Best 9 Authentic Fajita Marinade Recipes

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Authentic fajita marinade is a zesty and flavorful blend of spices, herbs, and citrus that adds a burst of taste to grilled or pan-fried fajitas. Whether you prefer chicken, beef, or shrimp, the marinade enhances the natural flavor of the protein, resulting in tender and juicy fajitas that are the star of any Mexican-inspired meal. With its balance of smokiness, acidity, and a hint of sweetness, this marinade transforms ordinary ingredients into a culinary delight. Dive into the world of authentic fajita marinade and discover the secrets behind creating an unforgettable fajita experience that will leave your taste buds dancing with joy.

Here are our top 9 tried and tested recipes!

EASY CHICKEN FAJITA MARINADE



Easy Chicken Fajita Marinade image

This is a simple fajita marinade that has been bounced around in my family for at least 15 years. It's simple, tasty, easily altered for a twist on the taste, and can be easily prepared in under 15 minutes. Serve with other fajita elements and enjoy! Some ideas: sauteed green bell pepper with white or yellow onions, jalapeno slaw, homemade salsa (tomato or mango), etc.

Provided by jmcdaneld

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Marinade Recipes

Time 4h35m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 8

½ cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons garlic powder
½ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
3 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into strips

Steps:

  • Whisk vegetable oil, chili powder, lime juice, honey, garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper in a bowl to make a marinade. Place chicken strips into a large resealable plastic bag; pour marinade over chicken. Knead bag to coat chicken with marinade. Squeeze out air, seal bag, and refrigerate 4 hours to overnight.
  • Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate.
  • Remove chicken strips from marinade; discard used marinade.
  • Grill chicken on preheated grill until browned, the juices run clear, and an instant-read meat thermometer inserted into the thickest piece reads at least 160 degrees F (70 degrees C), about 10 minutes per side.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 259.8 calories, Carbohydrate 5.9 g, Cholesterol 70.3 mg, Fat 14.1 g, Fiber 0.8 g, Protein 27 g, SaturatedFat 2.3 g, Sodium 74.3 mg, Sugar 4 g

BEST FAJITA MARINADE



Best Fajita Marinade image

The best fajita marinade recipe is here for you to enjoy! If you're obsessed with fajitas like we are we're sharing the best beef marinade secret with you!

Provided by The Typical Mom

Categories     Entree     Main Course

Time 10m

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 tbsp chili powder
1.5 tsp cumin
1 tsp pepper
1 1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp Sriracha (dry, powdered)
3 tbsp olive oil
1/3 c water (or beef broth)

Steps:

  • Mix all spices together well, add olive oil and mix. Then add water or broth and combine well.
  • Add to a bowl or gallon freezer bag with meat and mix well (using your hands to massage it into the meat works best).
  • Put mixture into a gallon bag, zip, and store in fridge overnight.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 3 oz, Calories 71 kcal, Carbohydrate 1 g, Fat 7 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Sodium 432 mg

SKIRT STEAK FAJITAS



Skirt Steak Fajitas image

Provided by Jeff Mauro, host of Sandwich King

Categories     main-dish

Time 3h10m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 1/2 pounds outside-cut skirt steak
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup lime juice
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed
1/2 teaspoon ancho chile powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 red bell pepper, stemmed and seeded, then sliced 1/2-inch-thick
1 poblano chile, stemmed and seeded, then sliced 1/4-inch-thick
1/2 yellow onion, sliced 1/4-inch-thick
Freshly ground black pepper
12 warm corn tortillas
Serving suggestions: guacamole, pico de gallo, sour cream, shredded iceberg lettuce, pickled jalapenos

Steps:

  • Cut the skirt steak into 3 equal size pieces and place in a gallon-sized resealable bag.
  • Combine the olive oil, lime juice, soy sauce, salt, chile powder and cumin in a bowl. Reserve about 1/4 cup marinade in a squeeze bottle for later use, then pour the rest into the bag with the steaks. Seal the bag and press out all the air, making sure all sides of the steaks are evenly coated. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  • Remove the steaks from the bag and shake off any excess marinade. Place on a wire rack-lined baking sheet and return to the fridge, uncovered, for another 2 hours. (This will make sure the steaks get a beautiful rich color when seared.)
  • Heat a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon canola oil. Give the steaks a generous sprinkle of salt, then put in the hot skillet. Sear until a crust has developed, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove to a cutting board. Without cleaning the skillet, add the remaining tablespoon canola oil, followed by the peppers and onions, and cook until slightly softened, 5 to 6 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, slice each steak in half with the grain. Now turn the steaks 90 degrees and slice against the grain into 1/4-inch strips. When the peppers and onions are almost finished cooking, add the steak to the hot skillet for a final sizzle and season with salt and pepper. Squirt the reserved marinade into the hot skillet to create a steamy sizzle. Serve with the tortillas and any toppings you wish.

