Hearty Party Favorite Carne Asada Nachos Recipe

Get ready for Carne Asada Nachos, where marinated steak meets crunchy tortilla chips and melting cheese, creating a quick, customizable taste sensation.

Carne Asada Nachos Recipe

With a marinade that tenderizes and infuses the skirt steak with a zest of orange and lime, combined with the crunch of homemade tortilla chips and a mix of melting cheeses, every bite is a delightful crunch and rich taste of well-marinated carne asada. This recipe is a delightful treat that is naturally gluten-free and perfect for serving at parties or as a fulfilling weeknight dinner. Customize it with your favourite toppings and adjust the recipe according to your preferred level of spiciness and flavour.

Ingredients

Marinade Ingredients

• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (about 1 medium-sized orange)
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice (about 1 lime)
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1/2 cup finely chopped white onion
• 3-4 garlic cloves, smashed and minced
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro (optional)
• 1.5 to 2 pounds skirt steak or flank steak, trimmed

Nachos Ingredients

• 1 large bag of tortilla chips
• 2 to 3 cups of shredded cheese (a mix of queso quesadilla, Monterey Jack, cheddar, or your choice)
• Optional for topping: additional chopped white onion, chopped cilantro, guacamole, salsa, jalapeños, sour cream, hot sauce

Instructions

Prepare the Marinade

• Combine all the marinade ingredients in a shallow dish with a lid or a small bowl and then transfer them to a large resealable plastic bag.

Marinate the Steak:

• Cut the skirt steak against the grain into 1/4- to 1/2-inch strips, then cut the strips into smaller pieces.
• Place the steak pieces in the container or bag with the marinade, making sure they are well-coated.
• Cover or seal and refrigerate for at least one hour, but no more than 24 hours.

Prepare the Cheese and Chips

• Scatter the tortilla chips in an even layer across a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the chips. Set aside.

Cook the Steak

• Preheat a grill pan or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat.
• When hot, cook the marinated steak, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through (about 4-5 minutes).
• Once done, remove the steak from the heat, transfer it to a bowl or plate, and allow it to rest, loosely tented with aluminum foil.

Bake the Nachos:

• Bake the chip and cheese setup in a preheated oven on the middle rack for 5-10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the chips begin to brown.

Assemble the Nachos

• Remove the nachos from the oven.
• Top them with the cooked steak, fresh white onion, cilantro, and any other desired toppings.

Serve and Enjoy

• Serve the nachos warm and enjoy!

Storage

• Nachos are best enjoyed fresh but can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to two days.

Serving Suggestions:

• Carne Asada Quesadillas
• Carne Asada Fries Mac & Cheese
• Carne Asada Tacos

Tips and Tricks

Here are some useful tips and tricks to enhance the recipe:

• You can prep most of the nacho components ahead of time. Get the meat marinated the night before and prepare all your toppings ahead.
• If possible, make your own tortilla chips.
• Heating a deep-fat fryer or a heavy-bottomed pan with oil and frying small batches of quartered soft corn tortillas will yield chips that are not only tastier but also more robust, perfect for holding up under the weight of numerous toppings.
• Use a blend of queso quesadilla and Monterey Jack cheese for a great melt and flavor.
• Distribute an even layer of chips on a baking sheet, sprinkle with cheese, and bake just until the cheese melts and the chips begin to brown.