Carne Asada Minute Steaks | Robinson Ranch (Newcastle, NE)

Wait a minute! Have you ever tried a 'Minute Steak'? If you haven't, or if you haven't even heard of such a cut, then it's my sincere pleasure to share with you this discovery and this delicious recipe to prepare them! Trust me when I say they are wonderful!

But first, I have to share with you just where these beautiful cuts of beef came from. In the recent collaboration I did with Robinson Ranch Beef, a first-generation family cattle ranch located in Newcastle, Nebraska, Ranchers BJ and Stephanie Robinson recently reached out to me to partner in developing some recipes and marketing materials to help get the word out on their exceptional beef products. When I received their beef in the mail, I was so excited to get to work. So this little recipe (and it's super-fast to prepare), is the first in a small mini-series of beef recipes featuring the beautiful beef this all-American family is working hard to raise. So, let's get to the dish!

To pull this first recipe together, here's a look at the ingredients you'll need. Now regarding the minute steaks, these came to me frozen, vacuum-sealed, portion cut and ready to use from Robinson Ranch. Essentially, a minute steak is a cut of sirloin, thin, tenderized and portioned to cook rather quickly, thus it's name and how this recipe is finished in truly a matter of a few minutes. The steaks were beautiful and as you'll see in the following pictures, they are quick to cook and quick to enjoy. 

Inspired by the flavors enjoyed South of the border, this little marinade is full of massive flavor. It's soy sauce, cumin, jalapeno, chili powder, fresh cilantro, and garlic. That's it! As the measurements stand, it is not spicy, it's simply flavorful. If however you prefer an extra kick in heat, just increase the amount of jalapenos (oh yes!) and the chili powder. The recipe is very flexible. And would you look at those gorgeous steaks?!

Now combining the ingredients for the marinade and allowing it to rest is the key to the deliciousness found in this dish. The ingredients have to marry! The longer they marry, the better the flavor. So the recipe calls for 15 minutes but in my opinion, that's just the minimum! You could even prepare this marinade overnight for maximum flavor development. And for those who know me, I love great taste!

Now here's the critical part and the part I need you to set a timer on! Once you have your marinade prepared and ready, you then pour it onto the steaks but it's important that you ONLY let it marinate the beef for 10-15 minutes! Anything longer and the beef will become too salty! That soy sauce is powerful! But interestingly enough, for a dish that's celebrating the flavors south of the border, here it's using an ingredient that's Asian in origin! Wild isn't it! So trust me when I say, set that timer!

Next, while the meat is marinating, that gives you that small window of time to decide how you are going to cook the quick-marinated steaks! You have a couple options.

First, you can fire up your grill (gas or charcoal is fine) and get a truly authentic grilled flavor to this beef. It's a wonderful cooking option. But, since the weather for many is a little chilly still to fire up the grill, I simply cooked them inside in a hot cast iron skillet with a small touch of oil in the pan to prevent them from sticking. It's also a delicious way to cook these beautiful minute steaks and they pick up a savory meaty crust!

So after the cooking is complete, here's how I served them after allowing the steaks to rest for a few minutes after cooking! The juices stayed inside the steak, they were cooked to a nice medium (a great degree of doneness for a taco) and from there, it was time to build the tacos.

Serving this steak sliced paper thin is the ticket to delicious. I then filled each taco with chopped onion, fresh cilantro, salsa and a touch of guacamole. Yum, yum!

So without further delay, here's how you can get your hands on this delicious beef from Robinson Ranch and how to prepare your own carne asada style minute steaks in your own kitchen!

Robinson Ranch Carne Asada Minute Steaks

1 bottle (15oz) soy sauce

1 ½ t. cumin powder

2 t. chili powder

2 t. jalapeno chili, fresh, minced (more if desired)

½ c. cilantro, chopped fine

2 t. garlic, chopped fine

1-1 ½ lb Robinson Ranch Minute Steaks

Instructions

In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, cumin, chili powder, jalapeno, cilantro, and garlic. Whisk to combine. Allow marinade to rest 15 minutes. In a recloseable plastic bag, place the minute steaks and pour marinade over to fully cover. Seal bag and remove as much air as possible. Do not refrigerate. Setting a timer, let the beef soak in the marinade at room temperate for 15 minutes, any longer will make the beef too salty. To cook, remove the beef from the marinade, drain and cook on an oiled preheated char broiler, grill or a heated cast iron pan, cooking to the desired degree of doneness, roughly 2-3 minutes per side for medium rare. Allow the steaks to rest a few minutes before slicing thin and serving. Serve with fresh warm tortillas, salsa, chopped onion, cilantro, and fresh lime for squeezing. Serves 3-4. Enjoy!

To reach Robinson Ranch, find them at www.robinsonranchnebraska.com on Facebook @RobinsonRanchBeef and on Instagram @Robinson_Ranch_Beef