Mexican Steak Fajitas Marinade (+ Steak Fajitas Recipe!) - Oh Sweet Basil (2024)

This is our favoriteSteak Fajitas Marinade! Ithas a few secrets that make it extra flavorful and tender. Grilling is optional but produces even more deliciousness!

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Mexican Steak Fajitas Marinade (+ Steak Fajitas Recipe!) - Oh Sweet Basil (1)

Flank Steak Fajitas with the BEST Fajita Marinade!

I love this time of year!!! Isn’t it the best feeling when the seasons are changing? The air is crisp and our favorite steak fajitas marinade is calling your name. You’re going to go crazy for these beef fajitas!!

If you’ve never made homemade steak fajitas, you’ve been missing out! These easy fajitas are super flavorful thanks to the delicious flank steak fajita marinade. The fajita meat marinade featured three kinds of citrus juice, plus tons of spices to really pack in the flavor.

What is a Fajita?

Fajitas are a dish of Mexican origin consisting of strips of spiced beef or chicken, chopped vegetables, and grated cheese, wrapped in a soft tortilla and often served with sour cream.

Mexican Steak Fajitas Marinade (+ Steak Fajitas Recipe!) - Oh Sweet Basil (2)

What’s Needed for Steak Fajitas?

This flank steak fajita recipes has two main components: the beef fajita marinade and the peppers and onions that accompany the dish. Here’s what you’ll need to make the BEST fajita marinade:

  • Orange juice
  • Lime juice
  • Pineapple juice
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • Olive oil
  • Garlic
  • Dried herbs and spices
  • Fresh cilantro

And for the steak fajitas, you’ll need:

  • Flank steak
  • Bell peppers
  • Onion
  • Butter
  • Olive oil
  • Taco seasoning

What’s the Best Steak for Fajitas?

We use flank steak in this recipe, but top round steak is a very lean cut of beef, plus it packs plenty of fresh flavor.Other lean cuts of beef, like eye of round or topsirloin, will also work in this recipe.

Mexican Steak Fajitas Marinade (+ Steak Fajitas Recipe!) - Oh Sweet Basil (3)

How to Make Steak Fajitas

This is an incredibly easy beef fajitas recipe. Here are the basic steps for making the steak fajita marinade and the fajitas themselves:

  1. Whisk together the fajita marinade, then add to a large Tupperware or zip-top bag. Add the steak to the marinade and marinate for at least 2 hours.
  2. Once marinated, cook the flank steak however you’d like (we’ve given stovetop and grill instructions in the recipe card below).
  3. Meanwhile, cook the peppers and onions on the stove in a cast iron skillet.
  4. Serve with your favorite fajita toppings and dig in!

Can I Use This Fajita Marinade to Make Chicken Fajitas?

If you’d rather make chicken fajitas, I recommend following our One-Skillet Chicken Fajitas recipe instead.

Can I Prep Steak Fajitas in Advance?

Yes! The flank steak can sit in the marinade for up to 24 hours, so you can begin the marinating process well in advance. Then, you just have to quickly grill the steak and sauté the onions and peppers day of.

Mexican Steak Fajitas Marinade (+ Steak Fajitas Recipe!) - Oh Sweet Basil (4)

Tips for the BEST Steak Fajitas

There are a few secrets to fajitas that I’m sure you all want to know.

Tip #1: Don’t Skip the Fruit Juices!

If absolutely necessary, you can double one juice in order to skip the other, but I stand by the recipe, it really is the best when you use all three, orange, lime and pineapple.

Want a little hint about that? We buy the juices (orange and pineapple) and we freeze them in bags in the freezer. We mostly do it for the pineapple juice as we buy it in a can and this way we not only don’t waste any, but we also always have some on hand since it’s not a regular ingredient for us. Lime juice is something we keep on hand, so not as much worry there.

Tip #2: Marinate the Meat

Marinating meat is not a suggestion, it’s part of the recipe. I was going to marinate meat awhile back and someone said I was planning things way too early, but I bet you that our beef fajitas are far more flavorful than those not marinaded. It breaks into all of those muscle fibers, tenderizes and gives loads of flavor.

Tip #3: Season the Onions and Peppers

Add a dash of homemade taco seasoning to your peppers and onions. Not a lot, we aren’t looking to pack in the spice on the vegetables. Instead, it adds a little something without tasting like seasoning at all. Cade even asked me, “What makes these peppers so much better than the others? They are so good!” I’m telling you, it’s the way to go. The butter doesn’t hurt either. 😉

Tip #4: Buy Fresh Tortillas

Oh, and the tortillas, buy fresh. Oh please buy fresh. You’d be shocked how much better a fresh tortilla is for fajitas. It’s fantastic.

