Steak Fajita Bowl Recipe (2024)

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This Steak Fajita Bowl recipe is made with tender steak and fresh toppings. This healthy one pot meal is the best steak bowl and is family favorite in my house.

I love making these fajita bowls because they’re healthy, delicious, and the whole family loves them. We gather tasty toppings and, the best part is, everyone gets a chance to create their own perfect meal.

Steak Fajita Bowl Recipe (1)

You can cook this recipe three different ways: the Instant Pot, the Crockpot, or on the stove top. It’s an easy and healthy dinner that also works well for meal prep.

Table of Contents

Where’s the Recipe?

Here at My Crazy Good Life we like to make our recipes simple enough for anyone to recreate. In this article you’ll find lots of information to help you succeed in making this dish. From ingredient information, to three different cooking techniques, to recipe tips, and then healthy eating plan calculations. There’s a lot.

If you feel confident without all of that, and want to get straight to cooking, you can scroll down to the bottom of the page where you’ll find the easy to print recipe card for these delicious steak fajita bowls.

Ingredients in this Steak Fajita Bowl Recipe

  • Olive oil: another great option would be avocado oil.
  • Coconut aminos: coconut aminos are a healthy soy sauce alternative that you can find in most grocery stores. You can also use low sodium soy sauce or tamari.
  • Lime juice: fresh lime juice adds great flavor to the marinated steak.
  • Garlic: fresh garlic is best but garlic powder would work if that’s all you have on hand.
  • Steak: I prefer using flat iron steak for this recipe because it is more tender than skirt steak or flank steak. Really, any thin fajita steak will work, just be sure to slice against the grain
  • Bell peppers: I love using a variety of different colored bells – red pepper, green pepper… pick your favorite!
  • Onion: I think fresh onion is essential to fajita veggies. Yellow or red onion will work.
  • Quinoa: quinoa is a nutrient dense food that’s high in protein and easy to prepare. I love using quinoa in place of white rice or brown rice. They’re all somewhat comparable in terms of calories, but quinoa is the only one that is a complete protein.
  • Beef broth: I use low sodium beef broth for this recipe.
  • Cumin: cumin is an earthy tasting seasoning. Just a little bit goes a long way.
  • Chili powder: chili powder will add flavor and a little heat to this dish.
  • Paprika: paprika is another spice that will add an earthy flavor with a hint of sweetness. I typically use regular paprika, but any variety will work fine.

Optional Additional Toppings

These optional toppings are not included in the nutritional information.

  • Tomatoes: diced tomatoes are a great low calorie topping.
  • Jalapeños: thin slices of jalapeños add a delicious heat.
  • Cilantro: fresh cilantro is one of my favorite toppings for these kinds of bowls.
  • Lime: adding fresh lime wedges is a nice way for people to be able to customize the taste of their own fajita bowls.
  • Avocado: I love avocado, so this topping is one I think is worth the extra cost in points or calories.
  • Black beans: black beans are a great source of fiber, and they’re delicious!
  • Corn: fresh corn kernels add great texture and a pop of sweetness to these fajita bowls. You can even go wild and make corn salsa.
  • Sour cream: I know a lot of people love to add a little dollop of sour cream to top their fajita bowls.
  • Pico de Gallo: pico de gallo is a simple recipe made with tomatoes, white onion, jalapeño, cilantro, lime and salt.
Steak Fajita Bowl Recipe (2)

How to Make Instant Pot Steak Fajita Bowls

  1. On a cutting board, slice your fajita veggies and then cut the steak into thin strips.
  2. Turn the Instant Pot to sauté. Press the “adjust” button to turn the sauté mode to “high”. When the Instant Pot insert is hot add the oil.
  3. Add the onions, bell peppers, and garlic to the Instant Pot and sauté the vegetables until they are slightly browned.
  4. Next place steak, fajita seasonings, lime juice, and coconut aminos to the pot. Mix the fajitas up and allow the steak to cook for 2-3 minutes until the steak is browned.
  5. Turn the Instant Pot off. Push the fajitas to one side of the Instant Pot to make room for the quinoa. Add the quinoa to the open space. Pour the beef broth over the quinoa, but do not stir.
  6. Close the lid and turn the pressure valve to sealing. Cook on high pressure using the manual setting for 2 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally.
  7. Remove the lid and assemble your fajita bowl. Garnish with your desired toppings.
Steak Fajita Bowl Recipe (3)

