Quick, easy and spicy, these Ground Beef Fajitas are made with lean ground beef, homemade fajita seasoning and tender strips of peppers and onions. You need less than 30 minutes to make this ground beef fajita recipe so they’re perfect for busy weeknights!
Can you believe this is the first ground beef recipe I’ve shared around here?! To be honest, I normally eat a lot of ground chicken and ground turkey. My husband, on the other hand, prefers ground beef, so I always have some on hand to make meatballs, burgers and tacos.
In an effort to change things up, I recently used some ground beef to make fajitas, and they were a hit. They’re also simple to make, so I had to share the recipe with you guys!
Why you’ll love these ground beef fajitas
- There’s no marinating required and the ground beef and veggies cook up fast, so these fajitas are quick and easy to make!
- This recipe is great for meal prep. You can brown the seasoned ground beef in advance and reheat it before serving. You can also slice your peppers and onions a day ahead so they’re ready for the skillet.
- The recipe includes a homemade fajita seasoning mix, which is big on spices and lower in sodium than some store-bought seasonings.
Details on the ingredients
Ground beef – You’ll need 1 pound of ground beef for these fajitas. I normally use lean ground beef (85/15) or extra lean (90/10).
Peppers – Fajitas usually have a mix of bell peppers. This recipe includes red, yellow and green bell peppers, cut into 1/2-inch slices. You can add some orange bell peppers too, if you prefer.
Onions – While I went for red onions for these fajitas, you can also use white or yellow. They’re also cut into 1/2-inch slices.
Fajita seasoning – I used a homemade fajita seasoning for this recipe that consists of chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper and salt. It’s the same seasoning mix I use in this chicken fajita soup recipe.
Green chilies – This is totally optional, but I like to add a small can of chopped green chilies to the ground beef mixture to add some extra heat.
Tortillas – Lightly warmed tortillas are a must for fajitas. Flour tortillas are your best option (as opposed to corn tortillas) as they tend to hold up well to all the fajita toppings.
How to make fajitas with ground beef
In a small bowl, whisk together the spices for the fajita seasoning.
Heat a skillet over medium heat and the add the ground beef and seasoning. Brown the beef, using a spatula to break it apart into smaller pieces as it cooks.
Once the beef is browned to your liking and no longer pink inside, stir in the green chilies (if using).
Remove the beef mixture from the heat and set aside.
Add oil to a second skillet and heat on high. Add the peppers and onions and sauté for just a few minutes until they start to soften and char slightly.
Serve the ground beef, peppers and onions on tortillas with your desired toppings.
Recipe substitutions
- For leaner fajitas, substitute ground turkey or ground chicken.
- To save a little time, use store-bought fajita seasoning instead of homemade.
- Serve the ground beef mixture on top of rice bowls or salads instead of in tortillas.
Frequently asked questions
The homemade fajita seasoning is a bit spicy, and the addition of chopped green chilies definitely adds some extra heat. If you’re sensitive to spice, just leave out the chopped green chilies and use only half of the fajita seasoning. You can always add more seasoning to the ground beef after it’s browned.
There are so many topping options! You can top fajitas with salsa, sour cream, avocado slices, guacamole, cheese, sliced jalapeños, chopped cilantro or a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
Yes, you can use frozen ground beef. Just let it thaw in the fridge overnight before cooking it.
Yes, you can brown the ground beef in advance and slice the peppers and onions. When ready to enjoy, sauté the peppers and onions and reheat the ground beef in a skillet or in the microwave.
Storage, freezing and reheating
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They should last for 3-4 days.
Reheat leftovers in the microwave or in a skillet on the stovetop before adding them to tortillas.
You can also freeze leftovers, but I suggest freezing the meat separately from the peppers and onions.
Just place them in separate freezer safe containers or bags and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge before reheating.
Key recipe tips
- Be careful not to overcook the ground beef. You want it browned and cooked to a safe internal temperature of 160F, but you don’t want it to end up tough and chewy.
- Make sure your skillet is hot when you add the peppers and onions. This will help char them quickly without overcooking. Remove them from the heat when they just start to soften. If you leave them longer, they’ll start to get too soft and soggy.
- If you only have one skillet, just transfer the cooked ground beef to a plate while you sauté the peppers and onions in the same skillet.
- If you have an air fryer, you can also cook your peppers and onions in it using this air fryer peppers and onions recipe.
- The green chilies are optional and add extra heat. Feel free to leave them out if you prefer.
More Mexican inspired recipes
- Taco Cups with Ground Turkey
- Pulled Pork Breakfast Nachos
- Loaded Veggie Nachos
- Air Fryer Fish Tacos
- Cashew Queso
- Air Fryer Tortilla Chips
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear what you think in the comments below!
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Print
Ground Beef Fajitas
- Prep Time: 12 minutes
- Cook Time: 15
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 8 fajitas
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sauté
- Cuisine: Mexican
Description
Ground Beef Fajitas are ready in less than 30 minutes and include lean ground beef, peppers, onions and homemade fajita seasoning!
Ingredients
- Fajita seasoning (see below)
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 can (127 ml) chopped green chilies (optional)
- 1/2 large green bell pepper, cut into 1/2-inch slices
- 1/2 large red bell pepper, cut into 1/2-inch slices
- 1/2 large yellow bell pepper, cut into 1/2-inch slices
- 1/2 large red onion, cut into 1/2-inch slices
- 8 flour tortillas
Optional toppings:
- sour cream
- salsa
- cheese
- avocado slices
- guacamole
- sliced jalapeños
- lime wedges
- chopped cilantro
Fajita seasoning:
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the spices for the fajita seasoning.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and the add the ground beef and fajita seasoning. Brown the beef, using a spatula to break it apart into smaller pieces as it cooks. Make sure the seasoning is mixed in with the ground beef.
- Once the beef is browned and no longer pink inside, stir in the green chilies (if using). Remove from heat and set aside.
- Add oil to a second skillet and heat on high. Add the peppers and onions and sauté for just a few minutes until they start to soften and char slightly.
- Serve ground beef, peppers and onions on warmed tortillas with your desired toppings.
Notes
- Be careful not to overcook the ground beef as it will turn out tough and chewy. You want it browned and cooked to a safe internal temperature of 160F.
- You’ll need your skillet hot when you add the peppers and onions. This will help them char quickly without overcooking and getting too soft.
- If you only have one skillet, just transfer the cooked ground beef to a plate while you sauté the peppers and onions in the same skillet.
- If you’re sensitive to spicy food, just leave out the green chilies and use just half of the fajita seasoning. You can always add more to suit your taste once the ground beef is cooked.
- Be sure to check out the other sections above the recipe card for more detailed advice and suggestions for making this recipe.
Brilliant thank you – just to say I added a little
Lime juice and dill to lift slightly x
Thanks Claire! So glad you liked the recipe.