• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Healthy Recipes Blog
  • Fall Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Recipe Index
  • About
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Fall Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Recipe Index
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Meat Recipes » Steak Fajitas

    Steak Fajitas

    Last updated: Aug 1, 2023 · Recipes developed by Vered DeLeeuw and nutritionally reviewed by Rachel Benight MS, RD · This website generates income via ads and uses cookies.

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    These easy steak fajitas are made with sirloin steak. Ready in about 30 minutes, they are wonderfully flavorful and surprisingly easy to make.

    You don't have to serve them in tortillas! They're excellent by themselves or in lettuce wraps.

    Steak fajitas served in a cast-iron skillet.

    I adore Mexican food. The flavors are so bold! I enjoy recipes such as jalapeno poppers, keto nachos, and slow cooker carnitas.

    These fajitas are exceptionally good. The spice mix is delicious! Plus, this is such an easy recipe. It's ready fast, making it the perfect choice for a weeknight dinner.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Variations
    • Steak Fajitas Instructions
    • Expert Tip
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Storing Leftovers
    • More Mexican Recipes
    • Recipe Card

    Ingredients

    Here's an overview of the ingredients needed to make this recipe. The exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below:

    • Seasoning mix: Salt and pepper, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes.
    • Bell peppers: It's fun to use different colors.
    • Onion: Thinly sliced. You can use yellow or white onion.
    • Top sirloin steak: You can buy top sirloin and slice it yourself or buy beef strips such as those sold by Whole Foods or Wild Fork Foods (pictured below).
    • Oil: Avocado oil is perfect for this recipe since it has a high smoke point.
    The ingredients needed to make steak fajitas.

    Variations

    • An excellent way to vary this recipe is by adding more spices. Good options include cumin and dried thyme. I like to add ½ teaspoon of each.
    • Instead of using avocado oil as your cooking oil, you can use olive oil or ghee.

    Steak Fajitas Instructions

    Scroll down to the recipe card for detailed instructions. Here are the basic steps for making this recipe:

    • Your first step is to mix the spices together in a small bowl. You can do as I do in the video and mix them in two separate bowls. Half will season the veggies, and the other half will season the meat. (Photo 1).
    • Cook the vegetables with half the spices until tender, then remove them to a plate. (Photos 2-4).
    • In the same skillet, cook the beef strips with the remaining spices. (Photo 5).
    • Add the vegetables back and cook everything together until heated through. (Photo 6).
    A six-photo collage showing the steps for making homemade steak fajitas.

    Expert Tip

    You can make your life easy - as I do in the video below - by using a package of frozen sliced bell peppers. They add extra liquid to the dish, but I haven't found that to be an issue. If using them, you can add a cornstarch slurry at the end of cooking to thicken those liquids.

    The only caveat: frozen peppers won't look as pretty as fresh peppers. See how colorful the fresh peppers are in the photos? Frozen peppers are not as colorful when cooked, as the video demonstrates.

    Recipe FAQs

    What cut of steak is best for fajitas?

    Traditionally you would use skirt steak or flank steak. However, both of these cuts are tough, so they should be marinated before cooking.

    To make this a quick and easy recipe, I prefer to use top sirloin, which is tender enough to allow me to cook it without marinating it first.

    It's important to use top sirloin and not bottom sirloin, which is a tough cut of beef.

    How do you make the fajita meat tender?

    Marinating the steak helps to tenderize it. But if you use top sirloin strips, you can skip the marinade.

    Simply season the beef and the vegetables, saute them quickly, and the fajitas will turn out just as delicious and flavorful as if you've made the dish with marinated beef.

    If you're willing to use beef tenderloin in this recipe, it will turn out even more tender. But it's obviously an expensive cut of beef, and most would feel it's better served as steak.

    Do you cut fajita meat before cooking?

    I do. Pre-slicing the meat allows the seasoning to coat it well, resulting in a highly flavorful dish. It also allows for faster cooking.

