Tender juicy steak is the perfect protein for these 30 minute flat iron steak fajitas. They're easy and don't require hours of marinating, so you're good to make them on the fly.
Add your favorite salsa and guacamole for a great meal. Or add shrimp to make Shrimp and Steak Fajitas.
Table of contents
How will these fajitas make your life easier?
A few spices, lime juice, and 10 minutes is all you need to marinate this flat iron (or other similar) steak for flat iron steak fajitas. That means you don't actually have to plan and prep the day before dinner.
But if you need similar recipes that are even easier than these fajitas, these fish tacos, black bean tacos, burrito bowl, and veggie quesadilla are great options.
What makes flat iron fajitas so good?
What is the best way to make fajitas?
Prepare your flat iron steak fajitas by placing steak in a dish, then sprinkle cumin, oregano, chili powder, salt, and lime juice all over top of steak.
Using tongs flip steak over and get some of the seasoning on the other side. Cover with lid and set aside for at least 10 minutes. Up to 12 hours.
While steak is marinating, slice yellow onion and red bell pepper, then add them to a hot skillet, over medium heat, with oil, and garlic. Stir occasionally and cook until onions are translucent, about 5-8 minutes. Remove from skillet.
Next cook your steak. Add oil, then steak. Cook for 5 minutes, then flip and cook the 2nd side for 5 minutes. You can cook the steak over the grill too.
Check doneness by inserting a thermometer into the center of the steak, it'll be medium-rare at 130-135 degrees. Remove from pan, let stand for 5 minutes. Prepare tortillas and other toppings for your flat iron steak fajitas while steak is resting.
Cut steak against the grain. To determine where the grain is, look for the distinct strips of meat/lines on the steak. Cut perpendicular to those strips/against the grain. Serve your flat iron steak fajitas hot with peppers, onions and tortillas.
Expert Tips
- Make extra flat iron steak fajitas for leftovers or other dishes. See Ways to Repurpose This Dish section for ideas. You can also add shrimp to make these Shrimp and Steak Fajitas.
- You can use skirt, flank, flap, or hangar steak
- Optional toppings- salsa, guacamole, cheese, cilantro, corn, other sauteed vegetables
FAQ
J. Kenji Lopez-Alt says the skirt steak is best for fajitas. If you're less scientifically inclined than he is, find the least expensive good looking thin cut of beef at the store: skirt steak, hangar, flap, flank, or flat iron to make flat iron steak fajitas.
Two things: the meat and the fact that it's served with sizzling peppers & onions, and tortillas, just like what's in these flat iron steak fajitas. Then you can add whatever else you like.
I like to add a sprinkle of cheese, fresh salsa, guacamole/avocado, and cilantro to my fajitas. You can add corn, jalapeno peppers, other sauces, or sour cream to yours too. Make them your own and use whatever you've got in the fridge.
How can I repurpose the steak?
- If you made extra flat iron steak fajitas and don't want to eat it all as fajitas, chop it up, and add to this black bean pasta, or make into a burrito bowl, or quesadilla. It'd also be great added to eggs in the morning.
- Add shrimp to make Shrimp and Steak Fajitas.
What can I make with leftover ingredients?
- Onion: White Bean & Farro Bowl, Chicken Bacon Sheet Pan Dinner, or Stuffed Squash with Ground Beef & Rice.
- Red pepper: Vegetarian Hash, Red Wine Vinegar Coleslaw, or Melanie's 30 Minute Pumpkin Chili
- Tortillas: Healthy Breakfast Tacos, Veggie Quesadilla
Did you make these flat iron steak fajitas? Leave me a comment & rating to share how they turned out!
Flat Iron Steak Fajitas
Equipment
- Medium-large dish with lid (to let meat rest in)
- Measuring Spoons
- cutting board
- knife
- Cast iron skillet
- tongs
Ingredients
- 1 lb flat iron steak or skirt, flank, flap, or hangar steak
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- ½ teaspoon salt divided
- 2 tablespoons neutral oil canola, grapeseed, vegetable
- ½ whole yellow onion
- ½ whole red bell pepper
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 4 tortillas
- salsa (optional)
- shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
- guacamole or sliced avocado (optional)
- cilantro (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare steak by placing it in a dish, then sprinkle 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon oregano, ½ teaspoon chili powder, ¼ teaspoon salt, and 1 T lime juice all over top of steak. Using tongs flip steak over and get some of the seasoning on the other side. Cover with lid and set aside for at least 10 minutes. Up to 12 hours.
- While steak is marinating, slice ½ whole yellow onion and ½ whole red bell pepper. Heat cast iron skillet over medium heat. Once skillet is hot, add 1 T neutral oil, then onion and pepper, ¼ teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon minced garlic. Stir occasionally and cook until onions are translucent, about 5-8 minutes. Remove from skillet.
- Add remaining 1 T neutral oil, once shimmering add flat iron steak. Cook for 5 minutes, then flip and cook the 2nd side for 5 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a thermometer into the center of the steak, it will be medium-rare at 130-135 degrees. Remove from pan and let stand for about 5 minutes. Prepare tortillas and other toppings while steak is resting.
- Cut steak against the grain. To determine where the grain is, look for the distinct strips of meat/lines on the steak. Cut perpendicular to those strips/against the grain. Serve hot with peppers, onions and tortillas. (optional toppings: salsa, guacamole, cheese, cilantro, corn, other sauteed vegetables)
Video
Notes
- Make extra for leftovers or other dishes. See Ways to Repurpose This Dish section for ideas. You can also add shrimp to make these Shrimp and Steak Fajitas.
- You can use skirt, flank, flap, or hangar steak
- Optional toppings- salsa, guacamole, cheese, cilantro, corn, other sauteed vegetables
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Emmeline says
This looks so yummy!! I really enjoy fajitas in restaurants - but never made them at home before. This changes now!!
Rebecca says
yes totally!
Jenn says
I love fajitas and I especially love that I can make them in a skillet! The seasoning on these is amazing!
Rebecca says
oh yes, and it's the best way!
Carrie Robinson says
And now I am craving steak fajitas, lol! This looks so good! 🙂
Rebecca says
thanks
Angela says
One of my favorite cuts of meat! This turned out so delicious and cooked to perfection. Thanks for sharing!
Rebecca says
awesome! same
veenaazmanov says
Love this delicious platter of steak Fajitas. So easy to make and perfect flavors infused to make this yum. Love the Salsa and guacamole combination too.
Rebecca says
great to hear! it's so easy