Have you ever made your own tostadas? This Carne Asada Tostada is one of my favorites because it includes baked tortillas, flavorful carne asada, and a fresh salad with a light dressing. In under 30 minutes, you can have this dinner on the table. Let's get cooking!
Carne Asada Tostadas are popular year-round, especially during warmer months for outdoor gatherings and barbecues. They're also a great addition to Cinco de Mayo celebrations or any Mexican-themed party.
Also be sure to try my Crockpot Birria Tacos and Mexican inspired Caesar Salad! This recipe would also be delicious with my Green Chile Shredded Beef.
Jump to:
🌟 Why You'll Love this Recipe
- Quick and Easy: This recipe can be prepared in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you want a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
- Bursting with Flavor: From the seasoned carne asada to the fresh toppings and tangy lime crema, each bite of these tostadas is packed with vibrant and satisfying flavors.
- Customizable: You can easily adjust the toppings and seasonings to suit your preferences, making it a versatile recipe that can be tailored to your taste buds.
🥘 Ingredients
These ingredients create a harmonious blend of flavors and textures. The seasoned carne asada offers savory richness, while fresh vegetables and tangy lime crema add brightness and crunch. Cotija cheese provides a creamy, salty finish for a deliciously balanced dish.
- Seasoned carne asada
- Limes
- Garlic
- Greek yogurt
- Green bell peppers
- Olive or avocado oil spray
- Olive or avocado oil
- Flour tortillas
- Cilantro
- Tomatoes
- Red cabbage
- Radish
- Salt
- Pepper
- Cotija cheese
See recipe card for quantities.
🔪 Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the broiler and prepare the lime crema by combining sour cream with lime zest.
Step 2: Broil sliced peppers until softened and tortillas until golden-brown and crispy.
Step 3: Combine cooked peppers, diced tomatoes, cilantro, radish, cabbage, oil, lime juice, and garlic in a bowl.
Step 4: Cook seasoned beef strips until browned on both sides, then chop into ⅛-inch pieces.
Step 5: Assemble the tostadas by spreading lime crema on each tortilla, topping with the beef, vegetable mixture, cotija cheese, and a lime wedge.
Step 6: Serve and enjoy your delicious Carne Asada Tostadas!
👩🏼🍳 Chef's Tip
- To achieve perfectly crispy tortillas, brush them lightly with olive oil before broiling. This will help them brown evenly and develop a deliciously crunchy texture.
- Watch your tortillas carefully so they don't burn! When I was recipe testing this recipe, I was quickly humbled by how quickly the tortillas would burn if I looked away!
📖 Substitutions & Variations
- Vegetarian Option: Replace the carne asada with grilled portobello mushrooms or marinated tofu strips. Use plant-based yogurt for the lime crema, and skip the cotija cheese or use a dairy-free alternative. Add extra veggies like grilled zucchini or corn for a hearty and flavorful vegetarian version.
- Add More Fresh Toppings: Top the tostadas with sliced avocado or guacamole to balance the spice, and sprinkle with fresh diced mango or pineapple for a sweet and tangy contrast.
- Mediterranean-Inspired: Swap the Greek yogurt in the lime crema for tzatziki sauce, and top the tostadas with chopped cucumber, cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, and a drizzle of olive oil for a refreshing Mediterranean twist.
🍴 Equipment
- Oven with broiler function
- Large skillet or grill pan
- Mixing bowls
- Cutting board
- Chef's knife
- Tongs
- Baking sheet
- Aluminum foil (optional)
- Spatula
- Citrus zester (optional)
- Serving platter or plates
- Lime squeezer (optional)
💭 Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can absolutely use corn tortillas for a more traditional flavor. Simply broil them until crispy before assembling the tostadas. But keep an eye on them so they don't burn!
Yes, you can substitute chicken or shrimp for the beef to create different variations of the dish. Adjust the cooking time accordingly based on the type of meat used to ensure it is cooked through.
🥣 Storage & Reheating
Storage: Store any leftover assembled tostadas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep the toppings separate from the tortillas to prevent them from becoming soggy.
