This Carne Asada Marinade recipe is perfect for infusing your steak with vibrant and zesty flavors. The combination of citrus juices, spices, and herbs creates a marinade that tenderizes the meat while adding a delicious depth of flavor. Ideal for grilling, this marinade will elevate your Carne Asada to a whole new level.
Some ingredients in this recipe may not be staples in every kitchen. Worcestershire sauce and soy sauce are common but might not be in everyone's pantry. Jalapeño adds a spicy kick and may require a trip to the produce section. Fresh cilantro is essential for its unique flavor, so make sure to grab a bunch if you don't have it on hand.
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Ingredients For Carne Asada Marinade Recipe
Olive oil: Provides a rich base for the marinade, helping to distribute the flavors evenly.
Lime juice: Adds a tangy and fresh citrus note that helps tenderize the meat.
Orange juice: Contributes a sweet and slightly acidic flavor, balancing the marinade.
Garlic: Offers a robust and aromatic depth to the marinade.
Soy sauce: Adds a salty and umami flavor, enhancing the overall taste.
Worcestershire sauce: Provides a complex, savory flavor with a hint of sweetness.
Ground cumin: Adds a warm, earthy spice that complements the other ingredients.
Chili powder: Brings a mild heat and smoky flavor to the marinade.
Salt: Essential for seasoning and enhancing all the flavors.
Black pepper: Adds a subtle heat and depth to the marinade.
Jalapeño: Introduces a spicy kick, making the marinade more vibrant.
Cilantro: Adds a fresh, herbaceous note that brightens the marinade.
Technique Tip for This Marinade
To maximize the flavor absorption, use a fork to pierce the steak several times before placing it in the marinade. This allows the marinade to penetrate deeper into the meat, ensuring a more flavorful and tender carne asada.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a similar fat content and a mild flavor that complements the marinade.
freshly squeezed lime juice - Substitute with lemon juice: Lemon juice provides a similar acidity and citrus flavor to the marinade.
freshly squeezed orange juice - Substitute with pineapple juice: Pineapple juice offers a sweet and tangy flavor that can mimic the citrus notes of orange juice.
minced garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can provide a similar garlic flavor, though it is less pungent than fresh garlic.
soy sauce - Substitute with tamari: Tamari is a gluten-free alternative to soy sauce with a similar umami flavor.
worcestershire sauce - Substitute with balsamic vinegar: Balsamic vinegar adds a tangy and slightly sweet flavor that can mimic the complexity of Worcestershire sauce.
ground cumin - Substitute with ground coriander: Ground coriander offers a warm, citrusy flavor that can complement the other spices in the marinade.
chili powder - Substitute with paprika: Paprika provides a mild heat and a similar color to chili powder.
salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used in the same quantity and provides a similar salty flavor.
freshly ground black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper offers a similar heat and peppery flavor but is slightly milder.
finely chopped jalapeño - Substitute with serrano pepper: Serrano pepper has a similar heat level and flavor profile to jalapeño.
chopped cilantro - Substitute with parsley: Parsley provides a fresh, herbaceous flavor that can replace cilantro, though it lacks the citrusy notes.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Marinade
How To Store / Freeze This Marinade
- To store the carne asada marinade, transfer it to an airtight container or a mason jar. This will keep the flavors intact and prevent any spills.
- If you plan to use the marinade within a few days, refrigerate it. The olive oil and citrus juices will keep the marinade fresh for up to 3 days.
- For longer storage, consider freezing the marinade. Pour it into a freezer-safe ziplock bag, removing as much air as possible before sealing. This will help maintain the vibrant flavors of the lime juice and orange juice.
- When freezing, you can also portion out the marinade into ice cube trays. Once frozen, transfer the cubes to a ziplock bag. This method allows you to use just the right amount of marinade as needed.
- If you have already marinated the steak and want to freeze it, place the marinated steak in a freezer-safe ziplock bag. Ensure the bag is sealed tightly to prevent freezer burn.
- Label the bags with the date and contents. This will help you keep track of how long the marinade or marinated steak has been stored.
- When ready to use, thaw the frozen marinade or marinated steak in the refrigerator overnight. This slow thawing process will help retain the flavors of the garlic, jalapeño, and cilantro.
- Avoid refreezing the marinade or marinated steak once it has been thawed. This can compromise the texture and flavor of the meat.
- For best results, always use fresh ingredients when preparing the marinade. Freshly squeezed lime juice and orange juice will provide a more vibrant and authentic flavor compared to bottled juices.
How To Reheat Leftovers
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the leftover carne asada on a baking sheet.
- Cover it with aluminum foil to retain moisture.
- Heat for about 10-15 minutes or until warmed through.
- Remove the foil for the last 2-3 minutes if you want a slightly crispy exterior.
Stovetop Method:
- Heat a skillet over medium heat.
- Add a small amount of olive oil or butter to the pan.
- Place the carne asada in the skillet.
- Cook for 3-5 minutes, flipping occasionally, until heated through.
Microwave Method:
- Place the carne asada on a microwave-safe plate.
- Cover with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel to prevent drying out.
- Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes.
- Check and stir, then continue heating in 30-second intervals until warmed through.
Grill Method:
- Preheat your grill to medium heat.
- Place the carne asada on the grill.
- Grill for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until heated through.
- Be careful not to overcook, as it can dry out the meat.
Sous Vide Method:
- Preheat your sous vide machine to 130°F (54°C).
- Place the carne asada in a vacuum-sealed bag.
- Submerge the bag in the water bath.
- Heat for about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
- Remove from the bag and quickly sear in a hot skillet if desired for a crispy exterior.
Essential Tools for This Marinade
Mixing bowl: Use this to combine all the marinade ingredients together.
Whisk: Essential for thoroughly mixing the marinade ingredients until they are well combined.
Ziplock bag: Ideal for marinating the steak, ensuring the marinade coats the meat evenly.
Refrigerator: Necessary for storing the marinating steak, allowing the flavors to meld over time.
Knife: Needed for mincing the garlic and finely chopping the jalapeño and cilantro.
Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for chopping and mincing ingredients.
Measuring cups: Used to accurately measure the olive oil, lime juice, and orange juice.
Measuring spoons: Essential for measuring out the soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
Tongs: Handy for removing the steak from the marinade and placing it on the cooking surface.
Grill or skillet: Necessary for cooking the marinated steak to your desired level of doneness.
How to Save Time on Making This Marinade
Prepare ingredients in advance: Chop the cilantro, jalapeño, and garlic ahead of time and store them in airtight containers.
Use a blender: Combine all marinade ingredients in a blender for a quick and even mix.
Marinate in bulk: Double or triple the marinade recipe and freeze portions for future use.
Quick defrost: If you forget to marinate overnight, use a vacuum sealer to speed up the marinating process.
Pre-squeeze citrus: Squeeze lime and orange juice in advance and store in the fridge.
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Carne Asada Marinade Recipe
Ingredients
Marinade Ingredients
- ½ cup Olive Oil
- ¼ cup Lime Juice freshly squeezed
- ¼ cup Orange Juice freshly squeezed
- 4 cloves Garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon Soy Sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Chili Powder
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper freshly ground
- 1 Jalapeño finely chopped
- ¼ cup Cilantro chopped
Instructions
- 1. In a mixing bowl, combine all the marinade ingredients.
- 2. Whisk until well combined.
- 3. Place the steak in a ziplock bag and pour the marinade over it.
- 4. Seal the bag and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.
- 5. Remove the steak from the marinade and cook as desired.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts for This Marinade
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