How to Make Steak Fajita Bowls on the Stove

  1. On a cutting board, slice your fajita veggies and then cut the steak into thin strips.
  2. Heat a large pan or cast iron skillet over high heat on your stove top. When the pan is hot add the oil. Add onions, bell peppers, garlic, and steak to the pan and sauté for 3-5 minutes to get scorch marks.
  3. Reduce heat to medium/low. Add in the fajita seasoning, lime juice, and aminos. Mix together and then push the fajita mix to the side of the pan. Add the quinoa to the empty space and cover with beef broth. Do not stir.
  4. Cover the skillet and let cook 15-20 minutes, or until the quinoa is done and slightly translucent. Remove the lid and let any excess liquid cook off.
  5. Turn the stove off, assemble the bowls, and serve.

How to Make Slow Cooker Steak Fajita Bowls

  1. On a cutting board, slice your fajita veggies and then cut the steak into thin strips.
  2. In the slow cooker insert mix together all the ingredients for the fajitas minus the quinoa and broth.
  3. Push the fajitas to the side and add the quinoa to empty space. Pour the beef broth over the quinoa, but do not mix. It won’t look like there is enough liquid, but the beef will produce liquid as it cooks.
  4. Cover the slow cooker and cook on high heat for 2 hour or low heat for 4 hours.
  5. Turn the slow cooker off, assemble the bowls, and serve.

Recipe Tips

  • This is a great recipe for meal prep. The leftovers don’t last long around here, but I can usually snag at least a few extra days from one recipe. I store leftovers in my meal prep containers and then pop them in the microwave to reheat for a quick lunch the next day.
  • When you’re slicing the steak you want to make sure to slice against the grain. By doing that you are cutting and shortening the fibers of the meat, which will make the steak more tender and easier to chew.
Steak Fajita Bowl Recipe (4)

Healthy Eating Plans

21 Day Fix

As with most of the tasty recipes you’ll find here at My Crazy Good Life, these steak fajita bowls are 21 Day Fix friendly. Here’s a breakdown of the container counts for both the entire recipe and each serving so you can plan your meal accordingly.

Entire Recipe:

4 Red, 4 Green, 6 Yellow

Does not include toppings

Per Serving:

Makes 4 Servings of 1 cup veggies (1 green container), 3/4 cup beef

(1 red container), 1/4 cup quinoa (1/2 yellow container), plus toppings

Weight Watchers

8 Blue Plan Points | 8 Green Plan Points | 6 Purple Plan Points | 2023 Points: 9, not including garnish

Looking for more delicious healthy recipes?

  • Instant Pot Chicken Burrito Bowls
  • Carne Asada Burrito Bowl with Creamy Chili Lime Dressing
  • Carne Asada Tostadas
  • Steak Fajita Zoodles
  • Cilantro Chimichurri Sauce

Steak Fajita Bowl Recipe (5)

4.82 from 11 ratings

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Steak Fajita Bowl Recipe

Created by: Becca Ludlum

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Servings 4 Servings

Beef fajita bowls are an easy way to eat a balanced and healthy meal. You've got protein, veggies, and nutrient dense quinoa. It checks all of the important boxes!

Equipment

Ingredients

Ingredients:

  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • 1 onion large, sliced
  • 2 bell peppers sliced
  • 1 tbsp garlic minced
  • 1 lbs steak flat iron, but any thin steak will work (slice against the grain)
  • 1 ½ tbsp lime juice about 1 lime worth
  • 2 tbsp coconut aminos low sodium
  • 1 cup quinoa
  • ½ cup beef broth low sodium

Fajita Seasoning:

  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp paprika

Optional Toppings:

  • tomatoes
  • jalapeños
  • cilantro
  • lime
  • avocado
  • black beans canned
  • corn kernels

Instructions

Instant Pot:

  • Turn the Instant Pot to sauté. Press the "adjust" button to turn the sauté mode to "high". When the Instant Pot insert is hot add the oil. 1 tsp olive oil

  • Add the onions, bell peppers, and garlic to the Instant Pot. sauté the vegetables until they are slightly browned. 1 onion , 2 bell peppers, 1 tbsp garlic

  • Next add the steak, fajita seasonings, lime juice, and liquid aminos. Mix the fajitas up and allow the steak to cook for 2-3 minutes until the steak is browned.1 lbs steak , 1 tsp cumin, 1 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp paprika, 1 ½ tbsp lime juice, 2 tbsp coconut aminos

  • Turn the Instant Pot off. Push the fajitas to one side of the Instant Pot to make room for the quinoa. Add the quinoa to the open space. Pour the beef broth over the quinoa, but do not stir. 1 cup quinoa, ½ cup beef broth

  • Close the lid and turn the pressure valve to sealing. Cook on high pressure using the manual setting for 2 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally.

