Celebrate National Fajita Day

A classic fajita is one of our favourites to make and eat. And they are finally getting the credit they deserve because August 18th is National Fajita Day! Whether you're a seasoned fajita enthusiast or a newcomer, this is the perfect time to indulge in this beloved dish. And don’t worry; we’ve got you covered with how to celebrate this national holiday.

The Fajita’s History

The fajita, a true embodiment of Tex-Mex culture, has taken the culinary world by storm, but its origins lie in humble beginnings.

The story of fajitas traces back to the early 1930s when Mexican vaqueros in Texas crafted this dish using throwaway cuts of beef as part of their compensation for their work. Faced with tough cuts, the resourceful workers ingeniously made the most of what they had, particularly the flavorful skirt steak. They skillfully cooked the steak over an open fire or grill and paired it with flour or corn tortillas, pico de gallo, guacamole, and a medley of southwestern spices.

Initially, this simple and affordable meal was a quick fix for hardworking labourers. However, its delectable taste and satisfying combination of flavours quickly turned it into a local favourite, spreading its appeal far and wide.

However, a simple combination of spices soon changed and adapted. Thus, we present three recipes to help get the party started, a staple recipe, and two fun takes on it!

Steak Fajita Recipe

A quick and easy take on the classic that’s perfect for those busy nights with dinner on the go! Find the original recipe here.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs steak sliced into 1/2 inch strips (Stop by Co-op’s Butcher section for various steak choices!)
• 1 red pepper, deseeded and sliced
• 1 bell pepper, deseeded and sliced
• 1 medium onion, peeled and sliced
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 1/2 tsp chilli powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• pinch cayenne pepper
• 1/2 tsp Kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 6-8 tortillas, warmed
• Optional: Sour cream, guacamole, and salsa

Directions

• Place the steak into a sealable bag. Place the peppers and onion into a separate sealable bag. Add the olive oil, lime juice, chilli powder, ground cumin, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper, and garlic to a jar with a screw top or tight-fitting lid. Shake until well combined. Pour 1/3 of the marinade over the steak and 1/3 of the marinade over the vegetables, and reserve the remaining marinade in the jar for use when cooking the steak. Seal the bags tightly and refrigerate for one hour to overnight.
• When ready to cook, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Pour the vegetables into the skillet and cook until just tender-crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove the vegetables from the skillet to a plate and add steak strips to the same skillet. When the steak is cooked throughout (about 7-10 minutes), add vegetables back to the skillet along with the reserved marinade.
• Serve with warm tortillas and desired optional garnishes.

Fajita Fries Recipe

This excellent recipe uses leftover items you probably already have, taking up that precious freezer space. See the original recipe here.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 yellow bell pepper, sliced
• 1/4 red onion, sliced
• 1 tbsp fajita seasoning (Make sure to pick up Co-op Gold Fajita Seasoning packets!)
• 1/2 cup Leftover Chicken, chopped or shredded
• 1/2 cup Mexican Cheese
• ½ Bag of Fries (Try our $10 Party Pack of the Regular or Potato Wedges)
• Sour cream, jalapeño, cilantro, etc.

Directions

• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• In a small skillet, heat olive oil over high heat. Add the bell pepper and onion. Cook for 3-5 mins until charred. Add seasoning and cook an additional 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Assemble fajita fries on the baking sheet by layering sweet potato fries, chicken, veggies, and cheese. Place baking sheet in the oven for 7-10 mins until food is warmed and cheese is melted.
• Remove from oven and top with sour cream, jalapeños, cilantro, avocado, salsa, etc.!

Chicken Fajita Dip Recipe

We’re not saying you must make this to celebrate National Fajita Day. You might save one for those holiday parties or on game days coming up. We’re just planning ahead. View the original recipe here.

Ingredients

• 16 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 ½ cups sour cream
• 2 tbsp fajita seasoning
• 1 cup finely diced bell pepper, any colour
• 1/2 cup sweet onion, finely diced
• 2 cups shredded chicken
• 1/2 cup Cheddar or Mexi-blend cheese, shredded
• Optional: 2 tbsp cilantro, chopped

Directions

• Combine the cream cheese, sour cream, and fajita seasoning and mix until smooth. Stir in the bell pepper, onion, and shredded chicken and combine.
• Spread the mixture in a 2 qt casserole dish, then top evenly with cheese. Bake at 350˚F, covered loosely with foil, for 25-35 minutes or until the edges of the dip start to bubble.
• Optional: remove the foil for the last 10 minutes of baking to allow the cheese to get crispier.
• Sprinkle the chopped cilantro over the top of the dip, and then serve warm with tortilla chips, veggies, and tortillas for dipping!

How are you going to celebrate National Fajita Day? Share it with us on Instagram or Facebook! We want to see which one you recreate.