This is the best air fryer carne asada recipe! Made with a few simple ingredients, you can make this tasty dish, and use it as filling on your favorite taco, burrito, salad, or even fajitas!
Air Fryer Carne Asada is perfectly cooked with the help of your air fryer. Juicy and tender, I grabbed a package of sirloin steak at my local grocery tore and came home to make excellent carne asada tacos for my family.
If you love easy Air Fryer Dinner Recipes try my recipe for Air Fryer Pork Taquitos, Air Fryer Monte Cristo Sandwich Recipe, or even Air Fryer Lobster Grilled Cheese.
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Why You Will Love Making Carne Asada In Air Fryer!
- Quick Cooking Time: The air fryer drastically reduces the cooking time compared to traditional methods, allowing you to enjoy perfectly cooked carne asada in just minutes. Perfect for weeknight meals!
- Even Cooking: Air fryers ensure even cooking by circulating hot air around the meat, which means your carne asada will be perfectly seared on the outside and juicy on the inside every time.
- Easy Cleanup: Air fryers are known for their easy cleanup, with most parts being dishwasher safe. Easy Clean-up is always a plus!
- Flavorful and Tender: The high heat of the air fryer helps to lock in the juices, ensuring your carne asada remains tender and flavorful.
- Versatile Cooking: An air fryer can cook various cuts of meat and accommodate different marinades, allowing you to experiment with flavors and find your perfect carne asada recipe.
- Consistent Results: Air fryers provide consistent temperature control, meaning you can replicate the perfect carne asada every time you cook.
- Energy Efficient: Using an air fryer is more energy-efficient than heating up a large oven or firing up an outdoor grill, saving you both time and money!
Ingredients Needed For Air Fryer Carne Asada
With a few simple ingredients, you can make this delicious cut of meat in minutes!
Remember the step-by-step directions and detailed ingredient list below in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post and the nutritional information.
- Flank or Skirt Steak: This cut of beef is ideal for carne asada, providing a tender texture and rich flavor when marinated and cooked to perfection.
- Minced Garlic: Adds a robust and aromatic flavor, enhancing the overall taste of the marinade and the steak.
- Lime Juice: Imparts a tangy, acidic component that tenderizes the meat and infuses it with a bright, zesty flavor.
- Orange Juice: Adds a subtle sweetness and citrus depth, balancing the tanginess of the lime juice and enriching the marinade.
- Olive Oil: It helps to coat the steak, ensuring the marinade penetrates deeply and keeps the meat moist during cooking.
- Ground Cumin: Offers a warm, earthy flavor that complements the other spices and adds a distinctive taste to the carne asada.
- Chili Powder: Brings a mild heat and a rich, smoky flavor, enhancing the overall profile of the marinade.
- Cilantro: Fresh chopped cilantro adds a burst of freshness and a hint of herbaceous flavor, perfect for balancing the richness of the steak.
- Salt and Pepper: Enhances the flavors of all the ingredients and bring out the best in the steak.
How To Cook Carne Asada In Air Fryer
Cooking carne asada in an air fryer is quick and easy, resulting in a flavorful and juicy dish. Follow these steps to achieve the perfect carne asada:
Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, combine the minced garlic, lime juice, orange juice, olive oil, ground cumin, chili powder, chopped cilantro, salt, and pepper. Mix well to create the marinade.
Marinate the Steak: Place the flank or skirt steak in a resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the steak, ensuring it is well-coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to 2 hours for the flavors to penetrate the meat.
Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes. This ensures the steak will cook evenly.
Air Fry Carne Asada: Remove the steak from the marinade and let any excess marinade drip off. Place the steak in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Set cook time for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the steak reaches your desired level of doneness. For medium-rare, the internal temperature should be about 135°F (57°C).
Rest the Steak: Once cooked, remove the steak from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring a tender and juicy steak.
Slice and Serve: After resting, slice the steak thinly against the grain. Serve with your favorite accompaniments such as tortillas, grilled vegetables, salsa, or guacamole.
Recipe Variations For Air-Fried Carne Asada
- Carne Asada Fries Air Fryer: Cook frozen or homemade French fries in the air fryer until crispy and golden. Meanwhile, prepare your carne asada following the recipe. Once both are ready, layer the fries with sliced carne asada, and top with shredded cheese, guacamole, sour cream, and pico de gallo.
