How to Marinate Carne Asada

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By eHow Contributing Writer

Carne asada is a Mexican dish of marinated, grilled beef and literally means "roasted meat" in Spanish. It is the key ingredient in dishes like burritos and tacos. The term "carne asada" also describes a party where the dish is prepared and served. The primary ingredient for a carne asada marinade is lime, which not only provides delicious flavor, but also tenderizes the beef with its citric acid.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

1 lb. beef skirt steak trimmed of excess fat
6 to 8 limes
Salt
Pepper
Large, glass bowl

Step 1

Cut limes in half cross-wise.
Step 2

Squeeze the lime juice into a large, glass bowl.
Step 3

Cut the meat into pieces approximately 4 inches long.
Step 4

Place the cut meat pieces into the bowl with the lime juice.
Step 5

Let the meat marinate in the refrigerator for a minimum of one hour and a maximum of four. Turn the meat every twenty minutes, if possible.
Step 6

Remove the meat from the bowl. Pat it dry with paper towels.
Step 7

Liberally sprinkle the meat with salt and pepper to taste.

Tips & Warnings

For additional flavor, try adding a handful of fresh cilantro, 4 garlic cloves, 1 tsp. of ground cumin and 1/2 cup of olive oil to the marinade.
Roll the uncut limes beneath your hand on a countertop using firm pressure. This will soften them making the juices release more easily.
Do not use a metal bowl to marinate the beef. The citric acid in the limes could react with the metal and impart a bad taste in the finished dish.

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