These loaded fries with steak are salty, savory, and saucy; crispy fries topped with juicy ribeye and drizzled with a creamy lime garlic sauce. Share a platter of these loaded french fries as an appetizer, snack, or side.
If you love making fries at home, check out this Animal-Style Fries (In-N-Out Copycat) recipe next.
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Wondering what to put on loaded fries? Out of all the loaded fries recipes you could make, this is by far the best! Chunks of tender, marinated steak are piled on top of crispy, salty shoestring fries. Add a layer of lime garlic sour cream and you have the ultimate snack.
Why This Loaded Fries Recipe Works
- Better Than Fast Food – Taco Bell, Wingstop, Zaxby’s, Nandos; nearly every fast food joint has their own loaded fries recipe. Skip the soggy cheese fries and enjoy a more sophisticated snack.
- Great for Parties – Whether it’s the Super Bowl or you’re hosting a movie night, these fries are perfect for a gathering. Guests will be grabbing fries by the handful!
- Versatile – Each element of this recipe is easy to customize. You can swap the type of fries, meat, or sauce to make this dish perfect for your taste buds.
Tools You’ll Need
- Mixing bowl
- Microplane Grater
- Whisk
- Strainer
- Sauté pan
- Air Fryer
- ½-baking sheet
Loaded Fries Ingredients
Make restaurant-quality loaded steak fries with simple ingredients.
- Grown in Idaho Super Crispy Shoestring Fries – You can use homemade fries but this shortcut is so convenient and you get the same results every time. I love thin fries and the toppings aren’t overwhelming (shaved ribeye and sauce) so it works here.
- Avocado oil – This browns the fries for a crispy coating.
Beef
- Ribeye – This is a flavorful and well-marbled cut of beef known for its tenderness and rich taste. Use grass-fed thinly sliced ribeye steak for melt-in-your-mouth goodness.
- Cloves garlic – Grated garlic adds a robust and savory flavor to the steak.
- Rice vinegar – This has a mild, tangy taste and its acidity helps tenderize the meat.
- Light & dark soy sauce – Light soy sauce adds saltiness, while dark soy sauce contributes depth, sweetness, and a darker hue.
- White sugar & brown sugar – This complements the savory and umami notes from the other ingredients and helps the steak caramelize and form a crust when cooked.
- Avocado oil – Use for the marinade and to later cook the steak.
- Oyster sauce – This popular condiment has a rich umami flavor.
- Fish sauce – This sauce is savory, salt, and bursting with mouthwatering umami flavor. I always use the Three Crabs brand.
- Fresh cracked black pepper – This has a more vibrant taste than regular pepper.
Lime Garlic Sour Cream (Loaded Fries Sauce)
- Sour cream – Use full-fat sour cream for that thick, creamy consistency.
- Lime – You’ll need lime juice and zest.
- Garlic cloves – Grated.
- Water – This thins the sauce out just a bit.
- Fish sauce – Use Three Crabs.
Garnish
- Scallions, finely chopped or to taste
- Cilantro, finely chopped
- Hoisin sauce, to taste
How To Make Loaded Fries
The most convenient way to make frozen fries is in the air fryer. While they cook to golden brown perfection, prepare your marinated beef.
Beef Marinade
Place marinade ingredients in a medium mixing bowl. Whisk to combine. Add beef and mix until meat is coated in marinade. Marinate for 1½ hours.
Garlic-Lime Sour Cream
Add all garlic-lime sour cream ingredients to a bowl and whisk to combine. Transfer to a small squeeze bottle and place in the refrigerator. If you do not have a squeeze bottle, transfer mixed sour cream to a small resealable plastic sandwich bag. You can transfer hoisin sauce into a separate plastic sandwich bag as well.
Fries
- Heat sauté pan over medium heat. Strain marinated beef allowing most of the marinade to strainer completely. Add 1½ tablespoons avocado oil, then add beef once pan is hot. Cook for 6-7 minutes or until meat is cooked through. Once cooked, cover pan with lid. While meat is cooking, preheat air fryer.
2. Place half of fries in the air fryer basket. Spread evenly. It’s okay if the fries overlap. Cook as directed on the bag, shaking the basket at the halfway mark.
3. Transfer cooked fries to a baking sheet. Top with beef (leaving juices in the pan), a generous drizzle of garlic-lime sour cream, and desired amount of hoisin sauce. KEEP IN MIND, hoisin sauce is salty, be mindful as you drizzle. Finish with cilantro and scallions. Enjoy your loaded fries!
Tips and Tricks
- Don’t skip the marinade. That is the key to flavor in this recipe so make time for it.
