How do you fancy some flavour-packed, wonderfully spicy beef, sliced and served in a soft flour tortilla with fresh, crunchy salad and a creamy, sweet chipotle dressing? Sounds yummy, right? And it doesn't take long to prepare either.
At its simplest, 'carne asada' translates as grilled beef, typically served cut into thin strips. And while it can be infused with an almost limitless combination of flavours and served in all sorts of creative ways, the real star of the show is and always will be the beef itself.
In warmer climes, carne asada would typically be made on an open grill to impart a charred flavour, but in England's more modest climate, I've found a heavy bottomed frying pan, brought up to a high heat is more than satisfactory in helping produce some amazing flavours.
I've used an English beef steak for this recipe, rich in flavour and thinly cut so it takes on the vibrant and fresh-tasting marinades quickly and sears in a matter of seconds.
Beef is such a versatile ingredient - perfect for a quick, satisfying midweek meal, but also rich in protein, which is essential for the body to grow and repair itself. Beef is also a good source of iron (in a form that is readily absorbed by the body), zinc (which is important to the function of a healthy immune system) and B vitamins including B12 (which is important for healthy red blood cells, growth and the production of energy).
You can find out loads more about the benefits of beef on the Simply Beef and Lamb website, but right now, let's get down to making this delicious, easy, impressive-looking recipe that uses easy to source cupboard and fridge ingredients and is ready to enjoy in under 40 minutes.
Note: If any of the kids (or grown ups!) aren't so keen on heat, you can cook some of the pieces of beef without the marinade. That way they can still enjoy the deliciousness of the seared beef fajitas, and add a little creamy spice if they wish using the dressing. That means everyone can enjoy a meal that suits them, with no extra effort!
Ingredients
For the creamy chipotle dressing
- 50 g (3.35 oz) chipotle paste
- 4 cloves (4) garlic roughly chopped
- 2 tbsp runny honey
- 2 tbsp white vinegar
- 2 tbsp mustard
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 75 ml (2.54 floz) sour cream
- salt and black pepper
For the spicy carne asada
- 800 g (1.76 lb) thin cut English beef steaks
- 1 lime juiced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
For the salad
- 1 small (1) iceberg lettuce shredded
- 1 red bell pepper sliced
- 1 yellow pepper sliced
- 1 green bell pepper sliced
- 3 fresh tomatoes diced
- 200 g (7.05 oz) canned pinto beans
- 200 g (7.05 oz) sweetcorn
To serve
- 8 flour tortillas
- 2 fresh jalapenos sliced
- 10 g (0.35 oz) fresh coriander (cilantro) roughly torn
- 2 limes cut into wedges
Equipment
Instructions
For the sweet chipotle dressing
Put the chipotle paste, garlic, honey, white vinegar, mustard and cumin into a food processor.
Blitz to a paste, then spoon 1 tbsp of the mix into a bowl with the sour cream with a pinch of salt and pepper.
Mix well and set aside.
For the marinade
Add the lime juice, olive oil and soy sauce to the food processor with the remaining chipotle mix and blitz again.
Place the steaks in a large bowl.
Spoon the mix on top.
Massage the marinade into the steaks well and set aside.
For the beef
Warm a large, heavy bottomed, non-stick pan over a high heat - you want the steaks to sizzle. Place the steaks into the pan (you'll probably have to do them in batches) and fry for just 30 to 60 seconds, then flip and sear the other side for 30 to 60 seconds. They should be a little pink in the middle (and read around 45C/113F).
Leave to rest for 5 minutes, then slice into thin strips against the grain.
For the salad
Arrange the lettuce on a large platter and pile all of the other salad ingredients on top.
Serve to the table with the sliced beef, flour tortillas, jalapeños, coriander, lime wedges and the creamy dressing you made earlier, and allow everyone to dig in and construct their own meals.
How do you have your fajitas - do you love to add lots of sauce and salad, or do you prefer a more minimal meal?
Don’t forget to check out the Simply Beef and Lamb website. You can also follow them on Facebook @SimplyBeefAndLamb and Instagram @SimplyBeefAndLamb.
