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Chipotle Carne Asada

Chipotle Carne Asada

This Chipotle Carne Asada is a smoky, spicy, and juicy grilled steak dish packed with bold flavors. Marinated in a blend of lime juice, chipotle peppers, garlic, and spices, then seared to perfection, this recipe brings the taste of Chipotle’s famous carne asada straight to your home.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Marinating Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 20 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 4 servings
Calories 400 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Marinade:

  • 2 lbs flank or skirt steak
  • ¼ cup fresh lime juice
  • 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce minced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp brown sugar

For Serving:

  • Warm corn tortillas
  • ¼ cup diced white onion
  • ¼ cup chopped cilantro
  • 1 lime cut into wedges

Optional: cotija cheese, guacamole, pico de gallo

Instructions
 

Prepare the Marinade:

  • In a bowl, mix lime juice, minced chipotle peppers, garlic, cilantro, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, black pepper, salt, olive oil, and brown sugar.
  • Stir until well combined.

Marinate the Steak:

  • Place the steak in a ziplock bag or shallow dish and pour the marinade over it.
  • Coat the meat evenly, seal the bag, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (overnight for the best flavor).

Preheat and Grill:

  • Remove the steak from the fridge 30 minutes before cooking to reach room temperature.
  • Preheat a grill or cast-iron skillet to high heat.
  • Grill the steak for about 3-5 minutes per side for medium-rare (adjust for preferred doneness).

Rest and Slice:

  • Remove the steak from the grill and let it rest for 10 minutes.
  • Slice against the grain into thin strips for maximum tenderness.

Serve and Enjoy:

  • Serve with warm tortillas, diced onions, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges.
  • Optionally, add cotija cheese, guacamole, or pico de gallo for extra flavor.

Notes

  • Always cut against the grain for the most tender meat.
  • Let the steak rest before slicing to keep it juicy.
  • If you don’t have a grill, use a cast-iron skillet for a great sear.
  • Adjust the spice level by adding or reducing the chipotle peppers.
  • This dish pairs well with cold beer or a margarita.
  • Leftovers work great in tacos, burritos, salads, or breakfast eggs.
Keyword Carne asada, Chipotle carne asada, flank steak, grilled meat, grilled steak, homemade Chipotle, Mexican steak, skirt steak, spicy steak