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These paleo and Whole30 carne asada steak kebab recipe is easy, tender, and hard to overcook! The tangy marinade gives such an amazing flavor to the grilled steak kebabs.

carne asada steak kebabs with limes
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Every time I’m ordering Mexican food, I always get some kind of carne asada dish, whether it’s a taco, burrito bowl, or an entrée. Not only do I love steak, carne asada steak marinade is just the best thing to me. I love the tanginess of the citrus with the hint of orange, the flavors are just perfection. So I decided to recreate my own paleo carne asada steak recipe in a kebob version for easier and fun cooking!

In This Post…

close up of grilled steak kebabs finished cooking

What is Carne Asada Steak?

Traditional carne asada is grilled skirt or flank steak that’s been marinated in amazing Mexican spices, lime juice, orange juice, and more. After being grilled to perfect, it’s thinly sliced to be used in tacos, burritos, or served alongside rice and beans. The meat becomes so flavorful and wonderful, and what really makes it shine is the carne asada steak marinade!

Carne Asada Steak Kabab Recipe

To put a fun twist on the traditional version, I decided to make Whole30 and paleo carne asada skewers or kababs and they are fantastic. You marinate it like a classic carne asada steak recipe, but you use a thick-cut steak like sirloin or ribeye and cut it into bite-sized pieces first. Then, you skewer the meat along with veggies like onions and peppers then grill until ready to eat! So easy and packed with flavor.

ribeye steak cut into cubes ready to be marinated in carne asada marinade
steak cubes being marinated

Ingredients in Carne Asada Grilled Steak Kebabs

All the flavors and most of the ingredients are for the marinade in this recipe. Here’s everything you need for the steak and the carne asada marinade:

  • Sirloin steak
  • Red onion
  • Green bell peppers
  • Avocado oil
  • Juice from 1 orange
  • Juice of 2 limes
  • Cilantro
  • Jalapeño pepper
  • Garlic
  • Cumin
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Directions

  1. Cube the steak into 1-inch pieces, then make the marinade by whisking together all the ingredients.
  2. Combine the steal with the marinade in a glass container or a resealable bag, then marinate for 1 to 2 hours.
  3. Remove the carne asada steak from the fridge 30 minutes before cooking. Also, if you are using bamboo skewers, now is the time to start soaking them in water for 30 minutes before cooking.
  4. Preheat the grill to medium high heat.
  5. Remove the steak from the marinade then thread them on the skewers, alternating them with the onions and peppers. Pour the leftover marinade over the skewers so the vegetable are coated with the marinade.
  6. Grill the carne asada skewers for 2-3 minutes on each side until cooked to your liking, about 8-12 minutes. Rest for 10 minutes, then serve.
finished Whole30 carne asada skewers

Frequently Asked Questions: Whole30 Carne Asada Steak Kebab Recipe

How do you know how long to cook steak kebabs?

I like to grill 1-inch steaks for 2-3 minutes per side for medium-rare to medium cooked. If you like your steak cooked a bit more, you can cook for 1 minute more on each side.

Can I use bamboo skewers?

Yes, bamboo skewers are great but can burn easily. Make sure to soak them in water for 30 minutes before skewering the meat and veggies then grilling. I prefer metal skewers and these are the ones I have and love.

What type of steak is best for kebabs?

Thick-cut steak that’s well marbled are great to use for kebabs. For this recipe, I recommend top sirloin or ribeye. Ribeye steak will be more tender and juicy.

Can I use any other vegetables?

You can, of course, any other vegetables that are great for grilling! If you don’t have onions and bell peppers on hand, other great options for this paleo carne asada steak kebabs are: zucchini, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, eggplant, and more.

Other paleo and Whole30 grilling recipes you might love…

close up shop of paleo steak skewers
5 from 1 vote
Servings: 4 servings

Whole30 Carne Asada Steak Kebab Recipe

Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 8 minutes
Marinating Time: 2 hours
Total: 2 hours 18 minutes
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Ingredients 

  • lb sirloin or ribeye steak, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 red onion, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 green bell peppers, cut into 1-inch pieces

Carne Asada Marinade

  • 1/4 cup avocado oil, or your favorite cooking oil
  • Juice of 1 orange, no sugar added
  • Juice of 2 limes
  • 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
  • 1 jalapeno, seeded and minced
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper

Instructions 

  • Place cubed steak in a resealable bag or a glass container.
  • Combine all ingredients for the carne asada marinade in a bowl and whisk together to combine.
  • Pour the marinade over the meat and massage to cover. Marinate in the fridge for 1-2 hours.
  • Remove the meat from the fridge 30 minutes before cooking. If using bamboo skewers, soak in water 30 minutes before cooking.
  • Preheat the grill to medium high heat.
  • Remove the steak from the marinade then thread them onto the skewers, alternating with the vegetables. Pour the leftover marinade over the skewers so the vegetable are coated with the marinade.
  • Cook on the grill for 2-3 minutes on each side until the steak is cooked through, about 8-12 minutes total. Rest for 10 minutes, then serve.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving – makes 4, Calories: 381kcal, Carbohydrates: 7g, Protein: 38g, Fat: 22g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 13g, Cholesterol: 104mg, Sodium: 393mg, Potassium: 767mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 400IU, Vitamin C: 56mg, Calcium: 72mg, Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below or tag @whatgreatgrandmaate!
What Great Grandma Ate / Jean Choi is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Regarding other affiliate links and affiliate relationships: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Thank you for your support and understanding.

Jean Choi

Iโ€™m a food lover and recipe developer living in Southern California. I love to share simple and approachable gluten-free recipes that are healthy but never sacrifice on flavor.

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4 Comments

  1. Kortney says:

    I have some sirloin in the freezer – do you think that this would work for this recipe? If I dethaw it for the day?

    1. Jean Choi says:

      Yes, that’ll work!!

  2. Robyn Pooldaily says:

    5 stars
    This recipe is another amazing one! My whole family loved it!! So delish!

    1. Jean Choi says:

      Thank you so much!