Trader Joe's carne asada in the air fryer is one of the easiest and most delicious dinners! Simple to prepare in under 20 minutes tender and juicy carne asada makes a delicious meal served with beans, rice, or sauteed peppers!

Also try my Trader Joe’s hashbrowns in air fryer, Trader Joe’s Mac and Cheese bites and Trader Joe’s spatchcocked chicken, also cooked in air fryer!

trader joe's carne asada cooked in air fryer

Carne asada is made with sliced beef sirloin or skirt steak marinated with carne asada seasonings like cayenne pepper, ground cumin and paprika, garlic, onion, and fresh citrus juices. The orange and lime juices help to tenderize the meat while giving it a lovely zing and tangy flavor.

Trader Joe's carne asada is pre-marinated so it's super easy to make when you are short on time or simply don't feel like cooking. There's no need to measure anything or wait for the meat to marinate. You can cook the beef straight from the package, and in just a few minutes you can have a home-cooked meal on your table!

Carne asada is typically grilled and because it's made with tougher cuts of meat like sirloin steak, skirt steak, and flank steak, it's best to cook it quickly using high heat.

the only ingredient needed for this recipe

Rather than having to fire up your grill or grill pan, heat up your oven, or pan frying it, the air fryer is a much simpler and quicker cooking method for carne asada! It gives the meat a similar flavor and texture all while keeping it perfectly juicy and tender with minimal effort.

How to cook Trader Joe's Carne Asada in air fryer

Preparation: Remove the Carne Asada from its packaging. If the meat is stuck together, gently separate the pieces. This ensures even cooking.

Preheat Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F (about 200°C). Allow it to preheat for a few minutes. This step is crucial for achieving a good sear on the meat.

Prepare Air Fryer Basket: Lightly coat the air fryer basket with a bit of olive oil or cooking spray. This prevents the meat from sticking and helps in achieving a crispy texture.

raw trader joe's carne asada in the air fryer before cooking

Arrange the Carne Asada: Place the Carne Asada in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Ensure the pieces don’t overlap to allow hot air to circulate around each piece, cooking it evenly.

Cooking Time: Cook the Carne Asada at 400°F for 10-12 minutes. Halfway through the cooking time (around the 5-6 minute mark), pause the air fryer and carefully flip the Carne Asada using tongs. This ensures that both sides cook evenly and get nicely browned.

Check for Doneness: At the end of cooking, check to ensure the Carne Asada has reached your desired level of doneness. It should be browned on the outside and juicy on the inside.

Rest Before Serving: Once cooked, let the Carne Asada rest for a couple of minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, making the meat more tender and flavorful.

Pro tips

Make sure to flip the meat halfway through the cooking time. This helps both sides of the beef to get crispy edges and to cook all the way through.

All air fryers are different and because the beef cooks so fast, try to keep an eye on it while it cooks. Your air fryer might cook the meat faster or slower and therefore need more or less cooking time.

If you are unsure about doneness, use a kitchen thermometer or instant-read thermometer. Stick it into the thickest part of the beef. You are looking for at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit for medium done. However, if you prefer your meat on the medium rare side, reduce the cooking time slightly and take it out once it reaches 135 degrees Fahrenheit.

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Variations

Air fry sliced red, yellow, or orange bell peppers with your carne asada to make a super easy meal inside of your air fryer.

Use the cooked beef to make quesadillas, burritos, or tacos.

Add sliced and cooked meat to corn chips and cheese to make cheesy carne asada nachos.

Serving suggestions

Black beans, pinto beans, or refried beans.

Toasted corn or wheat tortillas.

Mango or cabbage slaw or shredded lettuce.

Cilantro lime rice, brown rice, or steamed white rice.

Topped with guacamole, avocado, or salsa.

Fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped red onion, and lime wedges.

Make a burrito bowl by serving the carne asada with guacamole, pico de gallo, beans, steamed rice, and fresh herbs.

Sliced and served with a garden salad or chopped salad.

trader joe's carne asada in air fryer with chopped cilantro on top

Storage suggestions

Store leftover Carne Asada in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm in a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes until heated through, or use a microwave for quick reheating.

Frequently asked questions

Do I cut carne asada meat before or after cooking?

It's best to wait until the meat is finished cooking before trying to cut it. Waiting helps the juices stay inside the meat instead of rushing out and leaving the meat dry and tough. Simply let your beef sit for 5 - 10 minutes before slicing it and you will be good to go.

What cut of meat is carne asada made of?

Carne asada is usually made with either skirt steak or flank steak and this one from Trader Joe's uses beef sirloin. All of these meats are pretty inexpensive cuts and have a bold and beefy flavor.