"If you're eating carne asada with a fork, you're doing it wrong." — Chuy

There’s something about carne asada that gets everyone outside. The grill gets hot, somebody turns the music up, and before you know it, everyone's standing around saying they're "just grabbing one taco." This is backyard food at its best—juicy grilled steak, warm tortillas, fresh toppings, and a heavy drizzle of Chile Macho to bring it all together.

Prep time: 15 mins (+2 hours to marinate) | Cook time: 10 mins | Servings: 4–6 hungry humans

What You Need

For the Carne Asada

• 2 lbs skirt steak (or flank steak if that's what you've got)

• 1/4 onion, 3 garlic cloves, 4 1/2-5 tsp salt(taste it and adjust it), 2 1/2 tbsp chili powder, 1 1/2 tbsp achiote paste, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp oregano, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp brown sugar (to balance acidity), 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice or 100% juice, 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
  

For the Tacos

• Warm corn tortillas or maize tortillas

• Guacamole (Optional)

• Pico de Gallo (Optional)

• Lime wedges

• 2–3 spoonfuls of Chile Macho Salsa Macha (give the jar a good stir first)

How to Make It

Marinate Like You Mean It

Mix the oil, lime juice, garlic, and seasonings together. Coat the steak well and let it hang out in the fridge for at least 2 hours. Overnight is even better if you've got the time.

Fire Up the Grill Get your grill nice and hot. Throw the steak on and let it cook for about 2 to 3 minutes per side until you've got a beautiful char and a juicy center. Then let it rest for about 10 minutes before slicing.

Slice It Right

Slice the steak thin against the grain. It's the easiest way to make every bite tender enough to melt in your mouth.

Build the Taco

Warm your tortillas, pile on the carne asada, then top with guacamole, some pico, and a squeeze of fresh lime.

The Chuy Finish

Now for the best part. Give your Chile Macho Salsa Macha jar a good stir and scoop up those crispy chiles from the bottom. Lay a generous spoonful right over the steak. Smoky, crunchy, spicy... that's the move.

Chuy's Pro-Tip

Don't build one taco at a time.

Stack a few tortillas, build three tacos, and hand one to whoever's standing closest to the grill.

Good food tastes even better when it's shared.

What is Carne Asada?

Carne asada is Spanish for "grilled meat," but it's become a backyard tradition across Mexico and the Southwest. It's usually made with skirt or flank steak that's grilled over high heat, sliced thin, and served in warm tortillas with simple toppings. Finish it with Chile Macho Salsa MAcha, and every bite gets smoky chile flavor, crispy garlic, and the perfect amount of heat.