- Carne Asada Tacos Air Fryer: Let the steak rest, then slice it thinly against the grain. Warm soft corn or flour tortillas in the air fryer for a minute or two, then fill them with the sliced carne asada. Top with fresh ingredients such as chopped onions, cilantro, avocado, and a squeeze of lime. Serve with salsa and enjoy these flavorful tacos for a quick and delicious meal.
- Trader Joe’s Carne Asada Air Fryer: If you’re using Trader Joe’s pre-marinated carne asada, cooking it in the air fryer is incredibly convenient. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and cook the pre-marinated steak for about 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until it reaches your desired doneness. The pre-marinated meat from Trader Joe’s is packed with flavor, making this a quick and easy option for a delicious dinner.
Pro Tips For Air Fryer Carne Asada
- Room Temperature: for best results, let your meat come to room temperature before air frying.
- Season: Season your meat with salt and black pepper before air frying.
- Steak Seasoning: A great way to elevate this dish is to add some steak seasoning, which will add lots of flavors.
- Cooking This Recipe in An Air Fryer Oven: If you are cooking your Carne Asada in an air fryer oven, make sure that you place the steak on the bottom shelf. This way, both the outside and the inside will get cooked simultaneously.
- Different Air Fryers: Since All air fryers are slightly different, it’s best to check with a meat thermometer before removing the meat from the air fryer.
Faq’s Cooking Carne Asada In Air Fryer
Reheat carne asada in air fryer: Reheating carne asada in the air fryer is perfect! To reheat carne asada in the air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the carne asada in the basket and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until heated through, making sure to flip halfway for even reheating.
Can I cook carne asada in an air fryer? Yes, you can cook carne asada in an air fryer. The air fryer is an excellent tool for cooking carne asada quickly and evenly, ensuring the meat is tender and flavorful.
What temperature should I cook carne asada at in the air fryer? Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). This high temperature helps sear the meat, locking in juices and flavor.
How long to cook carne asada in air fryer: It typically takes about 8-10 minutes to cook carne asada in an air fryer, depending on the thickness of the steak and your desired level of doneness. Flip the steak halfway through the cooking time.
Do I need to marinate the carne asada before cooking in the air fryer? Marinating the carne asada before cooking is highly recommended as it enhances the flavor and tenderness of the meat. Marinate the steak for at least 30 minutes, but preferably a few hours or overnight.
Can I use pre-marinated carne asada from the store in the air fryer? Yes, pre-marinated carne asada from the store can be cooked in the air fryer. Follow the same cooking instructions, adjusting the time based on the steak’s thickness.
Should I use oil when cooking carne asada in the air fryer? Lightly spraying or brushing the air fryer basket with oil can prevent sticking and promote even cooking. The marinade typically contains oil, which helps keep the meat moist and flavorful.
How do I know when the carne asada is cooked or done? Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. For medium-rare, aim for 135°F (57°C); for medium, 145°F (63°C); and for well-done, 160°F (71°C). Let the steak rest for a few minutes after cooking.
Can I cook frozen carne asada in the air fryer? Yes, if you need to cook it from frozen, increase the cooking time and check the internal temperature to ensure it’s fully cooked.
What are some serving suggestions for air fryer carne asada? Serve carne asada with warm tortillas, guacamole, salsa, grilled vegetables, or over a bed of rice. It’s versatile and pairs well with many side dishes.
How should I store leftover carne asada? Store leftover carne asada in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently in the air fryer or a skillet to maintain its texture and flavor.
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Air Fryer Carne Asada
Description
Ingredients
- 1 lb flank steak, or skirt steak
- 3 cloves garlic , minced
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine the minced garlic, lime juice, orange juice, olive oil, ground cumin, chili powder, chopped cilantro, salt, and pepper. Mix well to create the marinade.
- Place the flank or skirt steak in a resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the steak, ensuring it is well-coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to 2 hours for the flavors to penetrate the meat.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes. This ensures the steak will cook evenly.
- Remove the steak from the marinade and let any excess marinade drip off. Place the steak in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the steak reaches your desired level of doneness. For medium-rare, the internal temperature should be about 135°F (57°C).
- Once cooked, remove the steak from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring a tender and juicy steak.
- After resting, slice the steak thinly against the grain. Serve with your favorite accompaniments such as tortillas, grilled vegetables, salsa, or guacamole.
Equipment
- Cooking Spray
- Parchment Paper, optional
Nutrition
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Alyssa
Not bad! We made this tonight and it was quick and easy, perfect for steak tacos. Next time I will use a little more garlic and less lime juice, because we found the lime to be a little overwhelming. Adding this to my list of easy quick recipes to have on hand.