Taco Bell’s Steak Garlic Nacho Fries are crisp fries smothered in melty cheese, tender steak, and that irresistible garlic ranch sauce. It’s the kind of dish that makes you want to savor every bite while secretly hoping no one asks you to share.
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How to make Steak Garlic Nacho Fries
Steak Garlic Nacho Fries are a loaded fast-food dish—most commonly associated with Taco Bell—that takes their crispy Nacho Fries and turns them into a full-on, fork-required meal.
Ingredients
For the Fries:
- 1 bag frozen French fries (or make fresh fries using 2-3 large russet potatoes, if preferred)
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Steak:
- 1 lb flank steak or sirloin steak (thinly sliced)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Garlic Ranch Sauce:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons buttermilk (adjust for desired consistency)
- 2 garlic cloves, finely minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder for convenience)
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Nacho Cheese Sauce:
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup cream cheese
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
- 1 teaspoon chili powder or cayenne pepper (for a slight kick)
Additional Toppings (Optional, but encouraged!):
- 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup pico de gallo (fresh tomato, onion, cilantro, and lime)
- Chopped green onions (for garnish)
- Pickled jalapeños (if you love heat!)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Fries: If you’re starting with frozen fries, cook them according to the package instructions, but sprinkle them with paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder before baking or air frying to amp up the flavor. If you’re making fresh fries, slice russet potatoes into thin strips, toss them in olive oil and seasoning, and bake or fry until golden and crispy.
2. Cook the Steak: Thinly slice your steak and pat it dry with a paper towel (this helps it sear better). In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Season the steak slices with chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Sear the steak in the hot pan for 3-5 minutes, until cooked to your liking. Remove from heat and let it rest for a few minutes before cutting into bite-sized pieces.
3. Make the Garlic Ranch Sauce: In a small mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, garlic, parsley, dill, salt, and pepper. Taste test to adjust the seasoning or consistency (add more buttermilk if you’d like it thinner). Set aside.
4. Make the Nacho Cheese Sauce: In a small saucepan, combine the shredded cheddar cheese, cream cheese, and whole milk over medium heat. Stir continuously until the cheese is fully melted and smooth. Add chili powder or cayenne for slight heat. If the cheese sauce is too thin, whisk in a teaspoon of cornstarch and continue cooking until thickened.
5. Assemble the Nacho Fries: Lay the fries on a serving platter or baking sheet. Drizzle the fries generously with nacho cheese sauce. Add the tender steak pieces on top. Spoon dollops of garlic ranch sauce across the fries. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese and pico de gallo as toppings. Finish with chopped green onions, pickled jalapeños, or any garnish of your choice!
Tips for the Best Steak Garlic Nacho Fries
Choose the Right Fries: For ultimate crispiness, opt for frozen “crinkle cut” fries or hand-cut fresh fries. Air frying is a great option to reduce oil while still achieving that crisp texture.
Marinate the Steak: If you have time, marinating the steak in olive oil, lime juice, and spices (chili powder, cumin, garlic) for 30-60 minutes enhances flavor and tenderness.
Customize Toppings: Don’t stop at the basics! Add guacamole, spicy salsas, sour cream, or fresh cilantro for extra layers of flavor.
Meal Prep Components: You can make the garlic ranch sauce and cheese sauce in advance and store them in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. Reheat the cheese sauce gently on the stove or microwave with a splash of milk.
What to serve with
Steak Garlic Nacho Fries are already bursting with bold, savory flavors, creamy textures, and crispy fries, so they can absolutely shine as a stand-alone indulgence.
- Fresh Guacamole & Chips: A creamy, citrus-infused guacamole adds a refreshing contrast to the heavily seasoned fries. Serve it with tortilla chips or veggies for scooping.
- Mexican Corn Salad (Elote Salad): Sweet corn paired with cotija cheese, lime juice, cilantro, and a dash of chili powder melds beautifully with the flavors in the fries without overwhelming the Steak Garlic Nacho Fries.
- Simple Green Salad: A crisp salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and a light vinaigrette offers a refreshing side to cleanse your palate.
Ingredients Substitutes
I’ve detailed plenty of substitutes for the fries, steak, sauces, and toppings to ensure your dish comes out just as delicious!
1. Substitutes for Fries
Fries form the base of the Steak Garlic Nacho Fries, and while crispy French fries are ideal, you can swap them with alternatives if needed:
- Sweet Potato Fries: A slightly sweet and starchy alternative that pairs well with the savory steak and sauces. Bake, air fry, or fry them for crisp results.
- Tater Tots: If you’re craving a twist, tater tots can make for a fun and crispy base.
- Waffle Fries or Crinkle-Cut Fries: These absorb sauces better due to their texture, making them an excellent alternative.
- Homemade Fries: No frozen fries? Slice russet, Yukon Gold, or red potatoes thinly, season them with olive oil, and bake or fry.
- Vegetable Sticks (for a low-carb alternative): Use baked or grilled zucchini or carrot sticks as a base instead of fries. Also, crispy turnip or jicama fries work well for keto-friendly or lighter alternatives.
