Grilled Steak Fajitas are a vibrant and tasty Tex-Mex dish, loaded with juicy steak, perfectly charred vegetables, and a savory marinade. This colorful meal is both easy to prepare and fun to serve. Whether you’re grilling outside during summer or cooking up a weeknight dinner, steak fajitas are sure to bring the heat and excitement to the table.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bursting with bold, smoky flavors from the steak and vegetables
- Quick and simple to make with minimal prep time
- Customizable with a wide variety of toppings and tortillas
- Perfect for family-style meals or entertaining guests
- Naturally gluten-free when served with corn tortillas
- Ideal for meal prep or enjoying leftovers
- A healthy and lean protein-packed option with fresh vegetables
- Excellent for both casual weeknight dinners or special occasions
- Can be tailored to suit various dietary needs, from dairy-free to vegetarian
- Tastes just as delicious as the fajitas you’d find at your favorite Tex-Mex restaurant
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the marinade:
- Olive oil
- Fresh lime juice
- Garlic, minced
- Ground cumin
- Chili powder
- Smoked paprika
- Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Optional: sliced jalapeño, fresh cilantro
For the fajitas:
- Flank steak or skirt steak
- Bell peppers (red, yellow, or green, sliced)
- Red onion, sliced
- Tortillas (flour or corn, warmed)
- Optional toppings: avocado, salsa, sour cream, shredded cheese, cilantro, lime wedges
Directions
- Prepare the Marinade:
In a large bowl or zip-top bag, combine olive oil, lime juice, minced garlic, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. If you enjoy a bit of extra heat, add some thinly sliced jalapeño or a handful of fresh cilantro to the mix. Place the steak in the marinade, ensuring it’s evenly coated. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 8 hours, to allow the flavors to infuse the meat. - Preheat the Grill:
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat and brush the grates with oil to prevent sticking. - Grill the Steak:
Remove the steak from the marinade and let it come to room temperature. Grill the steak for 4-6 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the cut and your preferred level of doneness. For medium-rare, aim for an internal temperature of around 130-135°F. Once cooked to your liking, transfer the steak to a plate and let it rest for about 5-10 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute. - Grill the Vegetables:
While the steak is resting, prepare the bell peppers and onions. Toss them with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper. Grill the vegetables for about 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are tender and charred with beautiful grill marks. - Slice the Steak:
After the steak has rested, slice it thinly against the grain. This step is crucial to ensure maximum tenderness. - Assemble the Fajitas:
Warm your tortillas on the grill or in a dry skillet. Place the grilled vegetables and sliced steak onto the tortillas. Add any desired toppings, such as creamy avocado, tangy salsa, sour cream, shredded cheese, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice. Serve hot and enjoy!
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 4
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Marinate Time: 30 minutes to 8 hours
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour (with most of the time being inactive marination)
Variations
- Protein Options: Feel free to swap the steak for chicken, shrimp, or even portobello mushrooms for a vegetarian twist. These options also work wonderfully with the marinade.
- Heat: If you prefer your fajitas with an extra kick, add chipotle in adobo to the marinade or sprinkle chili flakes over the veggies before grilling.
- For Fajita Bowls: Serve your grilled steak and veggies over a bed of rice or greens instead of using tortillas for a lighter option.
- Dairy-Free Version: Skip the cheese and sour cream to keep the meal dairy-free, or use plant-based alternatives.
- Beans and Corn Salsa: Add black beans or corn salsa as a filling addition to your fajitas.
- Store-bought Seasoning: If you’re short on time, you can use store-bought fajita seasoning, but making your own marinade offers better control over flavors and salt content.
Storage and Reheating
Leftover steak and vegetables can be stored in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, use a skillet over medium heat or microwave the steak and veggies until warmed through. Tortillas are best reheated in a dry skillet or wrapped in a damp paper towel and microwaved for a few seconds. Avoid overcooking the steak to keep it tender.
Grilled Steak Fajitas
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pound flank steak
- 1 each bell peppers (any color, sliced)
- 1 each red onion, sliced
- 4 each tortillas (flour or corn, warmed)
- 1 each avocado, optional
- 1 each salsa, optional
- 1 each sour cream, optional
Instructions
- In a large bowl or zip-top bag, combine olive oil, lime juice, minced garlic, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Add the steak to the marinade, ensuring it’s fully coated. Let marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 8 hours.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.
- Remove the steak from the marinade and let it come to room temperature. Grill the steak for 4-6 minutes on each side, or until it reaches your preferred level of doneness. Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature: 130°F for medium-rare.
- While the steak is resting, grill the bell peppers and onions in a grill basket or directly on the grates for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until charred and tender.
- Slice the steak thinly against the grain, and warm the tortillas on the grill or in a dry skillet.
- Assemble the fajitas by placing the sliced steak and grilled vegetables onto the tortillas. Add your desired toppings like avocado, salsa, sour cream, or shredded cheese.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best cut of steak for fajitas?
Flank steak or skirt steak are ideal cuts for fajitas. They’re lean, flavorful, and quick to cook, making them perfect for grilling and slicing thinly against the grain.
How long should I marinate the steak?
Marinating for at least 30 minutes will enhance the flavor of the steak. However, marinating for 4 to 8 hours will result in a more tender and flavorful steak.
Can I cook fajitas indoors?
Yes! If grilling outdoors isn’t an option, you can use a grill pan or cast-iron skillet to cook the steak. For the vegetables, simply sauté them on the stovetop.
How do I know when my steak is done?
The best way to check doneness is by using a meat thermometer. For medium-rare, aim for an internal temperature of 130°F, or 140°F for medium. Let the steak rest for a few minutes before slicing to allow the juices to redistribute.
Should I slice the steak before or after grilling?
Always slice the steak after grilling. This ensures the juices stay inside the steak during cooking, and slicing against the grain ensures a tender bite.
Can I freeze leftover fajitas?
Yes, you can freeze both the cooked steak and vegetables for up to 2 months. Just be sure to let them cool completely before freezing, and reheat thoroughly before serving.
Are steak fajitas healthy?
Absolutely! Steak fajitas are packed with lean protein and fresh vegetables. For an even healthier option, consider using whole-grain tortillas or lettuce wraps instead of traditional flour tortillas.
What toppings are best for fajitas?
Toppings like avocado, salsa, sour cream, shredded cheese, cilantro, and lime wedges are all delicious additions to your fajitas. Feel free to get creative with your favorite toppings!
What sides go well with steak fajitas?
Spanish rice, black beans, guacamole, chips and salsa, and corn on the cob all pair wonderfully with steak fajitas. Choose any of these sides to complement your meal.
Conclusion
Grilled Steak Fajitas are the ultimate combination of smoky steak, vibrant vegetables, and a zesty marinade, all wrapped in a warm tortilla. Whether you’re hosting a cookout or preparing a quick weeknight dinner, these fajitas offer a fun and flavorful meal everyone will enjoy. They’re easy to prepare, customizable, and perfect for sharing with friends and family. Try them today for a Tex-Mex treat that’s bursting with bold flavors!