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 kind of steak do you use 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.

How do you make fajita steak not chewy? ›

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. Make your cuts perpendicular to it (this rule applies if you are making chicken fajitas too).

Do you cook steak before cutting fajitas? ›

4Heat the same same skillet (or a grill pan if you have it) over high heat and drizzle in some oil. Cook the meat for about 2 minutes per side until medium rare. Remove and allow to rest on a cutting board for 5 minutes. Slice the meat right before serving and serve with all the fixins.

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

Steak Fajitas: While skirt steak is the traditional cut of meat used in fajitas, other cuts of steak can also be used, such as flank steak or sirloin steak. The steak is marinated in a mixture of lime juice, garlic, and spices, then grilled with onions and peppers.

How do you cook fajita meat so it's tender? ›

How do you make fajitas 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 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.

What kind of onion for 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 is the best cut of meat for fajitas? ›

Skirt steak is one of the best steaks to use for fajitas because it takes marinade really well. Because it's thin, it cooks quickly ,and it's easy to cut across the grain—which makes it tender. Flank steak is another cut of meat that works well, too, for the same reasons.

What is fajita marinade made of? ›

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.

When cooking fajitas do you cook meat or veggies first? ›

This recipe promises to be a one-pan dinner, but to ensure that the chicken's juices don't steam the vegetables — making them soggy — cook the vegetables first. Transfer them to a plate or cutting board, then cook the chicken in the same pan before bringing things together.

How do you tenderize skirt steak for fajitas? ›

I get mine from readfields, cut membrane and most fat off. 24 HRS prior to cooking I lay flat and squeeze half a lime over each piece, both sides. Then cover liberally with fiesta brand fajita seasoning on both sides. Roll them up and place the rolled up meat in a ziploc bag and refrigerate for 24 hrs.

Do you put cheese in fajitas? ›

Spoon about 1/4 cup beef mixture down the center of each tortilla. Top with the salsa, Cheddar cheese, avocado, hot pepper sauce, sour cream and lettuce, if desired. Wrap the tortillas around the filling. Serve with the lime wedges, if desired.

What makes a fajita plate sizzle? ›

Sorry, but fajita sizzle isn't real. TikTokers have discovered restaurants just add water or a sauce to make it appear like the dish is cooking.

What does fajita mean in Spanish? ›

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

What cut of steak do Mexicans use? ›

In Mexico, the rib can be ordered as bone-in rib roasts or rib-eye steaks. They are typically grilled over high heat and served with salsa, rice, or other side dishes. The boneless rib eye steaks can also be used for carne asada, although chuck steak is still more desirable.

What is skirt steak called at the grocery store? ›

You should be able to find skirt steak in the meat department of your supermarket, more often the inside skirt versus the outside skirt (but may be labeled simply as "skirt steak.") Most of the surface fat (as opposed to the intramuscular fat) should have been removed by the butcher.

What is the best cut of steak for Mexican food? ›

For carne asada or grilled steak tacos, it is best to use flank steak, skirt steak, or sirloin steak. Flap meat also works and can be very affordable. In Mexican markets, you will usually see steak labeled carne asada or palomilla.

What kind of steak is used in Mexican food? ›

Traditionally carne asada is made with arrachera, or skirt steak, but you can use any steak you prefer. It's also great with flank steak, strip steak, or ribeye. Skirt steak is my favorite type to use for carne asada because it becomes so juicy and tender when cooked just right.

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