I’m excited to share my take on Carne Asada Marinade. I blend fresh lime and orange juices, olive oil, minced garlic, chopped cilantro, and just a touch of jalapeño to yield a bold, zesty flavor. My simple recipe celebrates a mix of ingredients that perfectly complement your favorite beef dinner creations.

Jump to Recipe

I’ve always been a fan of cooking up authentic carne asada dishes, and this marinade is one of my favorite hacks. I first tried it when I needed a quick, fiery marinade for carne asada tacos and loved the punch it gave the beef.

I mix in 1/2 cup of fresh lime juice with 1/4 cup of fresh orange juice, olive oil, 4 garlic cloves minced just right, and a generous pinch of cilantro. I also like to throw in a chopped jalapeño for a little extra spice.

The blend of flavors is zesty yet balanced, and it brings a burst of vibrant, Mexican vibes into every bite. Even if you don’t consider yourself a pro, this carne asada marinade, with its simple ingredients and authentic twist, is sure to impress anyone who gives it a try.

Enjoy experimenting and let the flavors speak for themselves.

Why I Like this Recipe

I really love this recipe for a bunch of reasons. First, I love how quick and easy it is to make. Like, I just toss together lime juice, orange juice, olive oil, garlic, cilantro and jalapeño and thats it, which makes it perfect for busy days when I still wanna have something tasty for dinner.

Second, the flavors are super bold and fresh. The mix of tang from the lime and orange with the heat from the jalapeño and the richness of olive oil makes every bite exciting. I always end up craving more once I get a taste.

Third, it’s versatile. I can use this marinade on carne asada for tacos, fries, or whatever else I want. It adds that authentic Mexican twist to my meals without being super complicated.

Lastly, I like that the recipe allows me to mess around a little bit with the seasoning. Sometimes I add a pinch more salt or adjust the jalapeño if I want it milder or spicier. This makes me feel like im really making the dish my own.

Ingredients

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Fresh lime juice offers a zesty kick, providing vitamin C and tangy flavor notes.
Fresh orange juice is sweet and rich in vitamin C, providing a soft citrus note.
Olive oil delivers healthy fats and a smooth fruity taste that deepens the marinade nicely.
Garlic infuses a bold, savory flavor with potential natural antibiotic benefits, truly enhancing the dish.
Chopped cilantro offers a fresh, herbaceous note brimming with essential vitamins and vibrant aroma daily.
Jalapeño adds a spicy punch along with vibrant heat, perfectly rounding out the marinade nicely.

Ingredient Quantities

1/2 cup fresh lime juice

1/4 cup fresh orange juice

1/4 cup olive oil

4 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped

How to Make this

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1. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup fresh lime juice, 1/4 cup fresh orange juice, and 1/4 cup olive oil until well combined.

2. Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves into the bowl.

3. Add 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro and 1 finely chopped seeded jalapeño, mixing until the herbs and peppers are evenly spread.

4. Give the marinade a taste and adjust if necessary, add a pinch of salt if you like.

5. Place your meat (like your carne asada steak) in a large resealable bag or a shallow dish.

6. Pour the marinade over the meat, making sure every piece is well coated.

7. Seal the bag or cover the dish with plastic wrap and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least one hour or up to 8 hours for maximal flavor.

8. Preheat your grill to medium-high, and once hot, remove the meat from the marinade letting excess drip off.

9. Grill the meat for about 4-6 minutes per side or until it reaches your preferred level of doneness.

10. Allow the meat to rest for a few minutes before slicing it thinly and serving with your favorite toppings or in tacos and fries Enjoy!

Equipment Needed

1. Medium mixing bowl
2. Whisk
3. Measuring cups
4. Knife
5. Cutting board
6. Resealable plastic bag or shallow dish (plus plastic wrap if using a dish)
7. Grill
8. Tongs
9. Serving knife for slicing the meat

This list of equipment is pretty much all you need to get this recipe done.

FAQ

Q: How long should I marinate the meat?

A: You can marinate it for at least 2 hours but its best if you let it sit overnight so the meat really soaks up the flavors.

Q: What kind of meat works best with this marinade?

A: Most people use skirt or flank steak since they tend to absorb the marinade better and give a looser texture thats perfect for carne asada.

Q: Can I adjust the spice level in the marinade?

A: Sure you can add more jalapeños or even a pinch of red pepper if you like it hotter. Its pretty flexible so just experiment to match your taste.

Q: Is it safe to reuse the marinade after it has touched raw meat?

A: Not really. If you want to use the marinade as a sauce later on, you should boil it first to kill any bacteria that might have formed.

Q: What can I use if I dont have fresh lime and orange juices?

A: While fresh juices give you the best flavor, bottled juices can work in a pinch but you might need a little extra cilantro or garlic to boost the taste.

Carne Asada Marinade Recipe Substitutions and Variations

If you don’t have fresh lime juice, try using bottled lime juice or a mix of lemon juice with a little extra lime zest
Instead of orange juice, you can use tangerine juice or even a diluted apple juice in a pinch
If olive oil isn’t available, opt for canola oil or vegetable oil instead, they work pretty well
For cilantro, parsley can be an okay substitute although its flavor is a bit different
If your recipe calls for a jalapeño and you’re out, a poblano pepper can be a good, milder alternative

Pro Tips

1. Try using only freshly squeezed juices and fresh garlic becuz they really make the flavors pop.
2. Make sure to let your meat marinate long enough but not so long that it starts breakin down – about one to eight hours works pretty well.
3. Always preheat your grill really good so the meat gets those nice char lines and doesn’t stick, which is way more tasty.
4. Taste your marinade before adding the meat and adjust the salt and spice to your liking, sometimes a little extra pinch or a bit less jalapeño can really change the vibe.

Carne Asada Marinade Recipe

Recipe by Dan Coroni

0.0 from 0 votes

I'm excited to share my take on Carne Asada Marinade. I blend fresh lime and orange juices, olive oil, minced garlic, chopped cilantro, and just a touch of jalapeño to yield a bold, zesty flavor. My simple recipe celebrates a mix of ingredients that perfectly complement your favorite beef dinner creations.

Servings

servings

Calories

kcal

Equipment: 1. Medium mixing bowl
2. Whisk
3. Measuring cups
4. Knife
5. Cutting board
6. Resealable plastic bag or shallow dish (plus plastic wrap if using a dish)
7. Grill
8. Tongs
9. Serving knife for slicing the meat

This list of equipment is pretty much all you need to get this recipe done.

Ingredients

1/2 cup fresh lime juice
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
1/4 cup olive oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped

Directions

In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup fresh lime juice, 1/4 cup fresh orange juice, and 1/4 cup olive oil until well combined.
Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves into the bowl.
Add 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro and 1 finely chopped seeded jalapeño, mixing until the herbs and peppers are evenly spread.
Give the marinade a taste and adjust if necessary, add a pinch of salt if you like.
Place your meat (like your carne asada steak) in a large resealable bag or a shallow dish.
Pour the marinade over the meat, making sure every piece is well coated.
Seal the bag or cover the dish with plastic wrap and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least one hour or up to 8 hours for maximal flavor.
Preheat your grill to medium-high, and once hot, remove the meat from the marinade letting excess drip off.
Grill the meat for about 4-6 minutes per side or until it reaches your preferred level of doneness.
Allow the meat to rest for a few minutes before slicing it thinly and serving with your favorite toppings or in tacos and fries Enjoy!

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.