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Best Loaded Carne Asada Fries Recipe (Easy!)

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This recipe delivers restaurant-quality loaded carne asada fries at home, featuring tender marinated steak, extra-crispy fries, and all the classic toppings. It’s the ultimate comfort food for game day or any day you need a satisfying, indulgent meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs flank steak or skirt steak
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
  • 1/4 cup fresh orange juice (about 1 orange)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 (28 oz) bag frozen crinkle-cut or straight-cut fries
  • 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese or cheddar jack
  • 1/2 cup crema or sour cream
  • 1/2 cup guacamole
  • 1/2 cup pico de gallo or salsa fresca
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced (optional)
  • 1/2 cup black beans, drained and rinsed (optional)

Instructions

  1. Marinate the Steak: In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, orange juice, minced garlic, minced jalapeño, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Place the flank steak in a large zip-top bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the steak, ensuring it’s fully coated. Seal and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, ideally overnight.
  2. Cook the Fries: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Spread frozen fries in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Bake according to package directions (usually 20-25 minutes), flipping halfway through. For extra crispiness, broil for the last 2 minutes, watching closely.
  3. Cook the Steak: About 10 minutes before fries are done, remove steak from marinade, letting excess drip off. Pat dry with paper towels. Heat a cast iron skillet over high heat until smoking. Add a drizzle of oil. Sear steak for 4-5 minutes per side for medium-rare, or until desired doneness.
  4. Rest and Slice the Steak: Transfer cooked steak to a cutting board and let rest for at least 5-10 minutes. Slice thinly against the grain.
  5. Assemble the Loaded Fries: Once fries are crispy, remove from oven. Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over hot fries. Return to oven for 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
  6. Top and Serve: Remove cheesy fries from oven. Arrange sliced carne asada over the top. Drizzle with crema or sour cream, dollop with guacamole, and spoon over pico de gallo. Finish with fresh cilantro and sliced jalapeños if using. Serve immediately.

Notes

For best results, marinate the steak overnight. To keep fries crispy, bake them a few minutes longer than package directions and serve immediately. Always slice steak against the grain for tenderness.

Nutrition

Keywords: carne asada fries, loaded fries, Mexican fries, game day food, steak fries