Reheating: To reheat, place the tortillas on a baking sheet and warm them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes, or until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat the tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few minutes on each side until warmed.
To reheat leftover carne asada, place it in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or broth. Gently warm the meat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. Avoid overheating to prevent drying out the meat. Alternatively, you can reheat it in the microwave, using short intervals and stirring in between until warmed to your liking.
Freezing: Carne Asada Tostadas are best enjoyed fresh and are not ideal for freezing, as the toppings may become mushy when thawed and reheated. However, you can freeze any leftover cooked carne asada separately in an airtight container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating it on the stove or in the oven. Assemble fresh toppings and tortillas when ready to enjoy.
🍷 Wine Pairing
This wine complements the savory flavors of the seasoned beef and the tangy lime crema, while the light acidity helps cut through the richness of the dish.
👩🏼🍳 Top Tips
- Ensure Even Slicing: When slicing the carne asada, aim for uniform thickness to ensure even cooking. This helps prevent some pieces from overcooking while others remain undercooked.
- Don't Overcrowd the Pan: When cooking the seasoned beef strips, avoid overcrowding the pan. Cook in batches if necessary to ensure each piece of meat gets a nice sear and develops flavorful caramelization.
- Layer Toppings Thoughtfully: When assembling the tostadas, layer the toppings thoughtfully to ensure each bite is balanced and flavorful. Start with a base of lime crema, followed by the carne asada, then add the vegetable mixture, cotija cheese, and finish with a squeeze of lime juice for brightness.
🌿 Related Recipes
🥗 Pairing Recommendations
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating & comment below to let me know how it came out. Thanks for visiting!
📋 Recipe
Carne Asada Tostada
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Meghan It Up.
Equipment
- Broiler
- Baking sheets (2)
- Non-stick pan
- Tongs
- Mixing bowls (small and medium)
- Cutting board
- Chef's Knife
Ingredients
- 1 lb seasoned carne asada cut into ⅛" strips
- 2 limes 1 zested & juiced, 1 cut into wedges for serving
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 green bell peppers diced into ¼" cubes
- Olive or avocado oil spray
- 4 tablespoon olive or avocado oil divided
- 4 flour tortillas
- 2 tablespoon cilantro chopped
- 2 tomatoes diced
- ½ small head red cabbage thinly sliced
- 1 bunch radishes thinly sliced or cut into matchsticks
- 1 clove garlic minced
- Salt & pepper to taste
- ½ cup cotija cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the broiler: Set the broiler to low heat.
- Prepare lime crema: In a small mixing bowl, combine sour cream with lime zest. Stir until smooth and set aside.
- Broil bell peppers: Place diced green bell peppers on a foil-lined baking sheet. Spray with olive or avocado oil and season with salt and pepper. Broil for 4-5 minutes, or until softened. Let the broiled peppers cool slightly before adding them to the vegetable mixture.
- Prepare vegetable mixture: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the cooled broiled bell peppers, diced tomatoes, chopped cilantro, sliced radishes, red cabbage, remaining lime juice, minced garlic, and 2 tablespoon olive or avocado oil. Stir well and season with salt and pepper. Taste the mixture and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Cook carne asada: Heat a non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoon olive or avocado oil. If your carne asada strips are very thin, cook for 1-2 minutes per side until browned and fully cooked through. For thicker pieces, cook slightly longer until fully cooked through. Transfer the meat to a cutting board and chop into ⅛-inch pieces.
- Crisp tortillas: Arrange flour tortillas on a foil-lined baking sheet. Spray both sides lightly with oil. Broil the first side for about 1 minute, flip carefully, and broil the other side for an additional 30 seconds to 1 minute, watching very closely to avoid burning. Broil the tortillas just before assembling the tostadas to ensure they stay warm and crisp.
- Assemble tostadas: Spread the vegetable mixture evenly over the crispy tortillas. Top with chopped carne asada, a sprinkle of cotija cheese, and a dollop of lime crema.
- Serve: Arrange the tostadas on a serving platter. Add a lime wedge to each tostada and serve immediately. Enjoy!
Video
🌡️ Food safety
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
Molly
This is such an easy dinner to make and it's full of fresh veggies!