The Best Carne Asada Tacos

These Carne Asada Tacos are the best Mexican street tacos on the internet with a delicious citrusy steak marinade that’s so easy to make!

These tacos have that same street-style flavour you’d get from your favourite taco spot, but you can make them right at home. I love serving these for a quick weeknight dinner or whenever we’re doing a casual taco night, they always disappear fast!

Why you'll love this recipe

• Big flavour, simple ingredients: The citrusy marinade brings bold, authentic taste without a long grocery list.
• Perfect for taco night: Great for feeding a crowd or keeping dinner fun and hands-on.
• Grill or stovetop friendly: You can cook the steak however you like: BBQ, grill pan or cast iron skillet.

Ingredients and substitutions

Steak marinade

• Striploin steak – I like using sirloin but you can use any cut of beef with a small amount of marbling like ribeye, skirt steak or flank steak.
• Olive oil – use any other high-smoke-point oil like avocado, peanut or coconut oil. Melted ghee would also work.
• Orange juice – freshly squeezed orange juice has the best flavor, but bottled orange juice will also work.
• Lime juice – fresh lime juice is best but bottled can be used. Lemon juice will work in a pinch but has a slightly different flavour.
• Soy sauce – use low-sodium soy sauce, coconut aminos or tamari instead.
• Chili powder – make your own chili powder using a blend of spices including paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano and cayenne.
• Cumin – coriander is the best substitute for cumin.
• Garlic – fresh minced garlic is best but you can also try using garlic powder or jarred minced garlic.
• Orange zest – lime zest would also work.

Tacos

• Corn tortillas – flour tortillas would also be good or you can make them into lettuce wraps for a low-carb option.
• White onions – red onions are also delicious.
• Cilantro – leave this out altogether if you don’t like cilantro.
• Lime wedges – to garnish.
• Cheese – Cojita and/or feta are my go-to choices but any type of crumbly cheese will work well.
• Guacamole – store-bought guacamole would also work here.

How to make carne asada tacos

Step 1: Marinate the steak.

Let the steak sit for at least 15 minutes.

Step 2: Cook the steak.

Cook the steak until medium rare.

Step 3: Cut the steak.

Let the steak rest, then slice it into bite-sized pieces.

Step 4: Make the guacamole.

Mix mashed avocado, onion, garlic, lime juice and salt and pepper.

Step 5: Prep your toppings.

Prep any toppings and microwave the corn tortillas until softened.

Step 6: Assemble and serve!

Add the steak to the corn tortillas with the guacamole and any other toppings of your choice.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need fresh citrus juice for the marinade?

Fresh is best for flavour, but bottled lime or orange juice can work in a pinch. Just taste and adjust as needed.

How do I keep the steak from drying out?

Avoid overcooking. Medium-rare to medium is ideal. Let it rest for 5–10 minutes before slicing to keep it juicy.

Are these tacos gluten-free?

Yes, just be sure to use corn tortillas and check that your marinade ingredients are gluten-free.

What to serve with this dish

These carne asada tacos are delicious on their own, or you can serve them with any of these side dishes:

• Mexican rice
• Refried beans
• Cactus salad
• Cowboy caviar
• Homemade tortilla chips with guac or salsa for dipping
• Corn and black bean salad

How to store and reheat

Store: Store the toppings and ingredients separately in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Reheat: Reheat the steak on the grill or in the oven or serve the steak cold.

Freeze: Freeze the beef in the marinade raw or after cooking it for 3 to 4 months.

Meal prep tools

• Grab some glass meal prep bowls for storing the leftovers.
• I get all my steak from Butcher Box, conveniently delivered to me frozen.
• Use these Ziploc bag holders to marinate the steak.
• **Get my full list of tools here**