A delicious recipe for Carne Asada Tacos  (aka Grilled Steak Tacos) made with marinated flank steak that has been grilled to perfection, thinly sliced and served in tacos with flavorful Chimichurri Sauce-perfect for outdoor gatherings and summer barbecues. Video.
The best recipe for Carne Asada Tacos with Chimichurri Sauce. Flavorful and delicious, perfect for outdoor gatherings and barbecues.

Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.

Rumi
 
I’m so excited to share one of my all-time favorite recipes for entertaining – Carne Asada Tacos with Chimichurri Sauce! They are always a hit at our catering events and guests continually come back to ask for the recipe, so I thought I’d share it with you. 
 

WHAT is Carne Asada?

Carne Asada is a traditional Mexican dish, typically made with skirt steak or flank steak that has been marinaded and grilled, then sliced very thinly for tacos. Typically carne asada tacos are topped with chopped onion, chopped cilantro and a lime wedge.

CaRne Asada Tacos | 60-sec Video

One of the best things about growing up in Southern California was its proximity to Mexico. Being able to drive over the border or hop on a quick flight allowed my family to visit many different areas and experience regional Mexican cuisine.My obsession with visiting Mexico is always the same – finding the best taco! After a day or two of serious reconnaissance work, it becomes clear which taco stands are the busiest and have the longest lines and draw the most locals… and that is where I camp out. There, tacos cost less than a dollar, tortillas and hot sauces are made from scratch, and ingredients are locally grown and ripened on the tree and vine – and this is why they taste so good.

Grilled Flank Steak, thinly sliced on a cutting board with Chimichurri sauce

 
I have many fond memories of being in Mexico. Living in the northwest now, I am continually drawn to its warmth. Not only do I speak of temperature, which is paramount in the middle of February, but also of the warmth of its people. When you visit places, you feel the energy of a place and of the people who live there. There is a generosity of spirit, even among those who have very little. And this is what draws me there time and time again. This, and of course the quest for the perfect taco.
 
Pickled veggies in a jar
Although this is not a traditional Mexican taco, it comes very close to the perfect taco for me. The  Chimichurri Sauce gives the tacos an amazing burst of flavor. And I use it on everything from grilled vegetables to fish, chicken and tofu. But it’s particularly good with grilled meat, and it’s a perfect summer condiment.

CarNE Asada InGredients

  • Flank Steak or skirt steak – grass fed and finished if possible
  • Tortillas – 4-inch corn or flour tortillas, or a blend, or make your own!
  • Traditional toppings: chopped onion, chopped cilantro and lime
  • Our version: Chimichurri Sauce, Pickled Radishes, Grilled onions, Pico de Gallo

the BEST Carne Asada Marinade

How to Make Carne ASada Tacos

Step one: Make the marinade and marinate the steak at least 30 minutes, or up to 3 hours.
 
Step Two: Make the sides: Chimichurri Sauce, Quick pickles (radish, onion, carrot or whatever you like) or  Pickled Red Onions, and simple Pico de Gallo Salsa. If feeling ambitious, I’ve added more sides at the bottom of the post to really create a Mexican Feast!
 
Pico De Gallo ingredients on a cutting board.
 
 
Step three: Grill! Bring the marinated flank steak to room temp before grilling. Preheat your grill to med-high. Cook to medium-rare, roughly 5-7 minutes per side.  You could also cook this on a grill pan. A little charring is good here.
 
Remember to let the meat rest for 10 minutes covered with foil. 
 
Grilled Steak being cut thinly on a cutting board.

Step four: Thinly slice the steak across the grain, into thin bite-size strips and lay on a big cutting board, topped with a generous amount of the Chimichurri sauce. Place salsas, quick pickles, limes, crumbled cojita cheese, and grilled onions all around it.

Step Five: Seek out fresh tortillas, or make them from scratch!  Lightly grill them or toast them over a gas-flamed stovetop, until they just begin to bubble. Keep them warm by stacking them and wrapping with a clean kitchen towel, and place in a wide bowl.
 
Step Six: Place everything out for guests to assemble.
 
