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Iโve got a way to make your Monday better.
How about a little trip down to Tijuana?
Ok, ok, for most of us a little trip over the border is probably not possible, but we can eat like we are there, and then dream a little about it in the process.
Or at least that is what I did, because um, you knowโฆ it snowed all day yesterday. Surprise, surprise.
In full disclosure, I have never been to Tijuana, or Mexico either for that matter. The truth is this name just kind of popped into my head and I built a recipe off it.
I do know that street food is very popular down in Tijuana and that their food trucks are crazy awesome.
I feel like these fries are something that should be served down in Tijuana.
Also, letโs start counting how many times I say Tijuana throughout this post. Guaranteedย itโs gonna be a lot, because well โ itโs just a fun word. Especially on this cold, dreary and snowy Monday.
So, this recipe is kind of long. Like really long, BUT please do not let that scare you off because it is too good. While there are a lot of ingredients, most of them are dried spices. You obviously do not need to make your own fries, salsa and queso, but none of it is hard or time-consuming so if I were you I would try and go the homemade route, if you can.
Especially for the queso. Itโs so simple and so good.
I was โthisโ (picture me pinching my thumb and index finger together) close to actually frying my fries, but then I just got lazy and decided to bake them. I guess itโs healthier this way, but if you want to try frying them I think that would be awesome too.
Alright, now I have to ask?
The people who have been to Tijuana, whatโs it like? Please tell me your stories so I can live vicariously through you?? My Monday could really use some excitement.
Or just some more Mexican. That always seems to perk things up a bit.
I am thinking that with Cinco de Mayo being exactly a week from today that there needs to be some serious Mexican food going on over the next week. What do you think?
Oh, and have you guys noticed my back to back use of tequila on Mondays?
I think I need a little interventionโฆ.
Or maybe not. I mean, itโs Monday after all. We need something to get us through. Or maybe we should just all skip town and head to Tijuana for lunch?
Tijuana Street Fries (Honey Glazed Chipotle Carnitas, Fries + Toppings).
Ingredients
Pork
- 3-4 pounds pork shoulder roast, or butt
- 1 tablespoons canola oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt + pepper
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 tablespoon cumin
- 2 teaspoons chipotle chili powder
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 cup tequila, or water
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1 in large or 2 small chipotle chiles adobo, minced
- 2 tablespoons honey
Salsa (or use your favorite salsa)
- 8 dried guajillo chiles (or a mix of guajillo, ancho chiles, chipotle chiles and habanero chiles)
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 pound tomatillos, peeled, or about 5
- 1 ounce can fire roasted tomatoes, 14
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons honey
- salt
Fries
- 3 pounds russet potatoes, peeled (if desired) and sliced into thin 1/4-inch to 1/2 inch (thick) strips
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Queso
- 1 1/2 cups half and half
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 10 ounces oaxaca cheese, shredded
- 10 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 in chipotle chiles adobo, minced
- fresh cilantro, chopped
Toppings
- 2 avocados, mashed with a pinch of salt and pepper, squirt of lime juice + chopped cilantro
- slices pickled or fresh jalapeno
- sour cream or greek yogurt
- fresh cilantro
- Cajita Cheese
Instructions
Pork
- Combine seasonings (salt, pepper, smoked paprika, cumin, onion powder, chipotle chili powder, oregano, cayenne, chili powder, garlic powder & cinnamon) together in a bowl and mix until combined. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add oil. Rub the pork all over with about 1/3 of the seasonings. Once hot, add pork and sear on all sides until golden brown (about 2 minutes per side).
- Add the pork to the crockpot and sprinkle with remaining seasonings all over. Pour in water, tequila, orange juice, honey and chipotle chilies, then cook on low for 8-12 hours. Check once or twice if possible. Before serving, use forks or kitchen tongs to shred pork in the crock pot. Mix to combine with the remaining liquid in the crockpot. Keep warm until ready to use.
- This can also be placed in an oven safe dutch oven and cooked at 350 degrees F for 3-4 hours or until tender. You may need to add more liquid during cooking. Shred as directed.
Salsa
- Preheat your broiler to high.
- Place the tomatillos on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Place under the broiler for 4-5 minutes or until the tomatillos are charred all over. Remove from the oven and place in a food processor or high powered blender
- Use a pair of scissors to cut the stem off the chiles. Cut them open lengthwise and remove their seeds. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and place the garlic cloves (still in their paper/skins) near the edge. Place the chiles on the skillet. Working in batches, toast for 30 seconds or less per side. (Let the garlic continue to cook while you are toasting all the chiles).
