Carne Asada Fries

If you haven’t had Carne Asada Fries before, you’re seriously missing out! Carne Asada is a special way of grilling meat, and today we’re serving it over fries with toppings and fixings to make the ABSOLUTE Carne Asada Fries Recipe!

There’s something about making Mexican inspired dishes that feel like a treat to us. While I’m from the Mediterranean and that’s my ultimate comfort food, I also sincerely have a soft spot for Mexican food.

And my Mediterranean background always tries to push for more lamb in our meals. So when I made Sheet Pan Fajitas using Lamb, it was like the best of both worlds! 

Similarly, those Lamb Birria Tacos and Spicy Smashed Potatoes are MUST try recipes! The Crunchwrap Supreme which is loaded with the BEST Nacho Cheese Sauce Recipe is also made using lamb! 

What Are Carne Asada Fries?

Carne Asada fries are exactly what they sound like but when done right, they’re far more than steak tossed over fries. Imagine layered crisp fries, juicy citrus marinated grilled steak, creamy richness, acidity, heat, and freshness.

Carne asada fries are a Mexican American dish originating in Southern California, particularly associated with San Diego taco shop culture. So they are not traditional Mexican, they’re a border style innovation rooted in taquería culture.

They are layered as:

• Crispy French fries
• Grilled carne asada (marinated steak)
• Cheddar Cheese or even better this Nacho Cheese Sauce Recipe
• Sour cream
• Guacamole
• Pico de gallo

What Makes The BEST Carne Asada Fries?

Great carne asada fries are:

• Crisp at the base
• Juicy but not wet on top
• Balanced with acid and freshness
• Rich but not heavy

They are NOT good if:

• Fries steam under wet toppings
• Steak is overcooked or under seasoned
• Cheese is applied cold
• Everything blends into one greasy layer

Layering and timing matter more than the ingredient list.

What are Carne Asada Fries made of? Ingredients List

Steak

• I used leg of lamb steaks bone in, trimmed off some fat. The best beef cuts include skirt steak (most traditional, more flavor) and flank steak (leaner, easier to find).

We love American lamb for so many reasons:

• From a taste perspective, American lamb is both fresh and sweet. It has a delicate buttery texture which makes it a great protein to substitute in any dish. 
• We also love to support our local hard working ranchers as I’ve visited a few farms and met amazing ranchers. Their stories, their hard work and their passion for growing the sheep is outstanding! No wonder American lamb is seriously amazing!
• Make sure to always double check with your butcher when buying lamb as it can be tricky to identify sometimes.

Fries

If the fries fail, the entire dish collapses, they must hold the wieght without falling apart. Best Fries for Carne Asada Fries:

• Thick cut frozen fries (extra crispy style)
• If making homemade fries, we recommend double frying.
• Air fryer fries (extra crisp)
• Avoid: Thin shoestring fries

Carne Asada Seasoning

• Salt and peppers
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Chilli powder
• cumin
• oregano
• Lemon powder or lemon salt, lemon juice, lime juice, or orange juice , olive oil, soy sauce, 

Toppings

• Avocados
• Salsa verde or Homemade Salsa
• refried beans or Mexican Black Beans
• Tomatoes, scallions, jalapeños, onions, sour cream, lime wedges and more!

How to Make Carne Asada Fries

Cook The Meat

Trim off any excess fat you prefer from the lamb steaks.

I use the excess fat for making shawarma or I can sometimes grind it in my kofte. It adds the BEST flavor!

Season the meat on both sides. 

Sear with butter or oil on high heat until golden on both sides. You can grill the steaks also, check our viral Lamb Steaks recipe.

This should take about 3 minutes per side (depending on the thickness of the meat). The USDA recommends the lamb reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F with a 3 min rest.

Remove the lamb steaks on a cutting board and let them rest for 2 minutes before slicing and dicing them into 1 inch cubes.

Cook The Fries

Our favorite highly recommended version is this Air Fryer Frozen French Fries.

How to Keep Fries Crispy Under Toppings?

• Cook fries darker than you normally would.
• Salt immediately after frying.
• Assemble just before serving.
• Never pile hot toppings onto undercooked fries.
• Steam is the enemy of crispness.

Season the fries with extra seasoning from the meat.