FAJITA MARINADE I



Fajita Marinade I image

Delicious fajita marinade made with lime juice, olive oil, and soy sauce, and spiced up with cayenne and black pepper. Makes enough marinade for 2 pounds of meat.

Provided by Robbie Rice

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Marinade Recipes

Time 15m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 9

¼ cup lime juice
⅓ cup water
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 cloves garlic, crushed
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon liquid smoke flavoring
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
½ teaspoon ground black pepper

Steps:

  • In a large resealable plastic bag, mix together the lime juice, water, olive oil, garlic, soy sauce, salt, and liquid smoke flavoring. Stir in cayenne and black pepper.
  • Place desired meat in the marinade, and refrigerate at least 2 hours, or overnight. Cook as desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 18.9 calories, Carbohydrate 0.7 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Fat 1.8 g, Fiber 0.1 g, Protein 0.1 g, SaturatedFat 0.3 g, Sodium 183.1 mg, Sugar 0.1 g

FAJITAS



Fajitas image

Tyler Florence's Fajitas recipe from Food Network features chipotle-marinated skirt steak, juicy peppers, onions, guacamole and warm flour tortillas.

Provided by Tyler Florence

Categories     main-dish

Time 3h10m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 24

1 orange, juiced
2 limes, juiced
4 tablespoons olive oil
2 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
3 chipotle chiles, in adobo sauce
3 tablespoon roughly chopped fresh cilantro leaves
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt
2 1/4 pounds skirt or flank steak, trimmed of fat cut into thirds or 8-inch pieces
Salt and pepper
2 red bell peppers, thinly sliced
1 large onion, thinly sliced
Lime juice, olive oil, optional
12 flour tortillas, warm
Guacamole, recipe follows
Good quality store bought salsa
5 ripe Hass avocados
3 to 4 limes, juiced
1/2 small onion, chopped
1 small garlic clove, minced
1 serrano chile, chopped
1 big handful fresh cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Drizzle olive oil

Steps:

  • For the marinade: In a small 2 cup measuring cup, or something similar size and shape, combine all the marinade ingredients. Using an immersion blender, puree the marinade until smooth. Transfer to a re-sealable plastic bag and add the steak, seal and shake to coat. Refrigerate the beef for 2 to 4 hours to tenderize and flavor the beef.
  • Preheat a ridged grill pan on high heat.
  • Drain the marinade from the beef. Lightly oil the grill or grill pan. Season liberally with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Grill the steak over medium-high heat and cook for 4 minutes on each side and then transfer to a cutting board and let rest. Depending on the size of your grill pan you may need to cook in batches.
  • For the fajitas: Once the beef is off the grill pan and resting, add the bell peppers and onions tossed with lime juice and olive oil, if using. Grill the mixture for 7 to 8 minutes until the vegetables are just barely limp.
  • While the peppers and onions are cooking, heat up the tortillas. Turn any free burners on a medium low flame. Place a tortilla on each flame and let it char about 30 seconds to 1 minute, flip the tortilla and repeat on the second side. Once heated and charred remove the tortilla to a clean tea towel and wrap to keep warm. Repeat until you have warmed all of your tortillas.
  • You can also heat your tortillas in a microwave, lightly dampen a tea towel with some water, wrap the tortillas in the damp towel and heat in the microwave for about 1 minute. Check to see if they are warm, if not repeat the heating at 1 minute intervals until they are warm and pliable.
  • Thinly slice the steak against the grain on a diagonal.
  • To serve: Spread some guacamole on a tortilla, top with a few slices of steak, peppers and onions, and salsa. Roll up the tortilla to enclose the filling.
  • May also be served with sour cream and shredded cheese.
  • Halve and pit the avocados. With a tablespoon, scoop out the flesh into a mixing bowl. Mash the avocados with a fork, leaving them still a bit chunky. Add all of the rest of the ingredients, and fold everything together.
  • Lay a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the guacamole so it doesn't brown and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

FLANK STEAK IN FAJITA MARINADE



Flank Steak in Fajita Marinade image

Found on-line at Land O Lakes. Marinating the beef simply seals in the great flavors, both spicy and cool, in these steak fajitas. This requires a 4 hour marinading time, not included in prep/cook time.

