Carne Asada Tacos

gpapadop31
May 16, 2024
3 min read

This needs no intro, a hot grill, marinated high quality skirt steak and fresh corn tortillas. Check out this recipe for a few basic tips and marinade steps and enjoy. This marinade and meat can also be used for fajitas. Finally, If you want to make quick tacos with leftovers, check out our twice steak taco method recipe.

https://www.lemonpantry.com/post/twice-steak-tacos

Looking for a salsa recipe?

https://www.lemonpantry.com/post/avocado-salsa-verde

https://www.lemonpantry.com/post/salsa

Pictured are skirt steak and al pastor (pork tacos), which we'll cover in a future recipe!

Ingredients (Serves 2)

Outside Skirt Steak 1lb - makes about 5 medium sized street tacos.

10-corn tortillas (if thick enough for single layer, 20 for thinner street taco brands)

Cilantro - handful - chopped finely

1/4 White Onion - diced

Limes (2)

Salt

Optional/Additions - Avocado, Guacamole

Marinade ( should be enough to fully cover the skirt steak)

(add to a mixing bowl)

Olive or Avocado oil - 1/4 cup

1/2 cup water

3 limes - juiced

Soy Sauce - 1 Tbsp

1 white onion - julienned

garlic 3 cloves - minced

sea salt - 2 Tbsp

Dried cilantro - 1 tsp

Granulated Sugar - 1 Tbsp

Chili Powder Mix - 3 Tbsp - Our fav brand is Bolner's Fiesta, but you can also make your own

Onion powder - 1 Tbsp

Ground Cumin - 1 Tsp

Paprika - 1 Tsp

Guajillo chile powder - 1 Tsp

Ancho chile powder - 1 Tsp

For more heat/spice - sub in chipotle powder / arbol powder - 1 Tsp

Garlic powder - 1 Tsp

Steps - Marinade

Place the raw skirt steak In a large ziploc or vacuum sealed bag. If too large, cut in half and split into 2 ziploc bags.

Scoop/Ladle in marinade until covered. Zip the bag, while trying to remove as much air as possible. Place in a bowl, and refrigerate for at least 8hrs and up to 48hrs.

Before grilling, remove from marinade and discard any onions/garlic that are stuck to the meat.

Steps - Tortillas

To cook the tortillas, prep a non stick skillet, set to medium high heat.

Add a tsp of canola oil once the pan is ready, add a tortilla and move around to fully cover it with oil.
After 1-2mins, flip the tortilla and cook for another minute. Set aside in kitchen towels and cover. Oil as required as you cook more tortillas.
If the tortillas are really dry, or you want to avoid oil, wrap them in moist paper towels and microwave for 10 secs. Set aside in kitchen towels and cover.

Steps - Grill

The key is a hot grill and grates. Set the grill as hot as possible, allow for time for the grates to get to searing temperature.
place the skirt steaks on the grill grates diagonally. Leave the grill uncovered
After 4 minutes, rotate the skirt steak 45 degrees. Cook for another 4 minutes, then flip , and repeat on the other side.
Adjust your times based on the thickness of the meat.
Remove from heat and rest for 7 minutes before cutting.
It's most important to cut against the grain with skirt steak. On a skirt steak laid out lengthwise from left to right, the grain runs top to bottom, so you want to make cuts left to right. 2 inch length is good for the tacos or fajitas. (see pictures below)