Can you name a better combo than fries and carne asada?! These carne asada fries are loaded with delicious flavor and fresh toppings making each bite so satisfying. They are a crowd pleaser and make the perfect appetizer or quick meal. It's not surprise we love carne asada in our household. Other ways we love to devoured carne asada is in nachos and burritos!
Carne asada fries remind me of my college and post college years. When I lived in San Diego carne asada fries were a must on those late night outings and were just the perfect meal to share among friends. Its one of the foods I miss from living in California. Seriously, there's no place that I've tried in the east coast that can compare with the Mexican carne asada fries from California. If you ever been or live in San Diego you will find carne asada fries on the menu of the little taco shops, and they are a must if you've never had them. So, do your self a favor if going to San Diego is not an option make these delicious carne asada fries at home, trust me you will devoured them in minutes!
Why you'll love this recipe
- Steak fries are loaded with delicious flavor and fresh toppings
- Make the perfect meal when you are looking for something easy and quick to make
- You can bake your fries in the air fryer or the oven
- They make the perfect game day appetizer or easy dinner meal any day of the week.
Ingredients you'll need
- Seasonings for the meat- smoked paprika, onion powder, ground pepper, garlic powder, kosher salt and lime juice
- Carne asada- skirt steak, flank steak or bavette cut are my favorite for carne asada
- Fries - Frozen french fries are my go-to or you can make your own. My favorite froze fries are these.
- Cheese - Cheddar shredded cheese and crumbled queso fresco (Mexican cheese)
- Guacamole -This quick guacamole is my go-to, but store bought works too
- pico de gallo - for some added freshness. Store bought or you can make your own. Also, you can skip the pico and just add chopped tomatoes and onions
- Sour cream - for added goodness
- Cilantro for garnish and added freshness
- Salsa - Having salsa on the side is a must. I love using this red salsa or this green salsa.
How to make Mexican style fries at home
Prep the meat.
In a large bowl marinate the meat with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, kosher salt and juice of a ½ lime. Marinate the meat for at least 30 minutes, the longer it marinates the better.
Grilling the meat - If possible grill the meat in the bbq grill. Grill the meat 3-4 minutes on each side until desired doneness. Once cooked set aside and cut it into pieces after grilling.
Cooking on a stovetop (which I do most times for practicality) cut the meat into small pieces. Then transfer the meat to a large bowl and marinate with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, kosher salt and juice of a ½ lime. Marinate the meat for at least 30 minutes. You can marinate overnight in the fridge. Use a cast-iron skillet or a regular skillet and heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil on medium high heat and cook meat pieces stirring occasionally. I like cooking the meat until it starts to charred on the outside for that extra delicious flavor, but cook the meat according to preference. Once cooked set aside.
Air frying the french fries - I like using store bought frozen fries. Preheat the air fryer (I use this 5qt air fryer - affiliate link) for four minutes. Place the fries in a single layer and air-fry per package directions. I air-fry for 10-12 minutes at 360 degrees. You can make your own fries here too if you prefer.
If baking the fries follow packaging directions. For half the bag I bake for 18-20 minutes at 425 degrees. For the full bag I bake for 25-28 minutes.
Assemble the carne asada fries (steak fries) Remove the fries from the air-fryer or oven and place in serving platter. Add the shredded cheddar cheese, steak pieces, top with the fresh ingredients: guacamole, chopped tomato, chopped onion (or you can use pico de gallo instead of the chopped tomato and onion) crumbled queso fresco and chopped cilantro. Serve with a side of fresh salsa and enjoy every single bite.
Scroll down for recipe card's full list of ingredients and measurements
Topping Variations and Substitutions
Carne asada (steak) Instead of steak you can try doing bite size chicken pieces
Cheese - Instead of shredded cheddar cheese you can use Mexican blend shredded cheese or any good melting cheese. Instead of crumbled queso fresco I like using cotija cheese too.
Toppings - You can add beans, sliced jalapeños, green onions, green tomatillo salsa and really any favorite topping of choice.
Storage Tips
Carne asada fries are best consumed when they are fresh. If by any chance you have any leftovers you can place the fries in an air tight container up to 3 days and the toppings on separate air tight containers. When ready to eat, re-heat fries in the air-fryer or oven for 3-5 minutes and the fries will get back some of their crispiness again. Serve with all the toppings.
Carne Asada Fries
Ingredients
For the meat:
- ½ lb skirt steak or flank steak
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ juice of ½ lime
Fries
- 28 oz Frozen Fries (half the bag for 2 servings)
Toppings
- 2 tablespoon sour cream
- ¼ cup guacamole (store bought or make your own)
- ¼ cup pico de gallo * (store bought or make your own)
- ⅓ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup crumbled queso fresco
- cilantro (2-3 sprigs chopped)
- salsa (optional)
Instructions
Meat:
- In a large bowl marinate the meat with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, kosher salt and juice of a ½ lime and marinade for at least 30 minutes, but the longer it marinates the better.
- BBQ Grill: transfer the meat to the bbq grill and cook each side for about 3-4 minutes or until desired doneness. Then transfer the meat onto the cutting board and cut into small pieces.
- Stovetop: For stovetop I like cutting the meat before marinating. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in medium high heat in a cast iron skillet or regular skillet. Add the meat stirring occasionally. cook the meat according to preference. I like cooking the meat until the outer edges start to charred for that extra delicious flavor. Once cooked set aside.
Fries (half the bag of frozen fries)
- Air frying the frozen french fries - Preheat the air fryer for four minutes. Place the fries in a single layer and air-fry per package directions. You might need to do this in badges depending on the size of your air fryer. I air-fry for 10-12 minutes at 360 degrees. You can make your own fries here too if you prefer.If baking the fries put the fries on a large cookie sheet and follow packaging directions. For half the bag I bake for 18-20 minutes at 425 degrees. For the full bag I bake for 25-28 minute
Assemble the carne asada fries
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
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