One Pot Steak Fajitas with Peppers and Onions

This easy steak fajitas recipe is a flavorful one-pot meal made with zesty marinated steak strips, sautéed bell peppers, and onions. The skillet version cooks in less than 30 minutes after marinating, making it a great choice for a quick weeknight dinner. Serve the fajitas on their own for a low-carb meal, or tuck them into warm tortillas for simple steak fajita tacos.

These steak fajitas can also be prepared in the Instant Pot or Crock Pot. Instructions for both methods are included in the recipe notes below.

How to Make Steak Fajitas in a Skillet:

Step 1: Add all of the seasoning blend ingredients to a small bowl and stir until well combined.

Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the marinade ingredients. Add the sliced steak and toss until every piece is evenly coated. Cover the bowl and marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours for deeper flavor.

Step 3: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of canola or avocado oil. When the pan is very hot, add the bell peppers, onions, and the remaining seasoning blend. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften.

Step 4: Turn off the heat. Transfer the cooked vegetable mixture to a bowl, cover it, and set it aside. Wipe away any excess liquid from the skillet with a paper towel.

Step 5: Return the skillet to medium-high heat and add the remaining 1 tablespoon of canola or avocado oil. Once the pan is hot, add half of the marinated steak strips. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, or until the steak is cooked through.

Step 6: Remove the cooked steak from the skillet and place it in the bowl with the vegetables. Cook the remaining steak in the same way. Once all of the beef is cooked, return the reserved steak and vegetables to the skillet.

Step 7: Toss everything together until the steak, peppers, and onions are evenly combined. Remove from the heat, garnish with chopped cilantro, and squeeze fresh lime juice over the top. Serve immediately.

Ways to Serve:

Steak fajitas are versatile and easy to turn into several different meals. For a low-carb dinner, serve the steak, peppers, and onions on their own with a squeeze of lime. For a more traditional meal, pair them with rice, beans, and warm tortillas so everyone can build their own fajita tacos.

Popular toppings for steak fajitas include:

• Homemade guacamole
• Red or green hot sauce
• Mexican crema
• Shredded cheese
• Fresh cilantro
• Lime wedges

Here are a few more ways to use steak fajitas in meals:

• Sizzling steak fajitas
• Rice bowls
• Salads
• Quesadillas
• Burritos
• Nachos
• Omelettes

Recipe Notes:

Cuts of Beef to Use for Steak Fajitas:

Several cuts of beef work well for steak fajitas. Common options include:

• Skirt steak
• Flank steak
• Sirloin steak

You can choose the cut that fits your budget or what you already have available. Petite sirloin steak was used for the fajitas pictured here, but other thinly sliced cuts can also work well.

Chuck steak can also be used if it is sliced very thinly. When cooked in a skillet, it may take a little longer to become tender. In the Instant Pot or Crock Pot, it cooks in about the same time as sirloin.

Alternative Cooking Methods:

This steak fajitas recipe can also be made in the Crock Pot or Instant Pot. Both methods create extra liquid, so use a slotted spoon when serving. Taste before serving and adjust with additional salt and pepper if needed.

The Instant Pot and Crock Pot versions are convenient because they do not require extra oil for sautéing. They are also simple dump-and-go methods, which means less time standing at the stove. If you prefer, you can sear the beef before slow cooking or pressure cooking, but the recipe is still flavorful without that extra step.

Instant Pot Instructions:

1. Follow steps 1 and 2 from the skillet instructions.
2. Place the marinated beef strips into the Instant Pot insert. Top with the onions, the remaining seasoning blend, and ½ cup of beef or chicken broth.
3. Close the lid and set the pressure valve to “sealing.” Cook on Manual mode, or pressure cook on High, for 10 minutes.
4. When the cooking time is complete, allow a 10-minute natural release, then carefully turn the valve to “venting.”
5. Once the pin drops, open the lid, stir in the bell peppers, and close the lid for 5 minutes. This allows the peppers to steam and soften slightly. For softer vegetables, set the Instant Pot to 0 minutes on Manual mode, then quick release when finished.
6. Taste and adjust with salt and pepper if needed.
7. Top with cilantro and squeeze in the juice of half a lime.
8. Serve with a slotted spoon to drain off some of the extra liquid.

