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Make your own Carne Asada seasoning with fresh spices and seasonings for a flavorful way to spice up grilled meats and vegetables.
Table of Contents
- Why Make Your Own Carne Asada Seasoning?
- Key Ingredients for Carne Asada Seasoning
- Adjusting the Seasonings to Your Taste
- How to Make and Store Carne Asada Seasoning
- Tips for Using Carne Asada Seasoning In Recipes
- Frequently Asked Questions About Carne Asada Seasoning
- More Homemade Seasoning Recipes
- Carne Asada Seasoning Recipe
Honestly, I have yet to find a store-bought carne asada seasoning that tastes even half as good as this recipe. It delivers an authentic Mexican taste with a perfect blend of smoky, spicy, and savory notes that I just can’t get enough of. This recipe makes about ⅓ cup, which fills a standard 4-ounce spice jar – perfect for multiple meals. And it’s not just for steak! I’ve found this carne asada spice blend works wonders as a taco seasoning substitute and adds a flavorful kick to chicken, shrimp, and roasted vegetables. I really do use it on practically everything!
Why Make Your Own Carne Asada Seasoning?
I used to wonder why anyone would bother to make their own seasonings, but now I know: it’s because I can make my seasonings exactly how I like them. By making it myself, I have complete control over the spice levels, ensuring a perfect match for my palate. Plus, I love the vibrant, fresh flavors that come from using quality spices, and I feel good knowing I’m avoiding unwanted preservatives. Not to mention, it saves me a bit of money since I usually have most of the ingredients on hand at any given time. Another plus, is that it is completely gluten-free, so I can confidently cook for my GF family members. I love this recipe just how it is, but that is my personal preference, feel free to make your own adjustments to make your own perfect blend!
Key Ingredients for Carne Asada Seasoning
Chili Powder & Chipotle Chili Powder: I use both regular chili powder and chipotle chili powder. The chipotle adds a smoky flavor, which I prefer but it still needs to be balanced with regular chili powder.
Sea Salt: Sea salt is essential. It enhances all the other flavors. I find it tastes better than regular table salt. Kosher salt can also be used.
Garlic & Onion Powder: These add depth to the seasoning and help to round out the other flavors.
Mexican Oregano & Cumin: Earthy, citrusy, and warm notes. If you can’t find Mexican oregano, regular oregano works just fine. I usually have to buy it in the plastic bags in the Mexican section of the grocery store. I usually can’t find it in a jar with the regular seasonings.
Tajin Seasoning: Adds a tangy kick. I love Tajin seasoning and I put it on all the things (especially pineapple). If you can’t find Tajin, you can make your own by combining 1 teaspoon chili powder, ½ teaspoon dried lime (like “True Lime” seasoning), and ½ teaspoon sea salt.
Ground Coriander (aka dried cilantro): This adds a bright, citrusy undertone.
Red Pepper Flakes & Cayenne: For extra heat (adjustable to taste).
Adjusting the Seasonings to Your Taste
You can tweak the blend based on your preferences:
- For more heat, increase the cayenne or pepper flakes.
- For a citrusy punch, add extra Tajín or a bit of dried lime zest. You can even add a little lemon pepper for a different profile.
- For a deeper, smoky flavor, increase the cumin, chipotle chili powder, paprika, or use smoked salt.
How to Make and Store Carne Asada Seasoning
Combine all ingredients using a whisk to really get all the spices mixed evenly. This makes about ⅓ cup of seasoning which should come pretty close to filling a 4 oz seasoning jar. Store in an airtight jar or airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months for maximum freshness.
Tips for Using Carne Asada Seasoning In Recipes
Use carne asada seasoning as a dry rub, or add to a marinade with olive oil and juice of a lime or orange. Either way produces flavorful, delicious meat. Favorite meat choices are any beef including skirt steak and flank steak. Whether you are making grilled carne asada or making it taco truck style in s skillet on the stovetop, this seasoning will take your favorite carne asada dishes to the next level.
To use as a dry rub:
Use 1 ½ tablespoons of seasoning per pound of meat. Rub seasoning all over the carne asada and allow to rest for about an hour before cooking/grilling.
To use as a marinade:
Combine 2 tablespoons of seasoning with 2 tablespoons olive oil, ⅓ cup orange juice, juice of 1 lime, and 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce. Add a handful of fresh, chopped cilantro for extra flavor. Marinate for at least 1 hour before cooking/grilling carne asada.
Frequently Asked Questions About Carne Asada Seasoning
I would say this is between mild and medium spiciness. If you want less spice, you can reduce (or leave out) the red chili flakes and cayenne.
Absolutely — this recipe can easily be doubled or tripled.
You can make your own by combining 1 teaspoon chili powder, ½ teaspoon dried lime (like “True Lime” seasoning), and ½ teaspoon sea salt. You can also do a 1:1 ratio of chili powder and lime salt, which lime salt is more difficult to find than Tajin in my opinion, and it is more expensive but if you have it on hand, great!
More Homemade Seasoning Recipes
Carne Asada Seasoning
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons chipotle chili pepper (powder)
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Mexican ground oregano
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon Tajin seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried, ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne (optional)
Instructions
- Use a small whisk to mix all ingredients in a bowl until well combined.
- Store in an airtight jar or container in a cool, dry place for up to a year for maximum freshness.
To use as a dry rub:
- Use 1 ½ tablespoons of seasoning per pound of meat. Rub seasoning all over the carne asada and allow to rest for about an hour before cooking/grilling.
To use as a marinade:
- Combine 2 tablespoons of seasoning with 2 tablespoons olive oil, ⅓ cup orange juice, juice of 1 lime, and 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce. Add a handful of fresh, chopped cilantro for extra flavor. Marinate for at least 1 hour before cooking/grilling carne asada.
