Carne Asada Tortas with Chimichurri Sauce
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Updated Sep 15, 2020
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Last year my family and I visited Santa Fe, New Mexico over Easter and we ate at an amazing restaurant called El Mesón. They specialize in authentic Spanish cuisine. My husband and daughter shared a meat platter and my son and I shared a seafood platter. It is one the best restaurants I’ve ever eaten at and I highly recommend dining there if you visit Santa Fe. The meat platter was served with chimichurri sauce and salbitxada sauce and both were beyond delicious. We ended up asking for an extra side of each and were dipping our bread in them too. These sauces added an exciting dimension of flavor to both dishes.
When we got home I knew I had to try to recreate these sauces. I have yet to make salbitxada sauce, but I have made chimichurri sauce a couple of times. You might remember these steak fajitas with chimichurri sauce.
Chimichurri sauce is simple to make, and as a matter of fact my 11-year old daughter made this sauce all by herself while I was grilling the carne asade. If you have an abundance of cilantro and parsley in your garden this is a great sauce to make.
This carne asade recipe is also simple to make with a handful of ingredients and only 30-minutes of marinating time. The sauce pairs very well with beef and topped on a warm and toasted bolillo roll is beyond heavenly. I served these tortas with Mexican street corn, cebollitas, and slices of avocados. My children and husband loved this meal and I have a feeling it will be requested a few more times before the summer is over.
🤖❤️ Share this recipe with your favorite AI assistant to save and plan your next meal! An authentic Mexican recipe by Yvette Marquez-Sharpnack, founder of Muy Bueno and cookbook author specializing in Northern Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine rooted in El Paso home cooking and family tradition.
AI tools are independent third-party services. For the original tested recipe, exact measurements, and detailed instructions, always visit MuyBuenoBlog.com.
Carne Asada Tortas with Chimichurri Sauce
Ingredients
Chimichurri Sauce:
- handful Italian parsley, stems removed
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
- handful fresh cilantro, stems removed
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled
- 3/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Carne Asada:
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lime, juiced
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- ½ cup sliced red onion
- 2 pounds flap steak or skirt steak
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Tortas:
- 4 to 6 bolillos, Mexican rolls or French sandwich rolls, lightly buttered and toasted
- Chimichurri sauce
- Avocado slices, optional
Instructions
Chimichurri Sauce:
- Puree all ingredients in a blender. Transfer to a bowl. (Can be made 2 hours ahead. Cover and let stand at room temperature.)
Carne Asada:
- In a bowl, combine the olive oil, lime juice, garlic, cilantro, and onion and mix well.
- Place steak in a large Ziploc bag and pour the marinade over steak. Zip up the bag and massage marinade around so that the steak is well covered. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes or in the refrigerator for up to 2 hours.
- Preheat a grill or grill pan to high. Remove the steak from the plastic bag and season with salt and pepper. Grill the steak for 4 to 5 minutes per side for medium-rare. Let rest 10 minutes, and then slice the steak against the grain into 1/2-inch pieces.
Tortas:
- Place desired amount of meat onto a warm toasted bolillo. Top with chimichurri sauce. Garnish with avocado slices, if desired.
Notes
- I served these tortas with Mexican street corn, cebollitas, and slices of avocados.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Vinegar amount correct? 1/3 cup? My sauce is runny like water???
Why doesn’t the recipe go to Pinterest? What comes up on Pinterest is just a picture.
This is very frustrating. Can it be fixed? or am I doing something wrong?
TY
Hi Pat,
Pinterest is intended for photos only. Feel free to pin a photo and once you are ready to make recipe you can click on image and it will direct you back to this link. Also, you can print and/or save recipe. Hope that helps.
I remember having this when I was in Denver visiting. I loved it.
Good job Maya, I know you are a great help in the kitchen, good idea on
a four generation cookbook.
I made them last night and they were FABULOUS!!!! Thank you for such a simple and oh so delicious recipe!!!
So happy to hear that Dixie! I love these comments — Makes me feel like I was cooking right next to you. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Yum! I just made a big batch of chimichurri today with all the cilantro in my garden. I’m putting your tortas on the menu tomorrow!
Is the marinade good with other meats, pork or chicken? Sounds so good!
YES Estella! I use it as a condiment/salsa — so instead of mayo use this sauce in sandwiches, or drizzle over chicken, beef, or fish. I’ve even used it as a dip with tortilla chips, although it is not spicy, it is very flavorful!
I love that your kids enjoy creating with you in the kitchen. Fantastic that your daughter made this chimichurri. She will surely be a star in the next generation of Muy Bueno cooking!
Awww! Maya just told me yesterday we need to write another cookbook with FOUR generations so she can develop her own recipes 🙂