Carne Asada Tacos

published: Oct 3, 2022

updated: Dec 19, 2022

Flame-Kissed Carne Asada Tacos

Are you in need of something a little different for your weekly taco night? Reach for some Mexican steak! Specifically, carne asada. This delicious flank steak is marinated for hours and then grilled to perfection. It’s also the secret to a meal that tastes like you’re at a fantastic Mexican grill.

Today we’re going to use my carne asada recipe to make the best tacos ever! You can make it the same day or in advance. The carne asada marinade is made of lime, pineapple, garlic, and cilantro, which infuses the meat with so much flavor you won’t believe it.

Are you ready to make the best homemade carne asada tacos ever? Here’s how to do it.

From top left: Chopped cilantro, olive oil, seasonings, white onion, salt and pepper, white vinegar, lime juice, flank steak, cumin, pineapple juice, chili powder, maggi jugo, garlic.

What You’ll Need

To make these tacos, all you need is your grilled flank steak, some tortillas, and the toppings of your choice. Here’s what my family enjoys:

Taco Ingredients

Steak: That’s one recipe of the best carne asada, or whatever carne asada you prefer.
Tortillas: 10 – 12 corn tortillas, or homemade flour tortillas.

Topping Ideas

Guacamole: Store-bought is fine, or try this authentic guacamole Recipe that comes together in minutes.
Something Creamy: Such as sour cream, Mexican crema, or cilantro lime dressing.
Something Fresh: Vibrant salsa verde is a favorite, and so is classic pico de gallo.
Cilantro: Feel free to skip this, if you’re not a fan!
Red Onion: Again, this isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, so definitely omit it if you don’t like it.
Cheese: Crumbled cotija cheese or queso fresco would be awesome.
Hot Sauce: For a little kick.

How Is Carne Asada Different from Steak?

You may be wondering if you can substitute sliced regular steak in these tacos, and the answer is definitely yes – but they won’t be the same. The reason is mostly found in the marinade. Carne asada is big and bold, thanks to all those spicy, tangy marinade ingredients. Plain steak is delicious, but not as aromatic and zesty.

The BEST Carne Asada Tacos feature juicy marinated steak, thinly sliced and stuffed into tortillas with all your favorite toppings!

How to Make Carne Asada Tacos

Let’s talk about how you actually make the tacos. It’s incredibly easy, and very quick. Here’s the scoop:

Get the Steak Ready. First, of course, you have to prepare the carne asada. Again, you can do this on the day of, or ahead of time. Marinate and cook the steak according to recipe directions.

Flank steak marinating in a bowl with herbs and onions.

Prepare the Toppings. The next step is to gather and prepare any toppings. Make your guacamole, chop the onions, etc. You can do this while the steak is cooking, if you’re making the carne asada the same day.
Heat the Tortillas: For the best tacos, I highly recommend heating your tortillas (corn or flour!). I do this on a skillet on the stovetop. Just add a tortilla to a skillet over medium-high heat and cook it on each side for about 30 to 45 seconds. Then wrap with foil to keep warm for your tacos. This is quick and easy to do while the steak is resting.
Enjoy! Fill each warmed tortilla with steak and toppings of your choice! Enjoy!

Overhead shot of four tortillas on a large sheet of parchment, each one topped with meat, red onion, crema, and other toppings.

Tips for Success

Before you start putting your carne asada tacos together, I hope you’ll take a minute to read over these helpful tips. They really do make a difference in the quality of your dinner.

Homemade Tortillas: Homemade fresh tortillas (corn or flour) will make a big difference to your tacos! Take some time and make your own, if possible!
Heated Tortillas: Even if you use store-bought tortillas, heating them is a huge upgrade. A lot of times, the microwave is good for heating tortillas, but toasting them a little on the stove top will really bring out the best.
Simple or Complex: I love these tacos with lots of toppings, but they are also great if you narrow it down to just one or two, like cotija crumbles and red onion or tomato. Make things easy, and let the steak be the star!

A plate of carne asada next to several soft tacos.

What Goes with Carne Asada Tacos?

For me, a plate of tacos is great for a complete dinner. You’ve got some carbs, some protein, some healthy fat… but if you want to add a side dish or two, that’s a great idea as well! Here are some great ideas for easy sides:

Beans and Rice: Can’t beat the classic, right? Make any rice you like – Arroz Blanco (best white rice!), Authentic Mexican Rice – and add some Refried Beans. Yum.
Plantains: Who doesn’t love the sweet-tangy-savory flavor of Maduros (Fried Sweet Plantains)? And as a bonus, they are so, so easy to make at home.
Corn: Kids and grownups alike love buttery corn, so throw a few ears on the stove to simmer, or even better: make Elote (Mexican Street Corn)! This addictive corn-on-the-cob dish is sure to be a hit.

Carne asada tacos propped against each other.

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

Once assembled, carne asada tacos are best served immediately.

How to Store: If you do have leftovers, store everything separately. The steak will last for about 5 days in an airtight container in the fridge, while the tortillas, sauces, and other toppings will last longer or shorter depending on their shelf life. Always check the package or recipe for safe storage advice.

Reheat: When you’re ready to reheat your extras, warm the tortillas on the grill and pop the carne asada into the microwave. Be sure to use a microwave-safe plate and zap it until warmed through, which usually takes about 1-2 minutes depending on how much you’re reheating. Then assemble your tacos with all the fixings and dig in.

Can I Freeze Carne Asada?

I don’t recommend freezing carne asada tacos. The fixings won’t freeze well. However, sliced carne asada will keep for 3 months in the freezer, wrapped tightly, or sealed in freezer bags.

Three tacos stuffed with carne asada and topped with red onion, cheese crumbles and cilantro.

5 from 4 votes

Print Pin Recipe

Yield: 6 Servings