Loaded Carne Asada Fries with Fresh Pico De Gallo

Bring the flavors of your favorite taco shop home with these easy Carne Asada Fries! Crispy French Fries are loaded with juicy carne asada, melted cheese, fresh pico de gallo, sour cream, and guacamole for the ultimate game day appetizer, party food, or weeknight comfort meal. This restaurant-style Carne Asada Fries recipe is packed with bold flavor and easy enough to make any night of the week.

Love this recipe? Be sure to also try Carne Asada Tacos.

Carne Asada Fries

If you’ve ever visited Southern California, San Diego, or Los Angeles, you’ve probably seen Carne Asada Fries on the menu at taco shops and Mexican restaurants everywhere. We had them several years ago when we visited Mexico and San Diego, and I’ve never forgotten how amazing they were.

This over-the-top comfort food combines crispy French fries, juicy carne asada steak, melty cheese, creamy guacamole, sour cream, and fresh pico de gallo for a dish that’s impossible to resist.

These loaded carne fries are the perfect game day appetizer or a fun dinner for the family. This recipe is always a hit.

 The best part? This easy Carne Asada Fries recipe starts with frozen fries and prepared carne asada (or leftover carne asada from Carne Asada Tacos), making it a great option when you want restaurant-style flavor without spending hours in the kitchen.

What Are Carne Asada Fries?

Carne Asada Fries originated in San Diego and have become one of the most popular menu items at taco shops. The original recipe typically features crispy fries topped with grilled carne asada steak, melted cheese, sour cream, guacamole, and pico de gallo.

Think of them as the ultimate loaded cheesy fries. They’re similar to nachos but made with golden fries instead of tortilla chips.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy to make with simple ingredients
• Perfect for feeding a crowd
• Loaded with fresh toppings
• Great for game day gatherings
• Uses prepared carne asada meat to save time
• Customizable with your favorite toppings
• A delicious way to use leftover carne asada

Equipment Needed

• Large bowl
• Measuring spoons
• Baking sheet or baking tray
• Baking dish
• Cutting board
• Sharp knife
• Parchment paper (optional)

Ingredients

The ingredients list looks long but it’s really all the simple things you’d normally have with tacos, so nothing fancy or hard to find!

For the Pico de Gallo

• Roma tomatoes – You will want to use small to medium size roma tomatoes for this recipe. We like to use roma tomatoes because they have less water content than other tomatoes so the pico isn’t soupy. Feel free to use any other tomato that you may have. You may want to consider de-seeding any particularly juicy tomatoes.
• Red onion – see how to dice an onion here. You can replace this with a white onion, but I personally love the red onion’s flavor in this pico.
• Jalapeño
• Fresh cilantro – since we don’t use cilantro often, I keep this tube of cilantro in my fridge and it’s a great sub for fresh cilantro.
• Lime juice – You can easily substitute this with lemon juice, whether it is fresh or from concentrate.
• Salt
• Garlic powder – Replace this with 1 tablespoon of minced or grated garlic if you prefer
• Mexican oregano – Mexican oregano has a slightly different flavor than regular dried oregano, but works really well with Latin dishes. If you don’t have it available, just use the more readily available dried oregano.

For the Fries

• Frozen French Fries – you could make your own fries homemade but frozen fries work great for this recipe! You can bake them in the oven or fry them in vegetable oil. I used restaurant-style French fries, but any cut of fries will work.
• Shredded Colby Jack cheese – Use your favorite type of melty cheese here. Mexican cheese blend can be used instead of the Colby Jack. I also like using pepper jack to add some extra spiciness to this recipe.
• Prepared Carne Asada Meat – meat cut into small pieces
• Sour cream or lime crema
• Cotija cheese
• Guacamole – If you don’t have guacamole, mash avocado then add 2 tablespoons pico de gallo (from this recipe), ½ teaspoon of salt, and ½ tablespoon of lemon or lime juice, and you have instant guacamole

Optional Toppings

• Queso fresco
• Fresh salsa
• Diced avocado
• Chopped cilantro
• Serrano peppers
• Lime wedges
• Queso Dip

Find the complete recipe with ingredient measurements in the recipe card below.

