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    Home » Recipe Index » Beef Dishes

    Flat Iron Steak Fajitas

    July 8, 2020 Updated August 20, 2024 By Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD 30 Minute Meals, Beef Dishes

    Jump to Recipe
    sliced steak and peppers/onions on a cast iron skillet surrounded by fajita toppings
    sliced steak, red bell peppers, and onions on a cast iron skillet with text overlay

    Tender juicy steak is the perfect protein for these 30 minute flat iron steak fajitas. This recipe is easy and can be made with just a 10 minute marinade, so you're good to make them on the fly!

    sliced steak, red bell peppers, and onions on a cast iron skillet

    [This flat iron steak fajitas recipe was originally posted in july 2020. It has been updated with cooking instructions, expert tips, FAQ, related recipes and ways to repurpose/use up ingredients]

    Table of contents

    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Storage/Reheating Tips
    • Substitutions/Tips
    • FAQ
    • Other good beef recipes
    • Repurpose steak
    • What to make with leftover ingredients

    Even though I usually share single serving recipes, an occasional recipe for 4+ people is a great addition for all solo cooks.

    Cooking something new each night isn't reasonable for many of us, so adding in recipes for leftovers and repurposing into other recipes is very helpful to save time, effort, and brain space for those of us who cook for one.

    I intentionally make this flat iron steak fajitas for 4+ servings because the meat and vegetables are great in more than just fajita form. One easy way to repurpose this recipe is to add shrimp to make Shrimp and Steak Fajitas.

    Of course, you can chop the meat and enjoy it as a sandwich, salad, burrito, quesadilla, and many other dishes. Think outside of the traditional single serving recipes or leftovers for solo cooks.

    Ingredients

    Scroll down to the flat iron steak fajitas recipe card for the amounts of each ingredient, but here's a quick visual + description of what's in this recipe.

    steak fajita ingredients on a table
    • Flat iron steak: There are a few options for steak in this recipe. You just want a cut of meat that can be sliced thin, and isn't super tough.
    • Cumin
    • Oregano
    • Chili powder
    • Lime juice
    • Salt
    • Oil
    • Onion
    • Bell pepper: use whatever color you can find or prefer. Green will be the least sweet, but any color works in this flat iron steak fajitas recipe.
    • Garlic

    Instructions

    Scroll down to the recipe card for more detailed instructions. Here's a quick overview + photos to see how to make this recipe in general.

    uncooked steak with spices in a glass container

    1. 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.

    2. 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.

    peppers and onions cooking on a cast iron skillet

    3. 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.

    steak for fajitas cooking in a cast iron skillet

    4. 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.

    5. Check doneness by inserting a thermometer into the center of the steak. It's done once the temperature reaches 145 degrees F. Remove from pan, let stand for 5 minutes.

    6. Prepare tortillas and other toppings for your flat iron steak fajitas while steak is resting.

    slicing steak with a red knife

    7. 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.

    8. Serve your flat iron steak fajitas hot with peppers, onions and tortillas.

    Storage/Reheating Tips

    Store leftover flat iron steak fajitas ingredients in an airtight container in the fridge for about a week. Steak and sauteed vegetables can be stored together. Store additional ingredients separately.

    To freeze, store leftover steak and sauteed vegetables in single serving containers so you can just defrost what you want to use.

    To reheat, pan fry or microwave steak and sauteed vegetables.

    Substitutions/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

    Is flat iron steak good for fajitas?

    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.

    What makes a fajita a fajita?

    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.

    What do you eat with steak fajitas?

    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. Use whatever you've got in the fridge.

    steak, peppers, and onions in a cast iron skillet surrounded by fajita ingredients

    Other good beef recipes

    • Beef and Broccoli over Rice
    • Korean Bulgogi with Beef
    • Stuffed Acorn Squash
    • Chili without Tomatoes
    • Brisket Grilled Cheese
    • Individual Meatloaf
    • Thai Inspired Beef and Spinach Bowl
    • Air Fryer Corned Beef

    Repurpose 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 to make with leftover ingredients

    When you're cooking for one, you often have leftover produce, cans of whatever ingredient, etc. Here are a couple ideas on how to use up the leftover ingredients. It'll help you save money by wasting fewer ingredients.

    • Onion: White Bean & Farro Bowl, Chicken Bacon Sheet Pan Dinner, or Stuffed Squash with Ground Beef & Rice.
    • Red pepper: Red Wine Vinegar Coleslaw, Chili without Tomatoes, or Melanie's 30 Minute Pumpkin Chili
    • Tortillas: Healthy Breakfast Tacos, Veggie Quesadilla, or serve with Vegetarian Burrito Bowl

    Did you make these flat iron steak fajitas? Leave me a comment & rating to share how they turned out!

    sliced steak, peppers and onions in a cast iron skillet

    Flat Iron Steak Fajitas

    Tender juicy steak is the perfect protein for these 30 minute flat iron steak fajitas. This recipe is easy and can be made with just a 10 minute marinade, so you're good to make them on the fly!
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: dinner, main, Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 people
    Author: Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN

    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 Tablespoon 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 Tablespoon 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 Tablespoon 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's done once the temperature reaches 145 degrees F. 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)

    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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    About Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD

    Welcome! I’m Rebecca, a food loving dietitian who has been cooking for one for over 10 years. On Nourish Nutrition, you’ll find real, quick, and nourishing recipes for one that'll get you to want to cook for yourself, because you deserve it.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. veenaazmanov says

      July 08, 2020 at 11:44 am

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        July 11, 2020 at 4:55 pm

        great to hear! it's so easy

        Reply
    2. Angela says

      July 08, 2020 at 10:46 am

      5 stars
      One of my favorite cuts of meat! This turned out so delicious and cooked to perfection. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        July 11, 2020 at 4:55 pm

        awesome! same

        Reply
    3. Carrie Robinson says

      July 08, 2020 at 10:22 am

      5 stars
      And now I am craving steak fajitas, lol! This looks so good! 🙂

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        July 11, 2020 at 4:55 pm

        thanks

        Reply
    4. Jenn says

      July 08, 2020 at 9:31 am

      5 stars
      I love fajitas and I especially love that I can make them in a skillet! The seasoning on these is amazing!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        July 11, 2020 at 4:55 pm

        oh yes, and it's the best way!

        Reply
    5. Emmeline says

      July 08, 2020 at 8:55 am

      5 stars
      This looks so yummy!! I really enjoy fajitas in restaurants - but never made them at home before. This changes now!!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        July 11, 2020 at 4:55 pm

        yes totally!

        Reply
    5 from 5 votes

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