Sizzling Carne Asada Fries Recipe: Fiesta on a Plate

Crispy golden fries layered with succulent carne asada create a mouthwatering Mexican-inspired feast that’ll make taste buds dance.

Savory grilled beef brings incredible depth to this comfort food classic.

Melted cheese cascades over perfectly seasoned meat and crisp potato wedges.

Each bite delivers a perfect harmony of textures and robust flavors.

Weekend gatherings demand this crowd-pleasing dish that combines street food excitement with home-cooked comfort.

Spicy salsa and cool sour cream add the perfect finishing touch to this irresistible meal.

You’ll want to dive right in and savor every delicious moment.

Carne Asada Fries Bring the Bold to Every Bite

• Create mouthwatering carne asada fries with minimal kitchen effort and maximum taste explosion.
• Swap ingredients based on preferences – vegetarian options, spice levels, or dietary needs make this recipe super flexible.
• Perfect for game day gatherings, casual parties, or satisfying late-night cravings with restaurant-quality results at home.
• Impressive dish ready in under an hour that delivers bold, zesty Mexican-inspired flavors everyone will love.

Ingredients That Make Carne Asada Fries Irresistible

• Steak: Tender, flavorful protein that forms the main star of the dish. Choose skirt or flank steak for best results, with good marbling for maximum tenderness.

• Olive Oil, Orange Juice, Lime Juice: Helps tenderize the meat and add bright, zesty flavor. Fresh citrus juices provide the best taste.
• Garlic: Adds a robust, aromatic punch to the meat. Fresh garlic cloves are preferable to pre-minced.
• Cumin, Chili Powder: Brings warm, smoky Mexican-inspired seasoning. Use fresh ground spices for maximum flavor.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential for enhancing the meat's natural flavor.

• Frozen French Fries: Convenient base for the dish. Choose thick-cut or steak fries for best texture.
• Shredded Cheese: Provides creamy, melty layer. Blend of Mexican cheese or cheddar works well.

• Guacamole, Sour Cream: Adds creamy, cool contrast to the hot fries. Homemade versions offer best flavor.
• Pico de Gallo: Fresh, zesty salsa that adds brightness. Homemade is recommended.
• Cilantro: Provides fresh, herbal note. Optional for those who enjoy the flavor.
• Jalapeno Slices: Adds optional spicy kick. Can be fresh or pickled.

Cooking Instructions for Carne Asada Fries at Home

Step 1: Whip Up a Flavorful Marinade

• Olive oil
• Orange juice
• Lime juice
• Garlic
• Cumin
• Chili powder
• Salt
• Pepper

Combine all marinade ingredients in a bowl. Submerge the steak completely, ensuring every inch gets coated. Let it soak up those zesty flavors in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to 4 hours.

Step 2: Grill the Perfect Steak

Fire up your grill or skillet to medium-high heat. Lay the marinated steak onto the hot surface. Cook each side for about 4-5 minutes, aiming for a beautiful char and your preferred doneness. After cooking, let the steak rest for 5 minutes. Slice against the grain into thin, tender strips.

Step 3: Create Crispy Golden Fries

• Oven baking
• Air frying
• Deep frying

Cook until they turn a gorgeous golden brown and achieve maximum crispiness.

Step 4: Melt Cheesy Goodness

Spread the hot fries on a baking sheet. Generously sprinkle shredded cheese over the top. Pop under the broiler for 1-2 minutes until the cheese transforms into a bubbly, melted blanket.

Step 5: Layer on the Delicious Toppings

• Sliced carne asada
• Creamy guacamole
• Tangy sour cream
• Fresh pico de gallo
• Chopped cilantro
• Spicy jalapeño slices (optional)

Serve immediately and enjoy your epic Carne Asada Fries!

Tips That Keep Carne Asada Fries Hot and Crisp

• Maximize Flavor Infusion: Marinate the steak longer for deeper, richer taste by letting it sit in the refrigerator up to 4 hours before cooking.
• Perfect Meat Slicing: Always slice the carne asada against the grain to ensure tender, easy-to-chew meat that melts in your mouth.
• Crispy Fry Technique: Use an air fryer or oven for crispier fries with less oil, ensuring a crunchy texture without excess greasiness.
• Cheese Melt Mastery: Watch closely under the broiler to prevent burning, aiming for a golden, bubbling cheese layer that enhances the dish's overall flavor.
• Customize for Dietary Needs: Swap regular fries with sweet potato fries or use dairy-free cheese alternatives to accommodate different dietary preferences and restrictions.

