Easy Carne Asada Recipe | Air Fryer Carne Asada

Ever wonder what goes into an authentic Carne Asada recipe? Well, I can promise you it's a lot more simple than you would think! Try this delicious Air Fryer Carne Asada for a quick and easy weeknight meal.

Why You Have To Try This Carne Asada Recipe

• Fast. Not counting the time it takes to marinate your steak, this Carne Asada recipe is ready in less than 30 minutes.
• Easy. Marinate, pop in the air fryer, and serve!
• Low Carb. Only 1 carb per serving.
• Delicious. This tastes just like your favorite Chipotle Carne Asada meat.

What Is Carne Asada?

Carne = meat and Asada = roast, or broiled, or grilled--or in my case, air fried.

There are many ways to make carne asada and they all vary by region. I've played with several different marinades over the years, but I keep coming back to this one.

What Cut Of Meat Is Carne Asada?

Traditionally, you'd use either flank steak or skirt steak. These are fairly heavily marbled but also somewhat stringier cuts.

In this Air fried Carne Asada recipe, I used skirt steak. Mainly because that's what I had. I actually had THREE POUNDS of skirt steak due to a mistake on my grocery list. But hey, that just turned into Carne Asada, so who is going to complain?

Ingredients You'll Need

• 2 medium limes- Fresh lime juice adds bright acidity, helping to tenderize the skirt steak while infusing it with a signature tangy, citrusy flavor. It balances the richness of the meat and enhances all the spices in the marinade.
• 1 medium orange- The orange provides natural sweetness and a deeper citrus note than lime. Its juices help tenderize the steak.
• 1 cup cilantro- Fresh cilantro adds herbal brightness and depth. Blended into the marinade, it infuses the steak with fresh, green, earthy flavor that complements the citrus and spices.
• 1 jalapeño pepper- Jalapeño brings mild to moderate heat and a touch of smoky, grassy pepper flavor. It adds depth without making the dish overly spicy.
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil- The oil helps distribute the marinade evenly, improves browning in the air fryer, and keeps the steak moist.
• 2 tablespoons white vinegar- White vinegar adds an extra punch of acidity that helps break down the steak fibers, making the final cooked carne asada more tender.
• 2 teaspoons ancho chile powder- Ancho chile powder contributes a mild heat with rich, earthy, smoky, and slightly sweet notes. It gives the carne asada depth, color, and classic Mexican-style flavor.
• 2 teaspoons Splenda- The sweetener balances the acidity from the lime and vinegar and the heat from the jalapeño and chile powder. It also helps with caramelization during air frying.
• 1 teaspoon salt- Salt enhances all the flavors in the marinade and helps the steak absorb seasonings more effectively.
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds- Whole cumin seeds add a warm, aromatic, slightly smoky flavor. When blended or ground in the marinade, they contribute depth and earthy complexity.
• 1 teaspoon coriander seeds- Coriander seeds bring a citrusy, floral note that pairs beautifully with the lime and orange. They round out the spice profile and keep the marinade from tasting too heavy.
• 1.5 pounds skirt steak- Skirt steak is the ideal cut for carne asada. It's thin, flavorful, and perfect for marinating. It absorbs flavors well and cooks quickly in the air fryer, staying juicy while developing a slight char.

How To Make Carne Asada In The Air Fryer

1. Place ingredients except the skirt steak into a blender and mix until you get a smooth sauce.
2. Cut the skirt steak into pieces and place into a zip-top bag.
3. Pour the marinade on the steak and let it soak for 30 minutes to 24 hours in the refrigerator. 
4. Place the steaks into the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer you may have to do this in two batches.
5. Cook until your steak has reached an internal temperature of 145F. It is critical to not overcook skirt steak so the meat doesn't become tough.
6. Let the steak rest for 10 minutes.
7. Slice the steak against the grain and serve.

Tips And Tricks For This Carne Asada Recipe

Many recipes call for orange juice to tenderize the meat and to add a little hint of citrus sweetness to the meat. I never have orange juice at home. What I do have, however, is a Vitamix blender that pulverizes anything into juice.

So I've gotten used to using a whole orange in this recipe. I also find that to be less sweet than commercial orange juice and that works better for me in this authentic Carne Asada recipe to let the spices resonate.

Here are a few more tips and tricks that I use to make this the best Carne Asada recipe:

• Marinate your meat for AT LEAST 30 minutes to help tenderize your steak.
• Let your steak rest for AT LEAST 10 minutes so all of the delicious juices aren't wasted on your cutting board.
• Cut the meat AGAINST the grain for an even more tender bite.

Variations

If you want to change up the flavor profile or tailor your carne asada to different tastes or ingredients you have on hand, these variations offer fun and flavorful ways to customize your recipe.

• Spicy- You can turn up the heat by adding extra jalapeños, mixing in ½–1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, or splashing in your favorite hot sauce to create a bold, fiery flavor.
• Smoky- You can add rich smokiness by blending chipotle peppers in adobo and a spoonful of adobo sauce into the marinade for a deeper, spicier profile.
• Garlic-Lime- You can intensify the savory notes by adding plenty of fresh garlic and a pinch of garlic powder to make the marinade even more aromatic.
• Kid-Friendly Carne Asada- You can create a gentler, sweeter version by omitting the jalapeño, reducing the ancho chili powder, and adding a little extra orange juice for balance.

What To Serve With Air Fryer Carne Asada?

Almost any traditional Mexican dish will pair well with this air fryer Carne Asada.

Here are some f my favorite things to serve alongside this easy main course:

• Instant Pot Mexican Rice
• Black Bean Soup
• Instant Pot Tamale Pie

How Long Does It Last?

For best results, you will want to eat any leftovers within 3-4 days (I wouldn't plan on having any unless you're making this dish for one person--it's that good).

Can You Freeze It?

Yes, you can absolutely freeze carne asada, and it freezes very well. Cooked carne asada can be cooled completely, stored in an airtight container or freezer bag, and frozen for up to 2–3 months without losing its flavor.

More Low Carb Recipes

Whether you're eating low carb or just love delicious food, you'll love these recipes:

• Keto Big Mac Salad- A favorite for the whole family because of my copycat sauce recipe taste just like the real thing!
• Low Carb Beef Stroganoff- Comfort food and Keto? Yes, it's true!
• Low Carb Beef Shawarma- An easy weeknight dinner option you'll want to make again and again!
• Ethiopian Beef Stew- You won't believe how much flavor is packed into such a simple dish.
• Beef Rendang- Fall apart tender meat in less than an hour!
• Kheema Meatloaf- The perfect solution for the days you're craving Indian food but are short on ingredients.
• Kimchi Beef Stew- An easy pour and cook recipe full of umami flavors.
• Bulgogi Burgers- Put your air fryer to work with this fun twist on burgers!
• Corned Beef and Cabbage- A classic done in a fraction of the time.
• Indian Beef Curry- Done in less than an hour and so good you'll wonder why you haven't made it before!

If you love this air fryer Carne Asada Recipe as much as we do, make sure you share it with your friends on Facebook and Pinterest so they can make it too!