Fajita-Spiced Beef and Pepper Stir Fry
Tender strips of beef sautéed with colorful bell peppers and onions, infused with smoky fajita spices for a quick and flavorful stir fry. This mexican-inspired beef ready in about 27 minutes pairs olive oil, large, thinly sliced red bell pepper, large, thinly sliced green bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, thinly sliced against the grain flank steak
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, thinly sliced red bell pepper
- 1 large, thinly sliced green bell pepper
- 1 medium, thinly sliced yellow onion
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh cilantro
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, mix 1 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to create the fajita spice blend.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 1 lb thinly sliced flank steak and sprinkle half of the fajita spice blend over it. Sear the beef for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned but not fully cooked.
- Step 3: Add 1 large sliced red bell pepper, 1 large sliced green bell pepper, and 1 medium sliced yellow onion to the skillet. Sprinkle the remaining spice blend over the vegetables and beef. Stir-fry for 5-6 minutes until the vegetables are tender-crisp and the beef is cooked through.
- Step 4: Remove the skillet from heat and drizzle 1 tbsp fresh lime juice over the stir fry. Toss gently to combine.
- Step 5: Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro and serve immediately, optionally with warm tortillas or rice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Fajita-Spiced Beef and Pepper Stir Fry take to make?
Total time is about 27 minutes (15 min prep + 12 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Fajita-Spiced Beef and Pepper Stir Fry?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Fajita-Spiced Beef and Pepper Stir Fry?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Fajita-Spiced Beef and Pepper Stir Fry for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Fajita-Spiced Beef and Pepper Stir Fry?
Mexican beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
