Grilled Citrus-Marinated Carne Asada Tacos with Fresh Pico de Gallo
Tender grilled skirt steak marinated in a zesty citrus blend, served on warm corn tortillas topped with bright, fresh pico de gallo. This mexican-inspired tacos & burritos ready in about 30 minutes pairs skirt steak, orange juice, lime juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs skirt steak
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 8 small corn tortillas
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup diced white onion
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, combine 1/2 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup lime juice, 3 tbsp olive oil, 3 cloves minced garlic, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp ground black pepper to make the marinade.
- Step 2: Place 1.5 lbs skirt steak in a resealable bag or shallow dish and pour marinade over it. Seal and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 6 hours.
- Step 3: While steak marinates, prepare pico de gallo by mixing 1 cup diced tomatoes, 1/2 cup diced white onion, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 2 tbsp lime juice, and 1/2 tsp salt in a bowl. Refrigerate until serving.
- Step 4: Preheat grill or grill pan to high heat. Remove steak from marinade and grill for 4-5 minutes per side for medium-rare, or longer to desired doneness. Let rest for 5 minutes.
- Step 5: Warm 8 small corn tortillas on the grill for 30 seconds per side until pliable and slightly charred.
- Step 6: Slice steak thinly against the grain and assemble tacos by placing steak slices on tortillas and topping with fresh pico de gallo.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Citrus-Marinated Carne Asada Tacos with Fresh Pico de Gallo take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Grilled Citrus-Marinated Carne Asada Tacos with Fresh Pico de Gallo?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep skirt steak from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Citrus-Marinated Carne Asada Tacos with Fresh Pico de Gallo?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Grilled Citrus-Marinated Carne Asada Tacos with Fresh Pico de Gallo for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Grilled Citrus-Marinated Carne Asada Tacos with Fresh Pico de Gallo?
Mexican tacos & burritos like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
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