How to Make Steak Fajitas in Cast Iron Skillet
If you’re looking for a quick and easy weeknight dinner, cast iron skillet steak fajitas are the perfect choice. Packed with tender beef, vibrant bell peppers, onions, and warm tortillas, this Tex-Mex classic is a family favorite. Skip the lengthy marination process and enjoy this simple fajita recipe.
Why Cast Iron Skillet Steak Fajitas?
Cooking steak fajitas in a cast iron skillet ensures even heating and perfect searing. Unlike non-stick pans, cast iron retains heat exceptionally well, keeping your fajitas hot and sizzling throughout the meal. This method creates flavorful and tender steak fajitas, ideal for busy weeknights.
Ingredients for Cast Iron Skillet Fajitas
To make the best steak fajitas, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- Steak: Skirt steak and flank steak are the best cuts for fajitas, cooking quickly and easily slicing into tender strips. For more variety, you can use New York strip or sirloin steak. Pre-cut fajita strips offer a faster option if you’re short on time.
- Vegetables: Bell peppers and onions are traditional, but feel free to add mushrooms for extra flavor.
- Spices: Create a homemade steak fajita seasoning with chili powder, smoked paprika, Mexican oregano, minced onion and garlic, ground cumin, and a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Toppings: You can customize your fajitas with shredded cheese, guacamole, salsa, sour cream, and fresh cilantro. Lime wedges, diced tomatoes, jalapeños, and pico de gallo are also great options.
Special Tools (affiliate links): Field No.12 Skillet
How to Cook Steak Fajitas in a Cast Iron Skillet
Follow these easy steps to make mouthwatering steak fajitas:
- Prepare the Steak: Pat the steak dry with paper towels to ensure a good sear. Slice the steak into thin strips against the grain for tender results, or use pre-sliced stir-fry strips. Set aside.
- Prepare the Vegetables: Slice bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms into thin strips. Remove the seeds from the bell peppers.
- Make Fajita Seasoning: In a small bowl, combine chili powder, smoked paprika, Mexican oregano, minced onion and garlic, ground cumin, salt, pepper, and a pinch of cayenne pepper. Set aside.
- Cook the Vegetables: Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat with two tablespoons of oil or butter. Add the vegetables and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add half of the seasoning mix during the last two minutes of cooking. Remove the vegetables from the skillet and keep warm.
- Cook the Steak: Return the skillet to high heat. Add the steak strips, sprinkle with the remaining seasoning, and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring continuously.
- Combine and Serve: Return the vegetables to the skillet once the steak is cooked. Stir everything together and serve hot with tortillas and your favorite toppings.
Tips for Making the Best Cast Iron Skillet Fajitas
- Top with Fresh Ingredients: Fresh toppings like guacamole, salsa, and sour cream balance the rich flavors of the fajitas.
- Choose the Right Meat: Skirt steak is the traditional choice, but flank steak works well, too. For a quicker option, use pre-sliced stir-fry strips.
- Preheat the Skillet: A hot skillet is crucial for perfect sear. Preheat the skillet over medium-high heat before adding your ingredients.
- Avoid Overcrowding: To prevent steaming, cook the meat and vegetables in batches if needed.
- Generous Seasoning: Fajitas should be bold and flavorful, so don’t skimp on the spices.
Recipe FAQs
Should You Slice Steak Before Cooking Fajitas?
Slicing steak against the grain before cooking helps tenderize the meat and allows the fajita seasoning to penetrate for maximum flavor.
What is the Best Cut of Steak for Fajitas?
Skirt steak is the traditional choice, but flank steak, sirloin, and even ribeye can work well, depending on your preference.
What Toppings Go Best with Fajitas?
Top your fajitas with guacamole, salsa, sour cream, shredded cheese, and fresh cilantro. You can add diced tomatoes, jalapeños, and lime wedges for extra flavor.
How Long Should You Cook Beef Fajitas in a Cast Iron Skillet?
Cook steak strips over medium-high heat for 3-5 minutes, depending on thickness and desired doneness.
More Delicious Skillet Recipes
- Shredded Chicken Tacos
- Creamy Tortellini with Italian Sausage
- Old Fashioned Shepherd’s Pie
- Southwest Chicken Soup
Click HERE for 12 + Ground Beef Skillet Recipes for Easy Weeknight Dinners
Printable Recipe Card | Cast Iron Skillet Fajitas
Cast Iron Skillet Fajitas
Steak cast iron skillet fajitas are a perfect meal choice for busy weeknights. This dish, made with beef, peppers, onions, and warm tortillas, is always a favorite.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds flank steak, cut into thin strips against the grain
- 3 large bell peppers, sliced into thin strips
- 1 onion, sliced into thin strips
- 8 ounces mushrooms sliced
Beef Fajita Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons dried Mexican oregano
- 1 teaspoon minced onion
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon salt - more to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Fajita Toppings
- Warm Tortillas
- Shredded Cheese
- Guacamole
- Salsa
- Cilantro
- Sour Cream
- Lime Wedges
- Jalapenos
- Pico de gallo
Instructions
- Start by patting the steak dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This will help the steak sear properly and create a nice crust.
- Next, slice the steak into thin strips against the grain. Slicing against the grain ensures the meat is tender, cutting through the muscle fibers. Set the steak strips aside while you prepare the vegetables.
- To prepare the vegetables, start by slicing the bell peppers, mushrooms, and onions into thin strips. Remove the seeds from the bell peppers.
- In a small bowl, stir the chili powder, smoked paprika, Mexican oregano, minced onion and garlic, ground cumin, and a tiny dash of cayenne pepper. Set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add two tablespoons of oil or butter and let it heat for a minute. Then add the sliced bell peppers, mushrooms, and onions. Cook for 5-7 minutes, occasionally stirring, until tender.
- Add half of the seasoning mix during the last two minutes of cooking the vegetables. Cook for another 1-2 minutes.
- Add half of the seasoning mix during the last two minutes of cooking the vegetables. Cook for 1-2 minutes; remove the vegetables from the skillet and transfer them to a separate dish. Keep the skillet hot.
- Bring the skillet back up to high heat. Place the thin slices of flank steak in the skillet and sprinkle the rest of the seasoning mixture over the steak.
- Stir the steak continuously while it cooks for 3-4 minutes.
- Once the steak is cooked, add the vegetables back into the skillet. Stir until the ingredients are blended.
- Serve - One of the most common ways to serve skillet beef fajitas is to pile the cooked beef and vegetables onto warm tortillas and top them with your favorite toppings. Shredded cheese, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, and cilantro are all delicious!
Notes
- Use the right cut of meat - Skirt steak is the traditional choice for fajitas, but you can also use flank steak. If you are in a hurry, you can also use pre-sliced stir fry strips from the grocery store in the meat section.
- Get the skillet hot - a hot skillet is key to achieving a nice sear on the meat and vegetables. Preheat the skillet over medium-high heat until it is very hot, and then add the butter before adding the vegetables and meat.
- Don't overcrowd the skillet - adding too much meat or vegetables to the skillet at once can cause the ingredients to steam instead of sear. Cook the meat and vegetables in batches to ensure they cook evenly.
- Use plenty of seasoning - fajitas should be packed with flavor, so don't be afraid to use plenty of spices and seasonings.
- Serve with fresh toppings - fresh toppings like guacamole, salsa, and sour cream can help balance out the rich flavors of the fajitas.
So good! I have looked for a cast iron skillet and had no luck but, it was delicious in my stainless steel.
Made these beef fajitas last night and they were very flavorful and delicious! I will definitely make this recipe again. Thanks.