Tiffany Haney
Air fryers are a quick and easy way to cook juicy and tender carne asada. The high heat helps to lock in the juices, and the circulation of hot air ensures even cooking. Carne asada can be cooked in an air fryer in as little as 6 minutes, depending on the level of doneness desired. The steak should be marinated for at least 30 minutes, and up to 24 hours, before cooking, and allowed to rest for at least 3 minutes after cooking.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of meat | Skirt steak, flank steak, sirloin steak, or flat iron steak |
| Marinade ingredients | Olive oil, soy sauce, brown sugar, lime juice, chiles, garlic, cilantro, salt, cumin, oregano, paprika, pepper, orange juice |
| Marinade time | 30 minutes to 24 hours |
| Air fryer temperature | 350°F -400°F (176-204°C) |
| Air fryer cooking time | 3-10 minutes for the first cook; 3-5 minutes for reheating leftovers |
| Resting time | 5-10 minutes |
| Serving suggestions | Rice and beans, tacos, burritos, grilled tortillas, cilantro-lime rice, Mexican corn salad, carne asada fries |
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What You'll Learn
Marinating the steak
There are many different ways to make an authentic carne asada marinade, but here is a simple and classic recipe: in a small bowl, combine olive oil, paprika, cumin, oregano, lime juice, garlic powder, and brown sugar. You can also add some soy sauce and chilli if you like a kick of spice and heat. Mix the ingredients together until you have a smooth sauce.
Pat the steak dry on both sides using paper towels. Season the steak generously with salt and pepper on both sides. You can also add other dried herbs and spices to the steak at this stage, such as dried chilli flakes or smoked paprika for an extra kick.
Place the 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 place it in the refrigerator. Allow the steak to marinate for at least 30 minutes, but for the best results, leave it for 2 to 24 hours. The longer you leave it, the more tender the steak will become and the more intense the flavour will be.
Once the steak has finished marinating, remove it from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes before cooking. This step is important as it will ensure the steak cooks evenly in the air fryer.
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Air fryer settings
The air fryer settings you use for carne asada will depend on the level of doneness you want to achieve. For a rare cook, set your air fryer to 400°F and cook the carne asada for 8 minutes. If you prefer your steak medium-rare, cook it for 10 minutes. For a medium cook, increase the time to 8 minutes on each side, or 16 minutes in total.
If you like your steak well-done, you can cook it for 5-6 minutes on each side, or 10-12 minutes in total. However, it is recommended that you don't cook skirt steak past medium, as it is a lean cut of meat and will dry out and become chewy if overcooked.
When reheating leftover carne asada in the air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 350°F and cook for 3 to 5 minutes until heated through. Check the temperature of the steak with a food thermometer—it should have reached 140°F.
The high heat of the air fryer helps to lock in the juices, ensuring your carne asada remains tender and flavorful. Air fryers also ensure even cooking by circulating hot air around the meat, so your carne asada will be perfectly seared on the outside and juicy on the inside.
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Cooking time
The cooking time for carne asada in an air fryer depends on the level of doneness you want to achieve. For a rare cook, set the air fryer to 400°F and cook the carne asada for 8 minutes. For a medium-rare cook, set the air fryer to 400°F and cook for 10 minutes. If you prefer your meat well done, cook for 5-6 minutes on each side.
It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the size and model of your air fryer, as well as the thickness of the steak. Some air fryers may require you to cook the carne asada in two batches. It is always a good idea to check the internal temperature of the meat with a food thermometer to ensure it has reached the desired level of doneness. The internal temperature should be 145°F for medium doneness.
When cooking carne asada in an air fryer, it is crucial not to overcook the meat, especially if you are using a lean cut of beef like skirt steak, as it can become dry and chewy. The high heat of the air fryer helps to lock in the juices, making the carne asada tender and flavorful.
Once the carne asada is done cooking, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for at least 3 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a juicy and tender steak. For maximum tenderness, slice the steak thinly against the grain.
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Resting the steak
While the steak is resting, the juices will be reabsorbed into the meat, making it tender and flavourful. This process also makes it easier to slice the steak thinly against the grain, which further enhances its tenderness. Allowing the steak to rest means that the juices won't be lost when you cut into it, ensuring a moist and delicious dish.
The resting stage is also a good opportunity to warm your tortillas or prepare any other accompaniments, such as salsa or guacamole. You could also use this time to prepare some Carne Asada Fries by cooking French fries in the air fryer and topping them with the sliced steak, cheese, guacamole, sour cream, and pico de gallo.
If you have any leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days. To reheat, simply place the steak back in the air fryer at 350°F and check it every 3 minutes until it reaches 140°F.
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Serving suggestions
Carne asada is a versatile dish that can be served in many ways. Here are some serving suggestions to get you started:
- Tacos: Warm soft corn or flour tortillas in the air fryer for a minute or two, then fill them with thinly sliced carne asada. You can also add toppings such as salsa, guacamole, or sour cream.
- Burritos: Wrap your carne asada in a flour tortilla with rice, beans, and your choice of toppings such as cheese, salsa, or guacamole.
- Salads: Enjoy your carne asada on a bed of greens, with or without the tortilla. Add your favourite salad vegetables and a dressing of your choice.
- Fajitas: Serve your carne asada with grilled peppers and onions, and warm tortillas on the side.
- Rice and Beans: A classic combination that goes well with carne asada. You can also add other sides such as grilled vegetables or plantains.
- Carne Asada Fries: Cook French fries in the air fryer until crispy and golden. Layer them with sliced carne asada, shredded cheese, guacamole, sour cream, and pico de gallo.
- Quesadillas: Use your leftover carne asada to make quesadillas. Simply reheat the meat in the air fryer and melt some cheese in a tortilla.
- Mexican-inspired meals: Carne asada goes well with any traditional Mexican dish. Try serving it with grilled tortillas, cilantro-lime rice, and Mexican corn salad.
- On its own: Carne asada is delicious enough to be enjoyed on its own, without any sides or accompaniments.
No matter how you choose to serve your air fryer carne asada, don't forget to let the steak rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a tender and juicy steak. Enjoy experimenting with different serving suggestions and finding your favourite combinations!
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Frequently asked questions
Carne asada can be cooked in an air fryer in about six minutes.
Marinate the carne asada for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours.
Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes.
Let the carne asada rest for at least 3 minutes or up to 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Some side dishes that pair well with air-fried carne asada include tortillas, grilled vegetables, salsa, guacamole, rice, and beans.
