Easy Beef Fajita Bowls (Perfect for Weeknight Dinners)

 

These easy Beef Fajita Bowls are packed with tender beef, sautéed peppers, and bold fajita flavor. A simple, customizable weeknight dinner perfect for busy nights and meal prep.

Easy Beef Fajita Bowls (Perfect for Weeknight Dinners)

When dinner needs to be bold, comforting, and still manageable on a busy weeknight, these Easy Beef Fajita Bowls are exactly what I reach for. Tender sirloin steak seared in a cast iron skillet, sweet bell peppers and onions, charred corn, and a fresh tomato salsa all come together in one satisfying bowl. It’s familiar fajita flavor, but layered and cozy in a way that feels perfect for weeknight cooking.

What makes this recipe especially doable is how each component builds on the last using the same skillet. The steak cooks quickly, the vegetables stay crisp-tender, and the corn gets just enough char to add depth without extra effort. Paired with simple cilantro lime rice, every bite is balanced, colorful, and full of Southwestern flavor.

These Beef Fajita Bowls are easy to customize, great for feeding a family, and ideal for meal prep if you like leftovers that actually reheat well. Whether you serve everything piled into a bowl or let everyone build their own, this is the kind of flexible, reliable dinner recipe you’ll want to keep in rotation.

If you love bowl-style dinners like this one, you might also enjoy my Southwest Chicken Salad Bowls or these Greek Meatball Bowls with Tzatziki & Greek Salad.

Enjoy!

Ingredients

Steak

• 1–1½ lbs sirloin steak, cut into bite-sized cubes
• 2 Tbsp Southwest Seasoning Blend (recipe below)
• Olive oil

Bell Pepper Blend

• 2 bell peppers (red or orange), cored and sliced
• ½ red onion, sliced
• 1 tsp Southwest Seasoning Blend
• Olive oil

Corn

• 1 package frozen roasted corn
• 1 Tbsp Southwest Seasoning Blend
• Olive oil

Fresh Salsa

• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, diced
• 1 jalapeño, seeded and diced
• ¼ red onion, finely diced
• Olive oil

Cilantro Lime Rice

• 1 cup basmati rice
• Juice of 1 lime
• 2 Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro

For Serving

• Chopped fresh cilantro
• Olive oil drizzle
• Lime wedges (optional)

How to Make

These Beef Fajita Bowls come together in stages, but each step is simple and quick — perfect for a relaxed but flavorful weeknight dinner.

• Prepare the rice: Cook basmati rice according to package directions. Stir in lime juice and chopped cilantro while warm. Cover and keep warm while preparing the remaining components.

• Season the steak: Toss steak cubes with Southwest Seasoning Blend until evenly coated. (Homemade version is at the end of this section)

• Sear the steak: Heat olive oil in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add steak and cook about 2 minutes, stirring often, until browned. Remove to a plate.

• Cook the peppers & onions: Add a little more oil to the skillet. Add sliced peppers and onions, sprinkle with Southwest Seasoning, and cook until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Remove and set aside.

• Char the corn: Add frozen corn directly to the hot skillet. Let it char in spots before stirring. Season with Southwest Seasoning, drizzle lightly with olive oil, and remove from heat.

• Make the salsa: Combine diced tomatoes, jalapeño, and red onion in a bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to combine.

• Assemble the bowls: Layer rice, steak, peppers, corn, and fresh salsa. Finish with chopped cilantro, a drizzle of olive oil, and extra lime juice if desired.

Southwest Seasoning Blend

Makes about ¼ cup

• 2 Tbsp chili powder
• 1 Tbsp ground cumin
• 1 Tbsp smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

To make:
Add all spices to a small bowl or jar. Stir or shake until well combined. Store in an airtight container.

Substitutions & Variations

• Seasoning Swap: Don’t have the homemade Southwest Seasoning Blend? Use your favorite store-bought Southwest or fajita seasoning. Start with a smaller amount and adjust to taste, as salt levels vary by brand.

• Protein Options: Swap sirloin for chicken thighs, flank steak, shrimp, or tofu. Adjust cooking time as needed.

• Grain Alternatives: Use brown rice, jasmine rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice in place of basmati.

