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Easy Restaurant-Style Skillet Steak Fajitas

Close-up of sizzling steak fajitas with sliced beef, red and green peppers, and onions in a black cast iron skillet.
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Make tender, juicy steak fajitas with a bold marinade that delivers restaurant-quality flavor. This skillet recipe is quick enough for a weeknight dinner and creates that classic sizzling effect.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs flank steak or skirt steak, sliced against the grain into thin strips
  • 1 large yellow onion, sliced
  • 2 bell peppers (one red, one green), sliced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • For the Marinade:
  • 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
  • For Serving:
  • Warm flour or corn tortillas
  • Sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • Shredded cheese
  • Salsa or pico de gallo

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together all marinade ingredients: lime juice, olive oil, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne (if using).
  2. Add the sliced steak to the marinade, toss to coat completely, cover the bowl, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours for deeper flavor. Do not marinate longer than 4 hours, as the lime juice can start to break down the meat too much.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  4. Remove the steak from the marinade, letting excess drip off. Add half of the steak to the hot skillet in a single layer. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side until browned and cooked to your preferred doneness. Remove the steak from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
  5. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet. Add the sliced onions and bell peppers. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 7 minutes until the vegetables are tender-crisp and slightly charred.
  6. Return the cooked steak to the skillet with the vegetables. Toss everything together for 1 minute to reheat the steak and combine the flavors.
  7. Serve the sizzling steak fajitas immediately with warm tortillas and your favorite toppings.

Notes

  • For the best sizzling presentation, use a cast-iron skillet and serve the fajitas directly from the pan to the table.
  • If you prefer a less intense sear, cook the vegetables first, remove them, cook the steak in batches, and then combine everything at the end.
  • If you want to make this a sheet pan steak fajitas recipe, toss the marinated steak and vegetables with 2 tablespoons of oil and roast on a baking sheet at 400°F (200°C) for 12-15 minutes.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://chefsily.com/easy-steak-fajitas-recipe-sizzle-secret/