Simple Carne Asada Seasoning Recipe
This carne asada seasoning recipe is packed with flavor. Whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ with friends, making traditional carne asada tacos, or are just looking for new ways to spice up your meals, this homemade seasoning mix will become a staple in your household.
You can’t have a Mexican-inspired dish like this one without a side of Healthy Tortilla Chips and this Three-Ingredient Guacamole.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s bursting with bold, smoky, and zesty flavors; it tastes even better than your local restaurant.
- Easy street tacos recipe that can be customized with your favorite toppings.
- You can make it with simple pantry staples; there is no need for any fancy ingredients!
- It’s versatile! While perfect for carne asada, you can also use it on chicken, pork, or even roasted veggies.
Ingredients
This is a list of the ingredients that you need to make your grocery shopping easier. You can find the full list of the ingredients and amounts needed in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- chili powder
- smoked paprika
- ground cumin
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- dried oregano
- ground coriander
- salt
- black pepper
- cayenne pepper (optional)
How to Make This Carne Asada Seasoning Recipe
This is a quick overview of the step-by-step instructions for making this recipe. You can find the complete list of instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Add all the seasonings to a small bowl.
- Mix with a fork or spoon until well combined.
How To Use Carne Asada Dry Rub
To use a dry rub: Pat the beef dry with a paper towel and general season your beef on both sides before cooking.
To use as a marinade: Place the beef in a storage bag or container and squeeze with fresh lemon juice. Season both sides of the meat, and leave at room temperature for 1 hour but no more than 4 hours.
Carne Asada Cooking Times
These cooking times are for meat that is 1/2″ thick. The times will vary if your meat is thicker or thinner than this. I recommend that you use medium-high heat when cooking steak.
- Medium-rare: 2-3 minutes per side.
- Medium: 3-4 minutes per side.
- Medium-well: 4-5 minutes per side.
Sandra’s Pro Tips
- Store in an airtight container like a Mason jar or recycled spice jar.
- Make sure your spices are fragrant before mixing to ensure the spices are still fresh.
- Always preheat your grill or skillet to ensure a perfect sear on the meat, which will give you the best flavor and lock in the juices.
- Let the carne asada rest for about 5 minutes after cooking. This helps redistribute the juices, making sure your meat isn’t dry.
- Slice the steak against the grain for maximum tenderness.
FAQs
Do you have questions about this recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions for this recipe.
The best cut of beef for carne asada is skirt steak or flank steak. These cuts are flavorful, tender when cooked and sliced correctly, and they soak up marinades beautifully.
For the best flavor, marinate the carne asada for at least 1 hour, but don’t let it sit for more than 4 hours.
You will want about 6-8 ounces per person. I like to have leftovers, so I purchase 8 ounces per person.
Other Delicious Recipes You May Enjoy
Simple Carne Asada Seasoning Recipe
Equipment
- mixing bowl
- whisk or fork
- Measuring Spoons
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper optional for extra heat
For Marinade
- 2 limes juiced
Instructions
Carne Asada Seasoning Mix
- Whisk seasonings in a small bowl. Store in an airtight container.
Instructions for Dry Rub
- Pat the beef dry with a paper towel and general season your beef on both sides before cooking.
Instructions for a Marinade
- Place the beef in a ziplock storage bag or container with a lid. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the beef ensuring all sides are soaked with the juice. Season both sides of the meat with seasoning mix and leave at room temperature for 1 hour, but no more than 4 hours.
Cooking Times for 1/2" Thickness
- Over medium-high heat cook beef 2-3 minutes per side for Medium-Rare: 3-4 minutes per side for Medium, and 4-5 minutes per side for Medium-Well.
Notes
- Store in an airtight container like a mason jar or old spice jar.
- Preheat your grill or skillet to ensure a perfect sear on the meat, which will give you the best flavor and lock in the juices.
- Let the carne asada rest for about 5 minutes after cooking. This helps redistribute the juices, making sure your meat isn’t dry.
- Slice the steak against the grain for maximum tenderness.
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Please note that the nutritional information provided are guidelines and may vary based on the brand of products used. For your specific nutritional goals use My Fitness Pal or Verywell Fit recipe calculators. All content within this site is not intended as medical diagnosis or treatment and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical expertise.
