Perfect Ina Garten Steak Fajitas Recipe for Tonight’s Dinner

Steak fajitas dance with vibrant flavors that transform an ordinary meal into a culinary celebration.

These sizzling Mexican-inspired delights pack incredible taste and excitement into every single bite.

Fresh ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a symphony of spices and textures that ignite your senses.

The robust combination of tender meat and colorful vegetables ensures each fajita delivers maximum satisfaction.

Carefully selected spices elevate this classic dish from simple to spectacular, offering a mouthwatering experience that feels both familiar and extraordinary.

Balanced seasonings and perfectly grilled components make these fajitas an irresistible dinner option for anyone craving bold, authentic flavors: gather your ingredients and let the culinary magic begin!

Fajita Essentials for Ina’s Steak Recipe

• Skirt Steak: Flavorful and tender cut perfect for quick cooking, best when bought fresh and well-marbled.
• Monterey Jack Cheese, Manchego Cheese: Mild and creamy cheeses that melt beautifully and add rich flavor to fajitas.

• Yellow Bell Pepper, Orange Bell Pepper, Poblano Pepper, Jalapeño Pepper: Colorful and sweet peppers with varying levels of heat, adding depth and crunch to the dish.
• Red Onion: Sharp and sweet onion that caramelizes nicely and provides a robust flavor base.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that enhances the overall savoriness of the dish.
• Scallions: Fresh, mild onion that adds a crisp, bright garnish.

• Cumin Seeds: Warm, earthy spice that provides a traditional Mexican flavor profile.
• Olive Oil: High-quality cooking oil for sautéing vegetables and adding richness.
• Salt: Essential seasoning that enhances the natural flavors of the ingredients.
• Flour Tortillas: Soft, warm wraps that serve as the foundation for assembling fajitas.

How to Make Ina Garten’s Steak Fajitas

Step 1: Preheat The Oven

Heat the oven to 400°F (200°C) for perfect cooking preparation.

Step 2: Prepare The Steak

• Pat the steak dry with paper towels
• Generously sprinkle salt on both sides
• Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat for 3 minutes
• Sear steak for 2 minutes on each side
• Transfer skillet to oven and roast for 4 minutes
• Remove steak and let rest on a plate covered with aluminum foil for 12 minutes
• Reduce oven temperature to 350°F (175°C)

Step 3: Sauté Colorful Vegetables

• Pour olive oil into the same skillet
• Heat over medium-high heat
• Add cumin seeds and sauté until fragrant
• Toss in
• Yellow bell pepper
• Orange bell pepper
• Poblano pepper
• Jalapeño pepper
• Red onion
• Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally
• Add garlic and salt halfway through cooking
• Cook until vegetables are tender and slightly blistered

Step 4: Slice The Steak

Cut the steak crosswise into quarter-inch-thick strips and mix with vegetable mixture.

Step 5: Warm The Tortillas

Wrap tortillas in aluminum foil and heat in oven for 10-15 minutes.

Step 6: Create Delicious Fajitas

• Mix Monterey Jack and Manchego cheeses
• Place tortilla on plate
• Sprinkle cheese around edges
• Add steak and vegetable mixture
• Garnish with scallions
• Roll tightly
• Repeat with remaining tortillas

Step 7: Serve And Enjoy

Serve hot fajitas immediately and savor the delicious flavors.

Tips for Juicy Steak & Bright Peppers

• Maximize Meat Tenderness: Let the steak rest after cooking to allow natural juices to redistribute, creating a more succulent and flavorful bite.
• Perfect Skillet Searing: Heat your cast-iron skillet until it's blazing hot to achieve that beautiful caramelized exterior on the steak, sealing in all the delicious flavors.
• Vegetable Vibrancy Matters: Choose crisp, fresh bell peppers and onions to add incredible texture and natural sweetness to your fajitas.
• Customize Your Spice Profile: Experiment with jalapeño and cumin levels to match your personal heat tolerance and flavor preferences.
• Tortilla Temperature Trick: Wrap tortillas in foil and warm them gently in the oven to ensure they're soft, flexible, and ready to hold all your delicious fajita fillings.

Storage Tips for Steak Fajita Leftovers

• Store in Vacuum-Sealed Bags: Remove excess air using a vacuum sealer to prevent freezer burn and maintain peak flavor. Seal cooked steak fajitas tightly, date the bag, and freeze for maximum freshness up to 4 months. This method preserves texture and prevents moisture loss.
• Separate Components: Keep tortillas, meat, and vegetables in individual containers to prevent sogginess. Wrap tortillas in paper towels, store proteins in sealed containers, and place sautéed peppers and onions in separate airtight glass containers. Refrigerate each component for optimal quality and easy rebuilding of fajitas later.
• Quick Reheating Technique: Revive fajitas using a skillet for the best results. Warm proteins and vegetables separately on medium-high heat with a touch of olive oil, which restores their original sizzling texture.

Variations on Ina Garten’s Fajita Formula

• Spicy Southwest Sensation: Replace poblano and jalapeño peppers with chipotle peppers in adobo sauce for a smokier, more intense heat profile.
• Vegetarian Veggie Wrap: Substitute steak with grilled portobello mushrooms or marinated tofu, keeping the same pepper and onion medley for a plant-based alternative.
• Seafood Coastal Fusion: Swap beef with seared shrimp or blackened white fish, maintaining the original vegetable preparation and spice blend for a lighter protein option.
• Mediterranean Crossover: Use lamb instead of steak, add crumbled feta cheese, and incorporate oregano and rosemary to give the fajitas a Greek-inspired flavor transformation.

