Get ready to make the best beef fajitas ever! This easy recipe shows you how to use a Dutch oven to cook beef fajitas that are juicy, flavorful, and sure to please the whole family.
We use simple ingredients like beef roast, bacon fat, fajita seasoning, and fresh lime juice to make these delicious fajitas that taste just like they came from your favorite Mexican restaurant.
Fire up your oven and savor the irresistible flavors of our Authentic Beef Fajitas – your taste buds will thank you!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Simple and Quick: This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights. With a few basic steps, you can have a tasty meal on the table in just a few hours. Plus, you can easily switch things up and make chicken fajitas or shrimp fajitas.
Great Flavor: The combination of spices like garlic powder, cumin, and black pepper, along with fajita seasoning, creates a flavor that’s hard to beat. Adding a bit of orange juice to the ingredients gives the roast a slight tang that enhances the overall taste.
Versatile: You can easily swap out ingredients to suit your taste. Try using a different cut of beef like flank steak, sirloin steak, or even chicken breast for homemade fajitas.
Leftovers: These fajitas are just as good the next day! Store the leftover fajita meat in the fridge and enjoy it for lunch.
Ruby Ann and I make this for dinner at least once a month in the summer and fall. After cooking it in a Dutch oven, we serve it with warm flour tortillas and all our favorite toppings. It was so easy and fun! Check out the video below in the FAQ section below to see how we make it.
Tips on How To Make Authentic Beef Fajitas
- Choose the Right Cut of Meat: Chuck Roast or Rump Roast works best for fajitas. These cuts have great flavor and cook quickly. If you prefer something leaner, sirloin roast is a good option. This cut of beef ensures you get the best beef cut for fajitas.
- Cook on Medium-High Heat: Use a large cast iron Dutch oven or a sturdy skillet on medium-high heat to sear the roast. This gives the fajitas a nice char and keeps the meat juicy.
- Slice Against the Grain: After cooking, let the roast rest for a few minutes, then slice it against the grain into thin strips. This makes the meat more tender and easier to chew.
- Sauté the Veggies: In the same skillet, cook green bell peppers, red, yellow, or white onions, and green peppers until they are soft and slightly charred. Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes if you like it spicy.
- Warm the Tortillas: Warm flour tortillas or corn tortillas on the stove or in the oven before serving. This makes them soft and pliable, perfect for wrapping around the fajita meat.
FAQ
Can I use a different cut of meat?
Yes! Flank steak, sirloin steak, or even chicken breast can be used for this recipe. Just adjust the cook times to suit the cut of meat.
What if I don’t have a cast-iron skillet?
No problem! You can use any large skillet or even an outdoor grill to cook the steak.
Can I make the fajita seasoning at home?
Absolutely! Combine chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, and a pinch of kosher salt to create your own homemade seasoning.
How should I serve the fajitas?
Serve them on warm flour tortillas or corn tortillas with your favorite toppings like pico de gallo, sour cream, and guacamole. Fresh tortillas add a special touch!
How long do leftovers last?
Store any leftover steak fajitas in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They should last up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze the fajita meat for up to 2 months.
What is the nutrient information for this recipe?
The nutrient information for steak fajitas will vary based on the exact ingredients used. Generally, they are high in protein and a good source of vitamins from the veggies, making them a balanced choice for personal consumption.
Tools you may need
- Large Cast Iron Skillet: Essential for getting that perfect char on the steak.
- Cutting Board: For slicing the steak and veggies.
- Measuring Spoons: For getting the seasoning just right.
- Tongs: For flipping the steak and veggies.
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Ingredients you will need
Beef Roast: This recipe uses a type of beef called beef roast. You usually cook this kind of beef by roasting it in the oven or by cooking it slowly in a crockpot or Instant Pot.
Fajita Seasoning: This is a mix of spices used in Tex-Mex cooking. It usually has chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, and other spices. It gives the beef a tasty kick, and you can change the amount to make it as spicy as you like.
Beef Broth: This is a liquid made by simmering beef bones or meat in water. It’s used in many soups, stews, and sauces and makes the beef roast taste richer.
Bacon Fat: This is the fat left over from cooking bacon. It adds a rich flavor to the beef in this recipe. If you don’t have bacon fat, you can use other cooking fats instead.Lime Juice: 2 tablespoons of fresh lime juice for marinating.
Onion: 1 large, sliced into thin strips: Adds sweetness and texture. Slice thinly for even cooking with the peppers.
Green Bell Peppers: 2, sliced into thin strips: Brings a fresh crunch and color. Slice thin for quick cooking with the onions.
Corn Tortillas or Flour Tortillas: Warmed, for serving: Warmed tortillas are perfect for wrapping the beef and veggies. Choose corn for a traditional taste or flour for a softer texture.
Pico de Gallo, Sour Cream, and Guacamole: For toppings: Customize your fajitas with these toppings. Pico de gallo adds freshness, sour cream cools it down, and guacamole brings a rich, creamy flavor.
