Description
These Cheese-Loaded Carne Asada Tacos combine tender, marinated flank or skirt steak grilled to perfection with melted Mexican cheese, fresh avocado, and zesty toppings. A deliciously cheesy and flavorful take on classic carne asada tacos that’s perfect for any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Carne Asada
- 1 lb flank steak or skirt steak
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
For the Tacos
- 8 small flour or corn tortillas
- 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend (or your choice of cheese)
- 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Salsa (optional)
- Lime wedges (for serving)
Instructions
- Marinate the Carne Asada: In a bowl, combine olive oil, minced garlic, lime juice, ground cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and oregano to create the marinade.
- Apply Marinade: Rub the marinade evenly onto both sides of the flank or skirt steak, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes up to 2 hours to infuse flavors.
- Grill the Carne Asada: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Cook the marinated steak for approximately 4-5 minutes on each side for medium-rare, adjusting time for preferred doneness.
- Rest and Slice Steak: Remove the steak from the grill and let it rest for about 5 minutes. Then slice thinly against the grain to ensure tenderness.
- Warm the Tortillas: While the steak rests, heat the tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 30 seconds on each side until soft with slight charring.
- Assemble the Tacos: Place a generous layer of shredded cheese on each warm tortilla. Add the sliced carne asada atop the cheese so it melts slightly.
- Add Toppings: Top with thinly sliced red onions, chopped fresh cilantro, and avocado slices. Optionally, add salsa for extra flavor.
- Serve: Serve the tacos with lime wedges on the side to add a bright, zesty finish. Enjoy your cheesy, flavorful carne asada tacos!
Notes
- For best flavor, marinate the steak for at least 1 hour; up to 2 hours is ideal.
- Feel free to use corn tortillas for a gluten-free option.
- Adjust the level of chili powder based on your spice preference.
- Allowing the steak to rest before slicing helps retain juices and tenderness.
- Cheese melts better when placed under the warm steak.
- Salsa is optional but adds a nice freshness and heat to the tacos.
