A while back, I shared my favorite Carne Asada marinade with you, and today, I’m sharing my very favorite way to use that marinade: to make steak fajitas. Friend, these steak fajitas are SO GOOD. Plus, since this is a recipe that does best with a nice long marinade, if you start marinating your fajita steak the night before, your meat can go from marinade to plate in less than 20 minutes when dinner time comes around.
The Best Steak for Fajitas
The best steak for fajitas is skirt steak, flank steak, or flap meat. All three cuts of meat have a good, beefy flavor, take a marinade well, and cook up relatively tender under quick, high heat. Given the choice, my personal favorite is flap meat, but all three are great options, and depending on their popularity in your area, you might not always be able to find all of these cuts at your local butcher. So just use whichever cut is available and most reasonably priced.
Fajita Marinade Recipe
The fajita marinade we’ll be using on the steak is citrus-based, so it not only produces tangy and delicious meat, but the acidity of the orange, lemon, and lime juice helps break down the steak for a more tender finished product. If you’re short on time, you can marinate your steak for as little as four hours, but you’re going to get the best results with a 24-hour marinade.
How to Make Steak Fajitas
- Start with a nice long marinade to tenderize the meat and make sure it really soaks up as much flavor as possible.
- Prep your fajita veggies by slicing two bell peppers of any color and half of an onion into thin slices. This can be done the night before (store the veggies in an airtight container) when you start marinating your steak if you know you’re going to be short on time the following day.
- Cook the steak under a very hot broiler for about 4-6 minutes per side (less if your steak is very thin). Allow to rest for 5 to 10 minutes and then slice across the grain.
- While your steak cooks, you’ll prepare the vegetables on the stove. The fajita veggies also get cooked quickly over high heat, so you get some charred edges while retaining the peppers’ color and texture.
- And that’s it. Serve over warm tortillas with guacamole, sour cream, maybe a little pico de gallo, and enjoy!
What goes with steak fajitas?
Classic fajita restaurant sides are rice and beans, but if you want something a little quicker for weeknights, you might also try:
Oven-roasted Broccoli Tortilla Chips with Nacho Cheese Oven-baked Green Beans
Can the steak be cooked on a grill?
Absolutely! To cook on the grill, cook the meat over medium-high heat, 3-8 minutes per side, less if you’re working with really thin cuts of meat.
Can this recipe be made ahead of time?
Yes. Fajitas are a great make-ahead dinner. Simply cook the beef and veggies up to 2 days in advance. When you’re ready to eat them, reheat everything, and serve with warmed tortillas.
Meal Prep Steak Fajita Rice Bowls
And last thing before we go, this recipe makes about four servings. If you’re a household of one or two, I highly recommend turning the leftovers into meal prep steak fajita bowls. Just layer cilantro rice (or cauliflower rice) in your meal prep containers and top with the steak and veggies. It turns your fajitas into super easy and portable lunches.
More Meaty Main Dishes
Carnitas Country-style Pork Ribs Tri-tip Salsa Chicken Beef Short Ribs Quick and Easy Chicken Fajitas
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