- Cauliflower Florets: Toss cauliflower florets in olive oil, seasonings, and roast them until golden for a low-carb option.
2. Substitutes for the Steak
If steak isn’t an option for you or you’re trying to swap it with budget-friendly or dietary alternatives, here are some ideas:
- Chicken: Use shredded, grilled, or diced chicken breast or thighs. Marinate with similar seasonings for consistency in flavor.
- Ground Beef: Cook ground beef with taco seasoning for a cost-effective alternative that’s equally flavorful.
- Carnitas or Pulled Pork: Tender, slow-cooked pork works wonderfully as a savory substitute for steak.
- Chorizo or Sausage: Spicy chorizo or crumbled sausage adds an incredible burst of flavor to the dish.
- Shrimp: For a seafood twist, use sautéed or grilled shrimp seasoned with garlic and chili powder.
Vegetarian/Plant-Based Options:
- Mushrooms: Sautéed portobello or cremini mushrooms are a hearty, umami-packed alternative to steak.
- Marinated Tofu: Dice or crumble firm tofu, marinate in garlic, chili powder, and cumin, and pan-fry until crisp.
- Plant-Based Meat Alternatives: Brands like Beyond Meat or Impossible can be used to mimic the texture and flavor of steak.
3. Substitutes for the Garlic Ranch Sauce
The creamy garlic ranch sauce adds a tangy and garlicky kick to the nacho fries. Here’s how to substitute or adjust it:
- Store-Bought Ranch Dressing: Save time by using bottled ranch dressing and mixing in minced garlic or garlic powder for an extra kick.
- Greek Yogurt Base: Replace the mayonnaise and sour cream with plain Greek yogurt for a lighter, protein-packed version. Add garlic, parsley, and dill for flavor.
- Vegan Ranch Sauce: Use vegan mayo or cashew cream as the base and season with garlic, parsley, and dill. Unsweetened almond or coconut milk can thin it out if needed.
- Garlic Aioli: For a richer alternative, make or use store-bought garlic aioli as a substitute for the garlic ranch sauce.
4. Substitutes for Nacho Cheese Sauce
The nacho cheese sauce is velvety and flavorful, but it can be swapped or creatively adapted depending on what you have or dietary needs:
- Store-Bought Queso Dip: A jar of queso from the store will save you time and still provide creamy, cheesy goodness.
- Shredded Cheese Only: Skip the melty cheese sauce entirely and sprinkle shredded cheddar (or your favorite cheese) over the fries. It will melt wonderfully under the heat of the freshly-cooked fries.
- Vegan Cheese Sauce: Use a plant-based cheese sauce made from nutritional yeast, cashews, and almond milk as a dairy-free alternative.
- Velveeta or Processed Cheese: If you don’t have cream cheese but still want that creamy consistency, melt Velveeta with milk for a smooth cheese sauce.
- Cream-Based Sauce: No cheese on hand? Make a creamy sauce using heavy cream, butter, flour, and a touch of garlic powder.
Final Thoughts
The beauty of Steak Garlic Nacho Fries lies in their versatility. With so many substitutes to choose from, you can tailor this recipe to meet your preferences, dietary restrictions, or what you already have in your kitchen.
More Fries Recipes:
Ingredients
For the Fries:
- 1 bag frozen French fries
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Steak:
- 1 lb flank steak 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Garlic Ranch Sauce:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons buttermilk
- 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Nacho Cheese Sauce:
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup cream cheese
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
Additional Toppings
- 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup pico de gallo
- Chopped green onions (for garnish)
- Pickled jalapeños
Instructions
1. Prepare the Fries: If you're starting with frozen fries, cook them according to the package instructions, but sprinkle them with paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder before baking or air frying to amp up the flavor. If you're making fresh fries, slice russet potatoes into thin strips, toss them in olive oil and seasoning, and bake or fry until golden and crispy.
2. Cook the Steak: Thinly slice your steak and pat it dry with a paper towel (this helps it sear better). In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Season the steak slices with chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Sear the steak in the hot pan for 3-5 minutes, until cooked to your liking. Remove from heat and let it rest for a few minutes before cutting into bite-sized pieces.
3. Make the Garlic Ranch Sauce: In a small mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, garlic, parsley, dill, salt, and pepper. Taste test to adjust the seasoning or consistency (add more buttermilk if you'd like it thinner). Set aside.
4. Make the Nacho Cheese Sauce: In a small saucepan, combine the shredded cheddar cheese, cream cheese, and whole milk over medium heat. Stir continuously until the cheese is fully melted and smooth. Add chili powder or cayenne for slight heat. If the cheese sauce is too thin, whisk in a teaspoon of cornstarch and continue cooking until thickened.
5. Assemble the Nacho Fries: Lay the fries on a serving platter or baking sheet. Drizzle the fries generously with nacho cheese sauce. Add the tender steak pieces on top. Spoon dollops of garlic ranch sauce across the fries. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese and pico de gallo as toppings. Finish with chopped green onions, pickled jalapeños, or any garnish of your choice!
