Description
Loaded Carne Asada Fries with Nacho Dust is a flavorful and indulgent dish combining tender, marinated carne asada steak, crispy thick-cut fries, melted cheese, fresh toppings, and a unique spicy nacho dust seasoning. Perfect for sharing or a hearty snack, it blends juicy steak, crunchy fries, and a fresh, zesty finish for a true flavor explosion.
Ingredients
Scale
Steak and Marinade
- 1 lb flank or skirt steak, well-marbled
- Juice of 2 limes
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Fries
- 4 large thick-cut potatoes (or 1 bag store-bought thick-cut fries)
- Oil for frying or baking (if homemade fries)
Nacho Dust Seasoning
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Dash of cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
Cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar or Mexican cheese blend
Fresh Toppings
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup chopped green onions
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Creamy Elements & Finishing Touch
- 1/2 cup sour cream or Mexican crema
- Extra lime wedges for squeezing
Instructions
- Marinate the Carne Asada: In a bowl, combine lime juice, minced garlic, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Add the flank or skirt steak, ensuring it is fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight for deeper flavor absorption.
- Cook the Fries: Prepare your fries by baking, air-frying, or deep frying the thick-cut potatoes until golden and crispy. If using homemade, cut potatoes thick, soak briefly in water, dry thoroughly, and cook until crisp. Set aside warm.
- Grill the Steak: Heat a grill or skillet over high heat. Cook the marinated carne asada for 3-5 minutes per side, depending on your preferred doneness. Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing thinly against the grain to maximize tenderness.
- Prepare Nacho Dust: In a small bowl, mix together chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt, and cayenne pepper. Adjust cayenne for desired spice level.
- Assemble the Loaded Carne Asada Fries: Spread cooked fries evenly on a large serving dish. Sprinkle generously with the prepared nacho dust seasoning. Layer the sliced carne asada evenly over the fries. Immediately sprinkle shredded cheese so it can melt slightly from the heat of the fries and steak. Top with diced tomatoes, green onions, avocado, cilantro, and dollops of sour cream or crema. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
Notes
- Marinate the steak overnight for a deeper, richer flavor.
- Use high heat for grilling or searing to achieve a nice char without drying out the steak.
- Serve immediately after assembly to keep fries crispy and fresh.
- Fresh-cut homemade fries provide superior texture and flavor compared to frozen.
- Balance the rich and spicy flavors with fresh toppings and lime juice for bright contrast.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking and Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: carne asada, loaded fries, nacho dust, Mexican fries, appetizer, snack, grilled steak, marinated steak, cheese fries