Beef Fajitas with Guacamole (Printable version)
Tender marinated beef strips paired with sautéed peppers and creamy guacamole, served warm with tortillas.
# Ingredient List:
→ Beef Fajitas
01 - 1.1 lb flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced
02 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced
03 - 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
04 - 1 green bell pepper, sliced
05 - 1 large onion, sliced
06 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
08 - Juice of 1 lime
09 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
10 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
12 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
13 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Guacamole
14 - 2 ripe avocados
15 - 1 small tomato, diced
16 - 1/4 small red onion, finely chopped
17 - 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped
18 - Juice of 1 lime
19 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
20 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
→ To Serve
21 - 8 small flour or corn tortillas, warmed
22 - Fresh cilantro leaves (optional)
23 - Lime wedges (optional)
# How to Make It:
01 - Combine olive oil, lime juice, garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl. Add beef strips and toss to coat thoroughly. Marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 2 hours for enhanced flavor.
02 - Heat a large skillet or grill pan over high heat. Add marinated beef and sear for 2 to 3 minutes per side until browned but still tender. Remove beef from pan and set aside.
03 - In the same pan, add sliced onions and bell peppers. Sauté for 5 to 6 minutes until slightly softened and edges are charred.
04 - Return seared beef to the pan with vegetables. Stir to combine and heat through for 1 to 2 minutes.
05 - In a bowl, mash avocados with lime juice until mostly smooth. Fold in diced tomato, chopped red onion, cilantro, salt, and pepper until well combined.
06 - Warm tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave. Serve beef and vegetables accompanied by guacamole. Garnish with extra cilantro leaves and lime wedges if desired.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The whole thing comes together in 40 minutes, which means you can actually pull this off on a weeknight without stress.
- Those charred edges on the peppers taste like you've been working at this for hours, even though you haven't.
- It's naturally impressive to serve—watching people build their own fajitas feels celebratory.
02 -
- Don't skip the marinating step—even 15 minutes of acid and spices working on the beef makes the difference between tough and tender.
- Guacamole browns quickly once exposed to air, so make it close to serving time and press plastic wrap directly on the surface if you need to wait.
- High heat is your friend here; a lukewarm pan gives you steamed beef instead of seared beef, and that's the whole mood ruined.
03 -
- If your beef starts looking dry, you probably overcooked it or cut the pieces too thick—next time aim for consistent 1/4-inch strips and trust the 2 to 3 minute window.
- Avocados ripen at their own pace; buy them a day or two before you plan to make this so they're perfect when you need them.