This Mexican Carne Asada recipe is a copycat of the popular restaurant, Chipotle Mexican Grill. This juicy flank steak is marinated in a flavorful marinade and perfectly grilled. Perfect for tacos, burrito bowls, or anything in between!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Great for meal prep: This steak recipe is great for meal prepping ahead of time. One steak can be used for multiple meals throughout the week - the options are endless!
A delicious copycat: Chipotle's carne asada is not available year-round, so this homemade version will definitely satisfy your cravings when it is off the menu.
Easy, accessible marinade: The ingredients for this marinade are simple, easy, and accessible. Simple ingredients still make a zesty, bright marinade that is popular for a good reason.
Ingredient Notes
- Flank steak: Flank steak is a larger cut, known for its meaty flavor. Flank steak does not have a lot of marbling, so it can get tough if overcooked.
- Soy sauce: Regular light soy sauce is what you will need for this recipe. Soy sauce is traditionally used in carne asada marinades for the saltiness and richness it adds.
- Navel orange: Navel oranges work best as they are seedless, and yield quite a bit of juice from just one orange.
- Fresh lime: Fresh citrus is best for this marinade. One of the key flavors for carne asada is the bright citrus notes, and bottled lime juice does not have the same impact.
A full list of ingredients with measurements is located on the recipe card, below.
Substitutions
- Flank steak: Substitute flank steak with skirt, hangar, or flap steak.
- Navel orange: Bottled orange juice can be used instead. Use good quality orange juice if you use bottled juice.
- Olive oil: Substitute with any cooking oil, like avocado or vegetable oil.
- Soy sauce: Worcestershire sauce has a similar flavor profile to soy sauce.
- Chipotle chile powder: Use fresh chipotles in adobo if you have them on hand.
Variations
- Fresh herbs: Add freshly chopped cilantro to the marinade for a herby twist, that is also very authentic.
- Different cooking methods: If you do not have a gas grill, use a grill pan, a hot skillet, or even the air fryer to make this carne asada recipe.
- Spicy: If you like extra spice, add freshly chopped serrano chile to the marinade.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prep Work Before Cooking
Collecting all ingredients: This will make cooking so much easier. Gather all the spices you will need, and keep them nearby.
Mix the Marinade
Add the marinade ingredients to a large mixing bowl. Whisk well to combine.
Marinate the Steak
Add the flank steak to the mixing bowl, and adjust the steak to fully cover in the marinade. Cover with plastic wrap, and marinate in the fridge for 2-3 hours, or overnight if possible.
Grill the Steak
Heat a gas grill on high heat. Oil the grill grates liberally using an oil-soaked rag.
Grill the flank steak for 5-6 minutes on each side, until the steak reads between 130-135°F on an instant-read thermometer.
Expert Tips
Different cooking times: These cooking times are for medium-rare steak. If you prefer medium steak, you should aim for an internal temperature of approximately 135-145°F, and medium-well, approximately 145-155°F.
Let the steak rest: Once the steak is cooked to your desired doneness, cover it with foil and rest it for 10 minutes before slicing.
Slice against the grain: Flank steak has natural fibers (lines) that run along the meat. For tender slices of meat, you always want to cut against (vertically across) those lines - otherwise known as the grain.
Make Ahead & Storage
- The carne asada marinade can be mixed and jarred 2-3 days before you are ready to use it.
- The steak can be marinated for up to 24 hours.
- Store leftover steak in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- Reheat leftover steak in the air fryer, on the stove, or in the oven.
Serving Suggestions
- Sides: This carne asada goes perfectly with Mexican red rice, Chipotle copycat black beans or Mexican-inspired brussels sprouts.
- Salsas: Pair this grilled steak with your favorite salsas, just like at Chipotle. Some of my favorites include roasted tomato salsa, fresh tomato salsa, or chile corn salsa.
- Drinks: Wash this carne asada with a frozen mangorita, blue margarita, or a classic michelada.
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Mexican Carne Asada (Chipotle Copycat)
Equipment
- Gas Grill
Ingredients
- 2 lb Flank steak
- 1 Navel orange - juiced
- 1 Lime - juiced
- 4 cloves Garlic
- ¼ cup Olive oil
- 2 tablespoon Soy sauce
- 1 ½ teaspoon Smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon Ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon Dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon Chipotle chile powder
- 2 teaspoon Kosher salt
Instructions
- Add the marinade ingredients to a large mixing bowl. Whisk well to combine.1 Navel orange, 1 Lime, 4 cloves Garlic, ¼ cup Olive oil, 2 tablespoon Soy sauce, 1 ½ teaspoon Smoked paprika, ¼ teaspoon Ground cumin, ½ teaspoon Dried oregano, 1 teaspoon Chipotle chile powder, 2 teaspoon Kosher salt
- Add the flank steak to the mixing bowl, and adjust the steak to fully cover in the marinade. Cover with plastic wrap, and marinate in the fridge for 2-3 hours, or overnight if possible.2 lb Flank steak
- Heat a gas grill on high heat. Oil the grill grates liberally using an oil-soaked rag. Grill the flank steak for 5-6 minutes on each side, until the steak reads between 130-135°F on an instant-read thermometer.
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