Air-Fried Carne Asada: A Quick, Crispy Delight

Yes, you can make carne asada in an air fryer! This cooking method is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal. The air fryer reduces cooking time, ensures even cooking, makes cleanup easy, and produces juicy and tender carne asada.

Carne asada is traditionally made with flank steak or skirt steak, but you can also use sirloin steak or flat iron steak. The meat is typically marinated in a blend of spices, citrus juices, and olive oil, and then cooked in the air fryer for about 8-10 minutes, depending on your desired level of doneness.

So, if you're looking for a delicious and convenient way to prepare carne asada, give your air fryer a try!

Choosing the right cut of meat

When it comes to making carne asada in an air fryer, choosing the right cut of meat is essential for achieving the signature tender texture and rich flavour. While carne asada can be made with various cuts of beef, there are a few options that stand out as the best choices.

Flank Steak

The first recommended option is flank steak. This cut of beef is characterised by its relatively thin profile and heavy marbling, which contribute to its tender texture and robust flavour. Flank steak is a popular choice for carne asada because it cooks quickly and evenly, making it ideal for the high heat of an air fryer. It is also readily available at most grocery stores, making it a convenient option for home cooks.

Skirt Steak

Skirt steak is the other most popular choice for carne asada. Like flank steak, it is a thin cut of beef with a rich marbling that results in a tender texture and a robust, beefy flavour. Skirt steak is slightly thinner than flank steak, typically measuring around 1/4" in thickness. This means that it cooks even faster, making it a great choice for a quick and easy meal.

Other Options

While flank and skirt steaks are the most traditional choices, you can also experiment with other cuts of meat for your carne asada. Boneless short ribs, for example, have a similar cooking time to skirt steak and deliver a tender texture and flavourful result. Alternatively, you could opt for a more expensive cut of steak, such as ribeye, if you're looking for maximum tenderness. However, it's important to note that the more expensive cuts are not necessary, as the traditional cuts can be made tender using the right marinade and cooking techniques.

Marinating the steak

To marinate the steak, you will need to first prepare the marinade. In a bowl, combine ingredients such as minced garlic, lime juice, orange juice, olive oil, ground cumin, chili powder, chopped cilantro, salt, and pepper. Mix well to create a smooth sauce.

Next, cut the skirt steak into pieces and place them into a zip-top bag or a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the steak, ensuring that it is well-coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and place it in the refrigerator. Allow the steak to marinate for the desired amount of time, from 30 minutes to 24 hours, depending on how much time you have and how intense you want the flavours to be.

After the steak has finished marinating, remove it from the marinade and let any excess drip off. It is now ready to be placed in the air fryer and cooked to perfection!

Preheating the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the process of making carne asada. By preheating your air fryer, you ensure that your steak cooks evenly and efficiently. Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and let it preheat for about 3-5 minutes. While the air fryer is preheating, you can brush your room-temperature skirt steak with olive oil and season it with salt and pepper.

The preheating process is especially important when cooking steak, as it helps to create a nice high heat that will give your steak a good sear. This is crucial for locking in the juices and flavour of the meat. A good sear will also give your steak those desirable crispy edges.

If you're using an air fryer oven, make sure to place the steak on the bottom shelf to ensure even cooking. Additionally, if you want to add a pan-sear step to your preparation, you can do so before placing the steak in the air fryer. However, if you do choose to pan-sear, you may need to reduce the cooking time in the air fryer by a minute or two.

Preheating your air fryer is a simple but essential step in making delicious and juicy carne asada.

Cooking the carne asada

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to make carne asada in an air fryer:

• Skirt steak or flank steak
• Olive oil or vegetable oil
• Salt and pepper
• Minced garlic or garlic powder
• Lime juice
• Orange juice
• Ground cumin
• Chili powder
• Cilantro
• Brown sugar (optional)
• Paprika (optional)
• Oregano (optional)

Marinade

Start by preparing the marinade. In a bowl, combine the garlic, lime juice, orange juice, olive oil, ground cumin, chili powder, chopped cilantro, salt, and pepper. Mix well to create a smooth sauce.

Prepare the Steak

Cut the skirt steak into a few pieces and place them into a zip-top bag or a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the steak, ensuring it is well-coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and place it in the refrigerator. Allow the steak to marinate for at least 30 minutes, but preferably for a few hours or even overnight for extra flavour.

Preheat the Air Fryer

Before cooking, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3-5 minutes. This step ensures that the steak will cook evenly.

Air Fry the Carne Asada

Remove the steak from the marinade and let any excess drip off. Place the steak into the air fryer basket in a single layer. If your air fryer is small, you may need to cook the steak in batches.

Cooking time will depend on your desired level of doneness. As a guide, cook the steak for 8-10 minutes for medium-rare, flipping it halfway through. The internal temperature for medium-rare should be about 135°F (57°C). Do not overcook the steak, as this will make the meat tough.

Rest the Steak

Once cooked, remove the steak from the air fryer and let it rest for at least 5 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a tender and juicy steak.

Slice and Serve

After resting, slice the steak thinly against the grain. Serve with your favourite sides and accompaniments, such as tortillas, grilled vegetables, salsa, guacamole, or rice.

Tips

• It is recommended to let the steak come to room temperature before air frying.
• You can season the steak with additional seasonings, such as steak seasoning or chipotle seasoning.
• If using an air fryer oven, place the steak on the bottom shelf to ensure even cooking.
• Always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the steak to avoid overcooking.
• If you prefer a crispy edge on your steak, you can pan-sear it before placing it in the air fryer. However, remember to reduce the cooking time in the air fryer by 1-2 minutes.
• Always cut the steak against the grain to maintain its tender nature.

Resting and slicing the steak

Resting the steak is an important step in the cooking process. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring it remains tender and juicy. Depending on the size of your steak, you should let it rest for at least 3 to 10 minutes. Cover the steak loosely with foil to retain heat and prevent drying out.

When you're ready to slice, use a sharp knife to cut the steak against the grain. This is crucial in keeping the meat tender. If you cut with the grain, the steak can become excessively chewy. Slice the steak thinly and serve immediately.

Carne asada is typically served with warm tortillas, grilled vegetables, salsa, guacamole, or over a bed of rice. It's a versatile dish that pairs well with many sides.

Leftover carne asada should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days. When reheating, use the air fryer or a skillet to maintain the steak's texture and flavour.

Frequently asked questions