• Vegetable Add-Ins: Add mushrooms, zucchini, or poblano peppers to stretch the bowls or clean out the fridge.

• Heat Level: Leave out the jalapeño for mild bowls, or add extra cayenne or hot sauce for more heat.

• Meal Prep Friendly: Store steak, vegetables, rice, and salsa separately in airtight containers for up to 4 days. Reheat gently before assembling.

Kitchen Tips & Notes

• Use a hot skillet: Make sure the pan is fully heated before adding the steak. High heat gives you good browning without overcooking.

• Don’t overcrowd the pan: Cook steak in batches if needed. Crowding causes steaming instead of searing.

• Let the corn char: Resist stirring right away — letting the corn sit creates those flavorful browned spots.

• Season in layers: Seasoning the steak, vegetables, and corn separately builds deeper flavor throughout the bowl.

• Adjust salt last: If using a store-bought seasoning blend, taste before adding extra salt since blends vary.

• Prep ahead: Slice vegetables and mix the seasoning blend up to 2 days in advance to make dinner even faster.

Set the Mood

Follow my tips below to create the perfect setting and atmosphere to enjoy your Beef Fajita Bowls.

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Before You Start

• Cook the rice first. It takes the longest and can stay covered and warm while you prepare the steak and vegetables.

• Have everything prepped. Slice the peppers and onions, cube the steak, and measure the seasoning before you start cooking — this recipe moves quickly once the skillet is hot.

• Use a hot pan. A preheated skillet is key for getting good browning on the steak and charring the corn without overcooking.

• Season in layers. Each component is lightly seasoned on its own, which builds bold flavor throughout the bowl.

• Plan for leftovers. These bowls store well for meal prep — keep rice, steak, vegetables, and salsa in separate containers for best texture when reheating.

• Customize as you go. Adjust the heat level, salt, and toppings to suit your taste — these bowls are meant to be flexible.

     

Breakfast Tostadas

Breakfast Tostadas are a morning favorite, 15 minute meal, with a Latin spin. 

 

Breakfast Tostadas

I love a good hearty breakfast on the weekends.  It provides us with much needed energy for all the activities during the day and since I often skip lunch it keeps me going until dinner.  My Breakfast Tostadas are like an open faced tortilla breakfast treat.  They have a Latin spin with only 4 ingredients (plus pantry staples) and so much flavor!

Lightly crips corn tortillas provide the bed for scrambled eggs which are topped with a sour cream mixture that includes cumin and hot sauce for a spicy bite.  Garnish with some cilantro and you have a meal that is ready in 15 minutes.  Easy and tasty, that's how heaven in my book!

Enjoy!

What Ingredients do I need?

• corn tortillas

• sour cream

• cilantro

• eggs

• Pantry staples: - canola oil, hot sauce, ground cumin, salt

Substitutions and Variations

• Use yogurt or crema instead of sour cream

• Leave out the cilantro and try Italian parsley

• Add crumbled feta, queso fresco, or cotija cheese on top

• Leave out the hot sauce if you don't like it spicy

Kitchen Tips and Notes

• Shallow fry:  You don't need much oil in a skillet to shallow fry the corn tortillas.  About 1/2 inch should work.  Get the oil nice and hot then fry each side about 10-15 seconds per side.  You want them slightly crisp and not really browned.

• Scrambled Eggs: Use the right pan.  This is where your non-stick skillet reigns supreme.  Use a small one for 2-4 eggs and a large one for 5+ eggs.  Don't crack the eggs in to the pan, whisk them together first with a splash of milk.  The more air you whisk in to the eggs the fluffier they will be.  Cook low and slow and remember that eggs will continue to cook after you have removed them from the heat.  So remove them while they are still a little loose.

More Egg Dishes:

Asparagus and Tomato Frittata

Scrambled Eggs with Fresh Herbs

Herbed Scrambled Eggs in Toast Cups

Farmhouse Scramble

Italian Breakfast Sandwich

Bacon Egg Biscuit Sandwich

Mushroom Chive Omelette

Huevos Rancheros with Monterey Jack "Gringo" Style

Swiss Cheese and Oregano Scrambled Eggs

Pesto Scrambled Eggs

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Breakfast Tostadas

serves 4

4 corn tortillas

Canola oil

1/2 cup sour cream

1 teaspoon hot sauce, such as Cholula

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon kosher salt

8 large eggs, whisked with a splash of milk

1 Tablespoon fresh cilantro

In a medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, heat enough canola oil for 1/2 inch in the skillet. One at a time, lightly crisp the corn tortillas, about 10-15 seconds per side.  Remove and set aside on a paper towel lined sheet pan.  Repeat for all corn tortillas.

