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Home » Recipes » Carne Asada Fries Recipe

Carne Asada Fries Recipe

by Mike Hultquist · Jun 10, 2024 · 9 Comments

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Carne Asada Fries Recipe

The best carne asada fries made with tender marinated, grilled carne asada steak and crispy French fries topped with melted cheese, guacamole, pico de gallo, all your favorite toppings! It's the ultimate game day or party appetizer.

Carne Asada Fries Recipe

Homemade Carne Asada Fries Recipe

Need a recipe idea for an upcoming party? Game Day celebration dish? Or do you just want to experience the ultimate nosh-worthy appetizer? Look no further. I got your recipe right here.

Carne Asada Fries. BOOM!

Carne Asada Fries is a popular appetizer made with crispy French Fries that are topped with chopped Mexican carne asada then smothered with shredded cheese.

The dish is then baked, and finally topped with some of your favorite fixings, which often include guacamole or sliced avocado, sliced jalapeno peppers, diced tomato and sour cream, though you can top it with pretty much anything you're in the mood for.

The recipe is popular in San Diego and Southern California, where you'll find it on many menus, though I've seen it recently in restaurants nearby. Even though it's got a lot of Mexican flare with the carne asada, you really won't find this in Mexican restaurants.

It's more of a Mexican-American mashup. What a beautiful thing!

You don't have to wait for any restaurant to add this awesome party food to their menu to enjoy it, because with this recipe, you can make it at home! Let's do it.

Carne Asada Ingredients

  • Carne Asada. Use my carne asada recipe, though I include the recipe below as well. You can also use leftover carne asada, which works perfectly. Great time saver!
  • French Fries. Use my recipe for homemade Baked Cajun-Spiced Fries, or use prepared frozen French fries as another time saver.
  • Cheese. I love a combination of shredded Mexican cheese and salsa con queso.
  • Your Favorite Toppings! I love it with guacamole, jalapeno, tomato, crema, hot sauce, though you can use your favorites.

How to Make Carne Asada Fries - the Recipe Overview

The recipe breaks down into THREE parts:

  1. Make the Carne Asada - Easily make ahead!
  2. Make the Fries - Make homemade, or great with frozen.
  3. Assemble, Bake, & Toppings

STEP 1: Make Carne Asada

Easily make grilled carne asada ahead and make this recipe with leftovers.

  1. Whisk together the marinade ingredients, then marinate the steak at least 2 hours, or overnight for more flavor penetration.
  2. Grill the marinated steak 8-10 minutes per side, or until cooked to your liking. 135 degrees F is medium-rare. Slice the carne asada into bite-sized pieces.
Carne Asada Recipe: Grilled & Marinated Steak

STEP 2: Make The Fries

You can use store-bought frozen fries if you'd like, or run through your favorite fast food joint for an order, but I like to make mine at home. I also prefer to bake them, rather than fry them. Here is how I make mine nice and crispy:

  1. Wash, scrub, and slice 4 large potatoes into ¼ inch slices lengthwise.
  2. Soak the potatoes in cold water for 1 hour, then drain and pat dry.
  3. Season, then bake the fries on a baking sheet or in a cast iron pan. You'll bake these for 20 minutes at 350 degrees F, then another 20-25 minutes at 450 degrees F to get them nice and crispy. Try them with my Carne Asada Seasoning.
Baked Cajun Fries Recipe

STEP 3: Making Carne Asada Fries!

Once your fries are done, spread them out onto a large baking sheet, or into a cast iron skillet.

Top with shredded cheese, salsa con queso (if using) - try my queso dip recipe or homemade nacho cheese - and chopped carne asada.

Adding chopped carne asada to the fries

Bake the dish at 350 degrees F. for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is nicely melted.

Best Carne Asada Fries Toppings

Top with your favorite toppings! You can really customize this recipe just how you like it. Here are some ideas:

  • Guacamole! A must. Try my creamy homemade guacamole or Avocado Crema.
  • Homemade Pico de Gallo. Or use fresh chopped jalapeno, tomato, onion, lime juice, chili flakes.
  • Salsa. I have a lot of homemade salsa recipes.
  • Mexican Crema (or use Sour Cream).
  • Chopped Cilantro or Green Onion.

Here is what they look like on a baking sheet.

Carne Asada Fries on a baking sheet with lots of fixings

Storage & Leftovers

Leftover carne asada fries will last 2-3 days in the refrigerator in a sealed container. The fries tend to get soggy from the cheese.

It is best reheated in the oven at 250 degrees until warmed through, then topped with fresh toppings.

That's it, my friends! It's time to enjoy your fries! But these aren't just ANY fries. Carne Asada Fries! Great stuff. Make it for your next party. People are going to FREAK OUT for this. You'll see.

Try Some of My Other Popular Appetizer Recipes

  • Classic Nachos
  • Texas Nachos
  • Mike's Late Night Nachos
  • Chipotle Chicken Nachos
  • Birria Nachos
  • Chicken Nachos
  • Irish Nachos
  • Tatchos! (Tater Tot Nachos)
Carne Asada Fries topped with guacamole, crema, sliced jalapenos, tomato, and green onion

Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H.