Provided by diner524

Categories     Steak

Time 40m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

1/2 cup lime juice
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup onion, chopped
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon lime zest, freshly grated
1 teaspoon jalapeno pepper, finely chopped seeded
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
1 1/2 lbs flank steaks or 1 1/2 lbs skirt steaks
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 medium green bell pepper, cut into 2x1/4-inch strips
1 medium onion, cut into 1/4-inch slices
12 (8 inch) flour tortillas, warmed
sour cream, if desired
guacamole, if desired

Steps:

  • Combine all marinade ingredients in large resealable plastic food bag; add flank steak. Tightly seal bag. Turn bag several times to coat steak well. Place into 13x9-inch pan. Refrigerate, turning occasionally, at least 4 hours or overnight.
  • Heat gas grill to medium or charcoal grill until coals are ash white. Remove steak from marinade; discard marinade. Place steak onto grill. Grill, turning once, until desired doneness (10 to 12 minutes). Place onto cutting board; slice across grain into 1/4-inch slices.
  • Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon oil in 8-inch skillet; add green pepper and onion. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are crisply tender (6 to 8 minutes).
  • To serve, place steak slices and vegetables in center of each tortilla; top with sour cream and guacamole, if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 739.5, Fat 38.7, SaturatedFat 8.7, Cholesterol 46.5, Sodium 776.3, Carbohydrate 63.2, Fiber 4.4, Sugar 4.2, Protein 34

FLAVORFUL CHICKEN FAJITAS



Flavorful Chicken Fajitas image

This chicken fajitas recipe is definitely on my weeknight dinner rotation. The marinated chicken in these popular wraps is mouthwatering. The fajitas go together in a snap and always get raves! -Julie Sterchi, Campbellsville, Kentucky

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 30m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 16

4 tablespoons canola oil, divided
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1-1/2 teaspoons seasoned salt
1-1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
1-1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips
1/2 medium sweet red pepper, julienned
1/2 medium green pepper, julienned
4 green onions, thinly sliced
1/2 cup chopped onion
6 flour tortillas (8 inches), warmed
Optional: Shredded cheddar cheese, taco sauce, salsa, guacamole, sliced red onions and sour cream

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine 2 tablespoons oil, lemon juice and seasonings; add the chicken. Turn to coat; cover. Refrigerate for 1-4 hours. , In a large cast-iron or other heavy skillet, saute peppers and onions in remaining oil until crisp-tender. Remove and keep warm. , Drain chicken, discarding marinade. In the same skillet, cook chicken over medium-high heat until no longer pink, 5-6 minutes. Return pepper mixture to pan; heat through. , Spoon filling down the center of tortillas; fold in half. Serve with toppings as desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 369 calories, Fat 15g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 63mg cholesterol, Sodium 689mg sodium, Carbohydrate 30g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 28g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

STEAK FAJITAS



Steak Fajitas image

Skirt steak is the traditional cut used for fajitas. It used to be inexpensive, but now it's not so cheap; oftentimes flank steak costs less. Either will be a good choice.

Provided by Martha Rose Shulman

Categories     tacos, main course

Time 1h

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 19

1 tablespoon cumin seeds, lightly toasted and ground
1 teaspoon chipotle or ancho chile powder
1 teaspoon salt, more to taste
1 1/4 pounds flank or skirt steak
Zest of 1 lime (2 teaspoons)
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
4 large garlic cloves, minced
1 large red or yellow onion, halved and sliced
2 red bell peppers (or 1 red and 1 orange or yellow), seeded and sliced 1/4 inch thick
1 green bell pepper, seeded and sliced 1/4 inch thick
1 jalapeño or 2 serrano chiles, minced
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
4 large flour or 8 corn tortillas
1 teaspoon grapeseed or canola oil
1 romaine heart, cut crosswise into 1-inch wide pieces
Salsa fresca, for serving (see recipe)
Queso fresco, for sprinkling

Steps:

