Fajita is one of the very famous dishes in Tex-Mex cuisine. Tex-Mex refers to a popular cuisine that owes its origin to a mix of authentic Mexican and Texan dishes. Fajita is a meat-based dish, but vegetarian versions are now also available. It consists of marinated, grilled meat served on a flour or corn tortilla. We can say chicken or beef plays a vital role in this dish.
Fajitas are a part of Tex-Mex cuisine and have typical Mexican spices in them. Typically, only grilled chicken or pork is used to make it. If you have a grill, then you can make it by yourself because the ingredients in a fajita are not complex, and they are also readily available. Anyone can buy good quality chicken or beef and vegetables like peppers and onions from their nearest market.
1. What Seasonings Should Be Used In Fajitas?
The seasonings in fajitas are usually strong to enhance the tenderness of the chicken or beef. People who don’t eat spicy food can ask for fewer spices. Fajitas have Mexican spices to give it an authentic taste. We usually put chilli powder along with some salt and paprika.
Add finely chopped garlic; otherwise, use garlic powder. You can also add sugar granules to the seasoning to balance all the flavours. If someone likes pepper powder, add that because it will only enhance the existing flavours. It is not necessary to use only these ingredients.
You can always add and subtract seasonings according to your preferences. You can use some other type of salt instead of ordinary salt. Green chilli paste can be a replacement for red chilli powder.
Healthier Fajita Seasoning: A Dietitian’s Tips for Reducing Sodium Without Sacrificing Flavor
Fajitas can be very delicious if you are willing to use the appropriate recipe. You can start by buying the chicken or beef. If you can afford high-quality chicken, buy it because it can make your fajitas very tender and juicy.
Begin the preparations by cutting the chicken into long, thin slices along with some vegetables like pepper and onion. Also, remove all the necessary spices on one side of the cooking counter. Start by marinating the chicken with some salt, lemon juice and pepper.
Cover it with plastic wrap and put it in the fridge for a few hours. You can use the skillet if you don’t have a griller. Pour regular oil into the skillet and let it heat for a few seconds. After this, add the chopped onion and cook it until you get caramelized onion.
When the onion is perfectly cooked, you can add the pepper to it and stir-fry them. Please keep in mind to cook them separately, and when the pepper is cooked, add the onion back to the pan.
Add the chicken strips and all the seasonings like salt, garlic powder, chilli powder, and paprika. Cook everything for a few minutes until the chicken is thoroughly cooked, and when it’s done, you can serve it in the same skillet. Fajitas are always served when all the ingredients of the dish are sizzling.
Marinate and Sear for Smoky Fajitas
Dennis Sanders, the Founder of Burning Daily, suggests tips for grilling the perfect fajitas, considering the different temperatures on a griller:
“Flavor your skirt steak, chicken, or tofu by marinating it with various spices or herbs. Briefly sear the meat at a high temperature to create a tasty, caramel-coloured crust, then move it and cook on a slightly more relaxed, medium or medium-low side. The tenderness that results from the slow cooking process imbues it with smokiness. Adding wood chips to your grill will give your meat the much-needed smokiness. Try cooking with CBD oil during marination. The various flavours, such as spices, citrus, herbs, and undertones of CBD, blend as the meat absorbs them, offering an enjoyable taste.
This adds more complexity to the fajitas’ overall profile. Monitor the internal temperature constantly for a tasty finish.”
2. Different Types of Fajitas
As a dish travels all around the world, it undergoes changes, and in this process, many different recipes emerge. In this section, we will tell you about all the different kinds of fajitas available and the proper recipe to make them at home easily.
2.1. Chicken Fajitas
This is the easiest and the most basic fajita recipe. Almost everyone who eats chicken knows the correct way to marinate it so that it will get tender and soft when we cook it. It is essential to prepare the chicken beforehand because if we do not do this, it will stay tight and have a rubbery texture.
Lemon juice or vinegar can help soften the chicken in a shorter time than any other component. Once your chicken is ready, follow the same recipe we have mentioned above, and you will end up looking at the best fajita ever.
2.2. Shrimp Fajitas
You can start by cleaning your shrimp carefully and also make sure to buy medium-sized shrimps for the best taste and tender texture. Once the shrimp is ready, marinate it in lemon juice and vinegar and put them in the fridge for about two to three hours.
Now, cut the vegetables into strips you want to use with your shrimp fajitas. Once everything is done, please take out your skillet and put it on the stove. Now stir-fry the vegetables and add the chicken. You can add spices to the chicken at the same time.
When cooked, serve it with some tortilla chips because they go perfectly with fajitas. In the next section of this article, we will discuss some delicious dishes with fajitas.