Layer the Carne Asada Fries

Now take the same skillet you seared the lamb in and layer in the fries. Using the same pan will add an extra depth of flavor to the fries and to the whole dish! 

Cheese: Melt It Properly

• Most taco shops use: Shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend
• Melt the cheese over hot fries before adding cold toppings.
• This creates a barrier and prevents sogginess.
• If cheese sits cold on fries, it won’t integrate, rather it will clump.

And top that with the cut off pieces of lamb steaks. Broil the pan for just 3 minutes or until the cheese has melted. Or spread the meat on a baking sheet if you used the grill, and broil.

Tops with an endless variety of sauces and fresh ingredients to make delicious carne asada fries at home!

• Guacamole: adds richness and cooling effect.
• Sour Cream: Adds tang and creaminess.
• Pico de Gallo: Critical for freshness.
• Most places include: Tomato, onion, cilantro, lime, final sprinkle of salt
• Optional Additions: Pickled jalapeño, Cotija cheese, Salsa roja, Chipotle crema, Salsa verde

Dig in and enjoy!

Pro Tips on How to Assemble Carne Asada Fries

1. Spread hot crispy fries in shallow layer.
2. Immediately sprinkle cheese and melt.
3. Add sliced carne asada.
4. Add guacamole in small dollops.
5. Spoon pico sparingly.
6. Drizzle sour cream lightly.
7. Serve immediately.
8. Do not mix everything together.
9. Layering keeps texture intact.

Carne Asada Fries Variations

• San Diego Version :Generous cheese, heavy sour cream and fresh simple toppings
• Spicy Version: Add chipotle crema or adobo, pickled jalapenos and spicy jack cheese.
• Lighter Version: use less cheese, extra pico and cilantro and rely more on the toppings

Why Are Fries Soggy

When you add watery or cold toppings too early, or if the fries are undercooked they will be soggy. To avoid this, cook fries darker and assemble last minute.

What if Steak Is Tough

It’s because you most likely used a tough cut, overcooked the meat or sliced with the grain. To avoid this, cook to medium at most and slice thinly against grain.

Why does the recipe Feel Too Heavy

When you use too much cheese and sour cream, it will feel heavy! If you feel that, just compensate with more fresh ingredients like salsa pico and lime juice.

Are carne asada fries Mexican?

Shockingly, they’re not really Mexican, but more of a California thing 🙂 They absolutely have a Mexican twist to them, but are believed to originate from California. 

What does carne asada mean? 

Simply put, it means grilled meat that’s sliced. 

Air Fry Carne Asada

You can make the steak as well in the air fryer as I did with my popular Air Fryer Lamb Chops and proceed with the recipe. Check out my web story for Air Fryer Recipes and you’ll be surprised at how amazing recipes turn out in the air fryer!

How to Make this into Carne asada Tacos

This is another popular recipe where the meat is layered and made into tacos rather than in a plate of fries. Watch the video for Lamb Birria Tacos and see how amazing they are! Also check our Flank Steak Tacos and ground beef tacos.

Storage & Reheating

Carne asada fries are best eaten immediately. Storing leftovers and reheating will create soft fries and off textures. So we don’t recommend. You can reheat fries separately and reassemble if you can.What are carne asada fries made of?

What cut of meat is best for carne asada fries?

Skirt steak is preferred for its flavor and tenderness when grilled and sliced thin.

More Lamb Recipes

• Lamb Shoulder Chop Recipe
• Air Fryer Lamb Chops with Poblano Sauce
• Lamb Shanks with Skyr
• Jalapeño Poppers
• Cheesy Pull Apart Bread with Lamb Crumbles
• Cheese Fondue with Lamb Dippers
• Lamb Gyro Recipe
• Easy Stir Fry Recipe with Lamb and Veggies
• Grilled Lamb Skewers BBQ Party
• Roast Lamb Shoulder Recipe

5 from 14 votes

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Carne Asada Fries

If you haven’t had Carne Asada Fries before, you’re seriously missing out! Carne Asada is a special way of grilling meat, and today we’re serving it over fries with toppings and fixings to make the ABSOLUTE Carne Asada Fries Recipe!

Course Main Course, Main Dish, street food

Cuisine Caifornian, Mexican, TexMex

Keyword Carne Asada, Carne Asada Fries, Carne Asada Fries recipe, Carne Asada Recipe, How to Make Carne Asada, What is Carne Asda

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Servings 4

Calories 700 kcal

Author Mahy

Ingredients

• 2 lbs of American Lamb Steaks leg or shoulder
• 1 tablespoon oil

Seasoning

• ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon mexican oregano
• 1.4 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon lemon salt

Fries

• 3 cups Cooked French Fries air fryer or oven or deep fried

Toppings

• 1 ½ cups cheese Shredded
• Guacamole
• sour cream
• cilantro
• tomatoes
• black olives
• green onions
• chili flakes optional for spice

Instructions

1. Season the lamb on both sides with the seasoning mix.
   
2. Preheat a large cast iron or heavy duty pan on medium high heat and sear the steak on both sides until golden (3 minutes per sides) or until the temperature reaches 145 degrees F .
   
3. Remove the lamb and let it rest for at least 3 mins.
   
4. Cook the French Fries
   
5. In the meantime preheat the oven to broil and gather your toppings.
6. Cut the lamb into 1 inch chunks.

7. Using the same heavy duty skillet, start layering the fries and cheese. a

   

8. Add in the cut up pieces of lamb.

   
9. Broil the pan until the cheese has melted and then your carne asada fries are ready for loading.
   

10. Use your favorite toppings over the broiled carne asada fries.

    
11. Load up your toppings and dig in and enjoy!
    

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

Pro Tips on How to Assemble Carne Asada Fries

1. Spread hot crispy fries in shallow layer.
2. Immediately sprinkle cheese and melt.
3. Add sliced carne asada.
4. Add guacamole in small dollops.
5. Spoon pico sparingly.
6. Drizzle sour cream lightly.
7. Serve immediately.
8. Do not mix everything together.
9. Layering keeps texture intact.

Carne Asada Fries Variations

• San Diego Version :Generous cheese, heavy sour cream and fresh simple toppings
• Spicy Version: Add chipotle crema or adobo, pickled jalapenos and spicy jack cheese.
• Lighter Version: use less cheese, extra pico and cilantro and rely more on the toppings

Why Are Fries Soggy

When you add watery or cold toppings too early, or if the fries are undercooked they will be soggy. To avoid this, cook fries darker and assemble last minute.

What if Steak Is Tough

It's because you most likely used a tough cut, overcooked the meat or sliced with the grain. To avoid this, cook to medium at most and slice thinly against grain.

Why does the recipe Feel Too Heavy

When you use too much cheese and sour cream, it will feel heavy! If you feel that, just compensate with more fresh ingredients like salsa pico and lime juice.

Are carne asada fries Mexican?

Shockingly, they’re not really Mexican, but more of a California thing 🙂 They absolutely have a Mexican twist to them, but are believed to originate from California. 

What does carne asada mean? 

Simply put, it means grilled meat that’s sliced. 

Air Fry Carne Asada

You can make the steak as well in the air fryer as I did with my popular Air Fryer Lamb Chops and proceed with the recipe. Check out my web story for Air Fryer Recipes and you'll be surprised at how amazing recipes turn out in the air fryer!

How to Make this into Carne asada Tacos

This is another popular recipe where the meat is layered and made into tacos rather than in a plate of fries. Watch the video for Lamb Birria Tacos and see how amazing they are! Also check our Flank Steak Tacos and ground beef tacos.

Storage & Reheating

Carne asada fries are best eaten immediately. Storing leftovers and reheating will create soft fries and off textures. So we don't recommend. You can reheat fries separately and reassemble if you can.What are carne asada fries made of?

What cut of meat is best for carne asada fries?

Skirt steak is preferred for its flavor and tenderness when grilled and sliced thin.

Nutrition Facts

Carne Asada Fries

Amount Per Serving

Calories 700 Calories from Fat 522

% Daily Value*

Fat 58g89%

Saturated Fat 22g138%

Trans Fat 0.01g

Polyunsaturated Fat 4g

Monounsaturated Fat 27g

Cholesterol 60mg20%

Sodium 1000mg43%

Potassium 1550mg44%

Carbohydrates 40g13%

Fiber 9g38%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 71g142%

Vitamin A 443IU9%

Vitamin C 11mg13%

Calcium 337mg34%

Iron 8mg44%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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