    Serving Suggestions

    Steak fajitas are traditionally served with flour tortillas. But you can also serve them on a bed of cauliflower rice, sauteed spinach, shredded lettuce, or use lettuce wraps.

    These fajitas are lovely when simply served on a plate and eaten with a fork and a knife. That's how I usually serve them.

    You can top them with tasty toppings such as guacamole, sour cream, salsa, and shredded cheese.

    Storing Leftovers

    You can keep the leftovers in the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to 4 days. Gently reheat them in the microwave at 50% power. You can also freeze the leftovers for up to three months.

    Steak fajitas served in a cast-iron skillet with cheese and guacamole on the side.

    More Mexican Recipes

    • Chicken fajitas served in a cast-iron skillet.
      Chicken Fajitas Recipe
    • Keto pork rind nachos topped with a dollop of sour cream.
      Pork Rind Keto Nachos
    • Keto taco salad is served on a white plate with a napkin and silverware.
      Keto Taco Salad
    • Keto tacos served on a white plate.
      Keto Tacos

    👩🏻‍🍳 I aim to publish a new recipe once or twice a month. Want these recipes in your inbox? Subscribe today! You can unsubscribe at any time.

    Recipe Card

    Steak fajitas served in a cast-iron skillet.
    4.99 from 231 votes
    Pin Recipe Share on Facebook Print Recipe

    Steak Fajitas Recipe

    These steak fajitas, made with top sirloin, are incredibly flavorful and surprisingly easy to make.
    Prep Time15 minutes mins
    Cook Time15 minutes mins
    Total Time30 minutes mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 420kcal
    Author: Vered DeLeeuw
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    Seasoning mix:

    • 1 teaspoon sea salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • 2 tablespoons chili powder
    • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
    • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes

    Fajitas:

    • 3 large bell peppers cut into thin strips (or 1 lb. frozen sliced bell peppers)
    • 1 large onion thinly sliced (8 oz)
    • 2 lb. top sirloin steak cut into thin strips; not bottom sirloin
    • 2 tablespoons avocado oil

    Optional, for thickening the juices:

    • 1 tablespoon cornstarch if using frozen peppers

    Instructions

    • In a small bowl, mix together the seasoning ingredients. You can mix them in two separate bowls - half will season the veggies, and the second half will season the meat.
    • Heat the oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bell peppers, onions, and half the spices. Cook, stirring often, until just tender, about 5 minutes. Remove the vegetables to a plate.
    • Add the steak slices and the remaining spices to the same skillet. Stir-fry just until no longer raw, 3-4 minutes. The beef doesn't need to be fully cooked at this point. It will finish cooking when you add back the vegetables.
    • Return the vegetables to the skillet. Stir-fry everything together until heated through, 1-2 more minutes.
    • At this point, if you have a lot of liquids in the skillet (this happens when using frozen peppers) and you'd like to thicken them, you can reduce the heat to medium and stir in a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with 1 ½ tablespoons of cold water). Keep cooking until the liquids thicken, about 1 more minute. But this is optional and unnecessary if using fresh peppers.

    Video

    Notes

    • The nutrition info doesn't include cornstarch or toppings.
    • Traditionally, you would use a skirt or flank steak, but those require marinating. To make this a quick and easy recipe, I prefer to use top sirloin (not bottom sirloin), which is tender enough to allow me to cook it without marinating it first.
    • You can keep the leftovers in the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to 4 days. Gently reheat them in the microwave at 50% power. You can also freeze the leftovers for up to three months.

    Add Your Own Notes

    Click here to add your own private notes. They're only visible to you. If you clear your browser's cache, they'll be lost.

    Nutrition per Serving

    Serving: 0.25recipe | Calories: 420kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 52g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 750mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g
    SubscribeI aim to publish a new recipe once or twice a month. Want these recipes in your inbox? Subscribe today! You can unsubscribe at any time.
    Pinterest icon Facebook icon Youtube icon Instagram icon Twitter icon Tiktok icon
    DisclaimersMost of our recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Nutrition info is approximate, and the carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Please read our Terms of Use carefully before using any of our recipes.

