Description
Sizzling carne asada fiesta brings Mexican grilling traditions to your backyard with bold, zesty flavors that dance on your palate. Juicy marinated beef, charred to perfection, promises a memorable meal you’ll savor with friends and family.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound (454 grams) flank or skirt steak
Marinade and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Tostada Components:
- 6 tostada shells
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) guacamole
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) pico de gallo (fresh tomato salsa)
Optional Toppings:
- Shredded lettuce
- Sour cream
- Cheese
Instructions
- Craft a zesty marinade by whisking together olive oil, minced garlic, tangy lime juice, robust cumin, spicy chili powder, smoky paprika, salt, and cracked pepper in a mixing bowl.
- Thoroughly coat the steak with the aromatic marinade, ensuring complete coverage. Allow the meat to absorb flavors for 30-120 minutes in the refrigerator.
- Preheat a grill pan or heavy skillet to medium-high heat (around 400°F). Remove steak from marinade and pat dry with paper towels.
- Sear the steak for 4-5 minutes per side, developing a rich caramelized exterior while maintaining desired internal temperature.
- Transfer the cooked steak to a cutting board and let it rest for 5 minutes, allowing juices to redistribute.
- Slice the steak thinly against the grain, creating tender, bite-sized pieces.
- Prepare tostada shells by spreading a generous layer of creamy guacamole as the base.
- Arrange the sliced carne asada atop the guacamole layer.
- Garnish with fresh pico de gallo and optional toppings like crisp shredded lettuce, tangy sour cream, or crumbled queso fresco.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the perfect balance of crispy shell, tender meat, and vibrant toppings.
Notes
- Elevate the marinade by adding a splash of tequila or orange juice for deeper, more complex flavors that will make your carne asada sing with excitement.
- Choose skirt or flank steak for authentic texture and ensure maximum tenderness by slicing against the grain, which breaks down muscle fibers and creates melt-in-your-mouth bites.
- Keep marinating time under 2 hours to prevent the acid from breaking down meat proteins, which can result in mushy texture and compromise the steak’s natural deliciousness.
- Accommodate gluten-free diets by swapping traditional tostada shells with crispy corn tortillas or lettuce wraps, maintaining the dish’s vibrant, zesty essence without sacrificing flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 390 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg