Craving those delicious Mexican flavors but can’t afford a plane ticket to Cabo? No problem, we’ll guide you to the promise land with our carne asada seasoning recipe, marinades, & more.

Make sure to keep scrolling past the recipe card for a deep dive into Carne Asada Seasoning. We cover topics like, ingredients and equipment you’ll need, step by step cooking instructions, proper storage, variations, and some common FAQ’s.

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Carne Asada Seasoning

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WTF is Carne Asada Seasoning?

Carne asada seasoning is a blend of spices and dried peppers that are used to flavor carne asada, which simply translates to “grilled meat”. Carne asada is typically marinated beef that is grilled, often served in alongside tortillas and salsa. The seasoning is where a lot of the flavor comes from, so take your time to grind your own chili pepper!

Carne Asada Seasoning Ingredients

Here’s a list of everything you’ll need to make your own carne asada seasoning. You shouldn’t have any trouble finding everything at your local supermarket. Check the hispanic aisle for cheaper and more authentic Mexican spices.

• Dried Pasilla Pepper: Ground chili powder is acceptable in pinch, but it won’t be nearly as flavorful.
• Dried Guajillo Pepper
• Cumin Seeds: Ground cumin is fine but won’t be as flavorful.
• Coriander Seeds: Ground coriander is fine but won’t be as flavorful.
• Garlic Powder
• Onion Powder
• Sea Salt
• Black Peppercorns: Ground Black pepper is fine.

Carne Asada Marinade

You’re only half way there with the dry carne asada seasoning rub. You’ll still need to marinate your beef in olive oil, citrus juice, zest, Worcestershire sauce, seasoning, and white miso paste.

White miso paste, you ask? “Thats definitely not a traditional or authentic Mexican ingredient!” Yes, you are right, white miso is not Mexican. Its a Japanese seasoning made from fermented soybeans that has a unique savory, slightly funky, salty flavor. It’s freaking awesome, and it really goes nicely with lime juice and traditional Mexican spices. Trust me, you’ll dig it.

Most grocery stores should have it, but if not here’s a link: White Miso Paste

Carne Asada Marinate Ingredients

• Lime Juice: Fresh squeezed or from a jar.
• Olive Oil
• Orange Zest: Zest an orange and then use the same one for the juice, one large one should be plenty.
• Orange Juice
• Worcestershire Sauce: It’s a staple in the kitchen for a reason.
• Carne Asada Seasoning: You’ll add some of the seasoning to the marinate and use the rest as a dry rub before grilling.
• White Miso (optional): This is certainly not a traditional carne asada marinate ingredient but trust me, it adds a tasty tangy punch. I love mixing and swapping Mexican and Asian flavors.

Store Bought Chili Pepper vs. Freshly Ground Chili Pepper

Like most things in life, the long way is the better way, and thats no different when it comes to chili powder. Grinding dried chilis to make your own chili powder simply reigns supreme over store-bought alternatives. While convenient, store-bought chili powder lacks the depth and freshness of flavor that freshly ground chilis bring to the party.

And it’s easy, simply use a mortar and pestle or for an even easier way, use a coffee grinder or a NutriBullet. You unlock a whole world of vibrant and complex flavors, and heat levels when you grind your own chili powder. Unlike the store bought stuff, freshly ground chilis retain essential oils and deliver a nuanced aroma that just makes sh*t taste better.

Carne Asada Seasoning Equipment

Nothing too fancy is needed to make this simple carne asada seasoning recipe. You probably already have everything you need in your kitchen.

• Mixing Bowl: Toss all of those beautiful Mexican spices into a mixing bowl.
• Container: Store your carne asada seasoning in a zip lock bag or small air tight container. I save empty spice jars for this exact purpose. Just make sure to wash them thoroughly.
• Coffee Grinder: To grind those dried chilis! A mortar and pestle or bullet food processor attachment will work as well.

How to Make Carne Asada Seasoning

Follow these step by step instructions to make carne asada seasoning. It’s super simple and should take you less than five minutes to complete.

Step 1: Grind Dried Peppers and Seeds

Remove the stems and seeds from the dried peppers and place them in a coffee/spice grinder or mortar and pestle. Add the black peppercorns, cumin seeds, and coriander seeds. Grind them or mix them into a powder.

Step 2: Combine Ingredients

In a small bowl, combine the dried pepper powder, cumin, coriander, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, and sea salt. Use a fork or a whisk to thoroughly combine everything. Transfer to an air tight container and store in a cool dry place. Don’t forget to label it and date it. If making carne asada, set aside the seasoning and prepare the marinate.

Step 3: Marinate the Meat

In a large mixing bowl, combine the lime juice, orange juice, orange zest, olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, 2 Tbsp’s of the freshly made seasoning, and the white miso paste(if using). Mix thoroughly. Trim any excess fat away from your meat and place the steak into the mixing bowl, flip and toss the steak in the marinate to ensure it’s evenly coated. Cover with plastic wrap and store in the fridge for 6-24 hours.

Step 4: Grill the Carne Asada

Remove the beef from the marinade and let excess marinade drip off. Sprinkle more of the carne asada seasoning all over the steak. Preheat your grill or a pan and cook the beef to preferred doneness, 3-4 minutes on each side for medium rare. Serve with warm tortillas, fresh cilantro, and your choice of salsa.

Salsas for Carne Asada

You could use your favorite hot sauce or some boring store bought sh*t, your you could pull out all the stops and make some homemade salsa. It’s easy and here are a couple killer recipes to make it even easier.

Mango Habanero Salsa with Roasted Tomatillos

Grapefruit Salsa Recipe – a Fresh & Tangy Tastebud Tickler

Chipotle Lime Sauce – The PERFECT Hot Sauce!

Red Chimichurri Sauce w/ Fire Roasted Red Peppers, Chimichurri Rojo

Carne Asada Seasoning Storage

If you aren’t using your carne asada seasoning right away, or you’re making a lot of it, you’ll want to store it properly to maintain that perfect flavor you just worked for.

Store the carne asada seasoning in an airtight container. A glass jar, zip lock bag, or plastic tupperware all work well. The airtight seal helps prevent moisture and air from affecting the quality of the spices. Stored properly your seasoning mix will keep its flavor for 6-8 months.

Remember to label the jar with a name and date. We all know how things can get lost in the spice cabinet. Last thing you want to do is mix up seasonings… it could lead to tragic results like cinnamon sugar ground beef.

Carne Asada Seasoning Variations

The ratios of these ingredients can be adjusted to suit your personal preference. If you know you don’t like a certain ingredient, omit it. If you’re a big fan of heat, add some paprika or red pepper flakes. Playing around with different dried chilis can be fun too, they all have their own distinct flavor.

Beyond the dry carne asada seasoning, you can vary up the marinade. You could try using lemon juice and fresh thyme instead of lime juice and cilantro.

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