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Costco Carne Asada Tacos

Costco's carne asada — pre-marinated and ready to grill or sear — makes the best taco night in under 30 minutes. Sliced thin over warm corn tortillas with fresh pico de gallo and grilled onions, this is as close to a street taco as you'll get without a trip to the taqueria.

Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
12 min
Servings
4
Cost / Serving
$4.25

Quick Answer

Sear Costco's pre-marinated carne asada in a screaming-hot skillet for 3–4 minutes per side, rest, slice thin against the grain, and pile onto warm corn tortillas with pico and lime. The marinade work is already done; total time is 22 minutes for 4.

Costco's pre-marinated carne asada is one of the most underrated items in the meat case. It comes already marinated in citrus, garlic, and spices — all you do is cook it on high heat. The key is getting a good sear or char (grill or cast iron), resting it properly, and slicing thin against the grain. Do those three things and you have carne asada that's genuinely impressive.

Instructions

  1. 1

    Remove carne asada from the refrigerator 15 minutes before cooking. Pat the surface dry — this is critical for a good sear.

  2. 2

    Grill method: Preheat grill to high. Grill for 4–5 minutes per side until charred at the edges and medium (135°F internal). Rest 5 minutes.

  3. 3

    Pan method: Heat a cast iron skillet over the highest heat until smoking. Add oil. Cook carne asada for 4–5 minutes per side without moving. Rest 5 minutes.

  4. 4

    While meat rests, warm corn tortillas in a dry skillet or directly over a flame until lightly charred.

  5. 5

    Slice the rested carne asada thin, against the grain. Angle your knife at 45 degrees to the grain of the meat.

  6. 6

    Double-stack two corn tortillas per taco. Fill with sliced carne asada. Top with diced onion, cilantro, pico de gallo, and avocado. Finish with lime and hot sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does carne asada need to rest before slicing?+
Resting allows the juices redistributed to the center during cooking to relax back through the meat. Slice immediately after cooking and all the juices run out on your cutting board. Rest for 5 minutes and those juices stay in the meat.
What does 'against the grain' mean for slicing carne asada?+
Look at the surface of the meat and find the direction the muscle fibers run — that's the grain. Slicing against the grain means cutting perpendicular to those fibers, which shortens them and produces tender, easy-to-chew pieces. Slicing with the grain produces long, chewy strands.
Can I cook Costco carne asada in the oven?+
The oven won't give you the char and caramelization that makes carne asada taste right. The broiler is the best oven option — place the meat on a foil-lined baking sheet, broil 4 inches from the heat for 5 minutes per side. It won't be as good as a grill or screaming-hot cast iron, but it works.
Is Costco carne asada available everywhere?+
Pre-marinated carne asada is more commonly available at Costco locations in the western US and Southwest, where it's a staple. In other regions, it may be seasonal or unavailable. You can replicate the marinade at home: citrus juice, garlic, cumin, oregano, and a little soy sauce on flap meat or skirt steak.

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