Servings: 4 Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 mins Total: 1 day
The word “Fajita” (FA-HEE-TAH) is Spanish for, essentially, “little strips” (likely of meat). It’s actually not a traditionally “Mexican” dish, per se. It’s actually more something that likely occurred near the Mexican border in Texas, around the 1930’s.
So, this “Tex-Mex” foodstuff is actually American! I learn something new, every day!
Legend has it that ranches would slaughter an animal to feed the ranch hands. The skirt steak (considered a throwaway item at the time) was often given to the Mexican cowboys as payment. This was usually grilled up at the campsite and served in a tortilla! This tradition went on unnoticed by anyone but the Vaqueros’ and anyone close to them. Eventually this tasty tradition could live in the darkness no more and was sold at Texas fairs and festivals in the 60’s and 70’s. By the 80’s skirt steak was no longer a throwaway and was increasing in value. By the 90’s, a “Fajita” was big business for places like “El Torito”, where it is served on a hot sizzling platter with peppers and onions.
Yum.
Nowadays, pretty much anything grilled and served with peppers and onions is called “Fajitas”. Shrimp, chicken, squid, etc. It’s all good!
Serving suggestions: The photo is taken with cheddar taco shells, but this would work well with Mama Lupe’s tortillas, as well as leaves of Boston Bibb Lettuce or Red Cabbage! Also tasty with sour cream, salsa, guacamole, cheese, fresh chopped onions, cilantro, fresh limes, etc.
Beef Fajitas
Print RateIngredients
- 1 1/2 lb beef skirt steak (flank tenderloin, sirloin, ribeye, etc. will work, as well)
- 2 small red bell peppers seeded and thinly sliced
- 1 medium red onion very thinly sliced
- 4 each garlic cloves minced
- 2 tbsp light oil (coconut oil ghee or olive ... or even bacon fat!)
- 2 tbsp lime juice freshly squeezed
- 1 tsp cumin seed ground
- 1/2 tsp coriander seed ground
- salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a resealable bag (I use a vacuum pack machine, but you could also use a leather pouch stashed under your saddle), combine all the ingredients except the salt. Remove as much of the air as possible, then seal the bag. Refrigerate the bag overnight.
- The next day, heat a grill and/or a large skillet. Place the peppers and onions on the grill or in the skillet with a bit of salt and pepper. Cook until a little charred and a little soft. Set aside.
- Grill the beef on both sides, so that it is still rare to medium rare, but charred, a bit, on the outside. Set the beef with the peppers and onions for about 3 minutes, to let it relax. Then, slice into thin strips and serve with your accompaniments!
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* Learn More: More about this recipe and nutrition …
Love to see a squid faijita. That’s new to me!
FAJITAS!!!!! These look deeee-lish!
these are so delicious and flavorful!! i added some fresh cilantro to the marinade and that took it over the edge!!
Yep, cilantro would be a great addition to this one! 🙂
do you know how to make your own low carb tortillas? I want /need to learn .
Melissa, years ago I tried a few different recipes I’d found and didn’t like any of them, to be honest. Instead, I gravitated towards a store-bought brand called Mama Lupes (ordered online, actually). This was years ago … since then, I’ve tried to phase out grains and usually either make my crepes, or make "shells" from melted cheese. Never underestimate a nice big lettuce leaf, either! Sorry I don’t have a specific recipe, but … I just never found one that I loved as much as the store bought kind. Oh well … :/
Melissa – I’d use these (or a variation of):
https://www.djfoodie.com/All-Purpose-Crepes
Oh, djFoodie! I just love your ‘stuff’ and try lots of it with great results AND I know you’ve heard this before……………but could you please please do something about that horrible red print? I hate squinting and trying to find the little dot in the carb count and trying to even read the red print. Today, until I squinted I thought the count was 53.9….huh?? Oh, I see the word to enter in the box below is “canopener” I’d just like to say NEVER ….LOL