How to Make Carne Asada Fries

I have a whole post here for how to make carne asada. Once it’s ready, you’ll make the pico de gallo and then put it all together for the fries.

How to Make Pico de Gallo

1. Place the diced tomatoes, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, salt, garlic powder, and Mexican oregano in a large bowl. Stir until well combined. 
2. Allow the pico de gallo to marinate for at least 30 minutes or refrigerate overnight for even better flavor.

Carne Asada Fries

1. Prepare the frozen fries according to the package directions. The easiest way to cook them is to spread the fries in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake until golden brown and crispy.
2. Transfer the hot fries to a baking dish or baking tray. Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the fries, then top with the prepared carne asada meat.

1. Place the dish under the broiler for 3-4 minutes, or until the cheese melts and the meat is heated through. Watch closely to prevent burning.
2. Remove from the oven and drizzle with sour cream or lime crema. Add dollops of guacamole and generously spoon pico de gallo over the top.

1. Finish with any additional toppings you love, such as cotija cheese, queso fresco, diced avocado, chopped cilantro, serrano peppers, or fresh lime wedges.
2. Serve immediately while the fries are hot, the cheese is melty, and the toppings are fresh.

What Is Carne Asada?

Carne asada simply means “grilled meat” in Spanish. Traditionally, it’s made using skirt steak, flank steak, flap meat, or another flavorful type of steak.

Most authentic carne asada recipes use a carne asada marinade made with ingredients like:

• Cilantro
• Orange juice
• Broth
• Lime juice
• Soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce
• Olive oil
• Garlic
• Chili powder
• Onion powder
• Ground Cumin
• Black pepper

The steak is typically cooked over high heat on a grill or in a cast-iron skillet before being sliced into bite-sized pieces. You can see my marinade recipe and how to cook the steak here for the best carne asada!

Serving Suggestions

These amazing carne asada fries are delicious on their own, but they’re also perfect alongside:

• Carne asada tacos
• Mexican rice
• Refried beans
• Fresh salsa
• Creamy guacamole

They’re ideal for casual entertaining, football parties on game days, or family movie nights!

Pro Tips

• Use Crispy Fries – The key to delicious carne asada fries is starting with crispy fries. Soggy fries won’t hold up under all the toppings.
• Don’t Overload Too Soon – Wait until serving time to add the pico de gallo, sour cream, and guacamole. This keeps the fries crisp.
• Warm the Meat – If your carne asada is refrigerated, warm it first before adding it to the fries.
• Use Freshly Shredded Cheese – Freshly shredded cheese melts better than pre-shredded varieties and gives you the best melty cheese texture.
• Make Plans for Leftovers – This recipe makes more pico de gallo than you’ll likely need for the fries. Save the extra for carne asada tacos, burrito bowls, or chips and salsa later in the week.

How do I store these Carne Asada Fries?

This is one of those meals that doesn’t store very well. However, if you place leftovers in an airtight container, you can keep them in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

When ready, heat the meal back up in the oven, at about 375°F, for 10-12 minutes. Be careful not to overcook it. Note that the fries and any toppings may be soggy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Make Homemade Fries Instead?

Absolutely! Slice russet potatoes into fries and cook them in hot oil until golden brown. Homemade fries work wonderfully in this recipe.

Can I add anything else to these fries?

I love loaded fries because you can add anything that your little heart desires! The first thing I would throw on there is some feta or cotija cheese, followed by some black olives and banana peppers. But of course, this is your recipe now, which means you can add whatever you want. Jalapenos is a classic option, as are lime wedges.

Can I Use Another Cheese?

Yes! Cheddar cheese, pepper jack, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend all work well.

Can I Make These in the Air Fryer?

Yes. Cook the fries in the air fryer, then add the cheese and meat and heat those in the air fryer as well before adding toppings. This generally will only work for small batches or individual servings.

What Steak Is Best for Carne Asada?

Skirt steak is the traditional choice, but flank steak and flap meat are also excellent options.

How Long Should Carne Asada Cook?

Cooking times depend on the thickness of the meat, but most steaks cook quickly over high heat. Many cuts only need about 5-7 minutes per side. See my full recipe here.

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