I could actually go on as you know what else is awesome? Fresh avocado with a crack of black pepper and a dash or red pepper flakes. It doesn’t add heat but it does at another depth and texture which is wonderful in fajitas. And top these steak fajitas with our Restaurant Style Salsa, and you’ll be in heaven!

Mexican Steak Fajitas Marinade (+ Steak Fajitas Recipe!) - Oh Sweet Basil (5)

More Delicious STEAK RECIPES:

  • Easy Garlic Butter Steak at Home
  • Healthy Thai Peanut Steak Salad
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  • Grilled Steak Burrito Bowls
  • Grilled Flank Steak Summer Salad
  • Porterhouse Steak with Mushrooms
  • Spicy Steak and Shrimp Kabobs
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  • All our Beef Recipes here!

Our Favorite Steak Fajitas Marinade

Steak Fajitas Marinade

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4.29 from 118 votes

Servings: 4 -6

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 15 minutes mins

Marinating Time: 2 hours hrs

Total Time: 2 hours hrs 25 minutes mins

Description

This is our favoriteSteak Fajitas Marinade! Ithas a few secrets that make it extra flavorful and tender. Grilling is optional but recommended!

Ingredients

For the fajita marinade:

  • 1/4 Cup Orange Juice
  • 1/4 Cup Lime Juice
  • 1/4 Cup Pineapple Juice
  • 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
  • 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil , (or Canola Oil)
  • 4 Cloves Garlic, , minced
  • 2 1/2 Teaspoons Cumin
  • 2 Teaspoons Chili Powder
  • 1 Teaspoon Smoked Paprika
  • 1/4 Teaspoon Ground Coriander
  • 2 Teaspoons Kosher Salt
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Black Pepper
  • 1/3 Cup Chopped Fresh Cilantro

For the Fajitas:

  • 2 Pound Flank Steak
  • 3 Bell Peppers, , cored, seeded and sliced (I used a Yellow, Green and Orange pepper)
  • 1 Onion, , sliced
  • 1 Tablespoon Butter
  • 1 Teaspoon Olive Oil, , plus more if needed
  • 1 Teaspoon Homemade Taco Seasoning

Instructions

For the marinade:

  • In a plastic storage bag or baking dish, whisk together all of the marinade, adding the cilantro at the end.

  • Set aside 1/4 cup of the marinade.

For the flank steak:

  • If you wish to cook the flank steak whole, add it to the marinade, cover or seal, and refrigerate for 2-24 hours. Otherwise, slice the meat against the grain very thin and add to the marinade.

  • If cooking the meat in slices: heat a grill to medium high heat and add the meat to the grill, carefully laying it across the grates so it does not fall through.

  • Cook for 2 minutes per side or just until grill marks appear and then remove to the serving dish with the peppers, drizzle with the reserved marinade.

  • If cooking the meat whole: as soon as you place the meat on the grill, turn it down to medium. Cook for 6-7 minutes per side or until desired temperature.

  • Remove to a cutting board and allow to rest with a piece of foil draped over the top for 5 minutes.

  • Slice thin and serve with peppers.

For the Peppers and onions:

  • In a cast iron skillet (we prefer this one from Lodge), over medium heat add the butter and oil.

  • Add the peppers and onions and the seasoning.

  • Once the veggies begin cooking, turn the heat to medium low and while stirring occasionally, allow to cook for about 20 minutes or until golden and tender.

  • Add the meat and serve immediately.

Notes

  • To cook indoors:slice the meat thin and marinate. Right before the peppers and onions are ready for serving, remove them from the cast iron and turn the heat to medium high. Add the meat, cooking on one side for about a minute or two, then stir and repeat until the meat is desired temperature. We usually stick with about 4 minutes total so it's not well done. Turn the heat to low and add the peppers and onions back in, cook for another minute and serve.

Will keep for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 516kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 51gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 144mgSodium: 1419mgPotassium: 1216mgFiber: 3gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 3581IUVitamin C: 132mgCalcium: 101mgIron: 6mg

Author: Sweet Basil

Course: 100 + BEST Easy Beef Recipes for Dinner

Cuisine: Mexican

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FAQs

What cut of meat do Mexican restaurants use for fajitas? ›

The question of “what is a fajita” would usually be referred to as sliced skirt steak, the cut of beef first used in the dish. In restaurants, the meat is usually cooked with onions and bell peppers and toppings that are served on the side.

