Learn how to cook the best Carne Asada in the Oven with just a baking dish and a broiler. This easy recipe is packed with flavor from the homemade marinade and cooks up in about 10 minutes!
If you would rather fire up the grill, no problem! Follow my easy Carne Asada recipe with step-by-step instructions and expert tips.
Carne Asada is one of those recipes that may seem intimidating, but it’s actually so easy to make! If you’ve never made it before, this Carne Asada in the Oven recipe is a great place to start.
Trust me, if you can make baked chicken, you can nail this recipe! It starts with a fresh marinade made with lime juice, garlic, cilantro, and spices. Then, you let the steak rest while the marinade works its magic, and all you have left to do is pop the steak under the broiler. That’s really all there is to it!
What is Carne Asada?
Carne Asada simply means “grilled meat.” It’s a traditional Latin American dish made with steak that’s seasoned, marinated, and then grilled at a high heat. It’s a versatile protein that you can enjoy in dishes like nachos, burritos, and fajitas.
Skirt steak and flank steak are the most popular cuts of beef for Carne Asada. They are thin cuts that cook easily. They also hold up well to an acidic marinade, like the one in this recipe.
Today I’ll be using flank steak since it’s a tender cut that has a great texture and tons of flavor.
Ingredients for Carne Asada Marinade
- Olive oil — A quality olive oil is my go-to, but any neutral cooking oil will work. But if you just have vegetable oil, you can use it too.
- Limes — Freshly squeezed lime juice helps to tenderize the beef and adds a bright citrusy flavor. You can also use fresh orange juice or white vinegar, too.
- Garlic — I’m using 4 cloves, but you can adjust the amount to your liking!
- Cilantro — Fresh cilantro lends an incredible amount of flavor. If you’re really not a fan, you can use fresh parsley instead.
- Seasonings — A flavorful blend of ground cumin, chili powder, kosher salt, and black pepper to taste. If you like spicy food, try adding fresh jalapeño or crushed red pepper flakes.
How to Make Carne Asada In the Oven
Step 1: Combine the marinade ingredients in a mixing bowl and whisk together.
Step 2: Place the flank steak in a baking dish and coat it with the marinade. Cover and let the steak marinate for 1 to 4 hours.
Step 3: Set your top oven rack 4 inches from the broiler and broil the steak for about 4 or 6 minutes per side, so it cooks evenly.
Step 4: Let this delicious carne asada
rest on a cutting board before slicing it thinly against the grain.
A meat thermometer is by far the best way to tell when your steak is done. Check the internal temperature at the thickest part of the steak. Take it out of the oven when it’s cooked to your liking.
Medium-rare — 135°F and reddish-pink in the center.
Medium — 145°F and only slightly pink in the center.
Well done —160°F and very little to no pink in the center.
How to Slice Steak Against The Grain
The “grain” refers to the direction of the muscle fibers in the steak. Cutting meat against or across the grain makes it much easier to chew because it breaks up the long muscle fibers into smaller pieces.
You can identify the grain by looking for small ridges, or lines in the meat. Then, use a sharp knife to cut perpendicular, or across the grain. It’s best to cut carne asada into thin strips so it’s nice and tender.
Olivia’s Recipe Tips
- The longer you can marinate the flank steak, the more flavorful and tender it will be. Aim for at least an hour, or even overnight if you have the time.
- Bring the steak to room temperature before placing it in the oven. This gives the fibers time to relax and helps the meat cook evenly.
- It’s also important to let the carne asada rest before slicing it, which lets the juices redistribute and makes the meat nice and juicy.
Ways to Use Homemade Carne Asada
Carne Asada Tacos (use flour or corn tortillas) will always be our top choice along with Carne Asada Quesadillas. We love to load them up with sour cream, hot sauce, homemade guacamole with Mexican rice and beans on the side. *chef’s kiss*
Of course, this Mexican food is great in other favorites like steak fajitas, quesadillas, carne asada burritos, carne asada fries or loaded nachos with fresh pico de gallo.
As far as sides go, there are so many options! This delicious Carne Asada pairs well with a simple Caprese salad. But, You also can’t go wrong with steak and crispy potatoes or French fries and grilled corn on the cob anytime!
Meal Prep & Storage Instructions
Carne Asada is one of the best meal-prep recipes you can make because it’s versatile and keeps well in the refrigerator. It’s especially great in meal prep bowls, taco salad, or steak sandwiches.
To keep the leftovers as fresh as possible, store the carne asada in an airtight container for up to 4 days. You can also keep it in a freezer bag and freeze the leftovers for up to 3 months.
When you’re ready to reheat, put the carne asada in a covered skillet with some pan drippings until it warms through.
Frequently Asked Questions
There’s no need to sear the steak before placing it in the oven. The high heat of the broiler will help you achieve those nice charred edges.
It’s best to marinate the steak for a minimum of 1 hour so the flavors have time to infuse the meat. Otherwise, the longer you let it marinate, the more flavorful and tender it’ll be. Be careful not to let it marinate for more than 24 hours. If you do, the acid will break down the meat too much and make it mushy.
You certainly can, and it’s a great time saver. Just keep it in an air-tight container in the fridge until you’re ready to use it.
If you make Carne Asada in the oven, please leave a star rating. Let me know how it turns out in the comments below.
More Steak Recipes to Try
Carne Asada in the Oven
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Ingredients
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 2 limes juiced
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro chopped
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 lbs flank steak
Instructions
- In a medium glass bowl, whisk together all of the oil, lime juice, garlic, cilantro, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
- Place the steak in a glass baking tray, and pour the marinade over it. Ensure both sides of the steak are well coated. Cover the baking tray with plastic wrap and marinate for 1 to 4 hours. You can marinate overnight for even more flavor.
- Position the top oven rack about 4 inches from the broiler and preheat the broiler to high. Place the meat on a heavy-duty baking sheet or broiling pan lined with foil. Broil for 4 to 6 minutes on each side. Remove from the oven when the internal temperature reaches 135°F for medium-rare or 145°F for medium or 160˚F for well done.
- Place the steak on a cutting board and let it rest for 5 minutes. Then, slice it thinly against the grain and serve.
Tips
- Use fresh ingredients vs bottled or store-bought for the best flavor.
- Ensure the broiler is completely pre-heated before putting the steak in.
- Line your baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.
pam says
can I use chicken breasts, thighs or pork loin with this marinade??
Olivia says
You absolutely can 😉