When the craving for something sizzling and savory hits, these steak fajitas are my go-to flavor bomb—juicy, spiced steak mingling with vibrant, tender peppers wrapped in a soft tortilla is just too good to resist!
These Easy Steak Fajitas are so quick and flavorful that they make the perfect weeknight meal. This satisfying dish is made with tender seasoned flank steak.
The main event here is the Worcestershire sauce and a blend of cumin, chili powder, and smoked paprika, which create a savory fajita filling. Fajita fills, in my book, must always be accompanied by a dressy medley of veggies.
For these, I’m using thinly sliced red and yellow bell peppers and onion. The vibrant crunch of those accompaniments perfectly offsets the (anticipated) tenderness of the steak.
Easy Steak Fajitas Recipe Ingredients
- Flank or Skirt Steak: High in protein and rich in iron, ideal for hearty meals.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Adds umami and depth, enhancing savory flavors.
- Chili Powder: Offers a mild spicy kick, full of antioxidants.
- Red Bell Pepper: Sweet flavor with vitamin C and fiber.
- Onion: Provides tanginess, rich in antioxidants and vitamin C.
Easy Steak Fajitas Recipe Ingredient Quantities
- 1 1/2 pounds flank or skirt steak
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
- 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 large onion, halved and thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- Flour tortillas, for serving
- Optional toppings: sour cream, guacamole, salsa, cheese
How to Make this Easy Steak Fajitas Recipe
1. Combine the following ingredients in a small bowl to make the marinade:
• 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
• Worcestershire sauce
• ground cumin
• chili powder
• garlic powder
• onion powder
• smoked paprika
• salt
• black pepper
Whisk the marinade ingredients together until well blended.
2. In a large resealable plastic bag or shallow dish, place the flank or skirt steak. Pour the marinade over the steak, ensuring it is well coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours, for enhanced flavor.
3. Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. If using a grill pan, brush the grates with a little oil to prevent sticking.
4. Take the steak out of the marinade, throw away the marinade, and cook the steak either in a skillet or on a grill. Fire up the grill (or the burner under the skillet). Grill or skillet-cook the steak for 4-5 minutes per side, or until it reaches the desired level of doneness. Remove the steak from heat and let it sit for 5 minutes before slicing or serving.
5. In the same frying pan, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the sliced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until it starts to become tender.
6. In the skillet, with the onion, add the sliced red, yellow, and green bell peppers. Sauté them for 5-7 minutes, or until they show some tenderness and are slightly charred.
7. Cut the rested steak into very thin slices against the grain to ensure tenderness. Do this while the vegetables are cooking.
8. After cooking the vegetables, place the sliced steak back into the skillet. Pour in the lime juice and toss everything to combine.
9. Heat the flour tortillas in a skillet or microwave until they are soft and can be easily bent. They should not be crisp.
10. Serve the warm tortillas filled with the steak and pepper mixture and any or all of these optional toppings: sour cream, guacamole, salsa, and cheese. Enjoy your ease of making these steak fajitas!
Easy Steak Fajitas Recipe Equipment Needed
1. Small bowl
2. Whisk
3. Large resealable plastic bag or shallow dish
4. Large skillet or grill pan
5. Brush (for oiling grill grates if needed)
6. Tongs (for handling the steak)
7. Knife
8. Cutting board
9. Plate (for resting the steak)
10. Spoon or spatula (for sautéing vegetables)
11. Microwave or additional skillet (for warming tortillas)
FAQ
- Q: Can I use a different type of meat for these fajitas?A: Indeed, flank or skirt steak can be swapped for chicken or shrimp if you prefer a different protein option.
- Q: How should I slice the steak for fajitas?A: The optimal way to cut the steak is thinly, and against the grain. That ensures tender, easy-to-eat strips of what’s usually a very chewy piece of meat.
- Q: Can I make this recipe ahead of time?You can marinate the steak, if you like, for as long as 24 hours and then cook it to your preferred level of doneness when you are ready to eat.