Save and Reheat Carne Asada Fries Without Losing Texture

• Store leftover carne asada fries in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, keeping toppings and fries separate to maintain crispiness.
• Revive cold fries in an air fryer or oven at 375°F for 5-7 minutes to restore their crunch, avoiding microwave which makes them soggy.
• Place sliced carne asada in a sealed container and consume within 3-4 days, ensuring it's covered to prevent drying out.
• Keep fresh toppings like pico de gallo, guacamole, and sour cream in separate containers to prevent sogginess and maintain their original texture and flavor.

Carne Asada Fries Partner Well With These Dishes

• Complement the tangy marinade of the carne asada with a bright, fresh margarita made from fresh lime juice, tequila, and a hint of orange liqueur to echo the citrus notes in the steak's marinade.
• Select a crisp, light Mexican beer like Modelo Especial or Corona Extra to cut through the richness of the cheesy fries and provide a clean, refreshing contrast to the spicy jalapeños and hearty meat.
• Balance the spicy and savory elements of the carne asada fries with a creamy, sweet horchata made from rice, cinnamon, and milk, which will soothe the palate and provide a smooth counterpoint to the dish's bold flavors.
• Offer a light, fruity agua fresca with watermelon or pineapple to provide a hydrating and sweet accompaniment that helps cleanse the palate between bites of the rich, loaded fries.

Mix-In Ideas to Refresh Carne Asada Fries

• Vegetarian Loaded Fries: Replace carne asada with grilled portobello mushrooms or seasoned black beans for a plant-based protein alternative that maintains rich flavor profiles.
• Keto-Friendly Version: Swap traditional fries with crispy zucchini or rutabaga fries, use full-fat cheese, and add extra avocado for a low-carb friendly option that keeps the delicious Mexican-inspired taste.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free, particularly checking spice blends and using corn-based tortilla chips or additional potato fries as a base for added crunch.
• Spicy Seafood Variation: Substitute steak with grilled shrimp or blackened fish, marinated in similar citrus and spice blend, creating a lighter coastal-inspired take on the classic carne asada fries.

Questions That Often Come with Carne Asada Fries

• What is the best cut of meat for carne asada fries?

Flank steak or skirt steak works best because they are lean, flavorful, and become tender when marinated and cooked correctly.

• How long should I marinate the steak?

Marinate for at least 30 minutes, but no more than 4 hours. Longer marinating can break down the meat’s texture and make it mushy.

• Can I make this recipe without a grill?

Absolutely! You can use a cast-iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan to get a nice sear and charred exterior on the steak.

• How do I slice the steak for the best texture?

Always slice the steak thinly against the grain to ensure tenderness and easier chewing. This means cutting perpendicular to the muscle fibers.

Carne Asada Fries Recipe

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4.8 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty Mexican-inspired carne asada fries deliver a flavor explosion of tender grilled beef, crispy potatoes, and zesty toppings. Cheese, salsa, and creamy guacamole complete this mouthwatering fusion dish that brings bold street food excitement directly to your plate.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Proteins:

• 1 pound (454 grams) flank or skirt steak

Marinade Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ¼ cup orange juice
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

Fries and Toppings:

• 1 (28 ounces/794 grams) bag frozen French fries, or homemade fries
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (if baking or air frying)
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or Mexican blend)
• ½ cup guacamole
• ½ cup sour cream
• ½ cup pico de gallo or fresh salsa
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 sliced jalapeno (optional)

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Instructions

1. Immerse the meat in a zesty marinade blending citrusy orange and lime juices, aromatic garlic, robust cumin, spicy chili powder, and seasoning. Allow the steak to absorb these vibrant flavors for a minimum of half an hour, or up to four hours in the refrigerator.
2. Ignite a grill or skillet to medium-high temperature. Sear the marinated steak, cooking approximately 45 minutes per side until achieving a delectable char and desired doneness. Let the meat rest momentarily before slicing against the grain into thin, succulent strips.
3. Prepare french fries using preferred method – baking, air frying, or deep frying – ensuring a crispy, golden exterior.
4. Arrange the hot, crisp fries on a baking sheet, generously coating with shredded cheese. Transfer under a broiler for approximately two minutes, allowing the cheese to melt and become gloriously bubbly.
5. Lavishly adorn the cheesy fries with tender carne asada slices. Enhance with dollops of creamy guacamole, tangy sour cream, fresh pico de gallo, chopped cilantro, and optional spicy jalapeno rings for an explosion of flavor and texture.

Notes

• Tenderize meat by scoring the surface lightly before marinating to help absorption of flavorful citrus and spices.
• Choose flank or skirt steak for authentic texture and maximum flavor intensity in carne asada preparation.
• Control spice levels by adjusting chili powder and jalapeno quantities to suit different heat tolerances and dietary preferences.
• Consider alternative protein options like grilled chicken or plant-based alternatives for vegetarian versions of this loaded fry dish.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 500
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg