These loaded carne asada fries are a snack that eats like a meal. French fries are loaded with grilled, seasoned beef, vegetables, guacamole, and salsa Bring your appetite. These fries are too good to resist.
Carne Asada fries are loaded fries with a Mexican twist. Perfectly crispy golden fries underneath a bed of melted cheese, tender cooked steak, and the best and most flavorful toppings piled high.
This can be one of those healthy recipes you want to revisit repeatedly, but don’t feel bad for indulging in some unhealthy toppings. Snacking should have no rules.
What Are Carne Asada Fries?
Carne asada is beef that has been grilled and thinly sliced. Sometimes you will find that it has been marinated. The beef is then served over baked french fries and topped with your favorite toppings.
You may be used to finding this recipe in more traditional Mexican restaurants, but we’re making this one at home using our favorite ingredients. Serve them up for the next football game as an appetizer, serve them as a simple lunch, or make them into a delicious family dinner that everyone can enjoy.
Ingredients
- Flat iron steak
- Olive oil
- Cumin
- Oregano
- Chili powder
- Paprika
- Cayenne pepper
- Salt
For the cheese sauce, you will need:
- Processed cheese
- Milk
You will also need:
- Frozen french fries
- Corn
- Roma tomatoes
- Red onions
- Queso fresco
For the exact amounts needed, please see the recipe card below.
How To Make Carne Asada Fries
For this carne asada fries recipe, I used a flat iron steak. Flank steak comes from the shoulder area. It has a deep beefy flavor. I used this particular cut because it has a bit of marbling which gives the beef so much flavor.
I rubbed the steak with olive oil as well as a seasoning mixture made with cumin, chili powder, paprika, oregano, salt, pepper, and a touch of cayenne pepper.
The steak doesn’t take long to grill, only about 5-7 minutes per side.
For the rest of the carne asada fries:
Preheat oven and prepare fries while steak is cooking. Cook according to the fries package directions.
When they were ready, I topped the fries with a simple cheese sauce, bite-sized pieces of chopped carne asada steak, corn, diced tomatoes, onions, and a couple of large dollops of guacamole. I sprinkled Queso fresco over the fries just before serving
Carne Asada Fries Toppings Ideas
The carne asada fries can also be topped with your desired toppings like these:
- black or pinto beans
- pico de Gallo
- diced avocados
- pickled jalapenos or chilies
- easy homemade guacamole
- fresh cilantro
- sour cream
You can also serve the Queso Blanco dip on the side
Variations
Homemade Carne Asada Marinade
- Olive oil, lime juice, and the spice rub can be used as marinade ingredients to make a marinade. Pour marinade and meat into a glass bowl with plastic wrap on top or in a gallon sized Ziploc baggie. Marinate the beef for at least 30 minutes prior to grilling.
- Allow ¼ to ½ cup of marinade for every pound of beef, and always marinate beef in the refrigerator, never at room temperature.
Different Fries
- Homemade roasted potatoes, homemade fries, or sweet potatoes can be used in place of frozen potatoes or frozen fries.
Recipe Tip For Making The Best Carne Asada Fries
After grilling, allow the beef to rest for about five minutes before cutting and serving.
This prevents the tasty juices from draining out of the meat and all over your plate.
FAQs
What Other Cut Of Beef Can I Use For Carne Asada Fries?
Some of the best cuts for grilling include Strip Steak, Flank, and Ribeye. Any of these cuts can be used for this recipe.
Follow the beef grilling guidelines if you are unsure about grilling times and techniques.
How To Reheat Carne Asada Fries
These fries are best when eaten the day they are made. However, if you find yourself with leftover carne asada fries, the best thing to do is remove any toppings that won’t reheat well, like guacamole, and place the remaining ingredients on a foil-covered baking sheet.
Reheat the fries in a 400-degree oven for about 5-10 minutes or until heated through.
Facts About Beef
- Calorie-for-calorie, beef is one of the most naturally nutrient-rich foods. A 3-oz serving of beef is about 150 calories but provides 25 grams of protein and 10 essential nutrients, wrapped up in one tasty package.
