Chipotle Carne Asada Recipe

This tender Chipotle Carne Asada recipe is one of my favorite summer recipes! Marinated in guajillo pepper, chipotle chili powder, garlic, orange, lime, beer and much more then grilled or pan seared to perfection; you'll have steak tasting like it's from Chipotle Mexican grill except better!

This steak recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners. It only takes me about 15 minutes to get the marinade ready then 10 minutes of cooking time.

Marinate the carne asada the night before then grill it the following night for a quick dinner! Make your own Chipotle Burrito Bowl using roasted chili corn salsa or serve it alongside corn salad, which can also be made ahead of time.

I often make the marinade before work, let it marinate for about 10 hours, then cook it for about 3 minutes per side. Chipotle carne asada goes really well with Summer Fruit Salad, Mango Chamoy Margarita Recipe, rice, beans or you could even substitute it for the ground beef in my Dorito Taco Salad Recipe!

The skirt steak takes on a smoky flavor from the chipotle chile powder then has really nice depth of flavor from the guajillo, cinnamon, cloves and Chef Merito's Carne Asada seasoning.

It makes the best carne asada tacos too. Just heat corn tortillas and add your favorite taco toppings.

You can also grill this on your outdoor grill. This makes it a summer time favorite for us! This recipe is popular starting around Cinco de Mayo and all through the end of summer.

What is carne asada?

Carne asada is a marinated steak, usually skirt steak. It is most often grilled then thinly sliced.

Carne asada marinade typically includes fresh juices from oranges and limes. Garlic and beer are often added along with various seasonings.

It can be served on its own or as an ingredient in another dish, such as steak nachos or tacos.

Recipe Ingredients

• Skirt Steak - You should be able to find this at your local grocery store or butcher. Ask your butcher to clean the steak for you to cut out any extra work that may be needed. I use skirt steak to make this California Burrito recipe too!
• Guajillo Pepper - A non-spicy dried pepper that is found at most local grocery stores. You can also check a Hispanic grocery store or Amazon.
• Garlic - Fresh garlic cloves are best for this recipe.
• Orange Juice - Use fresh squeezed orange juice.
• Lime Juice - Use fresh lime juice. Do not use lime juice concentrate.
• Kosher Salt - Using kosher salt is important, I use Diamond Crystal kosher salt. Do not use table salt while cooking.
• Chef Merito's Carne Asada Seasoning - I love this seasoning and use it frequently when making Mexican inspired dishes. I've recently been seeing it in local grocery stores but you can order Chef Merito's on Amazon too.
• Cumin - Cumin adds smokiness to the chipotle carne asada.
• Clove - Clove adds a really nice depth of flavor the the steak without being able to pinpoint exactly what it is. Coves aren't only for dessert!
• Cinnamon - Yes, cinnamon is good on your meat!
• Chipotle Chile Powder - This adds smokiness and a tiny bit of spice.
• Oregano - I love using oregano in my Mexican dishes. I prefer dried.
• Coriander - Coriander blends really well with the other ingredients in this recipe and adds a bright fruity flavor.
• Honey - Honey adds a little sweetness to balance everything out.
• Beer- A traditional ingredient in carne asada marinades. I typically use Corona or Modelo.
• Cilantro - I love to add a little cilantro on my chipotle carne asada right before eating.
• Queso Fresco - Queso fresco is an optional ingredient that makes a nice addition to the top of this skirt steak.

See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

Substitutions & Variations

• 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce can be substituted for Chipotle Chili Powder. Blend them into the marinated. Use any extra chipotle peppers on shrimp tacos!
• You don't have to use Corona. Use whatever type of beer you have available. I aim for a Mexican beer but have used American beers as well.
• No honey? Substitute 2 tablespoon granulated sugar instead.
• Don't have queso fresco? Add cotija cheese or omit the cheese altogether.
• Avocado oil or any neutral oil will work in place of olive oil.

This recipe has not been tested with any other substitution. Please leave a comment below letting us know how any other substitutions turned out!

How To Make Chipotle Carne Asada

Expert Tips

• Let the steak marinate for at least 10 hours to get the full flavor potential.
• Let the meat rest for 5-10 minutes before cutting into it. This helps the carne asada stay juicy. This goes for all meats large or small, such as an Air Fryer Ribeye.
• Cut against the grain when slicing. You'll end up with tough meat if you're slicing with the grain. Look at the way the fibers run in the meat then cut in the opposite direction. You'll want to cut the strip into 3-inch pieces then turn it the other way and slice against the grain.
• Use a meat thermometer. Cook the chipotle carne asada to an internal temperature of 125°F for medium rare.
• The chipotle carne asada will rise an additional 5° after taking it off the heat and letting it rest.
• I use a gallon Ziploc bag and set it inside of a pitcher when making the marinade. This helps the bag not fall over and makes adding the ingredients and steak to the bag very easy.

Frequently Asked Questions