  • Combine 2 teaspoons ground cumin, the chile powder and 1 teaspoon salt. With a sharp knife, cut shallow crosshatched incisions across top and bottom surfaces of steak. Rub spice mix all over surface of steak. (It's best to wear gloves as the chile powder is hot.) Place steak in a resealable freezer bag.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice and zest, 1/4 cup olive oil, the Worcestershire sauce and half the garlic. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the marinade and pour the rest into the bag with steak. Seal and move steak around in bag to coat thoroughly. Place on a sheet pan and refrigerate for at least 4 hours and up to 24 hours. Massage bag periodically to redistribute marinade. Refrigerate reserved marinade if cooking the next day.
  • Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and cook, stirring, until they soften and begin to color, 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in bell peppers and chile. Cook, stirring, until peppers begin to soften, about 3 minutes.
  • Lower heat to medium, add remaining garlic and cumin, and salt to taste. Cook, stirring often, until peppers are nicely seared, softened and beginning to caramelize, 5 to 8 minutes.
  • Pour in reserved 2 tablespoons marinade and scrape bottom of pan with a wooden spoon to deglaze. Stir in half the cilantro. Taste and adjust seasoning. Remove from heat but keep warm.
  • Wrap tortillas in foil and warm in a low oven, or wrap in a towel and warm in a steamer or in the microwave.
  • Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat, or prepare a medium-hot grill. Remove meat from marinade and discard marinade. Pat meat dry with paper towels. If using a skillet, heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in skillet. (If your skillet is not large enough for the steak, cut it in half and cook in batches.) Cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side. Meat should be medium rare. Remove to a cutting board, cover with foil and let sit for 10 minutes. Cut across the grain into 1/2- to 3/4-inch wide strips.
  • Arrange lettuce on a platter, then place steak next to lettuce. Tip juices from cutting board over meat and sprinkle with remaining cilantro. Serve vegetables on the same platter or separately, along with warm tortillas, salsa and crumbled queso fresco.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 588, UnsaturatedFat 28 grams, Carbohydrate 26 grams, Fat 41 grams, Fiber 6 grams, Protein 33 grams, SaturatedFat 10 grams, Sodium 760 milligrams, Sugar 6 grams, TransFat 1 gram

MEXICAN STEAK FAJITAS



Mexican Steak Fajitas image

In my Mexican steak fajitas recipe, tender strips of sirloin pick up plenty of spicy flavor from a marinade seasoned with cayenne pepper and cumin. This colorful dish is speedy and satisfying. -Shirley Hilger, Lincoln, Nebraska

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 30m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 14

1/4 cup orange juice
1/4 cup white vinegar
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 pound beef top sirloin steak, cut into 1/4-inch strips
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
1 medium green pepper, thinly sliced
1 medium sweet red pepper, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons canola oil, divided
6 flour tortillas (10 inches)
Optional: Shredded cheddar cheese, picante sauce and sour cream

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine the orange juice, vinegar, garlic and seasonings; add the beef. Turn to coat; set aside. In a skillet, saute onion and peppers in 1 tablespoon oil until crisp-tender; remove and set aside., Drain and discard marinade. In the same skillet, cook beef in remaining 1 tablespoon oil until it reaches desired doneness, 2-4 minutes. Return vegetables to pan; heat through. Spoon meat and vegetables onto tortillas. If desired, top with cheese and serve with picante sauce and sour cream.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 304 calories, Fat 11g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 31mg cholesterol, Sodium 425mg sodium, Carbohydrate 26g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 5g fiber), Protein 21g protein.

Tips

  • Use flank steak, skirt steak, or chicken for the fajitas. These cuts of meat are flavorful and tender when marinated and cooked quickly over high heat.
  • Slice the meat against the grain. This will help the meat cook evenly and make it more tender.
  • Use a flavorful marinade. The marinade should contain acidic ingredients, such as lime juice or vinegar, to help tenderize the meat. It should also contain spices and herbs, such as chili powder, cumin, and garlic, to add flavor.
  • Marinate the meat for at least 30 minutes, but no longer than 24 hours.
  • Cook the fajitas over high heat. This will help to sear the meat and give it a nice char.
  • Serve the fajitas with your favorite toppings, such as guacamole, salsa, sour cream, and cheese.

Conclusion

Fajitas are a delicious and easy-to-make meal that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. By following the tips in this article, you can make sure that your fajitas are flavorful and tender. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal, give fajitas a try!

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