Steak Fajitas Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

Steak Fajitas Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (1)

By: Becky Hardin

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These easy Steak Fajitas are tender and flavorful, perfect to serve up sizzling with fresh tortillas and tons of toppings. We use the best fajita marinade for the steak, bell peppers, and onions to infuse everything with ultimate flavor. The grilled strips of steak and veggies are easy to assemble for the tastiest fajita recipe ever!

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Table of Contents

What’s in Marinated Steak Fajitas

Grilled steak is a great base for the best fajitas–just add bell peppers, onions, and all your favorite toppings. It’s an easy dinner for any night of the week!

  • Steak: Skirt steak is best for fajitas! Marinating it before grilling will make it super tender.
  • Fajita Seasoning: This blend combines brown sugar, paprika, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, thyme, and some other herbs and spices for the perfect flavor.
  • Soy Sauce: This is the base of our steak marinade. I like to use a low-sodium variety but that’s up to you.
  • Lime Juice: Fresh lime juice adds acidity to the marinade, and a bright and zesty flavor.
  • Orange Juice: Fresh orange juice adds more acidity, which helps break down the tough fibers of the steak so that it becomes soft and tender. Feel free to swap it for pineapple juice.
  • Brown Sugar: Dark brown sugar adds a rich bit of sweetness to the fajita marinade.
  • Garlic: Minced garlic adds savoriness.
  • Jalapenos: Diced jalapenos add some heat to the marinade, but it won’t lead to overly spicy meat and veggies. Be sure to remove the seeds, unless you want more spice.
  • Cumin: Ground cumin adds a little bit of earthiness that balances everything out.
  • Fajita Veggies: The best vegetables for steak fajitas are bell peppers and onions. You can use a mix of colors for your peppers. I recommend white or yellow onions. Cut everything into equally-sized strips.
  • Tortillas: Flour tortillas are best, but you can use corn and other types of tortillas as well.
  • Toppings: Add anything you love–guacamole, sour cream, queso, shredded cheese, pico de gallo, salsas, lime juice, etc.

Pro Tip: To warm tortillas, wrap small stacks in aluminum foil, and place in the oven for a few minutes. You can also warm them individually in a skillet on the stove top, but it’s easier with the oven.

What can I add to this grilled fajitas recipe besides peppers?

Marinated grilled steak, bell peppers, and onions make up the bulk of these easy fajitas. But you can add other vegetables and fillings if you like. Add in some other types of peppers to add more heat, like jalapenos or poblanos (use sparingly).

Add zucchini and others summer squashes, carrots, or cabbage to fill things out. Portobello mushrooms cut into strips also work as a hearty (and healthy) fajita filling–these would be a good substitute for vegetarians.

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What cut of steak is best for fajitas?

Skirt steak is the best and most common cut to use for fajitas. You can also use flank steak or hangar steak.

How long do you marinate steak for fajitas?

I recommend marinating the steak for 2-10 hours before grilling. A long marinating time will make it extra tender and flavorful, but going past the 10 hour mark could lead to a mushy texture.

What temperature should I cook steak for fajitas?

Grill steak until it reaches an internal temperature of 125-130F (it will rise slightly as it rests). This will give you a rare to medium-rare steak, which will be extremely tender and flavorful.

Can I cook steak fajitas on the stovetop?

Yes! If you don’t want to use a gas or charcoal grill, you can use a grill pan or cast iron skillet on the stovetop. Instructions are included in the recipe card below!

How do you cut steak and veggies for fajitas?

After the steak has had time to rest, cut it diagonally, against the grain (through the muscle fibers), into long strips. The bell peppers and onions should be cut into 1/2 inch strips.

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How to Store and Make Ahead

Store grilled fajita steak and veggies in an airtight container, and keep them in the refrigerator up to 4 days.

If you want to prep these ahead of time, here are a few things you can do:

  • Combine ingredients to make the fajita marinade, and store it in an airtight container up to 4 days.
  • Prep veggies (clean and cut into 1/2-inch strips), and store in the fridge up to 4 days.
  • Grill the steak, and store up to 3 days.
  • And since the steak can be marinated up to 10 hours, throw it in the fridge in the morning, and it’ll be ready to grill when you get home from work!

How to Freeze and Reheat

Store steak fajitas filling in a freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

To reheat. Warm the steak and veggies in the oven (350F, in a baking dish covered with foil), on the stovetop, or in the microwave for just 1-2 minutes.