Crock Pot Instructions:

1. Follow steps 1 and 2 from the skillet instructions.
2. Place the marinated beef strips into the Crock Pot insert. Add the onions and the remaining seasoning blend on top.
3. Cover and cook on High for 3 to 4 hours, or on Low for 6 to 8 hours, until the beef is fork tender. Stir in the bell peppers during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
4. Taste and adjust with salt and pepper if needed.
5. Top with cilantro and squeeze in the juice of half a lime.
6. Serve with a slotted spoon because extra liquid will remain in the slow cooker.

Enjoy!

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Steak Fajitas {Easy, One Pot Meal}

This easy steak fajitas recipe is made with marinated steak strips, bell peppers, and onions. Cook it in a skillet for a quick one-pot dinner, or use the Instant Pot or Crock Pot instructions in the notes.

4.59 from 12 votes

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Marinating Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Servings: 6

Calories: 320kcal

Equipment

• 12-inch cast iron skillet
• Instant Pot, 6 quart
• Crock Pot

Ingredients

• 2 lbs beef steak, cut into thin strips (petite sirloin steak was used here; see notes)
• 1 red bell pepper, cut into thin strips
• 1 green bell pepper, cut into thin strips
• 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into thin strips
• 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons canola or avocado oil (or another oil with a high smoke point)

Seasoning Blend:

• 1 ¼ teaspoons salt
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper

Marinade:

• 2 tablespoons of the seasoning blend
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• ¼ cup freshly squeezed lime juice

Garnish:

• ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• juice from half a lime

Instructions

1. Add all seasoning blend ingredients to a small bowl and mix well.
2. In a large bowl, combine the marinade ingredients. Add the steak strips and toss to coat evenly. Cover and marinate for 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.
3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of canola or avocado oil.
4. When the pan is very hot, add the bell peppers, onions, and remaining seasoning blend. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Turn off the heat. Transfer the vegetables to a bowl, cover, and set aside.
6. Wipe any excess liquid from the skillet with a paper towel.
7. Turn the heat back to medium-high and add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil. Once hot, add half of the marinated steak strips. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, or until cooked through.
8. Remove the steak from the pan and place it in the bowl with the vegetables. Cook the remaining steak, then return all steak and vegetables to the skillet.
9. Toss everything together. Remove from the heat, garnish with cilantro, and squeeze fresh lime juice over the fajitas.
10. Serve with warm tortillas and optional toppings such as lime wedges, shredded cheese, guacamole, hot sauce, crema, rice, or beans.

Notes

Cuts of Beef to Use for Fajitas:

Skirt steak, flank steak, and sirloin steak are all good options for fajitas. Petite sirloin steak was used for this recipe. Thinly sliced chuck steak may also be used, though it can take longer to become tender when cooked in a skillet.

Alternative Cooking Methods:

The Instant Pot and Crock Pot versions will create extra liquid. Use a slotted spoon when serving and adjust the seasoning to taste before serving.

Instant Pot Instructions:

1. Follow steps 1 and 2 of the skillet instructions.
2. Place the marinated steak strips into the Instant Pot insert. Add the onions, remaining seasoning blend, and ½ cup beef or chicken broth.
3. Close the lid and set the valve to “sealing.” Cook on Manual mode, or pressure cook on High, for 10 minutes.
4. Allow a 10-minute natural release, then set the valve to “venting.”
5. When the pin drops, open the lid, stir in the bell peppers, and close the lid for 5 minutes to soften the peppers slightly.
6. Taste and adjust with salt and pepper if needed.
7. Top with cilantro and lime juice.
8. Serve with a slotted spoon.

Crock Pot Instructions:

1. Follow steps 1 and 2 of the skillet instructions.
2. Place the marinated steak strips into the Crock Pot insert. Top with onions and remaining seasoning blend.
3. Cover and cook on High for 3 to 4 hours, or on Low for 6 to 8 hours, until the beef is fork tender. Stir in the bell peppers during the last 30 minutes.
4. Taste and adjust with salt and pepper if needed.
5. Top with cilantro and lime juice.
6. Serve with a slotted spoon.

Nutritional information is for 1 of 6 servings. If cooked in the Crock Pot or Instant Pot without sautéing oil, the serving estimate is reduced to 279 calories and 10.9g fat.

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 1 serving
| Calories: 320kcal
| Carbohydrates: 9.5g
| Protein: 35.9g
| Fat: 15.6g
| Saturated Fat: 3.3g
| Cholesterol: 100mg
| Sodium: 655mg
| Fiber: 2.4g
| Sugar: 3.8g

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Mexican

Keyword: beef, crock pot, easy recipe, fajitas, healthy, instant pot, keto, low-carb, Mexican, one-pot meal, steak fajitas, stovetop