This classic Steak Fajitas recipe is easy to prepare and a great choice for the grill or stovetop! A homemade spice mix adds authentic Tex-Mex flavor to strips of seared steak and colorful bell peppers and onions.
Love fajitas? Check out my easy Skillet Chicken Fajitas and Chicken Fajita Quesadillas.
There’s nothing quite like the experience of having a sizzling skillet of fajitas delivered to your table at a Mexican restaurant. While we’ve been missing those fun restaurant experiences for what feels like forever now, it’s easy to create flavorful Steak Fajitas at home.
This recipe has been a popular choice in our house this summer. It’s great for the grill and it makes plenty to feed my hungry group. Don’t want to fire up the grill? Not a problem! I’ve included alternate skillet directions as well.
Table of contents
Smoky Fajita Seasoning
They key to adding classic Tex-Mex fajita flavor is with this homemade spice mix.
- I’ve included the amounts for a small batch of my Homemade Fajita Seasoning that makes just enough for this recipe.
- Or, make a big batch in advance to save time. This is the same seasoning used in my Skillet Chicken Fajitas and Chicken Fajita Quesadillas. Store spice mixes on a cool, dry pantry shelf in an airtight container, like a mason jar and use within 6 months.
For the Steak
The best cut for Steak Fajitas is skirt or flank steak. Since it’s easier to find larger cuts of flank steak, that’s what I use most often.
- Wet rub – Combine fajita seasoning with olive oil and the juice of half of a lime to create and flavorful wet spice rub with a paste-like consistency.
- Marinate steak – Smear the mixture over both sides of the steak. Enclose the steak in the foil and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes or up to two hours.
- Grill – Grill the steak for about 8 to 11 minutes per side or until internal temperature reaches 140 degrees F.
- Rest – Transfer the steak to a cutting board and tent with foil to keep warm. Allow it to rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
Pro Tip
Flank steak should not be cooked to well done or it can be tough. If pulled of the grill when it reaches 140 to 145 degrees F it will be slightly pink and tender when sliced. This is ideal for this cut.
For the Fajita Veggies
While the grilled flank steak is resting, prepare the bell peppers and onions.
- Sauté – Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat. Add the peppers and onions. Cook, stirring for 5 to 6 minutes until tender.
- Season – Add the remaining fajita seasoning.
Consider adding thin strips of zucchini and/or fresh or frozen sweet corn to add even more color and nutrition and a fresh, summery feel.
- Finish veggies – Continue to cook for another 2 or 3 minutes to bring out the flavor of the spices.
- Slice steak – Slice the flank steak against the grain into thin strips and then slice as needed to a size that will fit well inside your tortillas. Squeeze the remaining half of the lime over the beef strips.
For the Tortillas
- Toast tortillas in a dry skillet over medium-high heat for about 30 seconds per side.
Optional Toppings
- Pico de gallo or salsa
- Sour cream
- Cilantro
I’ve included the classic toppings in this list but the sky’s the limit. You can add avocado, cheese, or any other toppings you love.
Alternate Skillet Method
If you don’t want to fire up the grill, this recipe can be prepared from start to finish in a skillet on the stove. I recommend using a cast iron or other heavy skillet for the best result.
- If your flank steak is too large to fit in your skillet in one piece, slice it in half crosswise against the grain.
- Add 2 tablespoons olive oil to a large skillet and place over medium heat. When hot, add the steak and cook for about 4 to 5 minutes per side or until internal temperature reaches 140 degrees F.
- Transfer the steak to a cutting board and tent with foil to keep warm and allow it to rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
- Wipe the skillet down and follow as directed above to cook the fajita veggies in the same skillet.
What to Serve with Steak Fajitas
- Restaurant Style Mexican Rice
- Cilantro Lime Rice
- Instant Pot Mexican Pinto Beans
- Skillet Corn with Jalapeno
- Mango Avocado Corn Salsa
Steak Fajitas
Ingredients
Smoky Fajita Seasoning Mix
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1½ teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon fine grain sea salt
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon granulated garlic or garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
Steak Fajitas
- 2 pounds beef flank or skirt steak
- 1 lime
- 6 tablespoons olive oil, divided, or as needed
- 3 bell peppers, cut into thin 2-inch strips (I used red, yellow and green)
- 1 medium yellow onion, halved and sliced into thin 2-inch strips
For the Rest:
- flour tortillas, (6-inch)
- pico de gallo
- chopped fresh cilantro
- sour cream
Instructions
Small Batch Fajita Seasoning
- Combine all the spices in a small bowl. Measure out 1 teaspoon of the seasoning (for the veggies) and place it in a separate small bowl.
For the Grilled Steak
- Place the steak on a large sheet of foil large enough to enclose it and use paper towels to pat both sides dry. To the bowl with the larger amount of fajita seasoning, add 4 tablespoons olive oil and the juice from ½ a lime. Mix to combine and then smear the mixture over both sides of the beef. Enclose the beef in the foil and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to two hours.
- Preheat your outdoor grill. Grill the beef for about 8 to 11 minutes per side or until the internal temperature reaches 140 degrees F. Watch it closely and check towards the end of the cooking time as the temperature can begin to rise quickly. Transfer the beef to a cutting board and tent with foil to keep it warm. Allow it to rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
- Slice the beef against the grain into thin strips about 2- to 3-inches long. Squeeze the remaining half of the lime over the beef strips.
For the Fajitas Veggies
- While the grilled steak is resting, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large, deep skillet over MEDIUM heat. Add the peppers and onions. Cook, stirring for 5 to 6 minutes until tender. Add the reserved 1 teaspoon of fajita seasoning and cook, stirring, for another 2 or 3 minutes to bring out the flavor of the spices. Remove the skillet from the heat.
For the Tortillas
- Toast tortillas in a dry skillet over MEDIUM-HIGH heat for about 30 seconds per side.
Assemble the Fajitas
- Layer the toasted tortillas with a few strips of steak, some fajita veggies, and the toppings of your choice.
Alternate Skillet Method
- If your steak is too large to fit in your skillet in one piece, slice it in half crosswise against the grain (you shouldn't need to do this if you have a 12 to 14-inch skillet).
- Add 2 tablespoons olive oil to a large skillet and place over MEDIUM heat. When hot, add the steak and cook for about 4 to 5 minutes per side or until the internal temperature reaches 140 degrees F. Transfer the steak to a cutting board and tent with foil to keep warm. Allow it to rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
- Wipe the skillet down and follow as directed above to cook peppers and onions in the same skillet.
Notes
- Use 4 tablespoons for the wet rub for the steak
- Use 1 teaspoon when you sauté the veggies.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated using generic ingredients, and is an estimate not a guarantee. For more accurate results, please refer to the labels on your ingredients at home.
Just a follow up. This recipe is a go to in our kitchen. It is ALWAYS a hit! I am currently making a huge batch of the seasoning to gift my cooking club members along with a copy of your recipe. It’s that good!!!! Thanks again for sharing this great Fajita recipe.
Absolutely delish and so simple! Thanks for another winner!
So glad you liked it, Julie! 🙂
Always bring steak to room temp prior to grilling. I also prefer a one inch thick ribeye , thats just me great rub really great