What to Serve with Grilled Steak Fajitas

Serve sizzling steak fajitas on a platter, along with warm tortillas and toppings, so that everyone can assemble their own as they go–that’s part of the fun! Some toppings to try: avocado corn salsa, street corn, salsa verde, taco sauce, chimichurri, creme fraiche, and shredded cheese.

They’re also great served along with cilantro lime rice, Mexican rice, esquites, refried beans, Mexican grilled corn, tortillas chips and poblano queso. A Pineapple Agua Fresca or Orange Margarita would be a refreshing finish!

Or try using leftovers on fajita nachos, or make fajita bowls by combining everything (steak, veggies, toppings) with rice.

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Recipe

Steak Fajitas Recipe

4.58 from 113 votes

Author: Becky Hardin

Prep: 20 minutes minutes

Cook: 20 minutes minutes

Total: 2 hours hours 40 minutes minutes

Steak Fajitas Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (7)

A flavorful fajita marinade leads to delicious steak and veggies. Make the easiest steak fajitas for dinner any time!

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Ingredients

For the Meat:

  • ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • ½ cup fresh lime juice 5-7 limes
  • Juice from 1 large orange
  • ½ cup canola oil
  • 3 tablespoons packed dark brown sugar
  • 2 medium cloves garlic minced
  • 2 medium jalapeno peppers seeded and diced
  • 1 tablespoon fajita seasoning click for recipe!
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Kosher salt to taste
  • 2 pounds trimmed skirt steak cut with the grain into 5-inch pieces

For the Fajitas:

  • 3 medium bell peppers red, yellow & orange, stemmed, seeded and cut into 1/2 –inch-wide strips
  • 1 large green bell pepper stemmed, seeded and cut into 1/2 –inch- wide strips
  • 1 large yellow or white onions cut (stem-to-steinto ½-inch-wide strips
  • 12 (8-incflour or corn tortillas warmed

For Serving:

  • Guacamole Pico de Gallo, Mexican Rice, Beans, Sour cream, Cheese, Salsa, Chopped Fresh Cilantro, Lime Wedges

Instructions

For the Meat & Vegetables:

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, lime juice, orange juice, canola oil, brown sugar, minced garlic, fajita seasoning, jalapenos, cumin and black pepper. Season to taste with salt.

    ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce, ½ cup fresh lime juice, Juice from 1 large orange, ½ cup canola oil, 3 tablespoons packed dark brown sugar, 2 medium cloves garlic, 2 medium jalapeno peppers, 1 tablespoon fajita seasoning, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, Kosher salt

  • Pour ½ cup marinade in a large bowl or a gallon-size zip-loc bag; set aside.

  • Transfer the cut steaks to a gallon-sized zip-loc bag and pour the marinade over the steak. Squeeze out excess air from the bag and seal. Massage the marinade over the meat until all the meat is fully coated. Transfer the meat (in the bag or a pan large enough for it to lay flat) and place it in the fridge. Refrigerate 2-10 hours, flipping the bag over often.

    2 pounds trimmed skirt steak

  • When ready to cook, remove the meat from the fridge 15-30 minutes before using. Before cooking the meat, wipe off the excess marinade with paper towels.

  • While the meat marinates, add the cut vegetables to the reserved ½ cup marinade and toss to coat. Refrigerate until ready to use, stirring occasionally.

    3 medium bell peppers, 1 large green bell pepper, 1 large yellow or white onions

To Cook the Vegetables:

  • 30 minutes before ready to cook, preheat oven to 475°F and arrange the baking rack to the lower-middle position.

  • Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil, and spray the foil with nonstick cooking spray.

  • 30 minutes before cooking, if using a charcoal grill, light the charcoal.

  • Remove the meat and vegetables from the fridge.

  • Use paper towels to wipe off the excess marinade from the meat.

  • Use tongs to transfer the vegetables to the prepared baking sheet, shaking off excess marinade as you work.

  • Transfer the vegetables to the oven when the meat is cooked and removed from the grill (or stovetop).

  • Cook the vegetables 4 minutes, toss to redistribute and cook another 4-5 minutes or until fork-tender and slightly charred.

To Grill the Meat:

    …on a Charcoal Grill:

    • If using a charcoal grill: fill one grill chimney with charcoal and light it. When top coals are mostly covered with gray ash, pour the coals over one side of the charcoal grate. Close the grill and let preheat 5 minutes. Clean and oil the grill after the grill preheats.

    • Place the meat directly over the hot half of the grill and leave the lid open.

    • Cook the steak, flipping often, until it is beautifully charred on both sides, about 6-8 minutes total cooking time. The center of the meat should register 125-130°F on an instant-read meat thermometer.