In a small bowl add the sour cream, hot sauce, cumin and salt.  Stir to combine and set aside.

Reduce your heat to medium-low and drain off all the oil with the exception of 1 1/2 teaspoons.  Add the whisked eggs and cook, scraping the bottom of the pan with a rubber spatula until cooked and scrambled, 3-4 minutes.  

Place the tortillas on 4 plates and top evenly with the scrambled eggs.  Top each with a collop or drizzle of the sour cream mixture and sprinkle with more hot sauce and cilantro. Serve immediately.

Adapted from: The Quick Six Fix

Carne Guisada - Instant Pot and Oven/Stove Top Versions

This mouthwatering Carne Guisada has tender chunks of seasoned beef cooked in a luscious tomato-based sauce.  It's a fiesta in a bowl!

 Carne Guisada

Enjoy a wonder meal with this succulent Latin flavored stew.  Tender chunks of stew meat are cooked in a luscious tomato-based sauce that filled with onion, tomatoes, and Latin spices.  It's said that Carne Guisada is originally from Puerto Rico although there are many variations across Latin countries.  This is a very simple dish to make and it all cooks in one pot.

Serve it over a nice bed of rice along with tortillas for a great meal.  Any leftovers can be stuffed in to tortillas for soft tacos or rolled in to enchiladas.  The flavor is amazing and this dish is all about the sauce and the tender meat.  I made this in my Instant Pot and the meat was falling apart.  You can make this on the stove top or in the oven in a Dutch oven.  It will take you about 1 1/2 to make this start to finish so plan on making this on the weekend for Sunday dinner or even game day!

Enjoy!

What Ingredients do I need?

• 2 pounds of stew meat

• white or yellow onion

• cumin

• canned diced tomatoes 

• beef broth - low sodium

• olive oil

• dried oregano

• flour

Substitutions and Variations

• Vegetables - add potatoes and carrots

Kitchen Tips and Notes

• serve over steamed rice or mashed potatoes

• serve with tortillas or cornbread

• leftovers can be kept in a sealed container in the refrigerator for 3 days

• turn leftovers in to tostadas, tacos, enchiladas, or use in quesadillas

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Carne Guisada

serves 4-6

4 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoon cumin
2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 cups beef broth, low sodium
2 lbs beef stew meat, cubed
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
14.5 oz can diced tomatoes, with their juices
1/4 cup flour

1/4 cup water
1 large yellow or white onion, chopped

Pressure Cooker:

Turn your Instant Pot on sauté mode and add the olive oil to heat up.  Add 1/2 of the beef and brown on all sides.  Remove from the pot and set aside.  Continue to brown the remaining beef on all sides.  Hit the cancel button to turn off.  

Add in the onion, garlic, tomatoes, beef broth, cumin, salt& pepper, oregano and return the browned beef to the Instant Pot.  Place the lid on the pot and turn the vent knob to "seal".  Press the pressure cook button and set the time for 50 minutes.  When the time is up turn the knob to vent and allow the steam to release.  

In a small bowl mix together the flour and water until smooth.  Open the lid and turn on the sauté button again.  Once the mixture heats up to almost boiling add the flour/water mixture and stir in.  This will thicken the sauce.  Continue to boil on "sauté" for about 5 minutes until thickened.  

Serve over rice.

Oven/Stove Top:

If using the oven preheat to 325 degrees.  In a Dutch oven over medium high heat add the olive oil and heat up.  Add 1/2 of the beef and brown on all sides.  Remove from the pot and set aside.  Continue to brown the remaining beef on all sides.  Remove and set aside.

Reduce the heat to medium low and add the onions and saute until transparent.  Add in the garlic, return the beef to the pot and add in the cumin, salt & pepper, and oregano.  Stir to coat.  Add in the tomatoes, broth and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to low and simmer for 1 hours or transfer to the oven and cook for 1 hour.  

