada is off the charts delicious!
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Succulent tender slices of grilled steak meet a rich chipotle marinade in this classic Mexican dish that’s a truly festive meal.
Carne Asada, or “grilled meat,” is not just a food. It’s an event involving an outdoor cookout – the grill fired up, music playing, and maybe some adult beverages.
I learned this recipe from my mom. You’re going to love this easy marinade made with just a few simple ingredients. Also try my Carne Asada Street Tacos recipe.
Table of Contents
Ingredients
- Flap beef or skirt steak
- Olive Oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic
- Chipotle Peppers in Adobo
- Fresh squeezed lime wedges
My mom’s chipotle carne asada recipe is very easy and perfect as is. However, if you want to take it up a notch…
Substitutions and Additions:
- Instead of chipotle in adobo sauce, use 2 tablespoon chipotle powder.
- No lime juice? Use white distilled vinegar.
- Swap out salt for a splash of soy sauce.
- For some sweetness, add ½ cup orange juice to the marinade.
- Add extra flavor by adding 1 tablespoon of onion powder.
Using Chicken
Not a red meat eater? Use chicken! Just remember that chicken cooks faster than beef, so you’ll want to adjust your cooking times accordingly to avoid overcooking. Other than that, the same marinade and the same measurements work great with chicken.
Instructions
- Marinate the beef for an hour, up to overnight.
- You need to give enough time for the carne asada marinade to work its magic.
Choosing the Right Cut of Beef
Understanding cuts of beef can be like figuring out a tricky puzzle, right?
Now, flap steak and skirt steak are usually the winners when it comes to carne asada. But let’s not forget the others – iron steak, top round, flank steak, flat iron steak, and rib-eye. Any of these cut of meat work well in this recipe.
Don’t worry if your beef cut seems to be a bit thick. It’s nothing that a bit of pounding between two pieces of wax paper can’t fix!
I like to marinade the beef in a sealable bag inside a bowl. That way any drippings will not go all over a clean fridge. (See picture above.)
Vegetarian Options:
If you’re looking to accommodate dietary preferences, you can substitute beef with a hearty portobello mushroom or even thick slices of eggplant for a vegetarian version.
- Heat the outdoor grill to 400 degrees F.
- Add the chipotle steak on the hot grill.
Right about now is when you should pull out your meat thermometer. This is the BEST way to know when your beef is ready.
Beef Cooking Temperatures:
- For juicy medium-rare meat, grill for around 4 to 5 minutes on each side. The beef should reach an internal temperature of about 135 degrees Fahrenheit.
- If you like it medium, grill it for 5 to 7 minutes each side. The inside temperature should be approximately 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
- For medium-well beef, grill it for 8 to 10 minutes each side. The beef should reach an inside temperature of around 150 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cook the marinated steak on a hot grill on each side until you reach desired doneness.
Grilling Pro Tips!
- Preheat your grill 15-25 minutes before cooking to ensure the right temperature.
- Marinate your meat: Adds flavor and tenderizes.
- Don’t move the meat too much: Allows a good sear to form.
- Use a thermometer: Ensures accurate temperature reading.
- Clean your grill: Scrub with a wire brush after preheating.
- Let it rest: Allows juices to redistribute after grilling.
- Safety: Keep a water bottle handy for unexpected flare-ups.
- Maintenance: Clean grates after each use to prolong grill life.
- After you remove the juicy steak from the grill, let it rest for a few minutes before placing it on a cutting board to slice.
- This allows the juices to redistribute evenly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Of course! While a charcoal grill gives a delightful smoky touch, you can also use a grill pan or cast iron skillet on your stovetop or even a hot oven. Adjust cooking times as necessary to ensure your beef is cooked to your liking.
Use less of the chipotle AND add 2 tablespoons of ketchup. Ketchup brings some sweetness and reduces the heat. Keep in mind that the chipotle adds a unique smoky flavor that compliments the other marinade ingredients.
Absolutely! In fact, marinating the steak a day ahead will only deepen the flavors. You can then cook it up when you’re ready.
- Slice against the grain to make thin strips.
- Cover the carne asada steak with foil paper to keep warm until you are ready to serve.
Serve with a salad for those following paleo diets or make burrito bowl. Or serve as tacos with all the fixings as I did below.
Storing and Reheating Instructions:
- Put any leftovers in an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to four days.
- When you’re ready to eat, heat the meat in a pan for about 4-5 minutes. Be sure not to overcook, or the tender steak will end up tougher than you would like.
- If you want to use a microwave, heat it on high for 2-3 minutes, depending on your microwave.
Got leftovers? Try mulitas!
Sides:
To assemble you Chipotle Carne Asada tacos, place the meat on warm tortillas and top with chopped onion, fresh cilantro, drizzle with fresh-squeezed lime juice, cotija cheese, and salsa.
This dish promises an explosion of flavor with each bite! Serve with black beans, pico de gallo, and sour cream.
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Did you make this recipe? Please rate the recipe below!
Chipotle Carne Asada
Ingredients
- 2 lbs flap steak (or skirt steak)
- 6 garlic cloves finely minced
- 4 chipotle in adobo sauce finely minced
- 1 tablespoon salt
- ½ tablespoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 cup lime juice
- ½ cup olive oil
Instructions
- Rinse the beef and pat dry with a paper towel.
- Place all the ingredients in a large sealable plastic bag.
- Seal the bag, removing some of the air.
- Mix to coat the beef with the marinade.
- Place in the fridge for 1 hour, up to overnight.
- Remove from the fridge 15 minutes before cooking.
- Heat grill to 400 degrees F.
- For medium-rare meat, grill for around 4 to 5 minutes on each side. Or until 135 degrees F.
- For medium, grill it for 5 to 7 minutes each side. or until 140 degrees F.
- For medium-well beef, grill it for 8 to 10 minutes each side. Or until 150 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place the cooked beef on a plate and cover with foil.
- Let rest until ready to slice.
- Slice against the grain into thin strips.
- Serve as tacos on top of warm tortillas, top with onion, cilantro, and salsa.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Maggie Unzueta is the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer, videographer, and creator of In Mama Maggie's Kitchen. She has been developing easy and authentic Mexican food, Mexican-inspired recipes, and traveling tips since 2010. From family recipes to her extensive travels throughout Mexico, she brings traditional Mexican flavors from South of the Border and into your kitchen. Maggie has been featured in notable culinary websites and other media outlets. For more details, check out her About page.
I love how easy to make this recipe. I made this and it is so delicious even my kids love it!
That’s great to hear. My son loves this chipotle carne asada. He’ll also add chipotle salsa to his tacos.
This recipe looks super delicious! I cannot wait to make it for our next Taco Tuesday night! Thanks for the recipe share!
Hope you do. This chipotle carne asada is so tasty!