  • Remove the lid and assemble your fajita bowl. Garnish with your desired toppings. tomatoes, jalapeños, cilantro, lime, avocado, black beans, corn

Stove:

  • Heat a large skilled on high heat on your stove top. When the pan is hot add the oil. Add onions, bell peppers, garlic, and steak to the pan and sauté for 3-5 minutes to get scorch marks.1 tsp olive oil, 1 onion , 2 bell peppers, 1 tbsp garlic, 1 lbs steak

  • Reduce heat to medium/low. Add in the fajita seasoning, lime juice, and aminos. Mix together then push the side of the pan. Add the quinoa to the empty space and cover with beef broth. Do not stir. 1 tsp cumin, 1 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp paprika, 1 ½ tbsp lime juice, 2 tbsp coconut aminos, 1 cup quinoa, ½ cup beef broth

  • Cover the skillet and let cook 15-20 minutes until the quinoa is done and slightly translucent. Remove the lid and let any excess liquid cook off.

  • Turn the stove off, assemble, the bowls, and serve. tomatoes, jalapeños, cilantro, lime, avocado, black beans, corn

Slow Cooker:

  • In the slow cooker insert mix together all the ingredients for the fajitas minus the quinoa and broth. 1 tsp olive oil, 1 onion , 2 bell peppers, 1 tbsp garlic, 1 lbs steak , 1 ½ tbsp lime juice, 2 tbsp coconut aminos, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp paprika

  • Push the fajitas to the side and add the quinoa to empty space. Pour the beef broth over the quinoa, but do not mix. It won't look like there is enough liquid, but the beef will produce liquid as it cooks. 1 cup quinoa, ½ cup beef broth

  • Cover the slow cooker and cook in high heat for 2 hour or low heat for 4 hours.

  • Turn the slow cooker off, assemble the bowls, and serve. tomatoes, jalapeños, cilantro, lime, avocado, black beans, corn

Video

Notes

Healthy Eating Plans

21 Day Fix

Entire Recipe:
4 Red, 4 Green, 6 Yellow
Does not include toppings

Per Serving:
Makes 4 Servings of 1 cup veggies (1 green container), 3/4 cup beef
(1 red container), 1/4 cup quinoa (1/2 yellow container), plus toppings

Weight Watchers

8 Blue Plan Points | 8 Green Plan Points | 6 Purple Plan Points | 2023 Points: 9, not including garnish

Nutrition

Calories: 354kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 69mg | Sodium: 321mg | Potassium: 626mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 2756IU | Vitamin C: 80mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 4mg

Make This Recipe?

Make sure to follow on Pinterest @bludlum and on Instagram @beccaludlum

Steak Fajita Bowl Recipe (6)

Becca Ludlum

Healthy recipe creator, self-confessed food snob, and certified Level 1 Precision Nutrition Coach. I create healthy recipes with minimally processed ingredients, but have never turned down a homemade brownie. ;)

Steak Fajita Bowl Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the best cut of steak for fajitas? ›

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.

Do you cook steak before cutting fajitas? ›

Cook the meat for 3 to 4 minutes per side until medium-rare. You may need to cut the steak in half and cook it in batches if your skillet isn't big enough. Remove the meat from the grill or pan to a cutting board and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing against the grain into ½-inch strips.

How do you cook fajita meat so it's not tough? ›

Tricks to Tender Fajita Meat
  1. Cut the Beef Against the Grain. Slicing meat against the grain helps tenderize it. By looking closely at the steak, you'll be able to see the direction the grain is running. ...
  2. Marinade with an Acid. Acids like citrus juice or vinegar tenderize meat by breaking down its fibers.
Feb 2, 2024

How is fajita meat so tender? ›

Marinating the flank steak is a crucial part of the fajita recipe. A marinade adds more flavor to the meat and makes it more tender, because the acid in the marinade helps to break down the muscle and proteins in the meat before cooking.

