Here’s a flavorful recipe for Street Tacos de Carne Asada—tender, marinated grilled beef served on small tortillas with fresh toppings, just like you’d find from a street vendor in Mexico.
Street Tacos de Carne Asada
Servings: 4 (about 8–12 tacos)
Ingredients
For the Carne Asada Marinade:
- 1 lb flank steak or skirt steak
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Tacos:
- 8–12 small corn tortillas
- 1/2 cup diced white onion
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- Lime wedges, for serving
- Salsa of your choice (optional)
Instructions
- Marinate the steak:
- In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, orange juice, lime juice, garlic, cilantro, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Place steak in a resealable bag or shallow dish and pour marinade over it.
- Marinate in the fridge for at least 1 hour, up to 8 hours for maximum flavor.
- Cook the steak:
- Preheat a grill or grill pan to high heat.
- Remove steak from marinade and pat dry.
- Grill 4–6 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until desired doneness.
- Let steak rest for 5–10 minutes, then slice thinly against the grain.
- Prepare tortillas:
- Warm corn tortillas on the grill, in a skillet, or directly over a gas flame for a few seconds on each side.
- Assemble tacos:
- Place sliced steak on each tortilla.
- Top with diced onion, chopped cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.
- Add salsa if desired.
- Serve:
- Serve immediately while warm with extra lime wedges on the side.
✅ Tips:
- For extra authenticity, use small street-style corn tortillas instead of flour.
- You can also add pickled jalapeños, radishes, or a drizzle of crema for more flavor.
- Marinating overnight will make the steak even more tender and flavorful.
I can also give you a quick stovetop version using thin-cut steak or leftover grilled beef for tacos in 15 minutes.
Do you want me to provide that quick version?
