If you’re not sure what to serve with carne asada — fries, tacos, or otherwise — our list of recipes is here to help!
I can’t get enough carne asada. And clearly you can’t either, because you’re here, reading about what to serve with your carne asada! Let’s walk through some prep advice and serving suggestions so you can enjoy this delicious steak dish at home!
What is Carne Asada?
Carne asada, a term that translates to “grilled meat,” has become synonymous with the preparation style rather than the literal meaning. Carne asada is a beef steak about one inch thick that is generally cut from skirt or flank steak and then marinated and prepared at medium-high heat.
Marinades vary widely based on the preferences of those preparing the steaks, but typically, they consist of citrus (often lime juice) as well as various herbs and spices. Some are high-intensity, while others have just a touch of spice.
Because the meats used for carne asada can be heavily marbled, you will want to prepare your steak between rare and medium rare — overcooking carne asada will ruin the steak, and your dinner will be a huge disappointment. However, when done right, this steak can melt in your mouth.
Sounds delicious, huh? That’s because it is!
What is Carne Asada Seasoning?
Carne asada seasoning is a rub that contains herbs, spices, and other dry ingredients. Rather than a liquid marinade, this dry rub is applied to the meat. The exact spices and quantities will vary (more on that in a second).
Next, the seasoned meat is then moistened, often with fresh squeezes of lime and/or orange juice, vinegar, soy sauce, or ginger beer, and left to marinate in the fridge for several hours. It can be left overnight. (Learn more about our recommendations for how long to marinate steaks.)
You can buy premade seasoning for carne asada, or you can make your own!
What Are Carne Asada Fries?
Carne asada fries is a super popular dish that originated in California and — as you’d expect — consists of carne asada atop French fries.
Loaded toppings include anything from cheese and sour cream to guacamole and black beans. The options are actually endless — serve these much as you would loaded nachos or your favorite tacos!
This combo has become so popular that you will see carne asada tacos topped with fries at some restaurants and street vendors!
Carne asada tacos with fries is an awesome way to mix up your Taco Tuesday spread or easily please anyone from teenagers having a sleepover to your besties attending a home movie night!
Looking for other ways to enjoy carne asada? Try it on nachos or as part of a delicious salad — two great ways to use up leftovers!
How Long to Grill Carne Asada
Carne asada is a perfect grill steak, and not just because it’s in the name. These steaks cook quickly and the grill helps provide the right amount of doneness for a crispy exterior and melt-in-your-mouth rare to medium rare meat on the inside.
Over medium-high flame, grill the steak for 7 to 10 minutes or until it reaches an interior temperature of 130°F for medium rare steak. The steak will continue to cook once you remove it from the grill, so allow it to rest for 5 minutes on a cutting board before serving.
What to Eat with Carne Asada
Carne asada is a main dish all on its own, even though you will often see the meat used in various other recipes and dishes.
I always recommend serving garnishes of lime wedges, cilantro, and guacamole to complement your carne asada. The beautiful green “pop” adds a lot to your presentation, but it’s also a mindful decision for guests that may want to add more flavor or texture to their steak.
This steak is extremely versatile, and it pairs well with multiple sides:
- Mexican Chicken Soup
- Mexican Street Corn—If you’d like to serve something similar in a less messy and more functional way, try our Mexican Corn in a Cup recipe, which is perfect for parties.
- Slow Cooker Mexican Corn Cakes
- Mexican Street Corn Nachos
- Mexican Arancini with Avocado Cilantro Dipping Sauce
- Mexican Corn Soup
- Mexican Rice Skillet
While all of these are great suggestions for lunch or dinnertime servings of carne asada, don’t forget that the next morning you can heat up any leftover steak and serve it alongside eggs, fresh fruit salad, and toast for a super filling start to your day!
What to Serve with Carne Asada Tacos
When I prepare sides for taco night, I like to pair them with things that taste good “on” the tacos.
My reasoning is that tacos are often a standalone dish in my home, and by introducing sides, I don’t want to diminish the entreé.
I also want my family or guests to be able to customize their tacos as much as possible, which means that throwing some beans and rice in should be an option.
Side dishes for tacos are a great way to ensure that you have more than enough food to fill all your guests — sometimes, it’s easy to underestimate just how many tacos a hungry person can put away! Ask any parent of a teenager what a serving of tacos is in their home if you don’t believe me.
Another great reason to serve side dishes with tacos is leftovers. Side dishes can stretch your meal out, getting you more bang for your buck both the night you serve them and throughout the next few days. I love taking leftovers to work, so side dishes are a really popular option in my home.
Here are my recommended sides for carne asada tacos!
- Mexican Bean Rice with Salsa & Guacamole
- Mexican Coleslaw
- Mexican Sweet Potato Fries
- Calabacitas Con Queso – This is perfect as a side or as a taco stuffing for vegetarians who may also be at your dinner table!
- Queso Fresco Dip – don’t forget the homemade tortilla chips
- Restaurant Style Mexican Rice
How to Store Carne Asada
You can store leftover carne asada in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days, or freeze in a freezer bag or other approved freezer storage container for up to 2 months.