Grilled Steak Tacos with Cilantro Chimichurri Sauce and Pico De Gallo on a cutting board with limes and pickled veggies.
 

Brian and I make this steak taco recipe together. I marinate the beef and make the sides. He is in charge of the grilling. It is fast and easy work with two people, and we can have most of it complete in 40 minutes, sometimes 30 if the meat is pre-marinated.

Grilled Steak Tacos, sliced on a cutting board with grilled onions, grilled scallions and Chimichurri Sauce

It’s a great meal to serve when having guests over.

Vegan option:

A quick substitution for vegans and vegetarians is to use Mexican Spice-Rubbed Tofu (see recipe notes). Everything else can stay the same!

Two Steak Tacos with all the toppings on parchment paper
 
 
If you would like to put on a more elaborate spread, some other additions could include sliced avocado, guacamole, grilled scallions, crumbled queso fresco or cotija cheese, or this fresh and lively tomatillo salsa. Serve everything on an extra-large cutting board, letting people make their own steak tacos, such a fun way to serve a group of people.
 
Grilled flank steak on a cutting board, thinly sliced with Chimichurri

What to Serve with Carne Asada

Hope you enjoy these Grilled Steak Tacos with chimichurri sauce!  Let us know what you think in the comments below!
xoxo
 

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grilled steak tacos with chimichurri

Carne Asada Tacos (Grilled Steak Tacos)

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Description

Grilled Steak Tacos (Carne Asada Tacos) with Chimichurri SaucePico de Gallo, and Pickled veggies -flavorful and delicious, perfect for outdoor gatherings and barbecues. 


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 2 lbs Flank Steak (or pounded skirt steak, organic grass-fed is best)
  • 12 large, sliced sweet onions for grilling (optional)
  • 1 bunch scallions for grilling(optional)

Carne Asada Marinade:

  • Juice of 1 orange ( 1/3 cup)
  • Juice of 2 limes (1/4 cup)
  • 1/3 cup soy sauce
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar ( optional)
  • 4 garlic cloves, finely minced
  • 1/2 cup chopped cilantro (stems ok)
  • optional: 1/2 teaspoon of any or each cumin, coriander or chili powder.
  • optional 13 teaspoons adobo sauce ( from canned chipotles) This adds a nicely smoky flavor!

 Chimichurri Sauce:

  • 1 bunch Cilantro or about 1 cup packed (small stems OK)
  • 1 bunch Italian Parsley- about 1 cup packed (thin stems OK)
  • 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (1-2 limes)
  • 1/2 cup olive oil, or more
  • 1/4 cup chopped onion
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 of one jalapeño pepper

Simple Pico De Gallo:

  • 4 vine-ripe tomatoes, chopped
  • 1/2 medium red onion, chopped
  • 2 green onions, white and green parts, sliced
  • 1 Serrano chili, minced
  • 1 handful fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 1/2 limes, juiced
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Quick Pickles: ( or substitute Pickled Red Onions

  • 2 cups mix of sliced radishes, onion, or carrots, cauliflower, or whatever you like
  • 1 cup vinegar
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 Tablespoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon whole peppercorns or whole coriander seed
  • A few sprigs of cilantro

Tortillas: 12 small tortillas. Homemade tortillas are nice! Or, try a Corn and Flour blend- my favorite!

Garnish Ideas:


