Ground beef fajitas are a quick and easy dinner option perfect for busy weeknights. With simple ingredients and minimal prep, you’ll have a delicious meal on the table in no time.
15 Minute Ground Beef Fajitas
I love quick and easy options for dinner on busy days, and these ground beef fajitas are a lifesaver. They come together in just 15 minutes, including prep time. A store-bought fajita mix helps save time, but you can always make your own homemade fajita seasoning mix if you like. Ground beef is a great protein choice because it’s more cost-effective than steak, making it perfect for feeding the whole family without breaking the bank.
If you love fajitas as much as I do, check out my easy Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas!
Ingredients
- Lean ground beef – Provides a flavorful and cost-effective protein base for the fajitas.
- Fajita seasoning – Adds the perfect blend of spices, bringing authentic Mexican flavor to the dish.
- Olive oil – For cooking the vegetables.
- Yellow onion – Offers a mild sweetness and a bit of crunch to balance the textures.
- Bell peppers – A classic component of fajitas. I like to use a mix of different colors for visual interest.
- Water – Helps the seasoning blend evenly with the veggies.
- Fresh lime juice – Adds freshness that brightens up the dish
Making the Ground Beef Fajita Recipe
- Cook the beef – Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the ground beef and cook for 4-5 minutes, breaking the meat up with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink. Add the fajita seasoning to the meat and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Drain any excess grease and transfer the ground beef mixture to a plate.
- Cook the vegetables – In the same skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the fajita veggies to the hot pan and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until the vegetables soften.
- Combine and serve – Add the seasoned ground beef back to the pan with the water and lime juice. Stir well and cook for another minute. Serve hot in flour tortillas with your favorite fajita toppings.
Variations and substitutions
Different proteins – Swap out the ground beef for ground turkey or ground chicken for a lighter option. Both work well and soak up the fajita seasoning beautifully.
Spice it up – To give your fajitas an extra kick, add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the fajita seasoning.
Onion variety – Use red or white onion instead of yellow for a slightly different flavor profile. Red onion adds a bit of sharpness, while white onion is a bit sweeter.
Extra veggies – Incorporate additional vegetables like zucchini or mushrooms for added flavor, texture, and nutrition. These veggies cook quickly and blend seamlessly with the fajita mix.
Tips for success
- Prep everything in advance – Have all your ingredients chopped and ready to go before you start cooking. This helps the cooking process go smoothly and ensures nothing gets overcooked.
- Use lean ground beef – I recommend using lean beef of 90/10 or leaner to avoid excess grease.
- Cut vegetables evenly – Cut the vegetables to the same length and thickness so they cook evenly.
- Cook on high heat – Use high heat when cooking the beef and vegetables to get a nice sear and keep the veggies crisp-tender.
- Distribute seasoning evenly – The recipe includes water to help distribute the seasoning from the ground meat to the vegetables.
- Serve immediately – Fajitas are best served hot off the stove, so have your warm tortillas and toppings ready to go. My favorite toppings are sour cream, fresh cilantro, and hot sauce (Cholula, to be specific)!
Storage
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or in 30-second increments in the microwave.
The fajitas can be frozen for up to three months. Allow the beef and vegetables to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container or freezer bag for storage. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating. The texture of the bell peppers will change once frozen, making them softer.
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Ground Beef Fajitas
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 (1 ounce) packet of fajita seasoning 3 tablespoons
- 1 large yellow onion cut in 1/4 inch strips
- 3 bell peppers cut in 1/4 inch strips
- 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil
- ¼ cup water
- 1/2 lime juiced
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the ground beef and cook for 4-5 minutes, breaking the meat up with a wooden spoon until no longer pink. Drain any excess grease, add the fajita seasoning, and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Transfer the beef to a plate.
- In the same skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the vegetables and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until the vegetables soften.
- Add the cooked ground beef, water and lime juice to the pan. Stir well and cook for another minute.
- Serve hot in flour tortillas with your favorite fajita toppings.
Notes
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or in 30-second increments in the microwave.
- The fajitas can be frozen for up to three months. Allow the beef and vegetables to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container or freezer bag for storage. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating. The texture of the bell peppers will change once frozen, making them softer.
Nutrition
Disclaimer: Nutrition information is estimated based on automated calculations and should be considered as an approximation. These estimates are provided as a courtesy. Please use your own brand’s nutritional values to verify accuracy.