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Carne Asada Tacos with Zesty Cilantro Lime Crema

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Flavorful carne asada tacos featuring smoky grilled steak paired with a tangy, creamy cilantro lime crema. Perfect for quick, casual gatherings and packed with bold, fresh flavors.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ pounds flank steak or skirt steak
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup fresh lime juice (about 4 limes)
  • ¼ cup orange juice
  • ¼ cup olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder (adjust to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro (for marinade and garnish)
  • ½ cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt for lighter option)
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 small garlic clove, minced
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 8–10 small corn tortillas (warm before serving; flour tortillas work if needed)
  • 1 cup diced white onion
  • 1 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • Optional: sliced radishes, avocado slices, lime wedges for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prepare the marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together garlic, lime juice, orange juice, olive oil, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, pepper, and chopped cilantro.
  2. Marinate the steak: Place the flank steak in a large zip-top bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the steak, coating evenly. Seal or cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, ideally up to 4 hours.
  3. Make the cilantro lime crema: In a small bowl, mix sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, minced garlic, and chopped cilantro. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
  4. Preheat the grill or pan: Heat grill to medium-high or heat a cast-iron grill pan over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes.
  5. Grill the steak: Remove steak from marinade, letting excess drip off. Grill for about 3-4 minutes per side for medium rare, or longer for preferred doneness.
  6. Rest the steak: Transfer steak to a cutting board, tent with foil, and let rest for 5 minutes.
  7. Slice the steak thinly against the grain.
  8. Warm the tortillas on the grill or in a dry skillet for about 30 seconds per side until pliable and slightly charred.
  9. Assemble the tacos: Place slices of steak on each tortilla. Top with diced onion, fresh cilantro, and a generous drizzle of cilantro lime crema. Add optional garnishes like radishes, avocado, or lime wedges.
  10. Serve immediately while steak is warm and crema is cool.

Notes

Marinate steak for 1-4 hours; avoid overnight to prevent mushy texture. Pat steak dry before grilling for better sear. Slice against the grain for tenderness. Make crema fresh for best flavor. Use corn tortillas for authentic taste or flour tortillas as substitute. For dairy-free crema, substitute sour cream and mayo with coconut yogurt and dairy-free mayo.

Nutrition

Keywords: carne asada, tacos, cilantro lime crema, grilled steak, Mexican street tacos, easy tacos, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://cheerycrisp.com/carne-asada-tacos-recipe-easy-zesty-cilantro-lime-crema-guide/