Steak Fajitas

Time: 1 hour + 4 for marinade | Serves: 4 Nature: Hot | Flavor: Sour, Acrid

Ingredients

Rub

  • 2 tsp cumin seeds, toasted and ground
  • 1 tsp chipotle powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp chili powder

Marinade

  • 1 lime, zested
  • 1/4 cup lime juice, fresh
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed

Main

  • 1.5 pounds skirt or flank steak

Veggies

  • 1 large red onion, peeled, halved, and sliced
  • 2 large red bell peppers, seeded, sliced to 1/4 inch
  • 1 large green bell pepper, seeded, sliced to 1/4 inch
  • 1 tsp chili powder

Serving Suggestions

  • Flour or corn tortillas
  • Grated cotija cheese or shredded Monterey Jack
  • Cilantro, chopped
  • Shredded romaine lettuce

Directions

  1. Combine all ingredients for rub. Using a sharp paring knife, make shallow, crosshatch cuts on both sides of the steak. Massage the rub into the meat. Wear gloves to protect your skin from the chile.

  2. Whisk together all the ingredients for the marinade and pour into a gallon freezer bag. Add the rubbed meat, press out the air, press all over to thoroughly coat the steak, and put in fridge for 4–24 hours.

  3. Once meat is ready, remove from fridge. Preheat outdoor grill to very hot (500°F+). If using charcoal, set cooking grill just above hot coals. While grill heats, combine sliced veggies with olive oil and chili powder. Grill veggies until charred and just barely tender using a grill basket to prevent slices from falling between grates. Remove veggies from grill and keep warm.

  4. Remove steak from marinade, pat dry, and cook over high heat until seared and medium rare. Remove to cutting board, tent with foil, and let rest for 10 minutes. Slice across the grain in 1/2 slices.

For a dramatic flair, heat a cast iron skillet to very hot, remove from stove, pile cooked veggies on one half and the sliced steak on the other and bring to the table sizzling.

Chile Powder vs Chili Powder

Chile powder is a general term for various types of dried and ground chiles and usually named for the type of chile like chipotle or ancho.

Chili powder is a combined spice mix often used for making chili con carne and contains various ingredients like oregano, garlic, salt, etc. Ingredients vary by brand or by family recipe.

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