How do you cook fajita meat so it's tender? ›

Tricks to Tender Fajita Meat
  1. Cut the Beef Against the Grain. Slicing meat against the grain helps tenderize it. By looking closely at the steak, you'll be able to see the direction the grain is running. ...
  2. Marinade with an Acid. Acids like citrus juice or vinegar tenderize meat by breaking down its fibers.
Feb 2, 2024

What cut of meat is best for steak fajitas? ›

Flank steak is one of the most well-known kinds for anything that requires thin steaks. This thin cut works well for slicing, as required for tacos and fajitas.

What is fajita marinade made of? ›

How to Marinate Fajitas - the Recipe Method. Whisk the Fajita Marinade Ingredients. Whisk all of the ingredients together in a large bowl until consistent - olive oil, lime juice, water, minced garlic, paprika, ancho powder, cayenne, onion powder, oregano, brown sugar, cumin, salt and pepper, red pepper flakes.

Do Mexicans put cheese in fajitas? ›

Thirdly, the toppings for fajitas and tacos can differ. While both dishes can be served with guacamole, salsa, and sour cream, fajitas usually have more substantial toppings, such as cheese and grilled vegetables, while tacos tend to have more traditional toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese.

What oil do Mexican restaurants use? ›

Today, most cooks will use vegetable oil, but the more traditional fat to cook with is lard. Lard, which is pig fat, gives a wonderful flavor to refried beans and the masa (cornflour dough) used for tamales.

Do you cut fajita meat before marinating? ›

It is generally not necessary to cut the steak before marinating it for fajitas. In fact, it's best to leave the steak whole so that it can absorb more of the marinade and remain tender while cooking.

Do you cut skirt steak before or after cooking fajitas? ›

Fajita meat is marinated and grilled before it is cut into strips and served. The best way to get a tender slice of meat is to cut perpendicular to (across) the grain of the meat.

How long should I marinate steak? ›

How long should I let steak marinate? Marinate steak for at least 1-2 hours in the refrigerator. However, for best results, use a steak marinade for several hours or overnight. The extra time allows the steak fibers to break down and tenderize before cooking.

What onion is best for steak fajitas? ›

There's no one-size-fits-all answer to choosing the right onion for your fajitas. You can go for the traditional white or yellow onions, offering a more savory option, or experiment with sweet onions like Vidalia or Walla Walla to add a subtle sweetness to your dish.

Can I substitute taco seasoning for fajita seasoning? ›

Fajita seasoning and taco seasoning are very similar, but they are not the same. Taco seasoning typically has more oregano and chili powder than fajita seasoning. With that being said, however, you can use fajita seasoning and taco seasoning interchangeably in recipes, it may just warrant a slightly different flavor.

What is the difference between carne asada and fajita steak? ›

The difference is in the way you cut the meat. Asada is the complete cut of meat, marinated and then grilled. Fajitas is the grilled cut of meat sliced into strips that are perfect for tacos. Chicken fajitas are made from grilled chicken breast sliced to fit your favorite tortilla concoction.

What is the key ingredient in marinade? ›

A typical marinade is made up of three essential components: an acid (such as vinegar, wine, or citrus), an oil (such as olive oil or sesame oil), and a flavouring agent (such as herbs and spices).

What's the best way to tenderize fajitas? ›

Steak Fajita Marinade
  1. Citrus: orange juice and lime juice tenderize the steak by breaking down the tough connective tissue. ...
  2. Soy sauce: enzymatically breaks down the proteins to further tenderize while also adding a rich depth of grounding flavor.

Can you use McCormick fajita seasoning as a marinade? ›

McCormick Culinary Fajita Marinade & Seasoning Mix's uniform texture is perfect for marinating protein and infusing signature flavor before grilling, broiling or roasting.

What kind of steak is used at Mexican restaurants? ›

In restaurants, skirt steak is the preferred cut for carne asada. But at home, you might notice that skirt steak is never as tender as it is in restaurants.

Which cut of beef is used in fajitas and stir fry? ›

Outside Skirt

Opposite the Inside Skirt Steak, this cut is known for its robust flavor profile. Marinate and grill hot for fajitas or use for stir-fry.

What is the best meat to get at Mexican restaurants? ›

Carne asada is so popular because it serves as a versatile base for any dish; its neutral but rich flavor is conducive to many different toppings and preparations. Carne asada is also usually made from skirt and flank cut steak, and authentic carne asada is grilled over an open mesquite fire.

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