Irresistibly Crunchy Carne Asada Fries Recipe For Taco Night

Loaded with mouthwatering flavors, these crispy carne asada fries burst with authentic Mexican street food excitement.

Tender marinated beef sizzles over high heat, creating a delectable layer atop golden french fries.

Melted cheese cascades between each crisp potato slice, blending perfectly with the seasoned meat.

Zesty salsa and creamy guacamole add fresh, vibrant notes to this irresistible dish.

Chopped cilantro and green onions provide a bright, aromatic finish that elevates every single bite.

Each forkful promises a festival of textures and bold, robust flavors.

You won’t be able to resist diving into this crowd-pleasing recipe that brings the spirit of street cuisine straight to your table.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 5

Carne Asada Fries Ingredient Picks You’ll Love

• Olive Oil: Helps distribute flavors and tenderize the meat with rich, smooth notes.
• Orange Juice: Provides bright, citrusy tang that helps break down meat fibers.
• Lime Juice: Adds zesty acidity and helps tenderize the steak naturally.
• Garlic: Delivers intense, aromatic depth to the meat's flavor profile.
• Cumin: Brings warm, earthy undertones characteristic of Mexican cuisine.
• Chili Powder: Contributes smoky heat and vibrant color to the marinade.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential for enhancing and balancing overall seasoning.

• French Fries: Crispy, golden base that serves as a delicious foundation for toppings.
• Shredded Cheese: Melts beautifully, creating a creamy, gooey layer that binds ingredients.

• Carne Asada: Grilled, thinly sliced beef that provides protein and robust flavor.
• Guacamole: Creamy avocado spread that adds richness and freshness.
• Sour Cream: Cooling element that balances spicy and tangy components.
• Pico de Gallo: Fresh salsa with vibrant tomato, onion, and cilantro mix.
• Cilantro: Bright, herbaceous garnish that adds a clean, fresh note.
• Jalapeño Slices: Optional spicy kick for heat lovers.

Tools That Help You Layer Carne Asada Fries Neatly

• Large mixing bowl: For combining marinade ingredients and coating steak.
• Grill or skillet: To cook steak with perfect char and caramelization.
• Cutting board: For slicing steak thinly against the grain.
• Sharp knife: Ensures clean, precise cuts of meat.
• Baking sheet: For baking fries and melting cheese.
• Tongs: Helps handle and turn steak during cooking.
• Measuring spoons and cups: To accurately measure marinade ingredients.

How to Cook Carne Asada Fries with Melty Cheese

• Fire Up the Marinade

Whip together a zesty blend of citrusy orange juice, tangy lime juice, crushed garlic, earthy cumin, and spicy chili powder. Massage this flavor explosion into the steak, letting it soak up all the goodness for 30 minutes to 4 hours.

• Sear the Meat

Crank up the grill or skillet to sizzling hot. Cook the steak until it’s beautifully charred and cooked to your preferred doneness. Let it rest briefly, then slice against the grain for maximum tenderness.

• Crisp Up the Fries

Transform your potato strips into golden, crunchy perfection using your favorite cooking method – oven, air fryer, or deep fryer.

• Create the Cheesy Base

Spread those crispy fries on a platter and shower them with melted cheese until it’s bubbling and irresistible.

• Load on the Toppings

Crown your cheesy fry masterpiece with succulent carne asada slices. Dollop on creamy guacamole, tangy sour cream, fresh pico de gallo, sprinkle of cilantro, and optional fiery jalapeno slices for a flavor explosion.

Ways to Tweak Your Fries with Heat or Creaminess

• Let the steak soak in citrus juices longer for deeper flavor infusion, with orange and lime breaking down meat fibers for extra tenderness.
• Choose flank or skirt steak cuts for authentic texture, ensuring you slice against the grain to keep meat perfectly tender and easy to chew.
• Swap standard chili powder with chipotle or ancho chili powder for a smokier, more complex flavor profile that elevates the entire dish.
• Create a low-carb version by replacing potato fries with crispy sweet potato wedges or zucchini fries, maintaining the delicious carne asada topping.
• For spice lovers, add diced habanero peppers or increase jalapeno quantity; for milder palates, remove jalapeno seeds or use mild green chiles instead.

