Fajita Marinade (2024)

This fajita marinade recipe results in tender, flavorful, melt-in-your-mouth meat every time.

Fajita Marinade Ingredients

These are the simple, kitchen staple ingredients you’ll need to make this homemade fajita marinade ingredients:

  • Water: This easy fajita marinade starts with ⅓ cup water.
  • Lime juice: Lime juice lends bright flavor and helps tenderize the meat.
  • Olive oil: Two tablespoons of olive oil keeps the meat moist.
  • Garlic: Fresh garlic lends a bold flavor.
  • Soy sauce: You’ll need two tablespoons of olive oil.
  • Salt: A teaspoon of salt enhances the other flavors.
  • Liquid smoke: Liquid smoke adds umami-rich flavor.
  • Cayenne: A pinch of cayenne pepper gives the fajita marinade subtle heat.
  • Black pepper: Ground black pepper is the perfect finishing touch.

How to Marinate Fajitas

Simply whisk the ingredients together in a bowl. That’s it! You’ll find the full, step-by-step instructions (with marinating directions) in the recipe below.

Can You Reuse Fajita Marinade?

You may be tempted to reuse the marinade straight from the bag, but it will not be safe to use as-is. In fact, the bacteria from the raw meat could make you very, very sick.

All that flavorful fajita marinade doesn't have to go to waste, though: You can make it safe-to-eat by boiling the liquid for several minutes. This process will also reduce the liquid, resulting in a thick sauce that'll work well with your homemade fajitas. .

Learn more: How to Safely Reuse a Meat Marinade

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

“This is an excellent marinade, particularly if you have the time to do it overnight,” according to John McArthur. “When I have less time I add about 50% more lime juice so the acid breaks down the muscle better.”

“This recipe makes fajitas that are addictive,” raves one Allrecipes community member. “And I ought to know — I'm from Texas! I scaled this to 20 servings for a party and used half the marinade for top round steak and half for chicken breasts.”

“I love Mexican food,” says Medora Jensen. “This recipe has resurrected two dishes for my family. Quesadillas and fajitas. I use cooked, left over chicken and shred it with the marinade. I cook some peppers, onions and garlic, add the shredded chicken and voila!”

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

Fajita Marinade (2024)

FAQs

What is fajita marinade made of? ›

How to Marinate Fajitas - the Recipe Method. Whisk the Fajita Marinade Ingredients. Whisk all of the ingredients together in a large bowl until consistent - olive oil, lime juice, water, minced garlic, paprika, ancho powder, cayenne, onion powder, oregano, brown sugar, cumin, salt and pepper, red pepper flakes.

What is the best way to tenderize fajita meat? ›

Tricks to Tender Fajita Meat
  1. Cut the Beef Against the Grain. Slicing meat against the grain helps tenderize it. By looking closely at the steak, you'll be able to see the direction the grain is running. ...
  2. Marinade with an Acid. Acids like citrus juice or vinegar tenderize meat by breaking down its fibers.
Feb 2, 2024

Can you use McCormick fajita seasoning as a marinade? ›

McCormick Culinary Fajita Marinade & Seasoning Mix's uniform texture is perfect for marinating protein and infusing signature flavor before grilling, broiling or roasting.

Can I use lemon juice instead of lime juice for fajitas? ›

Most fajita marinades are made with lime juice, but I prefer lemon juice. However, if you are a lime juice aficionado, go for it; your fajitas will still be delicious! Other fajita seasonings include smokey ground cumin, garlic, and onion powder, hot sauce, olive oil and, of course, salt and pepper.

What is the key ingredient in marinade? ›

A typical marinade is made up of three essential components: an acid (such as vinegar, wine, or citrus), an oil (such as olive oil or sesame oil), and a flavouring agent (such as herbs and spices).

Do you cut fajita meat before marinating? ›

It is generally not necessary to cut the steak before marinating it for fajitas. In fact, it's best to leave the steak whole so that it can absorb more of the marinade and remain tender while cooking.

Why not use marinade as sauce? ›

Raw meat and fish have germs on their surfaces that will contaminate a marinade after use. Even if your marinade has acid or alcohol, these ingredients are not strong enough to kill the germs. Enough contamination remains that you can get sick from a foodborne illness if you use the marinade for basting or as a sauce.

What spices are good for marinating? ›

The marinade spice mix contains paprika, mace, ginger, chilli, onion, turmeric and garlic. For each kilo of meat you add 20 grams of the herbs and spices mix.

How do you turn dry seasoning into a marinade? ›

How to Turn Seasoning into a Marinade. For homemade marinade simply add 1/3 – 1/2 cup of oil and a bit of vinegar. Like rubs, the key to marinades is time—at least an hour, but the longer the better!

Why do Mexicans use lime instead of lemon? ›

When it comes to food, lime is a great way to add a tart and acidic flavor that can really brighten up a dish. It's often used in Mexican cuisine, where it pairs well with spicy dishes. But it can also be used in more subtle ways, as a way to add brightness to flavors that might otherwise be a little bland.

Can I use vinegar instead of lemon juice marinade? ›

Apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar, and rice vinegar can all be substituted at a ½:1 ratio. If your recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, then, sub 1 tablespoon vinegar and replace the rest with water if needed. Usually you won't need to add any extra liquid but it depends on the recipe.

Why do you marinate with lemon juice? ›

Lemon juice (Citrus limon) is a widely used ingredient of meat marinades, most often used as a preservative and improver of sensory properties of products [21,22].

What is fajita seasoning made of? ›

What Is in Fajita Seasoning? Most fajita seasoning mixes are made up of a few simple Mexican spices, like cumin and chili powder, plus some additional spices, like paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper.

What makes a sauce a marinade? ›

A marinade is a sauce composed of herbs, spices and oils that you can make in minutes. But this simple mix of seasonings offers more than meets the eye! Marinating allows you to tenderize the meat and add layers of flavor.

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