Name: The Ultimate Carne Asada Marinade With Citrus And Smoke Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 2 h 30 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1/2 cup Olive oil; 1/2 cup Fresh lime juice (about 4-6 limes); 1/4 cup Fresh orange juice (about 1 large orange); 1/4 cup Soy sauce; 6 Garlic cloves; 1 cup Fresh cilantro; 1/2 medium White onion; 1 Jalapeño pepper; 1 tablespoon Smoked paprika; 1 teaspoon Ground cumin; 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano; 1 teaspoon Black pepper; 1/2 teaspoon Sea salt

Jump to Recipe

If you’re on a quest for robust, crave-worthy grilled beef, it’s time to meet your new backyard BBQ secret weapon: The Ultimate Carne Asada Marinade With Citrus And Smoke. This vibrant marinade packs your favorite steak cut with the zesty tang of fresh citrus, the unmistakable punch of garlic and jalapeño, and that alluring whisper of smoke from paprika. With every ingredient chosen to layer flavor, it’s the kind of recipe that brings friends running and keeps everyone asking for seconds.

The Ultimate Carne Asada Marinade With Citrus And Smoke Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each element in The Ultimate Carne Asada Marinade With Citrus And Smoke is carefully chosen to play its part—balancing freshness, acidity, depth, and a smoky finish. Here’s how these simple ingredients work together to create carne asada magic.

Olive oil: A rich base that helps the marinade cling to every inch of meat for maximum flavor absorption.
Fresh lime juice: Brings bright, zesty acidity that tenderizes the steak while adding classic carne asada tang.
Fresh orange juice: Adds subtle sweetness and depth, keeping the marinade from leaning too tart.
Soy sauce: Delivers umami and saltiness, creating a savoriness that’s irresistible.
Garlic cloves: Essential for building a backbone of punchy, aromatic flavor.
Fresh cilantro: Stems and all—the secret to that unmistakable, herbaceous bite.
White onion: For a gentle sweetness that balances the marinade and gives a fresh, clean finish.
Jalapeño pepper: A little heat, a lot of character—adjust to your spice tolerance.
Smoked paprika: The smoky component that truly earns this being called the ultimate carne asada marinade with citrus and smoke.
Ground cumin: Adds earthiness and warmth, taking the flavor straight to street-taco bliss.
Mexican oregano: A touch of floral, peppery magic—regular oregano works if needed.
Black pepper: Gives subtle sharpness, best freshly ground.
Sea salt: Or kosher salt—enhances every other flavor in the mix.

How to Make The Ultimate Carne Asada Marinade With Citrus And Smoke

Step 1: Gather and Prep Your Ingredients

Begin by washing and chopping all fresh ingredients. Having everything ready—citrus juiced, onion chopped, garlic minced—ensures the whole process is smooth and lets each flavor shine in the final blend.

Step 2: Blend to Perfection

Add the olive oil, fresh lime juice, fresh orange juice, soy sauce, garlic, cilantro, white onion, jalapeño, smoked paprika, cumin, Mexican oregano, black pepper, and salt to your blender or food processor. Blend until the mixture is velvety and aromatically irresistible, usually about 30 to 60 seconds. Scrape down the sides as needed for an even texture.

Step 3: Marinate Your Steak

Put your skirt steak or flank steak into a large bowl or resealable bag. Pour the ultimate carne asada marinade with citrus and smoke over the meat, using your hands or a spatula to ensure it’s completely coated. Don’t skimp here—the marinade should envelop every surface of the steak for the deepest flavor.

Step 4: Let it Soak in the Flavor

Refrigerate the marinating steak for at least 2 hours, but if you have the time, an overnight soak will give you the most tender, flavorful carne asada imaginable. The acids and enzymes work their magic while you sleep, promising an epic barbecue.

Step 5: Grill and Devour

When it’s time to cook, remove the steak from the fridge and discard the used marinade. Grill over high heat for those perfect charred edges and smoky aroma. Let your steak rest before slicing—then pile it high in tacos or serve straight up for a show-stopping meal.

