Low-Calorie Carne Asada Street Tacos
Carne asada tacos are the soul of the street food scene — grilled, marinated beef loaded into warm tortillas and topped with fresh onions, cilantro, and lime. This lightened-up version uses lean beef, a no-oil marinade, and low-calorie tortillas to keep the flavor high and the calories low. It’s simple, fast, and totally crave-worthy.
🌮 Ingredients (Makes ~6 tacos):
Ingredients:
For the Carne Asada Marinade
- 1 lb flank steak or sirloin
- Juice of 1 orange
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 0.25 tsp salt
For the Tacos
- 6 small tortillas
- 0.5 small red onion (finely chopped)
- 0.5 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- Lime wedges
- Cooking spray
📋 Instructions:
- Marinate the Steak:
In a bowl or zip-top bag, combine all marinade ingredients and add the trimmed steak. Let it marinate for 30 minutes to 2 hours in the refrigerator. - Cook the Steak:
Preheat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Spray with cooking spray. Remove steak, pat dry, and cook for 3–4 minutes per side. Let rest 5 minutes, then slice thinly. - Warm the Tortillas:
Heat the tortillas until warm and flexible. - Assemble the Tacos:
Divide the carne asada. Top with red onion, cilantro, and lime. Add tomato or shredded cabbage if desired.
💡 Tips for Keeping It Light:
- Swap beef for grilled chicken breast.
- Add lettuce, cabbage, or radish for volume.
- Use salsa or lime juice instead of cheese/sour cream.
- Choose “low-carb” or “keto” tortillas (30–60 cal each).
📊 Approximate Macros (per taco):
- Calories: 150
- Protein: 16g
- Fat: 5g
- Carbs: 10g
(Assumes lean beef, low-cal tortilla, basic toppings)
