Recipe
No-Fuss Carne Asada
The easiest way to get amazing carne asada — let your local carniceria do the marinating while you handle the grill. A no-fuss approach perfect for Cinco de Mayo or any weeknight.
Prep
5 min
Cook
15 min
Total
20 min
Difficulty
Beginner
Yield
Method
Direct Grilling
What You Need
Ingredients
Carne Asada
- Carne preparada (pre-marinated skirt steak) from your local carniceria
- Tortillas (corn or flour)
- Salsa (homemade or store-bought)
- Pico de gallo (see recipe)
Step by Step
Instructions
- 1
Source Your Meat
Find your local Latin grocery store or carniceria (Mexican butcher shop) and ask for their carne asada that has already been prepared — also called 'carne preparada.' It's usually skirt steak marinated in a special marinade unique to each shop. Sometimes it's in the glass at the meat counter; other times you have to ask for it.
Pro Tip—Vallarta is a great option if you have one nearby.
- 2
Grill
Preheat your grill to high heat. Grill the carne asada over direct heat until cooked through with a nice char, about 3–4 minutes per side depending on thickness.
- 3
Serve
Slice the carne asada against the grain and serve with warm tortillas, salsa, and pico de gallo. That's it — you're a star.
Pro Tips
- Each carniceria has their own unique marinade — try a few and find your favorite
- Pick up homemade salsa from the market while you're there
- Perfect for Cinco de Mayo, Mother's Day, or any excuse to fire up the grill