The Complete Manual for Carne Asada Fries
Carne asada fries are the ultimate treat for everyone who has ever yearned for a delectable blend of Mexican and American flavors. This meal has gained a devoted following because it combines crispy fries, tender, marinated carne asada beef, and a wonderful assortment of toppings. This blog will walk you through the preparation, ingredients, and history of carne asada fries, whether you’re making them at home or getting them from your favorite local restaurant.
What Are They?
One well-liked Mexican-American fusion meal is carne asada fries. This recipe comes from Southern California and consists of French fries with cheese, guacamole, sour cream, salsa, and a succulent, marinated carne asada steak on top. This filling, flavorful snack is great as an appetizer, snack, or even a main dish and is great to share.
The History of Fries with Carne Asada
San Diego, California, a city renowned for its distinctive fusion of Mexican and American culinary influences, is thought to be the birthplace of carne asada fries. This delicacy, which substitutes French fries for tortilla chips, probably originated as an inventive take on the classic loaded nachos. Carne asada fries eventually established themselves as a mainstay of the Mexican cuisine of Southern California and have since become well-liked throughout the United States.
Here’s a recipe card in a table format:
| Recipe | Carne Asada Fries |
|---|---|
| Prep Time | 20 minutes |
| Cook Time | 30 minutes |
| Total Time | 50 minutes + marinating time |
| Servings | 4-6 |
Ingredients
| Component | Ingredients | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Carne Asada | Flank or Skirt Steak | 1 lb |
| Lime Juice | 1/4 cup | |
| Orange Juice | 1/4 cup | |
| Olive Oil | 2 tbsp | |
| Garlic, minced | 3 cloves | |
| Fresh Cilantro, chopped | 1/4 cup | |
| Cumin | 1 tsp | |
| Chili Powder | 1 tsp | |
| Salt and Pepper | To taste | |
| Fries | Russet Potatoes (or frozen fries) | 2 large |
| Vegetable Oil (for frying) | As needed | |
| Salt | To taste | |
| Cheese | Cheddar or Cheddar & Monterey Jack blend, shredded | 1 cup |
| Toppings | Guacamole | 1/2 cup |
| Sour Cream | 1/4 cup | |
| Pico de Gallo | 1/2 cup | |
| Pickled Jalapeños | 1/4 cup (optional) | |
| Fresh Cilantro, chopped | 1 tbsp (optional) | |
| Lime Wedges | For serving |
Instructions
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Marinate the Carne | Mix lime juice, orange juice, olive oil, garlic, cilantro, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Coat steak; marinate in fridge 1 hour+. |
| 2. Prepare the Fries | Cut potatoes into strips, rinse, pat dry. Fry in 350°F oil until crispy, or bake frozen fries as directed. Season with salt. |
| 3. Cook the Carne Asada | Preheat grill or skillet. Remove steak from marinade, cook 3-5 minutes per side. Rest, then slice into bite-sized pieces. |
| 4. Assemble the Fries | Spread fries on a baking sheet, top with carne asada and cheese. Broil or bake until cheese melts. |
| 5. Add Toppings | Top with guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo, pickled jalapeños, and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges. |
Carne Asada Fries Ingredients
High-quality ingredients are the first step in making the ideal carne asada fries. What you’ll need is as follows:
Regarding Carne Asada:
When marinated and cooked properly, both Flank Steak and Skirt Steak are tasty and tender cuts.
Lime juice, orange juice, olive oil, garlic, cilantro, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper are the ingredients of the marinade.
For the fries:
- French Fries: You can cook your own fries using russet potatoes or, for convenience, buy frozen fries.
Cheese: For a melt-in-your-mouth feel, use either cheddar or a combination of Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese.
Toppers:
Freshly prepared guacamole is created with diced onions, lime, salt, and ripe avocados.
- Sour Cream: Gives the savory flavors a cold, creamy contrast.
Pico de Gallo: Lime juice, cilantro, fresh tomatoes, and onions.
A squeeze of lime, chopped cilantro, and pickled jalapeños are optional.
Detailed Instructions for Carne Asada Fries
First Step: Marinate the Asada Carne
- Combine lime juice, orange juice, olive oil, chopped cilantro, cumin, chili powder, salt, pepper, and minced garlic in a bowl.
- Make sure the steak is completely coated by submerging it in the marinade. For optimal flavor, let it marinade in the fridge for at least an hour or maybe overnight.
Step 2: Get the fries ready
- Slice the russet potatoes into thin strips, rinse them to get rid of extra starch, and pat them dry if you’re making fresh fries.
- Fry them till brown and crispy at 350°F in vegetable oil. After draining, add salt.
- As an alternative, prepare frozen fries according the directions on the package.
Cook the carne asada in step three.
- Heat your cast-iron skillet or grill to a high temperature.
- Depending on thickness and desired doneness, grill the steak for approximately three to five minutes on each side after removing it from the marinade.
- Slice the steak into bite-sized pieces after letting it rest for a few minutes.
Step 4: Put the Fries Together
- Line a large ovenproof dish or baking sheet with the fried fries.
- Cover the fries with the sliced carne asada and then top with a thick layer of cheese.
- To melt the cheese, place the fries in a hot oven or under a broiler for a few minutes.
Step 5: Include the garnishes
- Drizzle guacamole and sour cream over the cheese-topped carne asada fries.
- For added taste, add chopped cilantro, pickled jalapeños, and pico de gallo.
- For an added citrus twist, serve with lime wedges on the side.
How to Make the Best Carne Asada Fries
- Marinate Well: Marinating the steak tenderizes it and improves its flavor.
- Crispy Fries: To withstand the toppings, fries should be as crispy as possible. For the greatest texture, double-fry fresh potatoes.
- High-quality Cheese: Make use of cheese that melts smoothly and gives the dish a gooey texture that keeps it together.
- Fresh Toppings: For optimal freshness and flavor, make toppings like pico de gallo and guacamole right before serving.
Suggestions for Serving
It’s ideal to serve carne asada fries right away, when they’re still hot and the cheese has melted. They are popular during informal get-togethers, gaming days, and parties. They make a crowd-pleasing dish that’s difficult to resist when served with a cold drink.
Different Approaches to Try
- Loaded Carne Asada Nachos: Use tortilla chips instead of fries.
Spicy Fries: Top with hot sauce or more jalapeños.
- Breakfast Carne Asada Fries: For a distinctive breakfast touch, top with a fried egg.
carne asada meat near me
The main ingredient in many popular Mexican dishes, such as tacos, burritos, and traditional platters with rice and beans, is carne asada. By adding the smokey, flavorful taste that only a well marinated and cooked steak can provide, finding premium Carne Asada beef in your area can enhance your prepared meals.
Concluding Remarks
The finest of both worlds are combined in carne asada fries: the delicious, juicy carne asada and the crunchy, salty fries. This meal has the ideal balance of flavors and textures, making it incredibly addicting. Carne asada fries are a hit whether you’re making them for the first time or have mastered the recipe. Savor this ultimate comfort dish with loved ones or by yourself—it’s that delicious!
