Uncle Julio’s Carne Asada Recipe: Secret Revealed

Uncle Julio's Carne Asada Recipe

Carne asada, a flavourful and juicy Mexican dish that has now gained popularity worldwide. For this signature Mexican dish, one restaurant I can guarantee that has perfected its balance in spices and flavor to rank 1st. That restaurant is Uncle Julio’s. Aside from other star dishes on their menu, Carne asada takes the superior position. 

Therefore, today our topic is Uncle Julio’s carne asada recipe.

The main secret of their recipe is how they marinate the steak. In this article, we’ll elaborate all the essence of Uncle Julio’s Carne asada recipe along with some guidelines. So, let’s get into it! 

What is Carne Asada?

In Mexican Cuisine, Carne asada is a beloved traditional dish. The meaning of Carne asada is “Grilled meat”. Firstly, it’s marinated properly with lime and orange juice, garlic, cilantro, and various spices for at least 7/8 hours and then grilled on a smoked hot grill. A thinly sliced cut of beef is used in this recipe to ensure quick and even grilling. 

Origin and Naming History of Carne Asada

To find the origin of this juicy and beloved dish, let’s head back to hundreds of years ago in northern Mexico. At that time, in this area beef was plentiful and cowboys used to grill meat on open flame giving birth to this beautiful dish. 

As Carne Asada itself means “Grilled Meat”, therefore it emphasizes the cooking method of this dish. Over time, the recipe was evaluated with more flavor and it became a leading dish in Mexican cuisine.

What is Uncle Julio’s Carne Asada?

Now we’ll be talking about Uncle Julio’s Fajitas. Uncle Julio’s Fajitas are a hit! Wanna try it at home? Mix pineapple juice and soy sauce (2:1 ratio) for their secret marinade. Add their warm, tasty salsa, and enjoy fresh Tex-Mex goodness. 

Ingredients

The main secret of Uncle Julio’s Carne asada recipe is the balance between flavors and spices. To get an authentic experience like Uncle Julio’s, please follow the given ingredient list and directions- 

1. To marinate

• Orange juice: 3/4 cup

• Fresh lime juice: 1/3 cup

• Fresh lemon juice: 1/2 cup

• Pine apple juice: 1 cup

• Soy Sauce: 1/2 cup

• Garlic(Minced): 4 cloves 

• Ground Cumin: 1 tbsp

• Ground Black pepper: 1 tbsp

• Ground Coriander- 1 tbsp

• Dried Oregano: 1 tbsp

• Olive Oil: 1/2 cup

• Slat: As per taste

2. Meat

• Flank steak or skirt steak: 2 pounds

Cooking Direction for Uncle Julio’s Carne Asada

Here comes the cooking procedure to re-create Uncle Julio’s Carne asada recipe. Please follow along-

Step 1: Marination Mixture 

Take a big bowl and combine lime, lemon orange juice, pineapple juice soy sauce, cilantro, garlic, cumin, coriander, pepper, and salt. Stir properly to combine all the products. After it gets combined well, take the olive oil slowly, pour it into the mixture, and whisk it until it mixes very well. 

Step 2: Meat Preparation 

On a solid and firm surface, place the steak between a plastic wrap. Then, with a meat mallet pound on the meat to get a thickness of 1/4 inch. After this poke into the steak, so the marinated mixture can get into it. 

Step 3: Marinate

Now, place the steak in the big bowl to marinate and cover the steak with the marinate mixture. Cover it and marinate it in the refrigerator for 7/8 hours, for better results. 

Step 4: Prepare the Grill

Preheat an outdoor grill to medium-high heat and oil the grate lightly. Then, get the steak out of the refrigerator and let it become at room temperature. 

Step 5: Grill

Now, remove the steak from the marinated mixture and shake off the excess liquid. Then, grill each side for 5-6 minutes for medium-rare doneness. You can grill for a shorter or longer period as desired doneness. 

Step 6: Slicing 

Allow the steak to rest for 5 minutes and then cut it into pieces. Enjoy! 

Tips & Tricks for Cooking Uncle Julio’s Carne Asada

Now get to know some tips to cook uncle Julio’s Carne Asada.

• While grilling, don’t overcrowd the area with too much meat. Grill in a batch to give enough space for even cooking. 

• Let the meat rest on the grill for a while before cutting to retain the juice in it. 

• Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to get an extra kick in this recipe. 

What to Serve with Carne Asada? 

If you want to pair Carne asada with any side dishes, then here are the options- 

1. Charro beans

2. Freshly made salsa

3. Corn tortilla

4. Guacamole

5. Chimichurri sauce

If you want you can also read about The Original Charleston’s Potato Soup Recipe.

How to Store or Reheat Cooked Carne Asada?

You can store your leftover Carne asada in an airtight box in the refrigerator for a maximum of 3 days. To reheat, take a good skillet and heat it on the stove. On the other hand, you can also microwave it for 3-4 minutes by flipping it. However, to reheat, a hot skillet is the best option. 

Bottom Line 

Uncle Julio’s carne asada recipe makes your mouth burst with so much flavor and taste. If you’re a foodie, you must try this traditional Mexican dish. By following the procedures, you can easily make this amazing Uncle Julio’s magical Carne asada in your kitchen and enjoy it. Therefore, try this mouthwatering recipe and let me know how you like it! Best of luck!