In a small bowl mix together the flour and water until smooth. Stir the mixture in to the pot and boil on the stove top for about 10 minutes to thicken the broth. 

Serve over rice.

Summer Fresh Recipe Series: Mojo Pork Fajitas

These Mojo Pork Fajitas are exploding with flavors and spices and are sure to be liven up your taste buds!

Mojo Pork Fajitas

I've got a great dinner option to present to you today.  How about some fajitas?  We all love the classic steak or chicken fajitas but I found the most fabulous recipe using pork tenderloin.  I love a good tenderloin because it's a lean, cooks easily, and feeds a lot of people.  So pork fajitas it is!  This recipe calls for the pork tenderloin to be marinated in a citrus Cuban Mojo mixture.  This is the best flavored pork I've had in a long time and I'm sure you will agree.  To make this summer friendly,  everything is made on the grill.  Perfect to beat the summer heat.

Don't forget your summer fresh produce.  Bell peppers are in season from July through September so be sure to grab some of those along with a red onion to grill as well.   Add in some flour tortillas and maybe a side dish or two and you are good to go.  Side dishes could include Spanish rice, beans, or an Avocado citrus salad.      

This whole dish is easy to pull together, is packed with flavor bombs, and is perfect for any backyard gathering.  Even the upcoming 4th of July celebrations.

Enjoy!

What Ingredients do I need?

• olive oil
• onion powder
• limes for juicing
• orange juice
• ground cumin
• dried oregano
• garlic cloves
• 1-1 1/2 lbs pork tenderloin
• red sweet peppers
• red onion
• 8 inch flour tortillas
• Fresh cilantro (optional)

Substitutions and Variations

• swap the red bell pepper for green, yellow, or orange

• use white or yellow onion instead of red

• try adding grilled scallions

Kitchen Tips and Notes

Serve with:

•    Spanish rice 
•     refried or seasoned pinto beans
•     avocado citrus salad
•     quacamole and sour cream
•     avocado crema

    

• Can be adapted for an indoor grill or baked in the oven.

• Wrap the tortillas in foil and place them on the grill (indirect heat) for 10 minutes to heat through.   

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Mojo Pork Fajitas

1/3 cup olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
1/3 cup lime juice
1/3 cup orange juice
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 1 pound pork tenderloin
2 large red sweet peppers, halved lengthwise and seeded (2 large)
2 medium onions, cut into thick slices (2 medium)
8 8 inch flour tortillas, warmed
Fresh cilantro (optional)
Lime wedges (optional)

For marinade, in a small bowl combine olive oil, onion powder, lime juice, orange juice, cumin, oregano, and garlic. Trim fat from meat and remove the silver skin by placing your knife under the edge and running it under while pulling the skin away from the meat. Place meat in a plastic bag or a large container. Remove about 1/3 cup of marinade for the vegetables and pour the rest of the marinade over the meat. Marinate in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours. Place meat on the counter the last 30 minutes to bring to room temperature. 

Preheat your grill to medium high heat.

Brush bell pepper halves and onion slices with the reserved marinade; discard the remaining marinade. Drain meat.

Place meat on the grill rack. Place pepper halves and onion slices on the grill as well. Cover and grill for 8 to 10 minutes for peppers or until you get char marks and they are crisp-tender, turning occasionally. Grill meatfor about 8-9 minutes per side or until the internal temperature reaches 155°F.

Place tortillas wrapped in foil on the grill for 10 minutes using indirect heat Remove meat from grill. Cover with foil and let stand for 10 minutes. Cut peppers into thin strips and chop onions. Slice meat. Serve meat and vegetables on warm tortillas. If desired, sprinkle with cilantro and serve with lime wedges.

source:  https://www.bhg.com/recipe/mojo-pork-fajitas-with-orange-avocado-salsa/

Weeknight Supper: Chicken Fajita Pasta

Mexican meets Italian in this fabulous one-pan Chicken Fajita Pasta.  A weeknight meal that's sure to be a winner!

Chicken Fajita Pasta

I love quick and easy weeknight meals, and if they can be made in one-pan, I'm happy as a clam!  This weeknight supper is the perfect comfort food to make on a cozy fall night.  Everybody loves pasta, but let's put a spin on the traditional dishes by changing the flavor profile to feature some Latin flavors.  

