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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
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 400
Ingredients Method Notes

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

Method
 

Prepare the Marinade:
  1. In a bowl, mix lime juice, minced chipotle peppers, garlic, cilantro, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, black pepper, salt, olive oil, and brown sugar.
  2. Stir until well combined.
Marinate the Steak:
  1. Place the steak in a ziplock bag or shallow dish and pour the marinade over it.
  2. Coat the meat evenly, seal the bag, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (overnight for the best flavor).
Preheat and Grill:
  1. Remove the steak from the fridge 30 minutes before cooking to reach room temperature.
  2. Preheat a grill or cast-iron skillet to high heat.
  3. Grill the steak for about 3-5 minutes per side for medium-rare (adjust for preferred doneness).
Rest and Slice:
  1. Remove the steak from the grill and let it rest for 10 minutes.
  2. Slice against the grain into thin strips for maximum tenderness.
Serve and Enjoy:
  1. Serve with warm tortillas, diced onions, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges.
  2. 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.