Beef Fajitas with Peppers (Printable version)
Tender marinated beef strips sautéed with colorful peppers and onions, served sizzling hot for a flavorful meal.
# Ingredient List:
→ Marinade
01 - 1.1 lb flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 2 tbsp lime juice (about 1 lime)
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 tsp ground cumin
06 - 1 tsp chili powder
07 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
09 - 1/2 tsp salt
10 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
→ Vegetables
11 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
12 - 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
13 - 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
14 - 1 large onion, thinly sliced
15 - 1 tbsp olive oil
→ Serving
16 - 8 small flour or corn tortillas, warmed
17 - Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
18 - Lime wedges
19 - Sour cream (optional)
20 - Sliced avocado or guacamole (optional)
# How to Make It:
01 - Combine olive oil, lime juice, minced garlic, ground cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl. Add the beef strips and toss thoroughly to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes, up to 2 hours for deeper flavor infusion.
02 - While the beef marinates, thinly slice the red, yellow, and green bell peppers along with the large onion. Keep vegetables separated and ready for cooking.
03 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Add the sliced bell peppers and onion. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until just tender and slightly charred. Remove to a plate and keep warm.
04 - Increase heat to high. Add the marinated beef in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until browned and just cooked through. Work quickly to maintain the beef's tenderness.
05 - Return the sautéed vegetables to the pan with the cooked beef. Toss everything together for 1-2 minutes to heat through and blend the flavors.
06 - Serve immediately sizzling hot with warm tortillas and your choice of fresh cilantro, lime wedges, sour cream, or sliced avocado.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The marinade transforms ordinary beef into something impossibly tender and flavorful
- Everything happens in one pan and comes together in under 40 minutes
- People get excited about building their own fajitas at the table
02 -
- Cutting the beef against the grain is non-negotiable for tender fajitas
- Dont overcrowd the pan when cooking the beef or it will steam instead of sear
- Warm tortillas make or break the experience, cold tortillas are sad tortillas
03 -
- Let the meat come to room temperature before cooking for more even results
- Cast iron creates the best char, but any heavy skillet will work