Crispy golden fries piled with spicy, seasoned carne asada and melted cheese—these Carne Asada Fries are perfect for sharing on game day or as a bold family dinner.
Carne Asada Seasoned Fries
This recipe pairs tender skirt steak with crispy fries and gooey melting cheese. A homemade carne asada seasoning blend delivers savory, smoky, and slightly spicy flavors without a long marinating time. Top the finished dish with pico de gallo, cilantro, and fresh lime for a bright, zesty finish. These loaded fries are ideal for tailgates, casual get-togethers, or a weeknight meal you can share.
What is carne asada?
Carne asada typically refers to skirt or flank steak cooked quickly over high heat with bold seasoning. It’s often sliced thin for tacos, but when cubed and layered over fries with melted cheese, it becomes a satisfying main course. While many carne asada recipes use a citrus-based marinade, this version relies on a robust dry rub to deliver deep flavor with minimal prep.
Seasoning for Carne Asada
The seasoning mix for these fries balances savory and spicy elements to enhance the beef’s natural richness. It uses common pantry spices so you can mix it quickly:
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
How Long to Grill Carne Asada
Cooked over very high heat, skirt steak develops a flavorful crust while staying tender inside. Aim for about 400–450°F on the grill and cook 3–5 minutes per side depending on thickness. Because the steak will finish cooking while the fries and cheese heat together, remove it from the grill approximately 10°F below your target internal temperature and let it rest.
- Rare: Pull at 115°F (finish at 125°F)
- Medium rare: Pull at 125°F (finish at 135°F)
- Medium: Pull at 135°F (finish at 145°F)
- Medium well: Pull at 145°F (finish at 155°F)
- Well done: Pull at 150°F (finish at 160°F)
How to Make Carne Asada Fries
Follow these steps for loaded, melty fries topped with seasoned steak:
- Season the steak. Combine the dry ingredients and press the rub onto both sides of the skirt steak so it adheres well.
- Prepare the fries. Bake frozen fries according to package directions or cook homemade fries until crisp. Arrange them on a sheet pan so they stay hot and crunchy.
- Grill the steak. Over high heat, grill the seasoned steak 3–5 minutes per side until it reaches 10°F under your final target. Rest briefly, then cube or slice thinly.
- Assemble and melt cheese. Scatter the hot fries across a baking sheet, top with the cubed steak and 2 cups of melting cheese. Return to the oven or under the broiler for 1–2 minutes until the cheese becomes bubbly and stretchy.
- Finish and serve. Top with pico de gallo, fresh cilantro, lime wedges, and a dollop of sour cream if desired. Serve immediately so the fries remain crisp and the cheese stays warm.
Toppings and Serving Suggestions
These fries are meant to be shared and customized like nachos. Popular toppings include:
- Mexican quesadilla (melting) cheese
- Pico de gallo
- Fresh cilantro
- Lime wedges
- Sour cream
Mexican quesadilla cheese melts beautifully and gives you that desirable cheese pull while helping bind the steak and fries together. Serve right away for the best texture contrast between crunchy fries and juicy steak.
Carne Asada Fries Recipe
Share these Carne Asada Fries with friends and family and enjoy the crowd-pleasing flavors. Below is a concise version of the recipe details so you can jump right into making it.
Carne Asada Fries
Ingredients
- 2 pounds skirt steak
- 1 28-ounce bag frozen French fries
- 2 cups Mexican quesadilla cheese (melting cheese)
Asada Seasoning
- 2 teaspoons fine sea salt
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Toppings
- Pico de gallo
- Lime wedges
- Fresh cilantro
- Sour cream
Instructions
- Preheat grill and oven. Set the grill to high heat (around 450°F). Preheat the oven for the fries per package instructions or prepare oil for frying if making fries from scratch.
- Mix the seasoning. Combine all asada seasoning ingredients in a small bowl and stir until even.
- Season steak and prepare fries. Coat both sides of the skirt steak with the seasoning. Arrange fries on a baking sheet and start baking.
- Cook fries and steak. Bake fries as instructed. Grill the steak 3–5 minutes per side until it’s about 10°F under your target temperature. Rest 3–5 minutes, then cut into cubes.
- Assemble and finish. Top hot fries with cubed steak and cheese, then return to the oven or broiler 1–2 minutes until cheese melts and the steak finishes cooking.
- Serve. Add pico de gallo, cilantro, lime, and sour cream as desired and serve immediately.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 2 g |
Protein: 53 g |
Fat: 31 g
Nutrition information is an approximation.