Serving Carne Asada Fries at Game Night or Dinner

• Party Platter Paradise: Spread the fries on a large wooden board for a stunning shared appetizer that encourages everyone to dig in together.
• Taco Night Twist: Transform the carne asada fries into a build-your-own station where guests can add their favorite toppings and create personalized plates.
• Game Day Crowd-Pleaser: Serve in individual portions using small cast iron skillets or rustic paper boats for easy handling during sports watching parties.
• Fiesta Side Kick: Pair with ice-cold Mexican beer, fresh margaritas, or tangy agua fresca to complement the rich, savory flavors of the dish.

Store and Reheat Carne Asada Fries Without Sogginess

• Marinate the steak the night before to enhance flavor depth and save morning cooking time. Store marinated meat in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for maximum taste infusion.
• Cooked carne asada stays fresh in sealed containers for 3-4 days. Separate meat from toppings to maintain crispness and prevent soggy textures when reheating.
• Slice leftover steak into thin strips and freeze in portion-sized bags. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for quick protein additions to salads, tacos, or future carne asada fry batches.
• Revive day-old fries by reheating in an air fryer or oven at 375°F for 5-7 minutes. Crisp edges and warm cheese will make leftovers taste almost as good as freshly prepared.

Crispy Carne Asada Fries Recipe

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4.6 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Carne asada fries bring Mexican street flavors to a crispy potato canvas, blending zesty grilled beef with melted cheese and fresh toppings. Crisp fries loaded with sizzling meat create a mouthwatering experience you won’t soon forget.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) flank or skirt steak
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
• ¼ cup (60 ml) orange juice
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) lime juice
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 (28 oz or 794 g) bag frozen French fries, or homemade fries
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil (if baking or air frying)
• 1 cup (113 g) shredded cheddar cheese (or Mexican blend)
• ½ cup (120 ml) guacamole
• ½ cup (120 ml) sour cream
• ½ cup (120 ml) pico de gallo or fresh salsa
• 2 tablespoons (8 g) chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 sliced jalapeno (optional)

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Instructions

1. Marinade Creation: Whisk together olive oil, orange juice, lime juice, minced garlic, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper in a mixing container. Submerge steak completely and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 4 hours to infuse robust flavors.
2. Steak Preparation: Preheat grill or cast-iron skillet to medium-high temperature. Sear steak approximately 4-5 minutes per side until exterior develops a rich caramelized crust and internal temperature reaches desired doneness. Allow meat to rest for 5 minutes, then slice against grain into thin, tender strips.
3. Crispy Foundation: Prepare french fries using preferred method (oven, air fryer, or deep fryer) ensuring golden-brown exterior and crisp texture. Arrange fries on large baking sheet or serving platter.
4. Cheese Transformation: Generously distribute shredded cheese over hot fries. Position under broiler for 2-3 minutes until cheese melts completely and develops slight bubbling texture.
5. Garnish and Serve: Layer sliced carne asada across cheesy fries. Strategically add dollops of creamy guacamole, sour cream, fresh pico de gallo, chopped cilantro, and optional jalapeno slices. Serve immediately while ingredients remain warm and vibrant.

Notes

• Use citrus juices to tenderize the meat and enhance flavor absorption, but don’t exceed 4 hours to prevent breaking down protein fibers.
• Let steak rest at room temperature before cooking for even heat distribution and more tender results.
• Cut meat against the grain to ensure maximum tenderness and easier chewing, using a sharp knife at a 45-degree angle.
• Adjust spice intensity by controlling chili powder amount or adding/removing jalapeño slices for personal heat preference.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg