For Game Day, there is nothing better than Carne Asada Fries. An absolutely addicting appetizer that’s topped with grilled meats, guacamole, and more!

When I first came to San Diego, I saw something called “Carne Asada Fries” on the menu at Mexican restaurants.

I didn’t think much of it until I tasted it. I mildly describe that day as MIND BLOWING!

For Game Day, the Super Bowl, or just because, this dish will hit the spot.

You know what I mean… When the score is tied, and all your faith is put on the quarterback who had that one injury. And people are shouting … iAndale, si puedes!

Who doesn’t need something to munch during a time like that?

Football Sundays are a big deal at my house.

Everyone brings a dish, but we supply the main dish.

I don’t want to bore anyone with the same thing over and over again. They were in for a treat.
You should have seen the look on my friends’ faces when they say Carne Asada Fries. lol.

It all starts with the fries. I use frozen french fries. If you want to make them from scratch, you can.

Don’t know about you. For me, though, I’d rather spend more time in front of the game and hanging out with friends.

What I love about Carne Asada Fries is that it involves the grill, meaning the hubs does the work not me.

Ok, I do some work. I usually put the marinade together.

He marinates the carne asada the night before.

When our friends arrive, all he has to do is take it out of the fridge and head over to the grill.

It is done in minutes. Easy, easy, peasy, and cheesy. LOL.

As you can see from the picture above, I had to open up the windows.

It was smokey and smelled amazing. It will send your friends into the kitchen and not in front of the TV… unless you have a TV in the kitchen. Ha!

Grilling outside is best, but if the weather is not good and you must have Carne Asada Fries, this grill pan will do the trick.

It’s a black iron grill skillet I can’t remember where I purchased. I seem to use it quite a bit during the cooler months.

This is very important, you want to let your meat rest.

If you do not let your meat rest and cut into it, all the juices will come out.

That means no juicy meats, but dry and gritty meat. No bueno!

After a few minutes, chop up the meat into small pieces. Small enough to fit on a fork. 1 maybe 2 inch pieces.

Yes, you can use chicken instead… but this is carne asada referring to beef.

Carne Asada Fries is perfect for vegetarian. SAY WHAT?!

For the vegetarians, you can grill up some tofu for them instead.
OR, since they are serving themselves, they omit the protein altogether, and go straight for the vegetarian toppings.

I’m telling you. This appetizer can please any crowd.

The toppings, in the end, are what make this dish so incredibly flavorful.

Once the french fries are cooked, add them to a bowl or a plate. Something big enough to hold all the ingredients.

For a large crowd, you can also serve this on a large platter. The place the toppings in small dishes and have people serve themselves.

Next, top of the french fries with the chopped carne asada.

You can’t see this, but I’m drooling just thinking about eating Carne Asada Fries!

Here’s something to consider:
If you fry the French Fries that day, your entire house will smell like fried food.

No one likes that.

That is why baking the fries is ideal.

To each there own, though. You can totally make the fries that day.

You can also swap them out and use sweet potato fries. Yes, I’ve done that, and my Carne Asada Fries were awesome!

The toppings for carne asada fries vary on taste and personal preferences.

They include anything from guacamole, pickled jalapenos, sour cream, cheese, cilantro, grilled onions, diced tomatoes, green onions, and whatever else your heart desires.

I didn’t have bacon that day, but bacon definitely makes a great topping.

I put out the toppings, and let my friends decide on what they want to add. Makes life as a host easy!

The other thing you can do is ask your guests to bring some of the toppings they like.

I have a friend who makes killer guacamole. I think that also has to do with the fact that she has an avocado tree in her backyard.

In my book, that’s like winning the California lottery!!! … minus all the long lost relatives showing up to your door for some of your winnings.

Tell me this doesn’t look good! Yum! Yum! Makes you wish the Super Bowl was everyday.

Word to the Wise: Assembled these Carne Asada Fries do not keep well in the fridge. However, unassembled (as in the meat alone) can stay in the fridge for 3-4 days.

You can repurpose the meat and make tacos a few days later. Or, you can stick them into a burrito.

Ta-Dah! Easy dinner using leftovers.

Another thing that you can do to make this recipe even faster:

You can find carne asada already marinated at the grocery store. Just know that you will not be able to control the amount of salt.

Buy the meat already marinated and all the ingredients for the toppings ready to go.

It involves very minimal work on your part, and your guests will think you have been slaving over a stove for hours.

Don’t Forget to Watch the Carne Asada Fries Video

Yield: 6

Carne Asada Fries

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For Game Day, there is nothing better than Carne Asada Fries. An absolutely addicting appetizer that’s topped with grilled meats, guacamole, and more!

Ingredients

• 1 package of frozen french fries
• 2 - 2½ lb skirt steak
• For Carne Asada Marinade:
• ½ cup lime juice
• 4 cloves garlic
• 3-4 dashes Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• Juice of 1 orange
• 1 minced jalapeno
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon ground oregano
• ¼ tablespoon ground pepper
• ½ cup canola oil
• 1 bunch of cilantro
• Toppings:
• cheese (optional)
• chopped bacon, cooked (optional)
• guacamole (optional)
• salsa (optional)
• diced tomato (optional)
• sour cream (optional)
• pickled jalapenos (optional)
• chopped cilantro (optional)
• diced green onion (optional)

Instructions

In a large container, add all the marinate ingredients - lime juice, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, orange juice, jalapeno, cumin, paprika, oregano, pepper, and oil.

Mix with a fork.

Add the meat to the container.

Turn the meat coat with the marinade.

Cover with plastic wrap, or if you are using a plastic bag, seal the bag.

Marinate the meat overnight.

Make french fries according to package instructions.

Take the meat out of the fridge.

Pre-heat grill medium to medium-high heat.

Oil the grate.

Grill about 4 minutes on each side for medium rare.

Remove meat from heat.

Let rest a few minutes before slicing across the grain.

Prepare desired toppings.

In the meantime, in a bowl, add french fries.

Top with carne asada and desired toppings.

Notes

You can use sweet potato fries inside of regular fries.