Carne asada, a popular dish in Mexican cuisine, typically involves marinating and grilling thinly sliced beef. Here's a simple recipe for cooking carne asada:
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds flank steak or skirt steak
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. **Prepare the Marinade**: In a bowl, whisk together the orange juice, lime juice, soy sauce, minced garlic, chopped cilantro, ground cumin, chili powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. This marinade will infuse the steak with flavor and help tenderize it.
2. **Marinate the Steak**: Place the flank steak or skirt steak in a shallow dish or resealable plastic bag. Pour the marinade over the steak, making sure it's completely covered. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best results. Turn the steak occasionally to ensure even marinating.
3. **Preheat the Grill**: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. If using a charcoal grill, make sure the coals are hot and evenly distributed. If using a gas grill, preheat it with the lid closed for about 10-15 minutes.
4. **Grill the Steak**: Remove the steak from the marinade and discard any excess marinade. Place the steak on the preheated grill and cook for about 4-6 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the steak and your desired level of doneness. Use tongs to flip the steak halfway through cooking.
5. **Check for Doneness**: To check if the steak is done, use a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the steak. For medium-rare, the internal temperature should be around 130-135°F (54-57°C).
6. **Rest the Steak**: Once the steak is cooked to your desired doneness, remove it from the grill and transfer it to a cutting board. Let the steak rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.
7. **Slice and Serve**: After resting, slice the steak thinly against the grain. This helps ensure tenderness. Serve the sliced carne asada with warm tortillas, salsa, guacamole, and your favorite toppings.
Enjoy your deliciously grilled carne asada! Adjust cooking times according to the thickness of the steak and your preferred level of doneness.