Print this carne asada fajita recipe for later
Easy Chipotle Beef Carne Asada Tortillas Recipe
Ingredients
For the creamy chipotle dressing
- 50 g (3.35 oz) chipotle paste
- 4 cloves (4) garlic roughly chopped
- 2 tbsp runny honey
- 2 tbsp white vinegar
- 2 tbsp mustard
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 75 ml (2.54 floz) sour cream
- salt and black pepper
For the spicy carne asada
- 800 g (1.76 lb) thin cut English beef steaks
- 1 lime juiced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
For the salad
- 1 small (1) iceberg lettuce shredded
- 1 red bell pepper sliced
- 1 yellow pepper sliced
- 1 green bell pepper sliced
- 3 fresh tomatoes diced
- 200 g (7.05 oz) canned pinto beans
- 200 g (7.05 oz) sweetcorn
To serve
- 8 flour tortillas
- 2 fresh jalapenos sliced
- 10 g (0.35 oz) fresh coriander (cilantro) roughly torn
- 2 limes cut into wedges
Instructions
For the sweet chipotle dressing
- Put the chipotle paste, garlic, honey, white vinegar, mustard and cumin into a food processor. Blitz to a paste.
- Spoon 1 tbsp of the mix into a bowl with the sour cream with a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix well and set aside.
For the marinade
- Add the lime juice, olive oil and soy sauce to the food processor with the remaining chipotle mix. Blitz again.
- Place the steaks in a large bowl with the marinade. Massage well and set aside.
For the beef
- Warm a large, heavy bottomed, non-stick pan over a high heat - you want the steaks to sizzle.
- Place the steaks into the pan (you'll probably have to do them in batches) and fry for just 30 to 60 seconds, then flip and sear the other side for 30 to 60 seconds. They should be a little pink in the middle (and read around 45C/113F).
- Leave to rest for 5 minutes, then slice into thin strips against the grain.
For the salad
- Arrange the lettuce on a large platter and pile all of the other salad ingredients on top.
- Serve to the table with the sliced beef, flour tortillas, jalapeños, coriander, lime wedges and the creamy dressing you made earlier, and allow everyone to dig in and construct their own meals.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
This is a commissioned post for Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board.
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Nati says
I'm a meat lover and your recipe and pictures left me craving for a good spicy beef! I need to try this, although my family (read husband) doesn't like spicy food.
Emily Leary says
Thank you! You could always cook some of the pieces of meat without the marinade so that your husband can still enjoy these delicious seared beef fajitas. Enjoy!
Nausheen says
This recipe looks yummy & healthy, beef is rich in proteins & salad accompaniment makes it more healthier
Emily Leary says
Thank you! Yes and beef is also a good source of iron, zinc and B vitamins. I hope that you give this recipe a try!
Lyosha says
The food looks super delicious and also so festive. I can't help but smile and crave for a bite!
Emily Leary says
Thank you! This spicy chipotle beef recipe is so tasty, I hope you give in to your craving and give it a go!
Alaina Monster says
This sounds so flavorful! I'll be adding it to my my meal rotation for sure!
Emily Leary says
Thank you! That's great. I hope you enjoy this flavour-packed spicy chipotle beef recipe!
Amy Dong says
Ok, these spicy chipotle beef carne asada are looking amazing!!! My middle kid loves spice, and who doesn't adore carne asada? :) Great recipe and instructions!
Emily Leary says
Thank you! This meal not only looks good, it tastes delicious too! I hope you and your kids enjoy it!
Elizabeth O says
Your recipes always look incredible and the photography is so good the food looks tip top. This one isnt for me as a vegetarian but maybe some Quorn and I could definitely be into it :)
Emily Leary says
Thank you so much! I'm sure that some Quorn meat free strips would work very well. I hope you enjoy this recipe if you give it a go!
Sarah says
I am pinning this recipe for use this week! Looks yummy and my family will love it!
Emily Leary says
Thank you! This spicy chipotle beef carne asada recipe doesn't take long to prepare and it tastes delicious. Enjoy!
Joanna says
Ever since I went to Mexico, carne asada became one of my favorite ways to cook beef. The taste is simply delicious! Your recipe sounds very yummy and even if it requires quite a few ingredients, it's definitely worth it.
Emily Leary says
Thank you! Yes, carne asada is a delicious way to cook beef! I hope that you enjoy it if you give it a go!
Nina says
Mmm I love some good Mexican food! This looks pretty hearty and simple to make.
Emily Leary says
Thank you! This recipe is so flavoursome and perfect for a satisfying and healthy meal!
kumamonjeng says
I have always wanted to make something like this as we don't have that much of exposure for Mexican food. Is this Mexican food? We have the tortila sold in supermarket so I guess making this is still feasible. I love beef and there are plenty of fresh vegetable used so I guess it is pretty delicious and healthy too. I can just wrap one whenever I am hungry.
Emily Leary says
This recipe has some tasty Tex-Mex flavours and it certainly makes a delicious and satisfying meal. I hope that you enjoy it if you give it a go!