    …on a Gas Grill:

    • Turn half the burners to the highest heat, cover and preheat for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, clean and oil the grate.

    • Place the meat on the hot side of the grill, cover and cook, turning occasionally, until steak has a beautiful char on both sides, about 6-8 minutes total time. The center of the meat should register 125-130°F on an instant-read thermometer.

    …on the Stovetop:

    • Use a 10-12 inch well-seasoned cast iron skillet. If you have a cast iron grill pan, that’s great, if not – a regular cast iron skillet will work.

    • Brush 1-teaspoon canola oil over the skillet and heat it over medium-high heat until pan is sizzling hot. Carefully place the steak in the pan and cook a total of 6-8 minutes or until you get a gorgeous char on both sides. Flip the meat over after 3 minutes or when the beef releases from the pan and cook the other side about 3 minutes. The internal temperature should read 125-130°F on an instant-read thermometer.

    After grilling the steak:

    • Transfer the steaks to a cutting board and let rest 5 minutes (this will allow the juices to redistribute). Slice the meat against the grain.

    • Drizzle with any leftover meat juices and lime juice.

    • Place the meat and vegetables on a large serving platter and serve with warmed tortillas, guacamole, Pico de Gallo, Mexican rice, beans, sour cream, cheese, salsa, chopped fresh cilantro, lime wedges.

      12 (8-incflour or corn tortillas, Guacamole

    • Enjoy!

    Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!

    Nutrition Information

    Calories: 457kcal (23%) Carbohydrates: 14g (5%) Protein: 35g (70%) Fat: 30g (46%) Saturated Fat: 6g (38%) Cholesterol: 95mg (32%) Sodium: 813mg (35%) Potassium: 643mg (18%) Fiber: 2g (8%) Sugar: 9g (10%) Vitamin A: 1885IU (38%) Vitamin C: 82mg (99%) Calcium: 30mg (3%) Iron: 4mg (22%)

    Did You Make This?I want to see! Be sure to upload an image below & tag @thecookierookie on social media!

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    More Fajita Recipes We Love

    • Chicken Fajitas
    • Sheet Pan Steak Fajitas
    • Baked Chicken Fajitas
    • Shrimp Fajitas
    • Crockpot Chicken Fajitas
    • …or make Steak Tacos instead!

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    Steak Fajitas Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

    FAQs

    What cut of meat is best for steak fajitas? ›

    Flank steak is one of the most well-known kinds for anything that requires thin steaks. This thin cut works well for slicing, as required for tacos and fajitas.

    How do you cook fajita meat so it's tender? ›

    Tricks to Tender Fajita Meat
    1. Cut the Beef Against the Grain. Slicing meat against the grain helps tenderize it. By looking closely at the steak, you'll be able to see the direction the grain is running. ...
    2. Marinade with an Acid. Acids like citrus juice or vinegar tenderize meat by breaking down its fibers.
    Feb 2, 2024

    What cut of meat do Mexican restaurants use for fajitas? ›

    The question of “what is a fajita” would usually be referred to as sliced skirt steak, the cut of beef first used in the dish. In restaurants, the meat is usually cooked with onions and bell peppers and toppings that are served on the side.

    Do Mexicans put cheese in fajitas? ›

    Thirdly, the toppings for fajitas and tacos can differ. While both dishes can be served with guacamole, salsa, and sour cream, fajitas usually have more substantial toppings, such as cheese and grilled vegetables, while tacos tend to have more traditional toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese.

    Should you cut steak before cooking fajitas? ›

    5. Cut Thin Strips. For fajitas, you want to aim for thin, even strips of steak. This ensures faster and more consistent cooking.

    Should you cut skirt steak before marinating? ›

    The Ultimate Guide to Buying, Slicing, and Cooking Skirt Steak
    1. Slice up the raw steak.
    2. Marinate (or just lightly season if you want) the small slices, then grill. Be sure to when cooking skirt steak to only cook to medium rare!
    3. And slice! Serve with vegetables or your favorite side, or add to a fajita mix.

    What is fajita marinade made of? ›

    How to Marinate Fajitas - the Recipe Method. Whisk the Fajita Marinade Ingredients. Whisk all of the ingredients together in a large bowl until consistent - olive oil, lime juice, water, minced garlic, paprika, ancho powder, cayenne, onion powder, oregano, brown sugar, cumin, salt and pepper, red pepper flakes.

