Carne Asada: A Bold and Bright Homestead Favorite

Carne Asada: A Bold and Bright Homestead Favorite

Few dishes capture the essence of fresh, flavorful beef quite like Carne Asada. Juicy, tender, and packed with citrus and spice, this Mexican-inspired classic is a true crowd-pleaser. It is perfect for backyard grilling, weeknight dinners, or any time you want to bring a little extra warmth and flavor to the table.

At Homestead Natural Meats, our locally raised skirt steak makes all the difference. Richly marbled and naturally tender, it soaks up every bit of the zesty marinade, creating a dish that celebrates both quality and simplicity.


Homestead Carne Asada

Serves: 6
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Marinate Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs Homestead Skirt Steak, trimmed

  • 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced

  • 4 cloves garlic, minced

  • ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped

  • Juice of 1 orange

  • Juice of 1 lime

  • Juice of 1 lemon

  • 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

  • ⅓ cup olive oil

  • 1 tsp ground cumin

  • 1 tsp kosher salt

  • ¼ tsp black pepper

Instructions:

  1. In a shallow dish or large resealable bag, whisk together the jalapeño, garlic, cilantro, citrus juices, vinegar, oil, cumin, salt, and pepper.

  2. Add the steak and coat evenly with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 8 hours.

  3. Preheat a grill to medium-high heat.

  4. Grill the steak for 7 to 10 minutes per side, turning once, until medium-rare or cooked to your liking.

  5. Remove from the grill and let rest for 5 minutes.

  6. Slice thinly across the grain and serve.

Serving Suggestions:
Serve Carne Asada in warm tortillas with diced onions, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges. It also pairs beautifully with grilled peppers, rice, or a simple avocado salad.

Tip: For the best texture, avoid over-marinating and always slice thinly against the grain.


A Final Note from Homestead

Carne Asada is more than just a meal; it is a celebration of bold flavor and shared moments. Made with Homestead Natural Meats beef, each bite brings together local quality, natural tenderness, and the unmistakable taste of the Western Slope.

Fire up the grill, gather your friends and family, and enjoy a little taste of Homestead at home.


Frequently Asked Questions About Making Carne Asada

Skirt steak is one of the best cuts for Carne Asada because it has rich marbling, a loose grain structure, and a naturally bold flavor. These qualities allow it to soak up marinades quickly and cook beautifully over high heat. When sourced locally, like Homestead skirt steak, it becomes especially tender and flavorful. Flank steak and flap meat can also work, but skirt steak offers the most traditional texture and taste.

Carne Asada should be marinated for at least one hour to allow the citrus, garlic, and spices to penetrate the meat. For deeper flavor, you can marinate it for up to eight hours. Marinating longer than that can begin to break down the muscle fibers too much because of the acidic ingredients. A balanced marinade time ensures tenderness without compromising texture.

The key to tender Carne Asada is a combination of proper marinating, high heat grilling, and correct slicing. Cook the steak quickly at medium high heat to achieve a flavorful exterior while keeping the inside tender. After grilling, let the meat rest and then slice it thinly across the grain. This shortens the muscle fibers and ensures every bite is tender. Using high quality, locally raised beef also makes a noticeable difference in both flavor and texture.