How To Make Authentic Beef Fajitas
Prepare the Roast: Rinse and pat dry beef roast, then pan-sear it in a Dutch oven with the bacon fat on the stovetop on all sides to lightly brown it. This will lock in the moisture, ensuring a juicy and cooked beef roast. Once the roast is seared on all sides, pour the beef stock and fajitas seasoning on top of the beef roast.
Cook the Steak: Place the lid of the Dutch oven into your preheated oven and bake for 2-3 hours or until internal temperatures reach 145 degrees for tenderness.
Cook the Vegetables: In the same skillet, add a bit more vegetable oil or bacon fat if needed. Toss in the sliced red, yellow, or white onions and green bell peppers. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes until they are soft and slightly charred. Add a little lime juice for extra flavor and some fajita seasoning.
Slice the Roast: After the roast has rested, slice it against the grain into thin slices. This makes the meat tender and easy to eat.
Assemble the Fajitas: Serve the sliced roast on warm sourdough tortillas. Top with sautéed veggies, pico de gallo, sour cream, guacamole, and a sprinkle of fresh lime juice. Enjoy with a side of Mexican rice if you like.
Enjoy your Beef Fajitas!
Storage Ideas
- Refrigerate: If you have leftover beef fajitas, let them cool down to room temperature first. Then, put them in a container that seals tightly and store it in the fridge. They will stay good for about 3 to 4 days.
- Freeze: If you have more beef fajitas than you can eat, you can save them for later by freezing them. Wrap them up tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap, then put them in a container that seals tightly and place it in the freezer. They will stay good for 2 to 3 months.
- Meal Prep: If you like to get your meals ready ahead of time, you can put the beef fajitas, tortillas, peppers, onions, and toppings in separate containers. This makes it easy to put together a quick and healthy meal during the week.
- Mason Jars: If you want to keep the beef fajitas and toppings separate, you can use mason jars. Put the beef at the bottom, then add the peppers and onions, and finally the toppings. When you’re ready to eat, just shake the jar to mix everything.
- Remember to write the date and what’s inside on each container so you know what you have and when you made it.
For even more delicious, homemade treats, explore our favorite cozy recipes below;
- Sourdough Flour Tortillas Recipe (discard or starter)
- Easy Oven Tender Beef Roast + Video (how to make)
- Rosemary Sourdough Bread Recipe (starter or discard)
- NO Fail Sourdough Starter (how to make + video)
- 100% Artisan Whole Wheat Sourdough Baguette Recipe
We hope you enjoy this recipe for Fajitas as much as we do. If you make this recipe, tag us @themoderndaycottage on Instagram and leave a comment below. Don’t forget to 📌 pin this recipe to your 📌 Pinterest board for future baking adventures. Happy Baking!
Dutch Oven Authentic Beef Fajitas Recipe (+video)
Ingredients
- 3-4 lb. Beef Roast
- 2 tbsp. Bacon Fat
- 1/2-1 c. Fajita Seasoning
- 1-2 c. Beef Broth
How To Make
- Prepare the Roast: Rinse and pat dry beef roast, then pan-sear it in a Dutch oven with the bacon fat on the stovetop on all sides to lightly brown it. This will lock in the moisture, ensuring a juicy and cooked beef roast. Once the roast is seared on all sides, pour the beef stock and fajitas seasoning on top of the beef roast.
- Cook the Steak: Place the lid of the Dutch oven into your preheated oven and bake for 2-3 hours or until internal temperatures reach 145 degrees for tenderness.
- Cook the Vegetables: In the same skillet, add a bit more vegetable oil or bacon fat if needed. Toss in the sliced red, yellow, or white onions and green bell peppers. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes until they are soft and slightly charred. Add a little lime juice for extra flavor and some fajita seasoning.
- Slice the Roast: After the roast has rested, slice it against the grain into thin slices. This makes the meat tender and easy to eat.
- Assemble the Fajitas: Serve the sliced roast on warm sourdough tortillas. Top with sautéed veggies, pico de gallo, sour cream, guacamole, and a sprinkle of fresh lime juice. Enjoy with a side of Mexican rice if you like.
Notes
- Choose the Right Cut of Meat: Chuck Roast or Rump Roast works best for fajitas. These cuts have great flavor and cook quickly. If you prefer something leaner, sirloin roast is a good option. This cut of beef ensures you get the best beef cut for fajitas.
- Cook on Medium-High Heat: Use a large cast iron Dutch Oven or a sturdy skillet on medium-high heat to sear the roast. This gives the fajitas a nice char and keeps the meat juicy.
- Slice Against the Grain: After cooking, let the roast rest for a few minutes, then slice it against the grain into thin strips. This makes the meat more tender and easier to chew.
- Sauté the Veggies: In the same skillet, cook green bell peppers, red onions, and green peppers until they are soft and slightly charred. Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes if you like it spicy.
- Warm the Tortillas: Warm flour tortillas or corn tortillas on the stove or in the oven before serving. This makes them soft and pliable, perfect for wrapping around the fajita meat.
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