
Steak Fajita Tacos
Thin-sliced flank steak, peppers and onions, black beans, and corn salsa.
By Ethan ChlebowskiThis recipe started as a fridge-cleanout taco night using leftover peppers, onions, and cilantro. With a protein and some pantry/freezer staples, it turns into a full fajita spread, which can come together fast enough for a weeknight with items like canned beans or frozen corn.

Ethan Chlebowski
Ingredients
Steak
- flank, skirt, or flatiron steak700 g~1.5 lb
- salt7 g1%
- neutral oilfor searing
Corn salsa
- frozen corn300 g2 parts
- cherry tomatoes, chopped150 g1 part
- red onions, diced1/2
- serrano peppers, diced1
- cilantro, rough choppeda handful
- smoked paprikaa sprinkle
- lime juiceto taste
- saltto taste
- neutral oila drizzlefor cooking
Cumin garlic black beans
- black beans1 can~400 g
- garlic, thin sliced2 cloves
- cumin seeds5 ga spoonful
- saltto taste
- neutral oila drizzlefor cooking
Peppers & onions
- bell peppers, thin sliced2
- onions, thin sliced1
- cumin seeds, crushed5 ga spoonful
- chili powder5 ga spoonful
- smoked paprika5 ga spoonful
- saltto taste
For serving
- flour tortillas
- queso fresco, crumbled
Method
Step 1: Salt the steak
Season the flank steak generously with salt on both sides. If time allows, place uncovered in the fridge for at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours ahead to .
Step 2: Make the corn salsa
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add a small amount of oil and the frozen corn kernels along with the smoked paprika.
for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until excess moisture cooks off and parts of the corn begin to lightly.
Transfer the corn to a bowl and mix with the tomatoes, red onion, serrano, and cilantro. Add lime and salt to taste. Set aside.
Step 3: Cook the beans
Using the same pan, add an extra dizzle of oil along with the cumin seeds and sliced garlic.
- over medium heat for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden.
Add the black beans and stir until warmed through. If needed, excess liquid. Once the beans are warm and at the right consistency, season with salt to taste.
Step 4: Sear the steak
Heat a large cast-iron skillet over high heat until very hot, roughly 400°F/205°C surface temperature.
- Add a thin layer of oil, then place the steak into the pan. for 2-4 minutes per side until deeply .
Once the steak reaches around 90-100°F/32-38°C internal temperature, temporarily remove it from the pan.
Step 5: Sauté peppers and onions; finish steak
Add the sliced peppers and onions directly into the same hot pan.
- Season with salt, crushed cumin seed, chili powder, and smoked paprika, then for 4-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and around the edges.
Return the steak to the pan (on top of the peppers) and finish cooking everything together until the steak reaches 125-130°F/52-54°C for medium-rare.
Step 6: Slice steak and assemble tacos
Rest the steak for at least 5 minutes after cooking, then slice very thinly across the grain.
Warm the tortillas in a dry pan or directly over a burner until lightly toasted.
Then, assemble your tacos: layer each tortilla with black beans, peppers and onions, sliced steak, corn salsa, and queso fresco. Finish with extra lime juice if desired.
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