Name: The Best Ever Texas Fajita Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 16 min
Total time: 26 min
Ingredients: 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts; 1 onion, thinly sliced; 3 bell peppers , thinly sliced; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1/2 lime; 1/2 tbsp chili powder; 1/2 tbsp ground cumin; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1/2 tsp paprika; 1/2 tsp oregano; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp pepper; tortillas; sour cream; pico de gallo; avocado

Discover > Texas Recipes > The Best Ever Texas Fajita Recipe

Despite what you may believe about this heavily spiced, meat-packed dish, fajitas are actually an American invention. Originally cooked up by the Tejanos of South and West Texas, fajitas have become one of the most sought-after Tex-Mex recipes over the years. It’s a dish that can be recognized immediately by fajita Texans everywhere with its mouthwatering flavors and textures, and I have the perfect authentic fajita recipe for you.

Fajita Seasoning

A good seasoning mix is key to any spice-dependent dish, such as tacos, curry, fried chicken, and, of course, fajitas. Homemade spice blends, made by toasting and grinding whole spices, can go a super long way.

First, start with the basic fajita spices:

Dried chillies
Cumin seeds (how long do cumin seeds last?)
Coriander Seeds (how long do coriander seeds last?)
White peppercorns (how long do white peppercorns last?)
Mexican oregano
Paprika (preferably smoked)
Garlic powder (how long does garlic powder last?)

If you can’t find these ingredients in your local markets, you can order dried chilies, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, white peppercorns, mexican oregano, paprika, and garlic powder online!

Making chili or garlic powder from scratch may seem daunting if you’ve never done it before. And unless you make it in bulk, it’s not worth the effort. However, a freshly ground blend tastes miles better than any shop-bought mix. However, if you decide to buy a ready-made mix, we recommend buying from artisan producers so you can be assured that the blends are fresh. As for cumin, coriander, and Mexican oregano, they can all be easily found in their whole or fresh form (keep in mind that fresh oregano will need to be dried before being ground).

Toasting and Grinding the Spices

Toasting spices is a very short and straightforward process –– simply add the whole spices to a frying pan, place them over high heat, and cook and toss the spices until the room fills up with their aroma.

Place all the spices into a grinder, along with some dried Mexican oregano, paprika, garlic powder, and salt. Pulse until the spice mix is uniform and doesn’t have any clumps. Don’t wait too long to grind the spices after toasting them, as it’s easier while they’re still warm.

I highly recommend purchasing a frying pan online for a convenient shopping experience!

Carne

For Texas-style fajitas, you can use all types of meat in fajitas, from venison (What wine goes well with venison?) and pork to goat and lamb. Nevertheless, for the best steak fajita recipes, the most popular kinds of fajita meat in America are beef and chicken. No surprise there. Don’t forget to marinade your meat before cooking to pack in the flavour - beef fajita marinade Texas or chicken fajita marinade.

Lean cuts of meat sliced into thin strips work best when preparing this dish, as they cook nice and quickly.

Fajita Tips and Tricks

For a fajita authentic recipe use whole spices – The difference a good Tex Mex fajita marinade makes cannot be underestimated. If you’re ever stuck wondering why your dish has plateaued, then fresh herbs and whole spices may be the solution.
A good sear is everything – For both meat and vegetables, color is crucial. A nice sear doesn’t just add taste, but also helps the food retain its flavor by sealing it in.
Cook everything at high heat for a steak fajita recipe – Whenever anything is in your pan, there should be a loud sizzle. Anything else means that you’re steaming or stewing whatever you’re cooking.
Use high-quality meat – While much of this recipe’s success depends on the spices used, good quality meat is just as important. A quality fajita marinade for skirt steak is ideal. Source your meat from a craft butcher or have it delivered straight to your door!
Try your hand at homemade tortillas – Making tortillas requires some practice, but once you’ve mastered it, it’s a skill you’ll never lose!
Whip up some homemade guacamole and sour cream – If you’ve made everything else from scratch, you may as well go the full mile. To make homemade sour cream, add two tablespoons of lemon juice or vinegar to a cup of heavy cream and a ¼ cup of whole milk, and shake the mixture in a mason jar.

Explore the difference between Tex-Mex cuisine and traditional Mexican food, along with the cultural narratives they embody. Discover how chefs and cooks utilize cooking as a medium to share their stories and the significance it holds.

Yield: 6

Author: Bea Padilla