Fajita Steak Marinade

If you’re in the mood for some fajitas tonight, you’re going to want to make this steak fajita marinade recipe!

It comes together in only 10 minutes, and once you toss it with the steak, all you have to do is sit back, relax and let the marinade do all the work. The end result is a rewarding tender, juicy and super flavorful steak that will make fajita night a hit!

Here’s what you need to get started.

Beef Fajita Marinade Ingredients

• Fat: Olive oil
• Citrus: Orange juice, lime juice
• Herbs and spices: Garlic, cumin, chili powder, oregano, smoked paprika
• A little something extra special: cilantro

How Long to Marinate Steak Fajitas

I recommend marinating the steak (either flank or skirt steak) for anywhere from 2 to 8 hours. Anything longer than that and the texture of the meat begins to change, so make sure not to go over that time.

If you’re short on time, don’t fret. You can marinate the meat for a minimum of 30 minutes and still get some good flavor out of it.

How to Make This Steak Fajita Marinade

It comes together in about five minutes, and most of the work is just waiting.

1. Mix the marinade. Add the olive oil, orange juice, lime juice, garlic, cumin, chili powder, oregano, smoked paprika, and cilantro to a large resealable bag or a big mixing bowl and stir it all together.
2. Add the steak. Drop in your skirt or flank steak and toss it around so every side is coated.
3. Marinate. Seal the bag or cover the bowl and stick it in the fridge for 2 to 8 hours.
4. Pat it dry. Take the steak out of the marinade, move it to a clean surface, and pat both sides dry with paper towels.
5. Season and cook. Sprinkle both sides with kosher salt and black pepper, then grill or cook it to whatever internal temperature you like.

Tips for the Perfect Fajita Marinade

A few things that make a real difference.

• Use skirt or flank steak. Both are thin, flavorful cuts that soak up marinade fast and cook in just a few minutes. Skirt is the fattier of the two and has a looser grain, so it’s my pick if you can find it.
• Don’t cut the steak before marinating. Marinate the whole piece and slice it after it’s cooked. Sliced meat sitting in an acidic marinade can get mushy on the outside and dries out easily on the grill.
• Pat the steak dry before it hits the heat. This is the step people skip and it’s the one that matters most. Wet steak steams instead of searing, so you end up with gray meat and no crust. Pat it dry with paper towels on both sides right before you season it with salt and pepper.
• Don’t reuse the marinade. It’s been sitting with raw beef, so pour it out. If you want a sauce, make a little extra marinade before you add the steak and set that portion aside.
• Slice against the grain. Look for the lines running through the cooked steak and cut across them, not with them. Skirt and flank are both stringy cuts, and slicing the wrong way is the difference between tender and chewy.

Beef Fajita Marinade Variations

This marinade is a good base, so it’s easy to change up depending on what you’re in the mood for.

• Make it spicy. Add a minced jalapeño or serrano, or a chopped chipotle in adobo with a spoonful of the sauce. The chipotle route adds smoke along with the heat, so you get both.
• Swap the citrus. Orange juice is what gives this marinade its slight sweetness, but pineapple juice works too and tenderizes the meat a little more. Grapefruit or just extra lime will give you something sharper and more tart.
• Add soy sauce or Worcestershire. A tablespoon of either brings a savory, salty depth that plays really well with beef. If you go this route, hold back on the salt when you season the steak.
• Use it on other proteins. The same marinade works on chicken thighs, shrimp, or pork. Shrimp only needs about 15 minutes since it’s delicate, and chicken can go the full 2 to 8 hours like the steak does.

More Marinades

Looking for more marinades? Here are some of our favorites:

• The Best Chicken Marinade (only 2 ingredients!)
• Skirt Steak Marinade
• Lime Chicken Marinade
• Mexican Chicken Marinade

Fajita Marinate Serving Suggestions

I think steak fajitas and homemade flour tortillas are a match made in heaven to make flank steak tacos. You could also serve it on top of some Mexican rice or cilantro lime rice with a generous scoop of guacamole.

More Mexican Recipes

• Carnitas
• Carne Asada
• Tacos al Pastor
• Chile Verde
• Chicken Enchiladas