Sheet Pan Steak Fajitas Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

FAQs

What cut of meat do Mexican restaurants use for fajitas? ›

The question of “what is a fajita” would usually be referred to as sliced skirt steak, the cut of beef first used in the dish. In restaurants, the meat is usually cooked with onions and bell peppers and toppings that are served on the side.

Preheat oven to broil. Season steaks with salt and pepper, to taste, and place onto the opposite side of the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Place into oven and broil until the steak is browned and charred at the edges, about 4-5 minutes per side for medium-rare, or until desired doneness.

What Is the Best Cut of Beef to Use for Steak Fajitas? You can use either skirt steak or flank steak for fajitas. Although the two cuts come from different parts of the cow, both skirt and flank steak soak up marinades well, cook quickly, and, when sliced thinly against the grain, taste tender and flavorful.

Thirdly, the toppings for fajitas and tacos can differ. While both dishes can be served with guacamole, salsa, and sour cream, fajitas usually have more substantial toppings, such as cheese and grilled vegetables, while tacos tend to have more traditional toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese.

Step 1: Choose the Right Onion

Red onions are known for their milder flavor and vibrant color, while yellow onions offer a natural sweetness that can pair well with spicier peppers. White onions have a more pungent flavor that can add intensity to your fajitas.

The simple answer is no, you do not cut fajita meat before marinating, and here's why: If you choose to cut your steak fajita meat before marinating it, it WILL pick up more marinade and therefore more “flavor”.

If only the inside skirt is available, tenderize it with a mallet to 1/4-inch thickness and use a marinade.

if you don't hear that searing sound right away then it'll boil. Alton brown once said,"the difference between and sear and simmer is the heat". u don't want to simmer the beef that is why you are getting chewy beef. your stewing your beef in its juices.so be sure to have high heat.

You'll also need a sheet pan or baking dish for oven cooking. If using a sheet pan, make sure it has a small lip to keep juices from running off into your oven. You can also use a grill pan placed on top of a sheet pan or baking dish to give your baked steak grill marks and a little added flavor.

Should I cover steak when baking? ›

If you're cooking it for rare or medium rare then leave it uncovered. If you're looking for a medium or well steak then you may wish to lower the heat and cover it after searing to cook the insides more.

Should I Flip Steak in the Oven? Oven-cooked steak also gets a more even cook through the meat than steak cooked in a pan, so flipping it just once should suffice. This is true if you're using the regular oven's heat or the broiler.

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.

Origin of fajita

¹. First recorded in 1975–80; from Latin American Spanish: literally, “l*ttle sash,” diminutive of Spanish faja “belt, strip, band” (originally dialect or from Catalan ), from Latin fascia “band, bandage”

Place the water, oil, lime juice, Worcestershire sauce, salt, cumin, and chili powder in a small bowl or glass measuring cup and whisk to combine. Place the onion, bell pepper, garlic, and protein in a gallon-sized zip top freezer bag. Pour the marinade in, seal, and massage to combine.

Flank steak is one of the most well-known kinds for anything that requires thin steaks. This thin cut works well for slicing, as required for tacos and fajitas.

Outside Skirt

Opposite the Inside Skirt Steak, this cut is known for its robust flavor profile. Marinate and grill hot for fajitas or use for stir-fry.

Use flank steak. It is a lean cut of beef and is best when cooked to medium rare and thinly sliced, making it perfect for tacos. Only marinate the steak in lime juice for 30 minutes or the steak will get mushy. This is a quick and easy recipe, you don't have to marinate the steak for hours.