- Cooking times may vary. Depending on the make, model and size of your air fryer, you may need to adjust timing based on your air fryer.
- Layer the toppings strategically to ensure an even distribution of flavors. This way, each bite is a delightful combination of textures and tastes. Fries are always the bottom layer, followed by meat, and the sauce is always last (aside from garnishes). Placing the meat between the fries and the sauce ensures the fries don’t get soggy.
- Although you can store leftovers, I recommend only making what you plan to immediately serve. Loaded fries taste best when they’re fresh. If you do have leftovers, try to store the steak and the fries seperately.
Loaded Fries Toppings
Loaded fries with steak are amazing but there are so many loaded fries ideas. Here are a few:
- Meat – Swap the steak for ground beef, pulled pork, shredded chicken, chili, or bacon.
- Cheese – You can pour a cheese sauce over the finished fries or top them with a melty cheese like sharp cheddar, mozzarella, or colby jack cheese.
- Fries – Try sweet potato fries, thick cut fries, tater tots, or waffle fries instead of shoestring fries.
- Sauce – Instead of lime garlic sour cream sauce, try In-N-Out Sauce, guacamole, or ranch dressing.
- Jalapenos – Add them for a spicy kick.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do loaded fries last?
These fries are best when enjoyed immediately but you can store leftovers. Place them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
How do you reheat loaded fries?
Reheat loaded steak fries in the air fryer or oven for the best results. Preheat the oven or air fryer to 400°F then add the fries until warmed (about 2 minutes in the air fryer and 5-10 minutes in the oven).
What country did loaded fries come from?
Loaded fries originated in the United States during the 1950s. The first variation was actually cheese fries. Over the years, restaurants adapted other versions.
Why are loaded fries popular?
The dish is popular because they are a cheap way to make a filling meal. They’re also easy to make. That’s why places like Burger King, KFC, and Arby’s have all had their own recipes over the years.
What goes well with loaded steak fries?
These fries are so indulgent so they work as a meal. But if you want to serve them with something, try a salad, burgers, or chicken wings.
Looking for More Appetizer Recipes?
- Cheesy Garlic Bread
- Baked Brie Bread Bowl with Caramelized Onions
- Little Gem Wedge Salad with Miso Ranch
- Easy Honey Hot Wings
- Filipino BBQ (Pork Skewers)
- Chicken Karaage with Curry Mayo
Loving this Simple Loaded Fries Recipe?
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Loaded Fries
Equipment
- Microplane Grater
- strainer
- Sauté pan
- Airfryer
- ½-baking sheet,
Ingredients
- half bag Grown in Idaho Super Crispy Shoestring Fries
- avocado oil
Beef
- ¾ pound ribeye, grass-fed thinly sliced
- 5 cloves garlic, grated
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
- 1½ tablespoons brown sugar, packed
- 1½ tablespoons avocado oil
- 2 teaspoons oyster sauce
- ½ tablespoon sugar
- 2½ teaspoons fish sauce, Three Crabs brand
- ½ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dark soy sauce
Lime Garlic Sour Cream
- ½ cup sour cream, full-fat
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1 lime, zested
- 2 cloves garlic, grated
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1½ teaspoons fish sauce, Three Crabs
Garnish
- 3 tablespoons scallions, finely chopped or to taste
- 2 tablespoons cilantro, finely chopped
- hoisin sauce, to taste
Instructions
Beef Marinade
- Place marinade ingredients in a medium mixing bowl. Whisk to combine. Add beef and mix until meat is coated in marinade. Marinate for 1½ hours.
Garlic-Lime Sour Cream
- Add all garlic-lime sour cream ingredients to a bowl and whisk to combine. Transfer to a small squeeze bottle and place in the refrigerator. If you do not have a squeeze bottle, transfer mixed sour cream to a small resealable plastic sandwich bag. You can transfer hoisin sauce into a separate plastic sandwich bag as well.
Fries
- Heat sauté pan over medium heat. Strainer marinated beef allowing most of the marinade to strainer completely. Add 1½ tablespoons avocado oil, then add beef once pan is hot. Cook for 6-7 minutes or until meat is cooked through. Once cooked, cover pan with lid.While meat is cooking, preheat air fryer.
- Place half of fries in the air fryer basket. Spread evenly. It's okay if the fries overlap. Cook as directed on the bag, shaking the basket at the halfway mark.
- Transfer cooked fries to a baking sheet. Top with beef (leaving juices in the pan), a generous drizzle of garlic-lime sour cream, and desired amount of hoisin sauce. KEEP IN MIND, hoisin sauce is salty, be mindful as you drizzle. Finish with cilantro and scallions. Enjoy!
