Carne Asada Bison Tacos with Garlic Lime Crema

If you've never made carne asada, you absolutely have to try it!! Although it sounds kind of fancy, it's incredibly easy to make and requires little hands-on time. The steak takes on the bold citrus flavors of the marinade, creating the perfect steak taco. Even better, the steak is super tender when cooked right.

I highly recommend bison for this recipe, but you can most definitely substitute beef flank steak, if need be. Bison has a rich, clean flavor that I love. It's also higher in protein and nutritionally superior to beef. If you're looking to give bison a try, The Honest Bison has 100% grass fed bison that you can order online, and it's shipped right to your door. I've now tried their bison and elk, and I really enjoy both!

Why you'll love this recipe

• Tender, juicy & flavorful steak. Simple marinade that works wonders! It adds so much flavor while also helping to tenderize the steak.
• Garlic lime crema. In my opinion, tacos always need a special sauce! This easy homemade sauce is fresh and flavorful.
• Easy to make. Everything comes together so quick and easy using simple ingredients. Waiting for the steak to marinate is the most difficult part!

What does bison taste like?

When cooked properly, bison steaks are incredibly tender and full of rich flavor. Bison tastes similar to beef, but cleaner and almost sweeter. It also has zero gamey flavor.

Ingredients

• Bison flank steak
• Orange
• Lime
• Soy sauce
• Olive oil
• Cilantro
• Garlic cloves
• Jalapeño
• Cumin
• Black pepper
• Corn tortillas

Garlic Lime Crema

• ¼ cup sour cream
• 2 tablespoons mayo
• 1 ½ tablespoons lime juice
• lime zest from ½ lime
• 1 large garlic clove, minced
• ¼ teaspoon salt

How to make bison tacos

Carne asada bison tacos only require a few simple steps!

1. Marinate the steak. Mix together a simple marinade made with citrus juice, jalapeño, cilantro and Mexican spices. Let the bison marinate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
2. Prepare your favorite taco garnishes. Right before grilling the steak, chop up onion and cilantro, crumble queso fresco cheese and mash some avocado.
3. Grill the steak. Grill the steak quickly over medium-high heat, then let rest for 5-10 minutes while you make the garlic lime crema.
4. Make the garlic Lime Crema. This comes together in less than 5 minutes, but is the perfect bison taco addition!
5. Enjoy! Serve the steak in warm corn tortillas with all the garnishes!

What temperature do you cook bison steak?

Since bison flank steak is thin, you want to grill it quickly over medium-high heat, between 375 to 450 degrees F, to get a nice sear on the outside while keeping the inside tender and juicy.

How long to cook bison steak

Bison flank steak cooks very quickly because it's thin and lean. Grill the steak for about 2 minutes per side, keeping a close eye on the internal temperature using a meat thermometer. Remove the steak from the grill when the thermometer reads 135-140 degrees F.

Best internal temperature for bison steak

I highly recommend using a meat thermometer when cooking meat to ensure you don't overcook it, resulting in dry, tough meat. For bison steak, here are the temperatures for degree of doneness:

• Rare: 125 degrees F.
• Medium-rare: 125-130 degrees F.
• Medium: 130-135 degrees F.
• Medium-well: 135-140 degrees F.
• Well: 140-150 degrees F.

I like to cook bison steak to around 130 degrees. As it rests off the grill for 5-10 minutes, it comes up in temperature to around 135 degrees for medium doneness. It's still pink and juicy in the center, but not raw, and browned around the edges.

Why you should let meat rest

Cooking meat draws all of the juices to the surface of the meat, so when you cut into the meat without letting it rest, all of the juices will run out, leaving you with dry meat.

So, let the cooked bison rest for 5-10 minutes after it's removed from the heat source. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in tender, juicy cuts.

Recipe Tips

• Grill quickly over high heat. Bison flank steak is both leaner and thinner than beef, meaning it cooks much faster. Make sure you keep a close on the bison flank steak so you don't overcook it. It will only take 3-4 minutes to grill the steak.
• Use a meat thermometer. I can't stress enough how important it is to use a meat thermometer. It's the absolute best way to ensure you don't undercook or overcook the meat.
• Don't cook the steak past medium doneness. Overcooking will result in tough steak. I like my steak with a pink, but not bloody, center. I cook the steaks until they reach an internal temperature of 135-140 degrees F for medium-rare, but as the steak rests, the internal temperature will rise to about 145 degrees F for medium doneness.
• Plan for carryover cooking. When grilling any meat, you must always plan for carryover cooking. Meaning, for 5-10 minutes after the steak is removed from the grill, the internal temperature of the steak will continue to rise about 5-10 degrees.
• Let the meat rest before slicing. Let the steak rest on a plate for 5-10 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat before slicing, ensuring a juicy steak. This also allows for carryover cooking.
• Warm your corn tortillas. Corn tortillas are simply not good when they're cold or even room temperature. Warm the tortillas on the grill, in a skillet on the stove, or under the broiler.

Frequently asked questions

Is bison healthy to eat?

Yes, bison is very healthy! Compared to beef, bison has more protein, less fat and calories and more iron.

What type of bison is best?

I recommend buying 100% grass fed and grass finished bison because it's nutritionally superior compared to bison that are conventionally raised on grain. If you're looking for high quality bison, The Honest Bison is the way to go! The bison are free to roam on pasture as nature intended. You can order online and everything is shipped to your door.

Can I use flour tortillas?

Yes, I just prefer corn tortillas for this kind of taco! Corn tortillas have great flavor, they just need to be warmed up before eating. So don't skip that part. If you use flour tortillas, I also recommend warming those up!

Can I use beef flank steak?

Most definitely! You will just need to adjust the grill time because beef flank steak takes longer to grill than bison flank steak. Bison flank steak grills up in about 2 minutes per side, whereas beef flank steak needs about 6 minutes per side.

Can I cook the steak on the stove?

Yes! I recommend using a cast iron skillet if you have, otherwise any nonstick skillet will work great. Using a nonstick skillet is a last resort because it doesn't allow you to get as nice of a sear on the outside of the meat.

Heat a skillet over medium-high heat with a little oil. Once hot, cook the steak for about 2 minutes on both sides, or until the internal temperature reaches 135-140 degrees F.

Storage & Reheating

How to store leftover bison steak

Cooked bison steak can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

How to reheat cooked bison steak

To reheat bison steak, heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat with a little oil. Add the steak and quickly sear for 1-2 minutes per side, or until heated through.

Alternatively, you can broil the steak in the oven. Place the steak on a baking sheet and broil for 1-2 minutes per side, or until heated through.