Recipe: All-Purpose Fajita Marinade (2024)

Meghan Splawn

Meghan Splawn

Meghan was the Food Editor for Kitchn's Skills content. She's a master of everyday baking, family cooking, and harnessing good light. Meghan approaches food with an eye towards budgeting — both time and money — and having fun. Meghan has a baking and pastry degree, and spent the first 10 years of her career as part of Alton Brown's culinary team. She co-hosts a weekly podcast about food and family called Didn't I Just Feed You.

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updated Nov 21, 2019

Recipe: All-Purpose Fajita Marinade (1)

Here's the only fajita marinade you'll ever need, made with freshly-squeezed lime juice, sliced onion and bell pepper, and flavor-packed dried spices.

Makes2 cupsPrep15 minutes

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Recipe: All-Purpose Fajita Marinade (2)

Sizzling hot fajitas — full of piquant, juicy meat and tender-crisp vegetables — are exactly what your weeknight needs. But there’s no need to make a complicated marinade to get all those fajita flavors you love. This all-purpose recipe is quick to whip together, giving you more time to focus on toasting tortillas, crumbling queso fresco, and making guacamole.

All-Purpose Fajita Marinade

The idea behind this recipe is simple: one fajita marinade that works with chicken breasts, shrimp, flank or skirt steak, or, heck, even slabs of tofu. The recipe — which packs in flavor from freshly squeezed lime juice, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and dried spices — makes enough marinade for 1 1/2 to 2 pounds of protein. You’ll toss sliced onions and bell peppers in alongside the meat.

You’ll want to marinate whole cuts of meat for at least an hour, although overnight is ideal. Your cooking method of choice will depend on the meat you marinate, but for most fajitas, opt for high-heat cooking such as roasting or grilling.

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Fajita Marinade

Here's the only fajita marinade you'll ever need, made with freshly-squeezed lime juice, sliced onion and bell pepper, and flavor-packed dried spices.

Prep time 15 minutes

Makes 2 cups

Nutritional Info

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup

    water

  • 1/4 cup

    olive oil

  • 1/4 cup

    freshly squeezed lime juice

  • 1 tablespoon

    Worchestershire sauce

  • 1 teaspoon

    kosher salt

  • 1 teaspoon

    ground cumin

  • 1/2 teaspoon

    chili powder

  • 1

    large onion, sliced

  • 1

    large red bell pepper, sliced

  • 2 cloves

    garlic, minced

  • 1 1/2 to 2 pounds

    meat or other protein, such as chicken breast or flank steak

Instructions

  1. 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.

  2. 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. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight.

Recipe: All-Purpose Fajita Marinade (2024)

FAQs

What is fajita marinade made of? ›

How to Marinate Fajitas - the Recipe Method. Whisk the Fajita Marinade Ingredients. Whisk all of the ingredients together in a large bowl until consistent - olive oil, lime juice, water, minced garlic, paprika, ancho powder, cayenne, onion powder, oregano, brown sugar, cumin, salt and pepper, red pepper flakes.

What is the best way to tenderize fajita meat? ›

Tricks to Tender Fajita Meat
  1. 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. ...
  2. Marinade with an Acid. Acids like citrus juice or vinegar tenderize meat by breaking down its fibers.
Feb 2, 2024

Can you use McCormick fajita seasoning as a marinade? ›

McCormick Culinary Fajita Marinade & Seasoning Mix's uniform texture is perfect for marinating protein and infusing signature flavor before grilling, broiling or roasting.

Do you cut fajita meat before marinating? ›

It is generally not necessary to cut the steak before marinating it for fajitas.

What is the key ingredient in marinade? ›

A typical marinade is made up of three essential components: an acid (such as vinegar, wine, or citrus), an oil (such as olive oil or sesame oil), and a flavouring agent (such as herbs and spices).

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 is the secret ingredient to tenderize meat? ›

Whether hosting a holiday cookout, serving up some stir-fry or tackling game meats, baking soda is the go-to meat tenderizer to help make your steak, chicken or turkey silkier, juicier and yummier.

What is the best vinegar to tenderize meat? ›

Balsamic vinegar is a good marinade for red meats because it helps to tenderize them. The acid in the vinegar helps to break down some of the protein and fat in the beef, which makes it softer. The balsamic vinegar also adds a sweet flavor while tenderizing, without having to add any sugar.

What is in Old El Paso fajita seasoning? ›

Ingredients: Corn Starch, Salt, Sugar, Sea Salt (potassium magnesium chloride, salt), Spice, Chili Pepper.

What spices are good for marinating? ›

The marinade spice mix contains paprika, mace, ginger, chilli, onion, turmeric and garlic. For each kilo of meat you add 20 grams of the herbs and spices mix.

What is in Fabulosa fajita marinade? ›

Water, vinegar, refined condensed wood smoke, hydrolyzed soy protein, sugar, natural citrus flavor, color caramel, garlic, spices, herbs. Contains soy.

Can I substitute lemon juice for lime juice in fajitas? ›

Most fajita marinades are made with lime juice, but I prefer lemon juice. However, if you are a lime juice aficionado, go for it; your fajitas will still be delicious! Other fajita seasonings include smokey ground cumin, garlic, and onion powder, hot sauce, olive oil and, of course, salt and pepper.

What is the best meat for fajitas? ›

You can use either skirt steak or flank steak for fajitas. Although the two cuts come from different parts of the cow, both skirt and flank steak soak up marinades well, cook quickly, and, when sliced thinly against the grain, taste tender and flavorful.

What is fajita seasoning made of? ›

What Is in Fajita Seasoning? Most fajita seasoning mixes are made up of a few simple Mexican spices, like cumin and chili powder, plus some additional spices, like paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper.

What makes a sauce a marinade? ›

A marinade is a sauce composed of herbs, spices and oils that you can make in minutes. But this simple mix of seasonings offers more than meets the eye! Marinating allows you to tenderize the meat and add layers of flavor.

What is fajita seasoning vs taco seasoning? ›

Fajita seasoning and taco seasoning are very similar, but not identical. The ratios of each individual spice tend to differ. Fajita seasoning often contains more cumin, while taco seasoning contains more chili powder. Our taco seasoning recipe includes coriander and does not contain paprika or chipotle.

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