Tempeh: A Hearty Fajita Revolution
James Cunningham, the Senior Coach at Total Shape, offers one protein alternative that can be used to make delicious fajitas: “When [it comes to] spicing up your fajitas with a protein alternative, I’d highly recommend trying out tempeh. Tempeh is a fantastic plant-based option that [not only] brings a hearty texture [but also] absorbs flavours like a champ.
Just marinate thin slices of tempeh in your favourite fajita seasoning blend, toss them on the grill or skillet until they get that perfect char, [and] you’ll be amazed at how they transform into a delicious, protein-packed fajita filling. It’s a game-changer for those looking to add a plant-powered twist to their fajita nights.”
James Cunningham
3. Some Mouthwatering Side Dishes With Fajitas
Fajitas have a salty and spicy flavour, so many different things taste good with them. This section will share some side dishes with the easiest recipes.
3.1. Mexican Street Corn
There is a particular way to make Mexican street corn, and that is to use a cobb. We have to grill the corn on the cob, but if you don’t want to dirty your hands eating it, plug all the corn out of its structure. When the corn is grilled, take a bowl and make a sauce with some sour cream, mayonnaise, black pepper, and lemon juice. If you want, then add some lemon zest and mix everything.
Now, apply the cream to the grilled corn and serve it. If you want to add more creaminess, apply some butter to the corn until it is still warm. The Mexican street corn can add an element of creamy texture to your fajitas. Put some lime wedges on the sides too.
3.2. Refried Beans
Refried beans are usually served with Mexican dishes because they help to enhance their flavours while being very healthy. To start with, take some beans and soak them in water until they are ready to cook, or you can save the hassle and buy canned beans from the store.
Now, take some onions and finely chop them. Put some olive oil in a pan, and wait until warm to cook. It is good to use the best quality oil for the well-being of your family. Add the onion to the pan and let it cook until it is caramelized.
Now add the beans with some water and spices like salt and pepper and let it cook. Close the lid to decrease the cooking time. Once ready, you can serve it with your fajitas together or in a separate bowl.
3.3. Cilantro Lime Rice
For this recipe, you are free to use any rice, but white rice might be the best option. When you cook plain rice, you usually add some salt and oil to it, but this time, try to add some lime, too. First, pour the olive oil into the cooker, and then pour the soaked rice.
Now fry them for some time, add water with one or two lime wedges, and let it cook. Once they are cooked, take them out, mix some lemon juice and chopped cilantro, and serve. If you like mild flavours, then it can be a very good side dish.
3.4. Tortilla Chips
Tortilla chips can go perfectly with spicy fajitas because they have a cheesy and lemony flavor. The tortilla chips readily available in the market are fine, but if you want to make them on your own, then you have to figure out the perfect recipe.
If you like the flavour of corn, then try the corn tortillas; they are delicious. Just take them out of the packet and serve as a side dish with fajitas. You can also opt to add some cream cheese and cottage cheese on top of the tortilla chips.
3.5. Pico De Gallo
This recipe is really easy, and it is similar to salsa in some ways. Start by cutting the tomato and putting some salt in it. This process can remove the excess juice from the tomato. Using ripe tomatoes is ideal.
Cut some onion, jalapeno, and coriander, and squeeze out some lemon juice. Make sure that it doesn’t have too much water, and mix everything. Add some seasonings, too, and serve it with your fajitas. They can add the element of freshness as a side dish to your fajitas.
3.6. Spanish Rice
This is easy to make as you only need some rice and spinach. It also doesn’t have a lot of spices. First, cook your rice and cook some spinach in a separate pot.
When the spinach is done boiling, quickly add it to the ice water to stop the cooking. Make the puree out of the spinach, mix it well with the cooked rice, and add your spices. Now, it is ready to be served as a side for your fajitas.
3.7. Smoky Chorizo Sausage
Smoky chorizo sausage has multiple flavours. It is a good choice if you like flavorful dishes. People can simply purchase them from the supermarket, or they can try to make them at home.
Its recipe is a little complex because it needs a lot of spices, and the process is also not easy. Overall you can cook them with some butter and serve them with your fajitas.
4. Final Note
We talked about fajitas, which have originated from the culture of the Texas-Mexico border. Along the region, butchers used the word to refer to the diaphragm of beef, called the skirt steak in the United States. The thin and tough diaphragm is one of the least desirable cuts of meat, but often, it was all that the cowboy ranch hands could afford.
The skirt steak was used in the initial versions of the fajita, and thus, the origin of the fajita owes much to the cowboy culture of the US border. Fajitas can be enjoyed with many different side dishes. The fajitas have a flavorful taste and are very tender; it is good to try new dishes with. We also discussed how more than one type of fajita is available worldwide to try.
Tortilla chips are one of the best things to try with your fajitas, and it’s great that they come in many different flavours. Corn, Spanish Rice, and refined beans can also be good side dishes for fajitas.
Guest Author: Saket Kumar
Last Updated on by navaneethvk
