There’s nothing quite like biting into a heavenly carne asada taco topped with salsa, cilantro, and onions. Carne asada is a delicious dish that originated in Mexico but is now popular around the world. In fact, carne asada is one of the most served dishes at any fiesta or other special event in northern Mexico—it plays a massive role in the culinary culture there, too.
Learn the Process of Traditional Carne Asada
You want your guests to know you are bringing authenticity and taste to your party. The taste of carne asada is both delicious and unique, which is why so many people have come to love it over the years. It’s also a long process, which has been honed and tweaked over the decades to create an individual delicacy.
While carne asada puts a strong emphasis on the flavors that grilling and charring give to the meat, the marinade that’s used plays just as important of a role in preparing the best carne asada. In fact, every family is said to have a slightly different carne asada marinade based on the traditional method created years ago. The basics include top quality oil, lime juice, chili powder, salt, black pepper, cumin, cayenne, fresh garlic, jalapeno, oregano, and sometimes orange juice.
The most common cuts of beef used when making carne asada are flank steak and skirt steak. This is because you want a steak that will not only absorb the flavors of the marinade well but grill easily as well. Skirt steak and flank steak are most often used because they are thinner cuts of meat that cook quickly, making it easier to prepare for groups of people.
The meat should marinade for at least an hour. Some traditional recipes call for it to marinate for up to four hours so that it can soak up the delicious flavors. However, marinating for longer time periods takes an expert hand. Meats can break down if they are left to marinade for too long.
After letting the steak marinate, it’s time to grill. The cooking time will vary depending on the cut of steak. For flank steak or skirt steak, the meat will cook quickly, only requiring 5-8 minutes per side.
Any experienced carne asada cook will know that time is crucial throughout the process. First, for marinating the meat but also for knowing how long to let the steak rest before serving. Letting the steak rest ensures the juices are distributed throughout, ensuring all-around tenderness for the entire piece.
The last part of the process is slicing the steak. Experienced cooks will know to always slice against the grain. This creates many natural breaking points and makes for a tender cut of meat. For carne asada, the meat is thinly sliced.
Where Did Carne Asada Originate From?
Many people find themselves wondering who invented carne asada and where this method of grilling beef came from in the first place. In fact, there are both Latin American and Mexican versions, and carne asada is among a host of other regional dishes that boast a long history. With so many ranchers and cattle in the area, by the 1500s, beef became one of the most popular sources of protein across the country. Soon after, a close relative to the carne asada we know today was created by grilling beef over a fire and then thinly slicing it.
The beef would either be eaten by itself or stuffed into a corn tortilla by hungry ranchers. Sometimes, toppings were added—closely resembling the carne asada tacos served today. A centuries-long story short—from what we know about the earliest versions of carne asada, today’s version has not trailed far from its roots.
What is Carne Asada? (a Taco Filling or Barbecue?)
FAQ
What kind of meat is carne asada?
What does asada mean?
What’s the difference between steak and carne asada?
Is carne asada the same as ground beef?
What does carne asada mean in Spanish?
In Spanish, the term “carne asada” literally means “grilled meat.” You can use different cuts of beef for carne asada with the most popular ones being flank or skirt steak. The meat is grilled over high heat until it is lightly charred on the edges, then it’s sliced and served in everything from tacos to burritos.
What is a carne asada steak?
Carne asada, which in English means “grilled meat,” is beef. For this Mexican dish, one-inch-thick steaks are marinated in lime juice and seasonings, grilled, and then cut into thin strips. Carne asada is either served as a main course typically with rice and beans, or used as a filling for tacos or burritos . What Cut of Meat Is Carne Asada?
What kind of meat is used in making carne asada?
The kind of meat used in making carne asada is almost always beef. In fact, even though the name literally translates to meat in general, the term “carne” is often used to refer specifically to beef throughout much of the Spanish-speaking world. The cuts of beef that are used to make carne asada are varied depending on the style of grilling.
What does carne asada en ese Restaurante deliciosa mean?
La carne asada en ese restaurante es deliciosa. The grilled meat at that restaurant is delicious. Is something important missing? Report an error or suggest an improvement. Albondigas, carne asada, chistorra. Visit the Spanish-English Forum. Help WordReference: Ask in the forums yourself.