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Leftover Prime Rib Carne Asada Tacos

Leftover Prime Rib Carne Asada Tacos

Leftover Prime Rib Carne Asada Tacos are an ingenious way to transform your holiday roast into a flavor-packed weeknight meal. This recipe offers a delicious and budget-friendly solution for repurposing prime rib, delivering the vibrant tastes of carne asada with minimal effort.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Marinating Time 30 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 tacos
Course: Main Course, Tacos
Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound cooked prime rib thinly sliced against the grain
  • 1/4 cup fresh lime juice from about 2 limes
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • pinch cayenne pepper optional, for extra heat
  • salt to taste
  • freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 12-16 small corn or flour tortillas
Optional Toppings
  • Diced white onion
  • Chopped fresh cilantro
  • Cotija cheese or crumbled feta
  • Sliced avocado or guacamole
  • Salsa verde or your favorite salsa
  • Lime wedges

Equipment

  • Medium Bowl
  • Large Skillet or Grill Pan

Method
 

  1. In a medium bowl, combine the thinly sliced leftover prime rib with the fresh lime juice, olive oil, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, oregano, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper (if using). Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Stir gently to ensure all the prime rib slices are well coated in the marinade. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes at room temperature, or up to 30 minutes if you have a little more time. Longer marination will result in deeper flavor penetration.
    1 pound cooked prime rib, 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, pinch cayenne pepper, salt, freshly ground black pepper
  2. While the prime rib is marinating, prepare your tortillas. You can warm them in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 30 seconds per side until they are pliable, or wrap them in a damp paper towel and microwave them for 30-60 seconds. Keep the warmed tortillas covered with a clean kitchen towel to keep them warm and soft.
    12-16 small corn or flour tortillas
  3. Heat a large skillet or a grill pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the marinated prime rib and its marinade to the skillet in a single layer, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan, which can steam the meat rather than sear it. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until the prime rib is nicely seared and slightly crispy in places, resembling classic carne asada. The goal is to warm and char the edges of the beef, not to cook it further.
    1 pound cooked prime rib, 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, pinch cayenne pepper, salt, freshly ground black pepper
  4. Spoon the seared prime rib carne asada into the warmed tortillas.
    1 pound cooked prime rib, 12-16 small corn or flour tortillas
  5. Generously top the carne asada with your chosen accompaniments, such as diced white onion for a sharp bite, fresh cilantro for an herbaceous note, crumbled cotija cheese for a salty finish, creamy avocado or guacamole for richness, and a dollop of your favorite salsa for an extra kick of flavor. Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side for an extra squeeze of bright acidity.
    Diced white onion, Chopped fresh cilantro, Cotija cheese or crumbled feta, Sliced avocado or guacamole, Salsa verde or your favorite salsa, Lime wedges

Notes

Store uncooked seasoned prime rib in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Cooked and seared prime rib can be stored for up to 2 days. Reheat in a hot skillet. Avoid microwaving.