- Q: How do I know when the steak is cooked?Cook the steak until it reaches your desired level of doneness; medium-rare is typically optimal for fajitas.
- Q: What can I serve with fajitas?A: Fajitas are served with toppings like sour cream, guacamole, salsa, or shredded cheese. They can be paired with rice or beans for a complete meal.
- Q: Are there vegetarian options for this recipe?You can leave out the steak and pile on extra veggies or throw in some tofu for a vegetarian version. A: Yes, you can omit the steak and load up on extra vegetables or add tofu for a vegetarian version.
Easy Steak Fajitas Recipe Substitutions and Variations
Ribeye or sirloin steak: Substitute flank or skirt steak.
Soy sauce or tamari (for gluten-free): Substitute in equal measure.
Vegetable oil: Replace with olive oil or avocado oil.
Lime juice. Substitute with lemon juice or apple cider vinegar.
Substitute with corn tortillas or lettuce wraps for a gluten-free option.
Pro Tips
1. Marinating Time For maximum flavor, consider marinating the steak overnight in the refrigerator. This allows the flavors to penetrate the meat more deeply, resulting in a more flavorful dish.
2. Slicing the Steak When slicing the cooked steak, ensure you cut it against the grain. This technique yields more tender slices that are easier to chew.
3. Char the Vegetables For an authentic fajita experience, let the bell peppers and onions develop a slight char. This adds a smoky flavor and enhances the visual appeal of the dish.
4. Use Fresh Lime Juice Freshly squeezed lime juice enhances the overall taste of the fajitas with a bright, citrusy note. Avoid using bottled lime juice, which may lack the same vibrant flavor.
5. Rest the Steak After cooking, let the steak rest before slicing to allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat. This step ensures the steak remains juicy and tender.
Easy Steak Fajitas Recipe
My favorite Easy Steak Fajitas Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. Small bowl
2. Whisk
3. Large resealable plastic bag or shallow dish
4. Large skillet or grill pan
5. Brush (for oiling grill grates if needed)
6. Tongs (for handling the steak)
7. Knife
8. Cutting board
9. Plate (for resting the steak)
10. Spoon or spatula (for sautéing vegetables)
11. Microwave or additional skillet (for warming tortillas)
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 pounds flank or skirt steak
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
- 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 large onion, halved and thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- Flour tortillas, for serving
- Optional toppings: sour cream, guacamole, salsa, cheese
Instructions:
1. Combine the following ingredients in a small bowl to make the marinade:
• 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
• Worcestershire sauce
• ground cumin
• chili powder
• garlic powder
• onion powder
• smoked paprika
• salt
• black pepper
Whisk the marinade ingredients together until well blended.
2. In a large resealable plastic bag or shallow dish, place the flank or skirt steak. Pour the marinade over the steak, ensuring it is well coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours, for enhanced flavor.
3. Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. If using a grill pan, brush the grates with a little oil to prevent sticking.
4. Take the steak out of the marinade, throw away the marinade, and cook the steak either in a skillet or on a grill. Fire up the grill (or the burner under the skillet). Grill or skillet-cook the steak for 4-5 minutes per side, or until it reaches the desired level of doneness. Remove the steak from heat and let it sit for 5 minutes before slicing or serving.
5. In the same frying pan, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the sliced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until it starts to become tender.
6. In the skillet, with the onion, add the sliced red, yellow, and green bell peppers. Sauté them for 5-7 minutes, or until they show some tenderness and are slightly charred.
7. Cut the rested steak into very thin slices against the grain to ensure tenderness. Do this while the vegetables are cooking.
8. After cooking the vegetables, place the sliced steak back into the skillet. Pour in the lime juice and toss everything to combine.
9. Heat the flour tortillas in a skillet or microwave until they are soft and can be easily bent. They should not be crisp.
10. Serve the warm tortillas filled with the steak and pepper mixture and any or all of these optional toppings: sour cream, guacamole, salsa, and cheese. Enjoy your ease of making these steak fajitas!