    ❤️ Let's connect! Follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, or Twitter.

    More Meat Recipes

    • Ham steak served with green beans.
      Ham Steak
    • Picanha steak topped with butter.
      Picanha Steak
    • New York strip steak in a cast-iron skillet.
      Perfect New York Strip Steak
    • Pork jowls are served on a white plate with a fork.
      Crispy Pork Jowl

    About the Author

    Vered Deleeuw Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, and Country Living. Click to learn more about Vered.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
      Each comment is reviewed before being published. We reserve the right to publish, delete, or edit comments.

      Recipe Rating




    1. Vicki Hughes

      June 19, 2023 at 7:48 pm

      5 stars
      Great recipe. Came out just right.

      Reply
      • Vered DeLeeuw

        August 01, 2023 at 6:38 pm

        Glad you liked it, Vicki!

        Reply
    2. Theresa Clark

      June 08, 2023 at 9:09 pm

      5 stars
      This is exactly what I was after. Authentic and delicious, plus easy.

      Reply
      • Carson

        July 19, 2023 at 5:08 pm

        5 stars
        Literally the best steak fajita recipe. I tried making a different recipe just to try it, and it was nowhere near as good as this recipe! It makes a lot, so not sure how it says four servings, it’s more like 8-10 servings.

        Also, I would recommend adding another 1-2 peppers for a total of 4-5 peppers. I also add in a cut-up jalapeño pepper.

        Reply
        • Vered DeLeeuw

          August 01, 2023 at 6:40 pm

          So glad you like this recipe, Carson! Adding a jalapeño pepper sounds like an excellent idea.

          Reply
      • Vered DeLeeuw

        August 01, 2023 at 6:39 pm

        I'm delighted you enjoyed this recipe, Theresa!

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    A photo of Vered DeLeeuw.

    Healthy Recipes Blog was founded in 2011 by Vered DeLeeuw. It features real-food recipes with a focus on low-carb and gluten-free ingredients. All recipes are nutritionally reviewed by a Registered Dietitian. Contact us at HealthyRecipesBlog@gmail.com.


    👩🏻‍🍳 I aim to publish a new recipe once or twice a month. Want these recipes in your inbox? Subscribe today! You can unsubscribe at any time.

    Fall Recipes

    • Roasted pumpkin on a baking sheet.
      Roasted Pumpkin
    • Cabbage casserole served in a white baking dish with a serving spoon.
      Cabbage Casserole
    • Keto pumpkin pie topped with a dollop of whipped cream.
      Keto Pumpkin Pie
    • Moroccan chicken served in a white saucepan.
      Moroccan Chicken
    • Pulled chicken served in a white bowl.
      Pulled Chicken
    • Keto pumpkin bread, sliced, served on a white tray.
      Keto Pumpkin Bread
    • Pumpkin curry soup served in a white bowl.
      Pumpkin Curry Soup
    • Roasted butternut squash served in a white bowl with a napkin.
      Roasted Butternut Squash
    Pinterest icon Facebook icon Youtube icon Instagram icon Twitter icon Tiktok icon

    Popular Recipes

    • Baked chicken breast served on a white plate with a fork.
      How To Bake Chicken Breast
    • Cauliflower pizza crust topped with cheese and pepperoni.
      Cauliflower Pizza Crust
    • Microwave bacon served on paper towels.
      Microwave Bacon
    • Oven-baked pork chops in a cast-iron skillet.
      Oven-Baked Pork Chops
    • Turkey burger in a bun.
      Turkey Burgers
    • Grilled chicken breast, sliced and served on a white plate.
      Grilled Chicken Breast
    • Pork roast, sliced, and served on a white platter with broccoli.
      Easy Boneless Pork Roast
    • Baked chicken wings served on a white plate with a dip.
      Baked Chicken Wings

    Footer

    Media mentions

    Media mentions of Healthy Recipes Blog: logos

    The information on this website has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease.


    By accessing or using this website, you agree to abide by the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.


    Accessibility Statement


    Copyright © 2023