Carne asada was a community member request that we first brought to a meal plan in 2019. We were quickly won over by the citrus notes in the marinade that brighten up these taco-inspired lettuce cups. Cooking methods: This recipe includes instructions for using the grill or stovetop. Select your preferred method. If cooking on the stovetop, note that you will slice the steak before it is combined with the marinade. If cooking on the grill, marinate / cook the steak whole and slice afterwards to simplify the grilling process.
Garlic / Onions / Jalapenos - Prep as directed. Store garlic in one container. Combine onions and jalapenos in another container. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
Tomatoes / Cilantro (for pico and carne asada) / Zucchini - Prep as directed. Store separately. (Can be done up to 2 days ahead)
Marinate steak - Whisk together garlic, cilantro (portion for carne asada), olive oil, lime juice, and orange juice. Add steak and turn to coat in marinade. Tenderize steak with a fork. Marinate for at least 30 minutes and up to 1 day. (Can be done 1 day ahead)
Heat grill to 500F / 260C degrees, leaving one part over direct heat and one part over indirect heat. Clean grates and brush with cooking oil (portion for asada).
Combine onions, jalapenos, tomatoes, cilantro (portion for pico), and cooking oil (portion for pico). Season with some salt.
Brush zucchini spears with cooking oil (portion for zucchini). Sprinkle with cumin and paprika. Season with some salt and pepper.
Remove steak from marinade (discard marinade). Season with some salt and pepper.
Place steak and zucchini over direct heat. Sear steak and zucchini on each side with the cover closed. When steak and zucchini have grill marks on both sides (this may happen at different times), move them to indirect heat and continue cooking with lid closed. Remove zucchini when tender. Cook steak until it reaches desired level of doneness. Medium-rare: 130F / 54C degrees (~3 minutes); Medium: 140F / 60C degrees (~6 minutes); Well-done: 160F / 71C degrees (~10 minutes).
Let steak rest, covered, for 10 minutes. Then thinly slice against the grain.
Set out toppings to assemble lettuce cups at the table - lettuce leaves, steak, pico de gallo, avocados, and pepitas. Squeeze lime wedges over lettuce cups and serve with zucchini on the side.
Prep
Garlic / Onions / Jalapenos - Prep as directed. Store garlic in one container. Combine onions and jalapenos in another container. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
Tomatoes / Cilantro (for pico and carne asada) / Zucchini - Prep as directed. Store separately. (Can be done up to 2 days ahead)
Steak - Thinly slice steak against the grain. (Can be done up to 2 days ahead)
Marinate steak - Whisk together garlic, cilantro (portion for carne asada), olive oil, lime juice, and orange juice. Add steak and turn to coat in marinade. Tenderize steak with a fork. Marinate for at least 30 minutes and up to 1 day. (Can be done 1 day ahead)
Combine onions, jalapenos, tomatoes, cilantro (portion for pico), and cooking oil (portion for pico). Season with some salt.
Brush zucchini spears with cooking oil (portion for zucchini). Sprinkle with cumin and paprika. Season with some salt and pepper.
Remove steak from marinade (discard marinade). Season with some salt and pepper.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear zucchini on all sides, turning with tongs as it cooks, until tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Set zucchini aside and return pan to heat.
To heated skillet, add cooking oil (portion for carne asada). Add steak and saute until steak is golden brown and cooked through, ~5 minutes. (Note: be careful not to crowd the pan so that the steak can properly brown. Cook in batches if needed.)
Set out toppings to assemble lettuce cups at the table - lettuce leaves, steak, pico de gallo, avocados, and pepitas. Squeeze lime wedges over lettuce cups and serve with zucchini on the side.
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