What onion is best for steak fajitas? ›

There's no one-size-fits-all answer to choosing the right onion for your fajitas. You can go for the traditional white or yellow onions, offering a more savory option, or experiment with sweet onions like Vidalia or Walla Walla to add a subtle sweetness to your dish.

What cut of steak do Mexicans use? ›

The short loin is often considered one of the most tender Mexican beef cuts. It's found on the front part of the loin primal cut and features numerous varieties that are also some of the most desirable parts of the animal. These include tenderloin, strip loin, porterhouse, and T-bone steaks.

What is fajita marinade made of? ›

Whisk water, lime juice, olive oil, garlic, soy sauce, salt, and liquid smoke flavoring together in a bowl. Stir in cayenne and black pepper until combined.

Do you put peppers or meat first in fajitas? ›

Instructions
  1. Cook the onions. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in the largest skillet you have (at least 12 inches) over medium-high heat until shimmering. ...
  2. Cook the peppers, jalapeño, and garlic until fragrant. ...
  3. Brown the chicken with the spices. ...
  4. Add the vegetables back to the pan and finish cooking. ...
  5. Serve the fajitas.

Can you use McCormick fajita seasoning as a marinade? ›

McCormick Culinary Fajita Marinade & Seasoning Mix's uniform texture is perfect for marinating protein and infusing signature flavor before grilling, broiling or roasting.

What makes restaurant fajitas so good? ›

The key to really good, flavorful fajitas is searing the meat and vegetables over high heat so they get a smoky, charred flavor. That said, be certain to not overcrowd the pan so the ingredients sear vs steam. Work in batches and make sure the oil is smoking hot before searing each batch of chicken and vegetables.

Why is my skirt steak tough and chewy? ›

Typically, leaner cuts like the flank or skirt can be chewy if not prepared correctly. Cooking Method: Overcooking can cause the steak to lose its moisture, making it dry and chewy. Conversely, undercooking can make certain cuts feel tough. Aging Process: Steaks that are not properly aged can be less tender.

What type of steak is best for fajitas? ›

Steak: Flank steak is what's typically used for steak fajitas. But you can also use sirloin steak or skirt steak (similar to my carne asada recipe). Steak Fajita Marinade: A simple yet flavorful combo of lime juice, olive oil, garlic, ground cumin, chili powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper — that's it!

What tenderizes skirt steak? ›

Cook it fast with high heat, instead of low heat for slow cooking. Slicing the meat thinly across grain will provide enough tenderization, especially if you don't overcook your skirt steak to make it tough and dry.

Do you cut fajita meat before marinating? ›

Fajita meat is marinated and grilled before it is cut into strips and served. The best way to get a tender slice of meat is to cut perpendicular to (across) the grain of the meat. Sometimes the grain is not straight across the whole piece of meat and can change direction several times, presenting a challenge.

What cut of meat is used traditionally for a fajita plate? ›

Classic Tex Mex, fajitas (pronounced fah-hee-tas) are typically made with grilled strips of skirt steak with onions and bell peppers and served with fresh tortillas, guacamole, sour cream, and salsa. You can make fajitas with steak or chicken, or even make it plain vegetarian.

What is the most tender cut of skirt steak? ›

Outside Skirt steaks are better because they're more tender and offer a longer cut. The Inner Skirt piece is shorter and tougher, so it's better used only for braising or grinding. Skirt steak has long been used for dishes that call for chopped or sliced steak, such as tacos, fajitas, stir-fry, and sandwiches.

Which skirt steak is better for fajitas? ›

While fajitas are traditionally made with outside skirt—part of the diaphragm muscle of the steer—the cut is pretty much unavailable unless you work for a restaurant that special-orders it. At the butcher's or meat counter, you're far more likely to find inside skirt, which will do us just fine.

What is flank steak called at the grocery store? ›

Whether you know it by its proper name or have seen it referred to as “London broil” at the grocery store or in certain restaurants, the lean flank steak delivers a strong beefy flavor and, when prepared and sliced properly, an unforgettable texture that sets it apart from other cuts.

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