How to Serve The Ultimate Carne Asada Marinade With Citrus And Smoke

Garnishes

Bring out the best in your finished carne asada with classic garnishes like chopped cilantro, diced white onion, and a generous squeeze of fresh lime juice. Add sliced radishes or grilled scallions for even more color and crunch—these bright touches highlight the flavors of your marinade beautifully.

Side Dishes

Nothing pairs with carne asada like warm corn tortillas, charred on the grill and served alongside black beans, fluffy Mexican rice, or vibrant street corn (elote). A simple avocado salad or pickled jalapeños make excellent counterpoints to the beefy, smoky richness of The Ultimate Carne Asada Marinade With Citrus And Smoke.

Creative Ways to Present

Take taco night up a notch by serving carne asada steak sliced for build-your-own tacos, loaded nachos, tortas, or even atop a smoky carne asada pizza. Turn leftovers into a breakfast hash or stuff them into burritos—each bite highlighting the versatile flavors of this stand-out marinade.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Any leftover carne asada will keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Slice the steak after grilling for faster cooling and easier meal prep the next day. The flavors will deepen, making next-day tacos extra savory.

Freezing

Freeze grilled carne asada in zip-top freezer bags, pressing out as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. For best results, freeze the steak in portions you’ll be able to use at one time, and consume within two months for top flavor and tenderness.

Reheating

To reheat, use a skillet over medium heat just until heated through, or wrap slices in foil and warm in a 300°F oven. Add a splash of beef broth or a squeeze of citrus if the steak looks dry. Avoid the microwave when possible to prevent overcooking and toughness.

FAQs

Can I use this marinade on other meats?

Absolutely! The Ultimate Carne Asada Marinade With Citrus And Smoke is fantastic with chicken, pork, or even portobello mushrooms. Just adjust marinating times as needed depending on your protein.

What’s the ideal steak cut for carne asada?

Skirt steak and flank steak are classic choices because they soak up the marinade well and become melt-in-your-mouth tender, but any grilling cut will benefit from this marinade’s bold flavors.

How spicy will the marinade be?

With one jalapeño, the marinade offers a gentle kick. For a spicier carne asada, leave in the seeds or add another pepper. Prefer it mild? Remove the seeds or use only half a jalapeño.

Can I make the marinade ahead of time?

Yes! The ultimate carne asada marinade with citrus and smoke can be prepared up to 2 days in advance and kept chilled. Just give it a quick stir or shake before using to redistribute any settled flavors.

Do I have to grill the steak?

While grilling delivers classic smoky char, you can also broil or pan-sear the steak indoors. For maximum smokiness, a cast iron pan or indoor grill pan will replicate the barbecue effect beautifully.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing recipe that’s packed with flavor, you can’t go wrong with The Ultimate Carne Asada Marinade With Citrus And Smoke. Whether you’re a grilling pro or a rookie, this recipe delivers mouthwatering results, every single time. Fire up the grill, pour yourself a cold drink, and get ready to make this your new favorite tradition!

The Ultimate Carne Asada Marinade With Citrus And Smoke Recipe

★★★★★

5.1 from 24 reviews

Author: lina
Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
Diet: Gluten Free

Print Recipe

Description

This Ultimate Carne Asada Marinade with Citrus and Smoke is a flavor-packed recipe that will take your grilled meats to the next level. The combination of fresh citrus juices, savory soy sauce, aromatic spices, and a hint of smokiness creates a marinade that will tenderize and add incredible flavor to your carne asada.

Instructions

Combine all ingredients: Add all marinade ingredients to a blender or food processor.

Combine olive oil, lime juice, orange juice, soy sauce, garlic, cilantro, onion, jalapeño, smoked paprika, cumin, oregano, black pepper, and salt.

Blend until smooth: Process until a smooth marinade forms.
Marinate the meat: Pour the marinade over skirt or flank steak in a bowl or bag.
Let it marinate: Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
Grill: Remove meat from the fridge, discard marinade, and grill to perfection.

Notes

For extra flavor, reserve some marinade before adding it to the meat to use as a sauce after grilling.
Adjust the spice level by adding more or less jalapeño pepper.
Make sure to slice the meat against the grain for the most tender results.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Grilling
Cuisine: Mexican