- Peel the skin away from the garlic and add the garlic + toasted chiles to a food processor with the tomatillos. Add the canned tomatoes. Puree until smooth. Stream in the olive oil. Season with salt and fresh cilantro. Store in the fridge until ready to use.
Fries
- Pre-heat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or grease with a little olive oil.
- Cut each potato into very thin fries, lengthwise no more than a quarter-inch thick. In a large bowl, toss the fries with olive oil. I think I used about 2 tablespoons. Add the salt and pepper and arrange the fries in single layer without crowding them (this is very important - I used two baking sheets).
- Bake for 20 minutes, remove and toss, then bake for 15-20 minutes longer. I like to start checking them at 15 minutes and make sure that none are burning or getting too crisp.
Queso
- Add the half and half and cream cheese to a medium size sauce pot. Bring the mixture to a low bowl and then reduce the heat to a simmer, stirring until the cream cheese is mostly melted. Add the shredded oaxaca and sharp cheddar cheeses. Stir until the cheese is melted and smooth. Stir in the chipotle chiles and chopped cilantro. This can be made ahead and gently reheated on the stove or in the oven until smooth and creamy.
To assemble
- Divide the fries among 4 plates or bowls and drizzle them with a little of the queso. Top each with a serving of carnitas and then dollop with some mashed avocado. Add sour cream or greek yogurt, jalapeรฑo slices, cajita cheese and cilantro. Drizzle with the salsa + more queso. EAT!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Yup, letโs do that. See you on the other side of the border!
Kids loved it. very good and easy recipe, i tried it last night
Thank you Elina! I am so glad you all enjoyed this! xTieghan
I had a pork butt in the crackpot and couldn’t decide what to do with it until I found this queso recipe! Will use until the end of time ??
Hey Leanne,
Thanks a lot for giving this recipe a try, I am delighted to hear that it was enjoyed! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan, Literally just found this recepe online and ran to the market to grab the ingredients. Hope it comes out good
That is so amazing! I hope this turns out so well for you! xTieghan
Looks yummy, can’t wait to try this out
Thank you Leashy!
These are basically carne asada fries. They look good though!
Thank you!
You are a girl after my own heart!
I have to laugh because every time I visit Foodgawker it is ALWAYS your posts that I am drawn to, like a magnet.
Thank you for the continual inspiration.
Wow! Thank you so much!! ๐
Where in Tijuana can you buy these fries
Okay I stared/drooled at these for waay too long.
๐
Thanks!!
Just wanted to let you know, we loved this recipe so much we featured it on our list of 7 Over the Top(pings) French Fry Recipes! Thanks for sharing your Tijuana Street fries, we’re big fans!
Thanks!!
Pork is in the crock pot and I am fixing to make the salsa! I would like to do these in wraps minus the fries. Any suggestions? Burritos, fajitas…how would you prepare? Open to eating them with forks…
I did wrap the pork in a burrito, put generous salsa in a casserole, laid the burritos on top, drizzled with queso and heated in oven. AMAZING flavors in all components. Crazy good. How long will the queso keep? It made a LOT and we went light on it. Seriously one of the best things I have put in my mouth in a long time!! Was skeptical about the salsa, but WOW!
Oh, couldn’t find Oaxaca cheese so I used a Mexican melting cheese instead. Same thing?
Well done!
Thrilled you loved this!! The queso will last 4-6 days in fridge. And yeah, I think mexican melting cheese is pretty similar.
Thanks so much! ๐
Oh sorry, I think I am late on this one. If not, I would go fajita style with some peppers. That would be awesome!
Hope you loved this!
Thanks!
Do you ever get bored of being told how epic your photography is? Just wow. And this recipe is really speaking to me, as a vegetarian I could totally sub seitan for the pork and roll with it. Bottle of beer, backyard on a summers day, BOOM. ๐
Aww! Thank you so much! I have never had seitan, but I bet that would work awesome!
Thanks again!! ๐
I would love these fries regardless of whether it involves Tijuana. LOL!
Thanks!
Oh my goodness this sounds amazing! Pulled Pork, fries, spicy queso and guacamole?! I should never read your blog when I’m hungry because I immediately want the food in the pictures! Looking forward to trying this one out ๐
Thank you so much, Maria! Hope you love these fries! ๐
So I’ve been to Tijuana three times AGES ago, and it was just Mexico with no frills. Mechanical bulls, and authentic food. I don’t recall seeing anything there that looked THIS good, however. These truly are some of the best fries I’ve seen!
Thanks Marcie!!
Made it tonight and it was amazing! I used ground pork instead just because I don’t care for shredded meat. SO….yummy!
So happy you loved this dish!! Thanks!
Okay, so this is better than anything I’ve ever had in Tijuana, that’s for sure. I’m dying for these!
Thanks so much, Dorothy!!