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

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Carne Asada Fries in a container with white napkin slices of beef.

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

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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.

Table of Contents

1 More Mexican Appetizers:
2 Another Pro Tip:
3 Ideas for Toppings:
4 How Long Does It Last?
5 Mexican Salsas for Topping:
6 More Recipes You’ll Love
- - 6.0.1 Hungry for More?
7 Carne Asada Fries

More Mexican Appetizers:

A collage of meat marinating in a plastic bag.

For the Marinade:

Mix all the marinade ingredients in a large bag or container.
Add the meat and mix well to coat.
Marinate the meat overnight.

Overnight is best, or a minimum of 4 hours in order for the flavors to really penetrate the meat.

Carne asada grilling on an indoor black iron skillet.

Take the meat out of the fridge.
Wait a few minutes before placing on a hot grill.

Putting cold meat on a grill will make the meat tough. Give it a few minutes to before grilling.

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

Carne asada with grill marks grilling on a black iron grill skillet.

Grill about 4 minutes on each side for medium rare.
Remove meat from heat.

It’s a black iron grill skillet. Be sure to season it well before using.

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

Cooked carne asada resting on a green cutting board.

This is very important, you want to let the 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!

Chopped up carne asada on a green cutting board.

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.

For a vegetarian version: grill up some tofu.

OR, if they are serving themselves, they omit the protein altogether, and go straight for the vegetarian toppings.

Frozen french fries spread out on a cookie sheet.

Bake the frozen french fries according to the package.
Or, you can make them from scratch too.

Pro Tip:
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, but you can very well make fresh french fries.

You can also swap them out and use sweet potato fries.

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.

Fries in a brown bowl topped with carne asada.

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

Another Pro Tip:

To make this recipe even faster, buy carne asada already marinated at the grocery store.

All you have to prep are the ingredients for the toppings. It involves very minimal work on your part, and your guests will think you have been slaving over a stove for hours.

Toppings for carne asada fries on a wooden surface.

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

Ideas for Toppings:

guacamole
chiles en vinagre
sour cream
cheese
Tomato Molcajete Salsa
diced tomatoes
grilled onions
green onions
bacon

Put out the toppings, and let your 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.

A picture of carne asada fries in a bowl on a white napkin.

How Long Does It Last?

Carne Asada Fries does 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 California Burrito.

Ta-Dah! Easy dinner using leftovers.

Mexican Salsas for Topping:

Pico De Gallo
Roasted Salsa Verde Recipe
Roasted Tomato Salsa
Salsa De Aguacate

Carne asada fries in a bowl topped with all the fixings.

More Recipes You’ll Love

Frijoles Puercos
Salsa Borracha
Hatch Chile Cheese Dip
Avocado Mango Salsa

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

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Maggie Unzueta

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Maggie Unzueta is the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer, videographer, and creator of In Mama Maggie's Kitchen. She has been developing easy and authentic Mexican food, Mexican-inspired recipes, and traveling tips since 2010. From family recipes to her extensive travels throughout Mexico, she brings traditional Mexican flavors from South of the Border and into your kitchen. Maggie has been featured in notable culinary websites and other media outlets. For more details, check out her About page.