Go Back
+ servings
Carne Asada Tacos with Salsa Roja and Guacamole
Print Recipe
5 from 2 votes

Carne Asada Tacos with Salsa Roja and Guacamole

These Carne Asada Tacos with Salsa Roja and Guacamole are easy to make and absolutely bursting with flavour.
Prep Time25 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Marinating Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 40 minutes
Course: Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: carne asada, Carne Asada Tacos, Guacamole, Homemade Guacamole, Salsa Roja
Servings: 8 tacos

Ingredients

For the Salsa Roja:

  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil
  • 5 chile de arbol stems trimmed and seeds removed
  • 1 guajillo chile stems trimmed and seeds removed
  • 1.5 pounds Roma tomatoes
  • ½ yellow or white onion sliced in half
  • 2 cloves garlic skins peeled
  • ¼ cup water
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro
  • 2 chipotle peppers packed in adobo
  • Juice of 1 lime around 2 tablespoons, plus more to taste
  • ½ teaspoon dry oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste

For the Guacamole:

  • 2 ripe avocados
  • Juice of 1 lime around 2 tablespoons
  • ¼ cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
  • ¼ cup finely chopped white onion
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly-cracked black pepper

For the Carne Asada Tacos:

  • 16 ounces skirt steak cut into 6-inch sections, substitute flap steak or flank steak
  • Juice of 1 orange around ¼ cup
  • Juice of 1 large lime around 2 tablespoons
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro divided in half
  • 2 cloves garlic finely grated
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon freshly-cracked black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon ground coriander
  • ½ teaspoon dry oregano
  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil
  • 8 corn tortillas
  • ¼ cup finely chopped white onion for serving
  • Lime wedges for serving

Instructions

For the Salsa Roja:

  • Preheat a frying pan over medium heat. Add the avocado oil and heat until shimmering. Add the chiles de arbol and guajillo chile and toast, turning often, until slightly softened and deeply coloured but not burnt. Transfer the chiles to a plate and set aside.
  • To the pan, add the tomatoes, onion and garlic and cook, undisturbed, until charred, around 4 minutes. Flip the tomatoes, onion and garlic and char the other sides, around 4 more minutes. Return the toasted chiles to the pan, add the water and cook, using a wooden spoon to lift any brown bits off the bottom of the pan, until the liquid has reduced by ¼ in volume and the tomatoes are slightly softened, around 3 minutes.
  • Add everything to a blender along with the cilantro, chipotles packed in adobo, lime juice, oregano, and salt and pulse until as smooth or chunky as you desire. Taste the salsa for seasoning and adjust with salt and lime juice as desired. Transfer the salsa to a bowl, cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. The salsa will last up to 3 days in the fridge.

For the Guacamole:

  • In a bowl, combine the avocado, lime juice, cilantro, onion, salt and pepper. Using a fork, mash the guacamole until incorporated yet slightly chunky. Cover tightly and refrigerate until ready to serve.

For the Carne Asada Tacos:

  • In a bowl, combine the steak, orange juice, lime juice, ¼ cup chopped cilantro, garlic, salt, paprika, onion powder, black pepper, ground cumin, ground coriander and oregano. Toss everything to coat, cover and refrigerate 1 to 6 hours.
  • When ready to cook, preheat your grill to 500F (direct heat) or preheat a heavy-bottomed skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. If using a grill, pat the steaks dry, drizzle with some of the avocado oil, and toss to coat. If using a skillet or griddle, pat the steaks dry, add the avocado oil to the pan and heat until shimmering. Transfer the steaks onto the grill (direct heat) or skillet/griddle and cook, undisturbed, until grill marks form or deeply seared, around 4 minutes. Flip and cook the other side until grill marks form or deeply seared and the thickest part of the steak registers 125F for a medium-rare centre, around 4 more minutes. Transfer the steaks to a cutting board and let them rest at least 6 minutes before slicing against the grain into thin strips or small cubes.
  • While the steaks rest, warm the tortillas on the grill or skillet/griddle for 10-15 seconds per side or until charred. Alternatively, place a heat-safe wire rack over a gas stovetop and warm the tortillas directly over the open flame, 10-15 seconds per side.
  • In a small bowl, combine the remaining ¼ cup chopped cilantro, finely chopped white onion and small squeeze of lime juice and toss to incorporate.
  • To assemble the carne asada tacos, spread a layer of guacamole onto the tortilla, top with sliced steak, some of salsa roja and garnish with the fresh cilantro and onion mixture. Serve with extra salsa roja on the side and lime wedges for squeezing.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 301kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 36mg | Sodium: 569mg | Potassium: 722mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1251IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 2mg