The Best Mexican Steak Marinade for Fajitas

Do you remember the first time you ordered fajitas in a restaurant? I most certainly do. It was at a popular chain restaurant and the presentation was a sizzling, head turning, theatrical production.

Now you can make restaurant style fajitas at home, that are even more delicious than those, and you won’t have to worry about burning yourself on that sizzling hot cast iron serving platter.

This grilled flank steak fajitas recipe is hands down the best fajita recipe I’ve ever made. And everyone I’ve served it to whole-heartedly agrees.

There are currently 30,700,000 Steak Fajitas Recipes on the internet. But there’s always room for one more. Especially when that “one more” is a recipe from one of Denver’s most popular Mexican Food Restaurants, The Rio Grande. Which boasts to have the best steak fajita marinade.

Let’s take a look at how to make homemade fajitas.

Tender juicy slices of grilled steak alongside grilled vegetables all wrapped in a flour tortilla and sprinkled with fresh pico de gallo = dynamite.

Ingredients You’ll Need To Make The Best Flank Steak Fajita Marinade

This flank steak fajita marinade comes together effortlessly, then all you have to do is sit back, relax and let it work its magic. The end result is a bright flavorful tender steak you’re going to love.

This marinade will make enough for four pounds of meat, with a little left over for basting as you grill.

• Pineapple juice not only adds a wonderful tropical flavor, it also helps to tenderize the steak. The enzyme bromelain softens the meat while bringing a rich and tangy flavor. Lime and orange juice follow suit.
• Soy Sauce acts like a good brine for this steak fajita marinade. Soy sauce not only tenderizes the meat, but also acts as a flavor enhance.
• Worcestershire Sauce Does Worcestershire sauce tenderize meat? It’s full of so many wonderful flavors, and yes, the vinegar in Worcestershire sauce tenderizes meat. Sugar adds sweetness and shine, and the strong concentration of savory ingredients penetrate the meat.
• Brown Sugar Does brown sugar tenderize meat? Sugar is a natural tenderizer, so you add it to effect the texture of the steak.
• Kosher Salt Does Kosher salt work better for brining? Kosher salt simply has a more pure salty taste. Chefs prefer it. You can also use sea salt here.
• Lime Juice: The acidity of lime juice will help tenderize the meat and brighten the flavor.
• Garlic: Fresh chopped please.

• Step 1: Mix all marinade ingredients using a whisk, until sugar and salt are dissolved.. Set aside 1 cup of marinade to drizzle on top of your meat during and after cooking. Place flank steak into two zip-lock style bags. I’ve used 2 pounds flank steak and two pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs. You can also use skirt steak. Marinate for two hours. Discard marinade and grill meat.

• Step 2: We like to serve flank steak fajitas just like the restaurant does, with grilled vegetables. Slice all vegetables into thick rings. Red bell peppers, green bell peppers, onions, jalapenos, plum tomatoes (halved) all work well here.

Tips For Success:

• On Grilling Vegetables: Slice the bell peppers into thick rings. This will offer more grilling surface and there will be less risk in over cooking. Same for onions. Slice them into thick rings or wedges. Once grilled, serve them whole or rough chopped
• On Grilling Flank Steak: We love cooking with flank steak because it’s a quick cooking piece of meat. Flank steak fajitas are customarily served cooked medium rare. Use a digital read steak thermometer to indicate an internal temperature of 130 – 135 degrees. This will take about 5 minutes per side, and just 2 – 3 minutes per side if using skirt steak.
• Slicing Steak For Fajitas: Using a very sharp knife and slice the steak against the grain as thin as you can.

What To Serve With Flank Steak Fajitas

• Warmed flour tortillas. Or use warmed corn tortillas for a gluten free meal.
• Black Beans
• Spanish Rice
• Gulf Coast Style Baked Rice
• Pico de Gallo
• Guacamole (or slices of avocado)

More Western Steak Recipes

• Taqueria Style Grilled Carne Asada, Carne Asada cooked on the grill takes the humble flank steak to a whole new level of greatness. A bold marinade adds flavor, moisturizes and tenderizes the meat.
• Grilled Flank Steak with Chimichurri Sauce, A bright zesty, herb packed sauce that will blow you away. Also used as a marinade, the fresh vibrant flavors bring a zest of flavor to any type of meat. 
• Grilled T-Bone Steaks with Cowboy Butter, T-bones are simply and served with a Cowboy Butter dipping sauce for a perfect steak dinner.
• Pan Seared Bison Steak Recipe, Served on a bed of red and yellow bell peppers that have been stir-fried and tossed with a grainy mustard sauce.

Flank Steak Fajitas are pure Tex-Mex cuisine. The work fajita means “little strip” Once that steak is marinated, this is a quick fix dinner. And a delicious one, at that. I hope you give this special steak fajita marinade recipe a try.

Especially if you’ve been making homemade fajitas with store-bought fajita seasoning. You’re about to elevate your fajita game.

And if you’re looking for more beef recipes, don’t miss my Beef Category, you’ll find lots of great recipe ideas, including the most popular beef recipe on my site for Beef Tagliata, a unique and easy flank steak recipe that will win your heart.