Loaded Carne Asada Polenta fries are perfect for a filling brunch meal or game day appetizer! What’s not to love about garlicky-herb crusted crispy polenta fries topped with tender, flavorful carne asada, savory black beans, spicy salsa, and sliced avocado!?

If you like polenta, you’ll want to try my Creamy Polenta with Cajun Shrimp recipe next!

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Making a fancy at-home brunch is my favorite thing to do on the weekends. I love to create a delicious meal and enjoy it with mimosas and good company.

Loaded Carne Asada Polenta Fries is easily a hit for any brunch! I recently had a couple of friends over and made DIY Loaded fries and everyone loved it! I served everything buffet style with each layer in a separate bowl so everyone could load their polenta fries with as many toppings as they’d like!

Steak Frites, But Tastier And Fancier!

You can also enjoy the polenta and carne asada as you would steak frites! Serve the polenta fries on the side with curry or sriracha ketchup! It’s like an elevated take on steak frites!

What is Polenta?

Polenta is ground cornmeal and a popular, versatile dish originating in Northern Italy. There are so many things you can do with polenta! It is a great dish that can replace potatoes, rice, or pasta. You can make it savory, spicy, sweet —each way is delicious and full of flavor!

How to Make Polenta Fries from Pre-cooked Polenta?

I like to make polenta fries from pre-cooked polenta because it’s super easy, quick, and holds a lot of flavor. My favorite to use is Trader Joe’s Organic Polenta. If you buy packaged precooked polenta you simply slice the polenta into fry-like pieces, coat them in a garlic herb sauce, and then baked to perfection.

Slice the Polenta into fry-shaped pieces. Try to make them the same size so they cook evenly.

Coat the fries in the garlic-herb mixture

Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 35 minutes, flipping halfway through.

How to Make Polenta Fries from Scratch?

Using pre-cooked packaged polenta is the easiest and quickest way to make polenta fries. However, for uncooked polenta, you can make the polenta on the stovetop first, according to the package instructions, then freeze it and slice it into fry-shaped pieces before baking it to completion. If you want to make your polenta from scratch, Bob’s Red Mill Quick-Cook Polenta works great!

A few tips for making the polenta on the stovetop:

Use package instructions.
Cook the polenta with fresh herbs and garlic
Pour the polenta in a parchment-lined baking sheet that is at least ¼ inch deep.
Freeze the polenta until it firms up a bit, about 20 minutes. Then slice the polenta into fry-like pieces.
Bake until the polenta is golden and crispy on the outside.

Ana, the creator of Inspired With A Twist and one of my foodie friends, has a wonderful recipe for making polenta fries from uncooked polenta. If you need more guidance on cooking the polenta from scratch, you can check it out here!

Is Polenta Gluten-Free?

Yes, because polenta is essentially cornmeal it is completely gluten-free! It is a great substitute for grits, pasta, warm cereal, and more! Although it is gluten-free, be sure to make sure it was made in a certified gluten-free facility and reads gluten-free on the package.

What to do with leftover polenta fries?

You can store any leftover polenta fries in an airtight container. You can reheat them in the microwave for 30-60 seconds, or warm them in the oven for 5-6 minutes at 300°F. Enjoy the polenta fries on their own or with your favorite dipping sauce!

These polenta fries are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, garlicky, herbaceous, hearty, and almost addicting!

How to Make Carne Asada | Here are a few tips for making the best Carne Asada

Skirt Steak or Flank Steak work best when making Carne asada
If possible, marinate your steak the night before or for at least 2 hours before cooking (the longer the better)
Cook the steak flat for 3-6 minutes on each side (3 minutes for medium-rare)
Let the steak rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing
Slice against the grain

tender flavorful carne asada with polenta fries

Toppings for Loaded Fries:

Avocado Crema
Homemade Salsa
Black Beans
Avocado
Guacamole
Fresh Cilantro
Shredded Cheese
Lime

You can easily turn this recipe into a vegan polenta fries recipe by using jackfruit instead of skirt steak!

If you make these Loaded Carne Asada Polenta Fries, don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know what you think in the comments below!

Take pictures, tag #goodfoodbaddie, and share them with me on Instagram! I love hearing from you!

Loaded Carne Asada Polenta Fries

Loaded Carne Asada Polenta fries are perfect for a filling brunch meal or game day appetizer! What's not to love about garlicky-herb crusted crispy polenta fries topped with tender, flavorful carne asada, savory black beans, spicy salsa, and sliced avocado!?

4.80 from 5 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Appetizer, Dessert, Main Course, Snack

Cuisine: American, Gluten-Free, Healthy Options

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 40

Total Time: 55

Servings:

Calories: 395kcal

Ingredients

1-2 18 oz Pre-Cooked Polenta Pacakges
2 tbsp Cooking Oil or Butter

Carne Asada Marinade

2-3 lb Flank Steak or Skirt Steak
2 tsp Cumin
2 tsp Smoked Paprika
1 tsp Chili Powder
2 tsp Dried Mexican Oregano (or regular oregano)
1/4 cup Fresh Cilantro, chopped
5 Garlic Cloves
1 Jalapeno, diced
1/2 cup Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice
1/4 cup Olive oil
1/4 cup Coconut Aminos
2 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
1 Lemon, juiced
1 Lime, juiced
Salt and Pepper, to taste

Garlic-Herb Mixture for Polenta Fries

1/4 cup Olive oil
1/3 cup Fresh Parsley
2 Garlic Cloves, finely minced
1 tsp Garlic Powder
2 tsp Italian Seasoning
1/4 tsp Red Crushed Pepper

Simple Polenta Fries Seasoning Option

2 tbsp Olive or Avocado Oil
1 tsp Smoked Paprika
1 tsp Chili Powder
1/2 tsp Oregano
Salt and Pepper, to taste

Toppings: Salsa, Guacamole, Black beans, Fresh Cilantro, chopped

Instructions

Marinate the Carne Asada using the ingredients listed above. If time permits, marinate overnight or for at least 2 hours.

Making The Polenta Fries Using Pre-Cooked Polenta

Preheat the oven to 425°F
Remove the polenta from the plastic tubing. Slice the polenta into fry-like pieces.
Prepare the garlic-herb mixture. Coat each of the fries in the garlic-herb mixture and transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Place the fries in an even layer and do not overcrowd the pan.
Bake for 35 minutes or until golden brown and crispy, flipping halfway through.
Season with Salt and Pepper, to taste

Making the Polenta From Scratch

Cook the polenta according to package instructions. Add 1/4 cup fresh parsley, 2 cloves minced garlic, 1 tsp Italian Seasoning, and 1/4 tsp Red Crushed Peppers to the polenta while it is cooking.
Transfer the cooked polenta to a parchment-lined baking dish and spread into an even layer. Place the polenta in the freezer for 20 minutes to firm.
Preheat the oven to 425°F
Slice the polenta into fry-shaped pieces. Place the fries into an even layer and lightly coat with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Bake for 35 minutes or until golden brown and crispy, flipping halfway through.

Making the Carne Asada Steak

Heat a cast-iron skillet with cooking oil or butter over medium heat. Cook the steak for 3-6 minutes on each side (3 minutes for medium-rare)
Remove the steak from the cast-iron and let it rest for 5-7 minutes.

Loaded Polenta Fries

Once the polenta fries and carne asada are complete, load the polenta fries with your favorite toppings! Try salsa, guacamole, fresh cilantro, sliced avocado, and sliced jalapeno!

Video

Notes

You can store any leftover polenta fries in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Store any topping separately

Nutrition