These Carne Asada Flank Steak Tacos are made with juicy marinated flank steak and a fresh avocado feta salsa for an easy high-protein summer dinner.
As a registered dietitian, these Carne Asada Flank Steak Tacos are one of my favorite easy summer dinners. Made with a citrusy steak taco marinade, juicy grilled flank steak, and a fresh avocado feta salsa, these tacos are packed with flavor while still being simple enough for a weeknight meal.
If you've never had carne asada before, it's a traditional Mexican-style grilled beef dish typically made with thin cuts of beef like flank steak or skirt steak that are marinated in citrus, garlic, herbs, and spices before being grilled over high heat. The result is tender, juicy, flavorful steak that's perfect for tacos, bowls, salads, and more!
Why This Recipe Is Dietitian Approved
- Flank steak tacos are a high-protein meal that provide iron, which supports energy and fullness.
- This carne asada flank steak recipe is an easy weeknight dinner that takes about 45 minutes to make.
- This recipe requires no oven, making it perfect for summer grilling or warm weather cooking.
Carne Asada Flank Steak Tacos Recipe
Ingredients, Swaps and Tips
Flank Steak: Carne asada is traditionally made with thin cuts of beef such as flank steak or skirt steak. For this recipe, I use flank steak, but skirt steak can be used as a substitute.
Citrus Juice: Orange juice and lime juice are used in the marinade to create a classic carne asada flavor. Freshly squeezed citrus juice is recommended for the best flavour.
Cilantro: Cilantro is used in both the marinade and the avocado feta salsa. For the best flavor, remove the stems and finely chop it before adding it.
Olive Oil: Olive oil is used in both the marinade and salsa and adds healthy unsaturated fats. It can be substituted with avocado oil or another neutral oil if preferred.
White Onion: White onion adds a clean, crisp flavor to the salsa that balances the richness of avocado and feta. Red onion can be used as a substitute if needed.
Cherry Tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes add sweetness and freshness to the salsa. Any variety of tomato can be used depending on what you have available.
Avocado: Choose avocados that feel slightly soft when gently squeezed but are not mushy. A ripe avocado will yield gently to pressure without feeling overly soft or hollow. I like to look for round avocados since they have the smallest pits.
The complete ingredient list with measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
Instructions
- In a large baking dish whisk together carne asada marinade ingredients until combined. To the marinade dish, add the flank steak in a single layer, flipping once to coat with marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat a grill (or grill pan) to medium-high heat. Grill steaks for 7 to 10 minutes per side, turning once for medium-rare. Remove steaks and allow to rest for 5 minutes before cutting.
- Slice thinly across the grain and set aside.
- Make the avocado feta salsa by combining cherry tomatoes, avocado, white onions, jalapenos, cilantro, olive oil, feta cheese and salt. Mix gently to avoid mashing the avocados.
- Warm the tortilla shells by wrapping 4 at a time in a damp paper towel and microwaving for about 30 seconds until warm.
- To assemble the tacos, add steak and avocado feta salsa. Finish with an additional crumble of feta cheese and sprinkle of cilantro- enjoy!
Substitutions and Variations
Gluten Free: This recipe is naturally gluten free when made with tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
Dairy Free: To make these tacos dairy free, substitute the feta cheese with a dairy free feta alternative such as Violife or omit it entirely.
Nut Free: This recipe is naturally nut free.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Low sodium soy sauce can be replaced with tamari or coconut aminos for a gluten free option.
- White onion can be substituted with red onion if needed.
- Cherry tomatoes can be replaced with any fresh tomato variety.
Variations
These Carne Asada Flank Steak Tacos are easy to customize with different toppings and flavor combinations. Try adding grilled bell peppers and onions for a smoky, savory option. You can also swap or add fresh salsas like my black bean corn salsa, mango salsa, or garden salsa for extra texture and flavor. For a creamy and higher-protein option, my avocado edamame guac works really well. Coleslaw also adds a crunchy, fresh contrast to the grilled steak.
Equipment
- Baking dish
- Mixing bowls
- Grill or grill pan
Storage
These flank steak tacos are best enjoyed fresh. Store leftover steak and avocado feta salsa separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat the steak in a skillet over medium heat or enjoy it cold in salads and taco bowls. Warm tortillas fresh before serving for the best texture. To prevent browning, press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the avocado salsa before sealing.
Top Tips for Success
Always slice the flank steak against the grain after resting. This shortens the muscle fibers and keeps the steak tender and juicy in the tacos. Let the steak rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing so the juices redistribute and the meat stays moist. For best flavour, use freshly squeezed orange and lime juice in the marinade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Flank steak is ideal for tacos because it is lean, flavorful, and absorbs marinades well. It cooks quickly over high heat and becomes tender and juicy when grilled and sliced against the grain, making it perfect for flank steak tacos.
You can marinate this carne asada flank steak overnight, but it is best to keep the total marinating time between 1 and 12 hours. Longer marinating times can cause the oil to thicken and the texture of the meat to break down due to the acidity in the citrus-based marinade, resulting in a softer or mushy consistency.
More Easy Weeknight Dinners From a Dietitian:
If you liked these flank steak tacos, try these recipes:
- Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos
- Big Mac Burger Bowls
- One Pan Zucchini and Lemon Baked Chicken Orzo
- Easy Turkey Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
See you in the kitchen!
PS. I love seeing my recipes in action! If you decide to make these flank steak tacos, don't forget to snap a photo and tag me on Instagram- @nourishedbynic or leave a comment and rating below letting me know how you liked it!
📖 Recipe
Carne Asada Flank Steak Tacos
Ingredients
Carne asada flank steak:
- ¼ cup orange juice (juice of 1 orange)
- ¼ cup low sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup lime juice (juice of 2 limes)
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
- Zest of 1 lime
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅓ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
- 3 garlic cloves, pressed
- 2 lbs flank steak (skirt steak is also an option)
For the tacos:
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes (sliced)
- avocados peeled, pitted and diced
- ½ large white onion, diced (about ½ cup)
- ½ jalapeño, deseeded and minced
- ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Juice of 2 limes
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- ⅓ cup feta cheese, crumbled
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 8 taco-sized corn tortillas
Instructions
- In a large baking dish whisk together Carne Asada marinade ingredients (include everything from the orange juice to garlic cloves) until combined. To the marinade dish, add the flank steak in a single layer, flipping once to coat with marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (however I recommend not doing this more than 12 hours in advance as the oil will thicken and the meat will begin to break down).
- When you're ready to cook the steak- preheat a grill (or grill pan) to medium-high heat. Grill steaks for 7 to 10 minutes per side, turning once for medium-rare. Remove steaks and allow to rest for 5 minutes before cutting.
- Slice thinly across the grain and set aside.
- Make the avocado feta salsa by combining cherry tomatoes, avocado, white onions, jalapenos, cilantro, olive oil, feta cheese and salt. Mix gently to avoid mashing the avocados.
- Warm the tortilla shells by wrapping 4 at a time in a damp paper towel and microwaving for about 30 seconds until warm.
- To assemble the tacos- add steak and avocado feta salsa. Finish with an additional crumble of feta cheese and sprinkle of cilantro- enjoy!
Nicole Addison says
An oven-free meal perfect for summer! Enjoy!!