- You would have to eat 8 ounces of chicken breast to get the same amount of iron as 3 ounces of beef.
- Add lean beef to your diet and your heart will thank you Research shows that enjoying lean beef as part of a heart-healthy diet can lower cholesterol and reduce heart disease risk.
Don’t forget to try our other delicious recipes like this Southwest Cobb Salad, this tabbouleh recipe, Pinto Beans or this Buddha Bowl.
Carne Asada Fries
These loaded Carne Asada fries are to die for! Seasoned beef is grilled until perfection then sprinkled over fries along with all your favorite nacho toppings!
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs flat iron steak
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¾ teaspoon salt
Cheese Sauce:
- 1/4 cup cubed processed cheese
- 2-3 tablespoons milk
Also Needed:
- 1 large package frozen french fries
- 1/2 cup corn
- 2 Roma tomatoes, diced
- 2 tablespoons chopped red onions
- 2 tablespoons crumbled queso fresco
Instructions
- Prepare french fries according to package directions.
- Preheat an outdoor grill to medium heat.
- Rub steak with olive oil. Combine spices in a small bowl and rub over the beef.
- Grill beef for 5-7 minutes per side or until desired degree of doneness. 135 degrees for medium rare and 145 for medium.
- Remove steak and allow it to rest for 5 minutes before cutting steak into bite sized pieces.
- While steak cooks, prepare cheese sauce.
- Combine the cheese and the milk in a small saucepan over medium low heat. Whisk until melted and smooth. Keep warm.
- Arrange cooked fries on a platter. Drizzle fries with cheese sauce. Top the fries with the steak, corn, tomatoes, onions and guacamole. Sprinkle with Queso fresco.
- Serve immediately.
Beef Recipes
Beef and Brussels Sprouts Stir Fry
A quick and tasty Asian stir fry for weeknight dinners.
Crockpot Beef Tips with Noodles
Crockpot beef tips are cooked in a succulent sauce that drips perfectly over hot cooked noodles!
This recipe is home-cooked comfort food!
Taco Stuffed Poblano Peppers
These stuffed poblano peppers are a Mexican spin on classic stuffed poblano peppers. The taco filling is family friendly and delicious!
Bacon Wrapped Eye of Round Roast
A juicy roast that features freshly cut herbs and crispy bacon!
Pan Seared Ribeye with Kahlua Sauce
A tender and simply seasoned ribeye served with a homemade Kahlue sauce.
Brisket Poutine
Beef brisket is slow cooked to a tender perfection then placed on top of French fries and drizzled with a succulent gravy. This poutine recipe is unforgettable!
Easy Steak Alfredo
Treat yourself and your loved ones to this easy Steak Alfredo recipe! Fettucine noodles are coated in a luscious alfredo sauce and topped with perfectly cooked steak. This meal is great when you need to impress, but it is just as good for a weeknight meal!
Michelle Miller says
Anything fries is a must-try for me but I had never seen Carne Asada fries and that is just the best idea ever! Love those!
Sara Welch says
What an amazing recipe! This was not only easy to prepare, but packed with flavor too! Delicious!
Kristina says
Love these for a appetizer for a weekend gathering! Love the flavor combo you have with them too! I am always in for carne asada!
Andrea Metlika says
Whoa, this looks so good. I mean, 2 wonderful things put together that sounds like a parry for my mouth. Can’t wait to make this.
Beth Pierce says
Now this is how I like to enjoy some fries! This looks amazing; can’t wait to make this!!!
Jenni says
Everyone at my house loved it!! And they are waiting for me to make it again!
Lola Osinkolu says
Looks super delicious! Love ur creation!
Julie says
This is so delicious! I love carne asada and I love fries, can it get any better?
Katie says
Fries for dinner! Who can complain about that? I love all of the toppings, and the flavors. So good!
Sommer says
Seriously can’t get enough of these! They are my weakness!
Lindsay Cotter says
This was easy to make and a big hit with everyone! Definitely will be making this again!