    What onion is best for steak fajitas? ›

    There's no one-size-fits-all answer to choosing the right onion for your fajitas. You can go for the traditional white or yellow onions, offering a more savory option, or experiment with sweet onions like Vidalia or Walla Walla to add a subtle sweetness to your dish.

    What is the difference between steak fajitas and steak picado? ›

    Fajita means thin strips and carne picada means minced meat. Generally when you make fajitas its whole marinated meat. Often a tougher cut marinated in lime or other acids then once cooked and rested sliced into the stripes. Carne picada on the flip side is minced meat prior to cooking.

    What is the difference between carne asada and fajita steak? ›

    The difference is in the way you cut the meat. Asada is the complete cut of meat, marinated and then grilled. Fajitas is the grilled cut of meat sliced into strips that are perfect for tacos. Chicken fajitas are made from grilled chicken breast sliced to fit your favorite tortilla concoction.

    How do they make fajitas sizzle? ›

    It's an artificial sizzle! They just put water on the hot pan. It's not the food cooking when it comes to your [table]," he lamented. No stranger to the fajita sizzle, Chili's recently made quite the reveal to TODAY, informing them that they use a sizzle sauce to amplify the flavor and aroma of their dish.

    What do Mexicans eat with fajitas? ›

    • Black Beans & Rice. ...
    • Lime and Coriander RIce. ...
    • Mexican Corn. ...
    • Mexican Rice. ...
    • Guacamole. ...
    • Quick Queso Fundido With Cauliflower. ...
    • Frijoles. ...
    • Mexican Salad.

    What kind of cheese is best on fajitas? ›

    You can't go wrong with any of these options: Lime Wedges – to squeeze over fajitas. Pico de Gallo. Shredded cheese (try cheddar or Mexican cheese)

    What does fajita mean in Spanish? ›

    First recorded in 1975–80; from Latin American Spanish: literally, “l*ttle sash,” diminutive of Spanish faja “belt, strip, band” (originally dialect or from Catalan ), from Latin fascia “band, bandage”

    What's the best steak to use for fajitas? ›

    Skirt steak is the traditional cut used for fajitas. It used to be inexpensive, but now it's not so cheap; oftentimes flank steak costs less. Either will be a good choice.

    How do you tenderize beef strips for fajitas? ›

    Citrus: orange juice and lime juice tenderize the steak by breaking down the tough connective tissue. They also infuse the meat with bright floral tones characteristic of steak fajitas that complement the earthy seasonings.

    Do you put peppers or meat first in fajitas? ›

    This recipe promises to be a one-pan dinner, but to ensure that the chicken's juices don't steam the vegetables — making them soggy — cook the vegetables first. Transfer them to a plate or cutting board, then cook the chicken in the same pan before bringing things together.

    Why is my skirt steak so tough? ›

    Skirt steak can be a little tough due to the amount of connective tissue, so it needs careful preparation when cooking to maximize tenderness. Skirt steak has a similar beefy flavor as flank steak but is a tougher cut in terms of texture.

    Do you rinse marinade off steak before cooking? ›

    Remove Marinade Before Cooking: To prevent flare-ups on the grill and ensure properly browned meat when sautéing or stir-frying, wipe off most of the excess marinade before cooking. Keep just a little marinade on the meat surface to maximize flavor.

    What helps tenderize skirt steak? ›

    Skirt steak is a tougher cut of meat due to a lot of connective tissue, so it needs to be handled correctly. It should be marinated or tenderized with a meat mallet and cooked hot and fast on the grill, skillet or stir fried to maximize tenderness.

    Which is more tender, flank or skirt steak? ›

    Both Skirt and Flank steaks have a tendency to become a little tougher than other cuts of beef. Flank steak is tender enough to easily grill, but Skirt steak needs a light touch to avoid toughness. Yet both cuts work well for frying, braising, and slow cooking.

    What is the best cut of meat for skirt steak? ›

    There are two types of skirt steak: inside and outside. The inside skirt comes from the transverse abdominal muscle and is rather tough; the more desirable outside skirt comes from the diaphragm and is quite tender.

    Which cut of beef is used in fajitas and stir fry? ›

    Flank steak

    Once tenderized, the affordable cut cooks quickly, making it a top choice for weeknight steak fajitas.

    What is another name for flank steak? ›

    Other names for flank steak include London broil and skirt steak, which is actually a different cut (more on that in a moment). This cut of steak comes from the abdominal muscles of the animal, right behind its chest. As you'd expect from that muscle-y area, the meat can be somewhat chewier than other steaks.

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