Carne Asada Fries Recipe
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Carne Asada Fries Recipe

The best carne asada fries made with tender marinated, grilled carne asada steak and crispy French fries topped with melted cheese, guacamole, pico de gallo, all your favorite toppings! It's the ultimate game day or party appetizer.
Save Recipe Saved!
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: carne asada, French fries, game day, party food, recipe
Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes minutes
Total Time: 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes
Calories: 290kcal
Author: Mike Hultquist
Servings: 12
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5 from 3 votes
Leave a Review

Ingredients

FOR THE CARNE ASADA

  • 1-2 serrano peppers minced (or use jalapeno peppers for a milder version)
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • ¼ - ½ cup chopped cilantro
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • Juice from 2 large oranges about a ¾ cup
  • Juice from 2 limes
  • 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar apple cider vinegar is good, too
  • 1 tablespoon ancho powder optional, but I LOVE it
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1.5 pounds skirt or flank steak

FOR THE FRIES

  • 4 large baking potatoes
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3-4 tablespoons taco seasoning blend

FOR TOPPING

  • 2.5 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
  • 8 ounces salsa con queso (optional, for extra cheesy) - use your favorite brand
  • Creamy guacamole, sliced jalapeno peppers, sliced cherry tomatoes, Mexican crema, spicy chili flakes and fresh chopped cilantro, or whatever else you'd like.

Instructions

FOR THE CARNE ASADA (Easily Make Ahead)

  • Whisk together the serrano peppers, garlic, cilantro, olive oil, orange juice, lime juice, vinegar, ancho powder, cumin and salt and pepper in a medium sized bowl until well combined. Marinate the steak in a bowl or sealable baggie in the refrigerator at least 2 hours, or overnight for more flavor penetration.
  • Discard the marinade, then grill the steak 6-7 minutes per side, or until cooked to your liking. 135 degrees F is medium-rare. Let the steak rest for 10 minutes, then slice into bite-sized pieces.

FOR THE FRIES (Or Use Prepared Frozen French Fries)

  • Wash and scrub the potatoes, then slice them into ¼ inch slices lengthwise. Think “French fry” size. You can leave the skins on, if desired.
  • Cover the potatoes in a bowl with cold water and soak for at least 10 minutes. 60 minutes is better. Drain the pat the potatoes as dry as you can get them.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 C).
  • Toss the potatoes with olive oil and taco seasoning blend. Spread the fries out onto baking sheets and bake for 20 minutes, tossing them a bit about half way through.
  • Increase the heat to 450 degrees F (232 C). and bake another 20-25 minutes, or until the fries are crispy. Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Reduce the heat to 350 degrees F.

FOR THE CARNE ASADA FRIES

  • Top the cooked fries with shredded cheese, salsa con queso (if using) and the chopped carne asada.
  • Bake 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is nicely melted.
  • Top and serve.

Notes

Prep and Cooking times are based on starting with prepared carne asada and prepared fries.
Nutritional information estimated without toppings.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 290kcal   Carbohydrates: 3g   Protein: 20g   Fat: 22g   Saturated Fat: 9g   Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g   Monounsaturated Fat: 9g   Cholesterol: 70mg   Sodium: 641mg   Potassium: 284mg   Fiber: 0.5g   Sugar: 2g   Vitamin A: 563IU   Vitamin C: 1mg   Calcium: 240mg   Iron: 1mg
Carne Asada Fries Recipe
Did You Enjoy This Recipe?I love hearing how you like it and how you made it your own. Leave a comment below and tag @ChiliPepperMadness on social media.

NOTE: This recipe was updated on 6/10/24 to include new information and photos. It was originally published on 8/5/19.

Reader Interactions

Comments

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Paul:-) says

    May 08, 2025 at 2:39 pm

    5 stars
    Hi Mike,

    I cooked this tonight for my Sister and youngest Niece.
    The fries took a little longer to become crisp but the Taco seasoning was phenomenal. Similarly the marinade for the beef, a hefty 3/4 inch thick piece of Skirt which I deeply crosshatched before marinating was full of flavour.
    Everyone loved it but from a personal perspective I would've preferred to not put the beef in the oven with the cheese as I found it overcooked by that time. I do like my steak to be able to be brought back to life by a good vet!
    Because of that it's 4.5* for this one.
    lovely flavours though

    Paul:-)

    Reply
    • Mike Hultquist says

      May 08, 2025 at 2:44 pm

      Glad you enjoyed it overall, Paul. Perhaps a quick adaptation for next time. Cheers.

      Reply
  2. Glenn says

    February 04, 2025 at 9:56 am

    I made your pork carnitas recipe and loved it. I got a lot of leftover pork. Think this recipe would be as good using carnitas instead of carne asada?

    Reply
    • Mike Hultquist says

      February 04, 2025 at 12:41 pm

      Thanks, Glenn! Absolutely, YES. This recipe is GREAT with carnitas. I'm actually doing a nacho recipe with my carnitas, and hopefully fries soon! Enjoy!

      Reply
  3. Ramya says

    June 10, 2024 at 7:15 am

    Cant wait to make this soon for me can i use tofu i never had carne asada fries before perfect for my after office meals love your recipes as always brightens up my day everyday after work

    Reply
    • Mike Hultquist says

      June 10, 2024 at 7:43 am

      Enjoy, Ramya.

      Reply
  4. Eileen says

    June 10, 2024 at 6:09 am

    5 stars
    LOVE YOUR RECIPE
    Could you use chicken instead of steak?
    Thank You

    Reply
    • Mike Hultquist says

      June 10, 2024 at 6:16 am

      Thanks, Eileen! Yes, it works great with chicken, actually. Enjoy!

      Reply
  5. col says

    August 08, 2019 at 4:08 am

    5 stars
    wow!

    Reply

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