Final Bite of Ina’s Sizzling Fajitas

Ina Garten’s steak fajitas represent culinary elegance with remarkable simplicity.

Mexican-inspired dishes rarely showcase such perfect balance between robust flavors and refined techniques.

Premium ingredients transform ordinary meal preparations into extraordinary dining experiences.

Tender steak strips mingled with colorful peppers create Mediterranean-style sensations on warm tortillas.

Cheese blends and scallion garnishes elevate each bite into gourmet territory.

Passionate cooks will savor complex layers of cumin, salt, and roasted vegetables—guaranteed to spark conversation, inspire kitchen creativity, and make followers click that share button with delightful enthusiasm.

Why Ina Garten’s Steak Fajitas Are Weeknight Gold

• Maximize Flavor Explosion: Ina Garten's technique of searing steak and roasting peppers creates a mouthwatering combination of caramelized meat and charred vegetables that burst with intense, smoky flavors.
• Masterful Cooking Technique: The step-by-step method of searing in a cast-iron skillet and finishing in the oven ensures perfectly cooked, juicy steak with a beautiful golden-brown exterior that locks in all the delicious juices.
• Vibrant Veggie Medley: The colorful mix of yellow, orange, poblano, and jalapeño peppers with red onions adds incredible texture, visual appeal, and a perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and savory notes to every bite of the fajitas.
• Quick and Easy Gourmet Meal: From start to finish, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality dish that looks impressive but takes less than an hour to prepare, making it ideal for both weeknight dinners and weekend entertaining.

Ina Garten Steak Fajitas Recipe

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4.8 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s steak fajitas deliver a sizzling Mexican-inspired feast of perfectly seasoned beef and colorful peppers. Culinary enthusiasts will savor each spicy, tender bite that brings authentic flavors straight to your dinner table.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 (1½-inch-thick) New York strip steak (about 0.75 pound / 340 grams)
• 6 (8-inch) flour tortillas
• 6 ounces (170 grams) grated Monterey Jack cheese
• 6 ounces (170 grams) grated Manchego cheese (not aged)

Peppers and Vegetables:

• 1 Holland yellow bell pepper, cored, seeded, and cut in ¼-inch-wide strips
• 1 Holland orange bell pepper, cored, seeded, and cut in ¼-inch-wide strips
• 1 poblano pepper, seeded and cut in ¼-inch-wide strips
• 1 large jalapeño pepper, seeded and cut in very thin strips
• 1 medium red onion, halved and thinly sliced in half-rounds
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) minced garlic (3 cloves)
• Sliced scallions, white and green parts, for serving

Seasonings and Oils:

• Kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) whole cumin seeds
• Good olive oil

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Instructions

1. Preheat the culinary workspace by warming the oven to 400°F (200°C), ensuring an ideal cooking environment for the upcoming fajita preparation.
2. Transform a cast-iron skillet into a searing surface by heating it over medium-high flame for precisely 3 minutes. Meticulously pat the steak dry, seasoning generously with salt on both surfaces. Execute a precise 2-minute sear on each side, then transition the skillet to the preheated oven for a 4-minute roasting cycle. After removing, transfer the steak to a waiting plate, envelop with aluminum foil, and allow a 12-minute resting period. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) in preparation for subsequent steps.
3. Repurpose the same skillet by introducing of olive oil, heating over medium-high intensity. Introduce cumin seeds, releasing their aromatic essence for 1 to 1½ minutes. Incorporate yellow, orange, poblano, and jalapeño peppers alongside red onion, conducting a 10-minute sautéing ritual. Midway through the cooking process, integrate minced garlic and of salt. Remove from heat once vegetables achieve a tender, slightly blistered appearance.
4. Transform the rested steak into quarter-inch strips, carefully cutting across the grain. Gently fold these sliced morsels into the vegetable medley, allowing the accumulated juices to mingle and enhance flavor profiles.
5. Prepare tortilla accompaniments by meticulously wrapping them in aluminum foil. Warm within the oven for 10 to 15 minutes, ensuring optimal temperature and flexibility.
6. Craft the fajita assemblage by combining Monterey Jack and Manchego cheeses in a dedicated mixing vessel. Layer each tortilla with a strategic cheese sprinkle, leaving a modest border. Distribute the steak-vegetable mixture generously, garnish with freshly chopped scallions, and execute a tight, precise roll.
7. Present the culinary creation immediately, serving these aromatic fajitas while maintaining peak temperature and textural integrity.

Notes

• Rest the Sizzling Steak: Tuck the hot steak under a cozy foil blanket for 12 minutes, allowing its internal juices to dance and settle, transforming each bite into a melt-in-your-mouth experience.
• Superheat Your Skillet: Crank up the cast-iron pan until it’s screaming hot, creating that perfect golden-brown crust that seals in all the steak’s delicious flavors and creates irresistible caramelization.
• Elevate with Fresh Produce: Grab crisp, vibrant bell peppers and onions straight from the market, ensuring maximum crunch, natural sweetness, and a burst of farm-fresh goodness in every fajita bite.
• Customize Your Spice Adventure: Play with heat levels by tweaking jalapeño quantities or delicately removing seeds, turning up or toning down the spice to match your personal flavor profile.
• Tortilla TLC: Gently swaddle your tortillas in foil, warming them in the oven to achieve that pillowy softness that bends and wraps without a single tear, promising a perfect handheld feast.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 fajita (1/6 of the recipe)
• Calories: 420
• Sugar: 7g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Carbohydrates: 35g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 20g
• Cholesterol: 75mg