Carne asada fries could be an appetizer or main meal, it’s up to you. We’re pretty certain no matter what, they’ll be…

You know, until recently I wasn’t even aware that Carne Asada Fries were a thing? However, when I started doing some recipe research I realized that they really are! They seem to have generally the same recipe or ingredients although I’m not a huge fan of that…things that are static or fixed.
You see one of my main goals over at My Invisible Crown is to teach my readers (that usually refers to anyone who happens to stumble to my humble little space on the web) how to customize recipes to make them all their own.
I don’t normally try to mess around with the basis of a recipe, like flour or baking soda for example. I’m not a food scientist, and if I tried to play one it would be disastrous! But I think that almost any recipe can be tweaked, prodded, added-to, taken-away-from or flat out changed so that you love your end result.
I know we’ve discussed this before but I just can’t seem to say it enough. It’s that important to me. Here’s an example. I customized this Peach Blackberry Tart last year and it worked wonderfully. Now it’s almost a new challenge for each recipe I find that inspires me. Like “what can I do to make this more ME”.

I’m telling you all this to say that I suggest doing a Build Your Own Carne Asada Fries Bar for you, your family or guests. It’s a thing right now to do a “bar” of sorts. Like a bloody Mary bar or baked potato bar, or in the South you see grits bars – the main food is given out and people mill around and top the base with their favorite items. I know…you know what a bar is, right? Well, what about doing that with Carne Asada Fries?
The basic recipe is French fries, Carne Asada steak (or skirt steak), with guacamole, sour cream and pico de gallo. That’s it. Don’t you think maybe it would be fun to add gooey cheese or shredded cheese? (I would die without cheese in my life.) I mean at the least some sort of cheese. I would add shredded lettuce. Maybe black beans? Onions I would definitely NOT add, but you might. Jalapeño would be nice, too. Get the picture?
I took one of the easy ways with this and used frozen French fries. I chose curly fries, but use whatever you like. And if you really want to make them your own you could cut fresh potatoes and make your own fries. You could also make this recipe with left over skirt steak from you favorite Mexican joint. Just a suggestion.
So here’s is a list of things I think you should put on your Build Your Own Carne Asada Fries Bar:
- Shredded Cheese
- Melted Cheesy Dip/Sauce
- Shredded Lettuce
- Sliced Jalapeño
- Cilantro
- Diced Tomatoes
- Diced Onion
- Black Beans
What would you add to the list?
We know what we’d add! Pico de gallo and some of Urvashee’s cilantro chutney.
Are you tired of the dinner routine?
Stuck in a rut or looking for fun new recipes to try?
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You can ask for recipe ideas, talk about cooking techniques, or get help figuring out the right new pan set for you. If you’ve already joined, invite a friend along!
Did you know? You can make your own carne asada seasoning mix, and it’s easy!


Carne Asada Fries Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds Flank Steak or skirt steak
- 2 cloves Garlic minced
- 1 jalapeños Jalapeño minced
- 1/2 cup Fresh Cilantro
- 1/4 cup Olive Oil
- 1/3 cup Fresh Lime Juice
- 1/4 cup Orange Juice
- 3 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
- Salt and Pepper hefty pinches of each
- 1 32 ounce bag Frozen French Fries
- 1/2 cup Sour Cream or more to taste
- 1 cup Guacamole or more to taste
- 1/2-3/4 cup Pico de Gallo or more to taste
Instructions
- Mix ingredients for the steak marinade together and pour over steak in a baking dish. Refrigerate for 2-4 hours.
- Remove steak from marinade and discard.
- Grill steak for 7-9 minutes on each side over medium heat turning once for medium rare.
- Let steak rest for 10-15 minutes and then slice going against the grain into small strips.
- Cook french fries according to package directions.
- Arrange enough fries on a single serving dish for 1 serving.
- Top with 1/4 steak strips followed by guacamole, sour cream and pico.