Instructions

  1. Steak Instructions: In a large bowl, mix together ingredients for the marinade. Place steak and onions in the bowl and toss with marinade. Let sit at room temp for at least 30 minutes, turning occasionally. (Or marinate for up to 3 hours in the fridge, bringing to room temp before grilling.) Pre-heat the grill to mediump-high heat. Grease the grill. Grill steak on med-high heat to the desired doneness. I usually cook to medium-rare, 5-7 mins each side. Grill the onions and scallions untio tender and charred. A little char is good on the steak here too. Let rest for 10 minutes, covered in foil, before thinly slicing the meat across the grain.
  2. Chimichurri Sauce:  Either chop everything finely and place all ingredients in a bowl, or alternatively place all dry ingredients in a food processor, pulsing several times until chopped. Add oil, lime juice, cumin, coriander, and salt. Pulse repeatedly until combined, but not too smooth. Add more oil if you want a looser sauce. Set aside in a small serving bowl.
  3. Pico De Gallo Salsa: Finely dice tomato, onion, jalapeño and cilantro. Season with salt, pepper and lime. Sometimes I’ll add diced avocado and a couple splashes of Tapatio hot sauce. Place all in a bowl, mix and let sit for 15 min to 1 hour (makes 2 Cups)
  4. Quick Pickles: In a small saucepan, combine water, vinegar, sugar, salt and peppercorns or coriander seeds. Add your choice of sliced radishes, slivered onions, thinly sliced carrots or whatever else you like. Bring to a boil. Remove and place in freezer for 10-15 minutes (or refrigerate until cold). Remove and place in a serving bowl or jar. Top with a little fresh cilantro. Or you could make pickled red onions instead.
  5. Tortillas – lightly grill, until soft and pliable (or grill directly on a gas burner. flipping and turning for 30 seconds) wrap up in a towel, to prevent drying.
  6. Serve everything together, along with any additional garnishes.

Notes

  1. Vegan Option: Seared Mexican Rubbed Tofu: Use your favorite taco seasoning, or make your own using this spice rub recipe. Cut tofu into strips, coat with spice rub and sear all sides in a hot skillet with a little oil. I will often start with coating and searing one piece of tofu first,and test for salt.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 taco
  • Calories: 202
  • Sugar: 3.6 g
  • Sodium: 331.5 mg
  • Fat: 8.5 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 17.5 g
  • Fiber: 2.7 g
  • Protein: 14.9 g
  • Cholesterol: 34 mg

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Comments

  1. I love all the photos here and the recipe looks delicious! Even though I don’t cook meat, all the other elements of these tacos sound incredible. I hope to figure out a good veggie or fish taco using some of the same condiments and certainly the chimichurri sauce!

  2. So apparently Facebook doesn’t always notify you when someone tags your FB page, so I thought I would let you know that I shared this with my FB fans 🙂 https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151822824868070&set=a.174654903069.124188.163690253069&type=1

  3. Like whoa Sylvia, this is straight FIRE. Never made anything this complex so far, but your directions are on point. Thanks for the excellent recipe, now I just need someone to impress with this recipe!

  4. Sylvia,
    I am so going to try these Tacos! They look & sound Delish..
    I really enjoyed reading about your trips to Mexico. I just love it there. I just wish I could speak Spanish! (Pretty sad since I am Mexican/Hispanic)… 🙂

    To think back when we were in Jr. High/High School that you would become this wonderful chef!! I cant wait to try your recipes. My family will just love this one 🙂
    XOXOXO,
    Cindy Orozco

  5. Yum! Found you on pinterest… I live in Spokane too. What rosauers carries the fresh tortillas?

    1. THANK YOU!! FINALLY SOMEONE WHO’S TRIED THIS RECIPE – NEED REAL REVIEWS from People who have Made it!!!!

  6. Simply yum. I definitely gonna try this and put a version of mine in my blog. And surely will link to your post mentioning my inspiration! Keep up the good work!

  7. Thank you for your kind words about Mexico and Mexican. Your recipe sounds so good that I am going to try it tomorrow.

  8. I would definitely like this! The flank steak and caramelized onions look amazing! And anything with cilantro is basically the best in my book. 🙂

  9. Wow, this looks delicious. The light and the styling on the shot of the steak with all your other acoutrements – mouthwatering.

  10. I’m new to your beautiful blog. I’m so looking forward to making my way through the whole thing. Thanks for your wonderful work!

  11. The tacos look amazing, I’ve been looking for a good steak recipe for a while and now that it’s warm enough I can use the grill outside and give this a shot!

  12. Your photos are stunning and your recipes sound delectable. We would love for you to share them at thefeastingeye.com. The Feasting Eye is still a bit new, but I think you will like what you see :-).

  13. I do! The marinade may not work. I would just coat fish in a little olive oil with minced garlic, salt, pepper and lime zest.

  14. These look so so good. I have been craving tacos all week! I usually go for veggie tacos with tons and tons of fixins. But I think I may have to splurge on these this weekend!

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