Fajitas are a favorite around here so this dish is right up our alley.  The combination of pasta and chicken is a winner, but when you add Latin spices such as chili powder and cumin, and add in some fajita veggies (bell peppers and onion) you get one tasty pasta dish.  This is topped with a sauce made from salsa, chicken broth, and a touch of cream to make this dish crave worthy, yet comforting.  Make this in under 45 minutes any night of the week.

Enjoy!

What Ingredients do I need?

• chicken breasts
• spices: chili powder and ground cumin
• yellow onion
• bell peppers (red, green, yellow, or orange)
• chicken broth
• salsa - choose your spice level
• heavy cream
• short pasta
• fresh lime

Substitutions and Variations

• Use chicken thighs instead of breasts
• Mix and match bell pepper

Kitchen Tips and Notes

• Keep a sheet pan or large bowl near the stove so you can place the cooked chicken and vegetables in it while making the sauce.

• Dice your bell peppers and onion into bite sized pieces so they cook faster and are easier to eat with the pasta.

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Chicken Fajita Pasta 

serves 4

3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces
1/2 teaspoon chili powder, divided
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, divided
1 cup diced yellow onion
1 1/2 cups diced bell peppers (red, orange, green, or yellow)
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup salsa
1/2 cup heavy cream
8 ounces short pasta
1 lime

Mix the chili powder and cumin together.  Sprinkle the chicken with the seasoning so that it is well covered, save 1/2 teaspoon for the vegetables.  In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken to the pan.  Cook chicken 5-6 minutes or until cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside on a sheet pan.

Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and add the onion and bell peppers. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 teaspoon chili powder and cumin. Cook over medium-high heat until soft. Remove from the pan and set aside with the chicken.

Add the chicken broth, salsa, and cream to the pan. Add the pasta and cook covered for 10 minutes until pasta is done, stirring every so often, keeping it covered.

When pasta is done, add the chicken and veggies back to the pan. Heat until warmed through about another 5 minutes. Squeeze the juice of a lime over the dish and serve.

Taco Tuesday Side Dish: Skillet Lime Corn Saute

One bite of these charred bits of roasted corn laced with jalapeno and green onions, doused in lime juice and a sprinkle of queso fresco will having you saying Ole!

I've got the perfect side dish to go along with your next Taco Tuesday meal.  It's my Skillet Lime Corn Sauté.  It's bursting with flavor and takes no time at all to make.

SKILLET LIME CORN SAUTE

All you need is some corn, frozen or fresh work equally well, a little jalapeno and green onion for zestiness, some lime juice and a bit of queso fresco.  5 Ingredients to the tastiest side dish around!  They are perfect with your weekly tacos and will bring a new fresh flavor to the menu.

Don't stop at tacos though.  This side dish is wonderful next to grilled chicken, steak, or fish.  Why not pack this up and take it on a picnic, or even better to a potluck.  This is an easy quick side dish that is so versatile that it goes with just about everything. 

 

When it's summertime and the corn is fresh make use of that and cut the corn off the cob.  When it's any other season a bag of frozen crisp corn will transform into the most wonderful dish.  And by sautéing the corn you will get little bits of charred corn that brings on the flavor. YUM! 

I recommend using a cast iron skillet for this but it isn't absolutely necessary.  Other skillets may not allow you to get that great charred bits of corn that you are after, but it will taste amazing.

Try this with my Chicken & Bell Pepper Tacos for a great menu idea.  We thought it was the perfect combination and you will to!

Enjoy!

Skillet Lime Corn Sauté

serves 4

2 Tablespoon canola oil
2 cups corn (frozen or from 2 fresh corn cobs, cut off)
1 jalapeno, seeded and diced
1/3 c green onions, whites and greens, sliced

2 limes, juiced
queso fresco, crumbled

In a large cast iron skillet, heat oil over medium high heat.  Once hot add in the corn and cook for 3 minutes without stirring.  Add in green onions and jalapeno, stir and cook for 3 more minutes.

Turn off the heat and add the lime juice.  Stir to combine.  Sprinkle with queso fresco.  Serve hot or at room temperature.