Celebrate National Fajita Day with One of These Delicious Recipes

Happy National Fajita Day! Every August 18th, this beloved Tex-Mex dish is honored with its own national holiday. Fajitas are made with grilled meat, onions, and peppers, and are typically served with tortillas, sour cream, guacamole, and salsa.

Even though this dish is associated with Mexico, Fajitas has a fascinating and complex history that can be traced back to Texas in the 1930s, when Mexican vaqueros (cowboys) created a way to use throwaway cuts of beef. These cuts, such as skirt steak, were considered undesirable at the time. The vaqueros marinated and grilled the meat, then served it on tortillas, creating the foundation of what we now know as fajitas.

The term “fajita” itself is a diminutive term for little strips of meat cut from the beef skirt. It is believed that the word “fajita” originated from the Spanish word “faja,” which means girdle, little strap, or belt. The dish quickly gained popularity in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, particularly in the Mexican-American community.

While the exact reasons why August 18th has been designated as National Fajita Day are not clear, it serves as a reminder of the cultural significance this dish has had in Mexican cuisine and culture. It represents the coming-together of both Mexican and Texan culinary traditions, often referred to as Tex-Mex, and has become a staple in not just Mexican-American and Tex-Mex restaurants, but also in kitchens around the world.

How to make Fajitas at home

Fajitas are both delicious and versatile, as the recipe is often passed down from generation to generation and from family to family, creating a plethora of variations. However, there are a few basic steps involved in making fajitas that remain the same regardless.

First, the meat is marinated in a mixture of spices, such as chili powder, garlic powder, and cumin. Then, the meat is grilled or sauteed on a griddle until it is cooked through. Onions and peppers are added and cooked until soft and tender. Finally, the beef, onions, and peppers are wrapped in tortillas and topped with the toppings of one’s choice, which include sour cream, guacamole, salsa, and cheese.

Here are three classic fajita recipes to celebrate National Fajita Day:

Classic Steak Fajitas:

@marisolbenitez186 Beef Fajitas #fajitas #beeffajitas #recipe #easyrecipe #fajitarecipe #food #foodie ♬ original sound – Marisol Benitez

Ingredients:

1 pound skirt steak, sliced into thin strips

1 onion, sliced

1 green bell pepper, sliced

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 cup vegetable oil

Instructions:

In a large bowl, combine the steak, onion, bell pepper, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.

Drizzle the vegetable oil over the mixture and toss to coat.

Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat.

Add the steak mixture to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until the steak is cooked and the vegetables are tender about 10 minutes.

Serve the fajitas with your favorite toppings, such as sour cream, guacamole, pico de gallo, and cheese

Classic Chicken Fajitas:

@loveeatinglife Quick & Easy Dinner #fajitas#dinner#quickrecipes ♬ original sound – Sherifa K

Ingredients:

1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced

2 bell peppers (red, green, or a mix), thinly sliced

1 large onion, thinly sliced

3 tablespoons olive oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon paprika

Juice of 1 lime

Salt and pepper to taste

8 small flour tortillas

Optional toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, chopped cilantro, etc.

Instructions:

In a bowl, combine the olive oil, minced garlic, lime juice, cumin, chili powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Add the sliced chicken, bell peppers, and onions to the marinade. Toss to coat evenly and let sit for at least 30 minutes (or overnight in the refrigerator for more flavor).

Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and vegetables, and saute until the chicken is cooked and the vegetables are slightly charred and tender.

Warm the tortillas in a separate pan or microwave.

To serve, spoon the cooked chicken and vegetables onto the warm tortillas. Add your desired toppings and fold the tortillas over the filling. Enjoy your classic chicken fajitas!

Vegetarian Fajitas:

@jzeats Bring on the veggies! #fajitas #vegetarianrecipes #mushroomrecipes ♬ Dutton Ranch Freestyle – David Morris

Ingredients:

2 bell peppers (any color), thinly sliced

1 large onion, thinly sliced

1 zucchini, thinly sliced

1 yellow squash, thinly sliced

3 tablespoons olive oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon chili powder

Salt and pepper to taste

8 small flour tortillas

Instructions:

Mix the olive oil, minced garlic, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Add the sliced vegetables to the bowl and toss to coat evenly.

Add the marinated vegetables to a heated pan and cook until they are tender-crisp and slightly charred.

Warm the tortillas and spoon the cooked vegetables onto the warm tortillas.

Also Read: Alexa Soto is Embracing Her Mexican Culture with Vegan Recipes