Fajita Marinade
User Reviews
5
Fajita Marinade
Description
The Fajita Marinade is a balanced mix of acidic lime juice, savory soy sauce, and olive oil that helps tenderize and flavor meats. Aromatics like minced garlic and fresh cilantro provide fragrant complexity, while spices such as cayenne pepper and black pepper add gentle heat. Liquid smoke contributes a smoky undertone that enhances the grilled or seared character of fajitas.
Meats such as boneless chicken breasts or thighs, skirt steak, or flank steak benefit from marinating in this mixture for at least two hours, with longer marination intensifying flavor and tenderness up to overnight. Before cooking, letting the meat rest at room temperature for 20-30 minutes encourages even cooking. The marinade quantity suggested is about half a cup per pound of meat to ensure thorough coating.
To serve, the marinated and cooked meat pairs well with tortillas and common fajita toppings like homemade salsa, diced avocado, cheese, Pico de Gallo, sour cream, and guacamole, creating a full, flavorful meal. The marinade can be stored refrigerated up to a week or frozen for longer use but should be discarded after contact with raw meat to avoid contamination.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup lime juice
- ⅓ cup water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon garlic minced
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon liquid smoke
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons cilantro chopped
Instructions
- Whisk all ingredients and refrigerate until ready to use. Marinate chicken, pork, or beef in the marinade for at least two hours, or up to overnight.
Notes
- Store leftover marinade in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to one week or freeze for up to one month.
- Discard any marinade that has come into contact with raw meat to prevent cross-contamination.
- Use approximately ½ cup of marinade per 1 pound of meat for best flavor coverage.
- Marinate meat for at least 2 hours, ideally 6-8 hours, in the refrigerator for optimal tenderness and flavor.
- Before cooking, allow marinated meat to rest at room temperature for 20-30 minutes for even cooking.
- Recommended meats include boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, skirt steak, and flank steak.
- Enhance flavor further with complementary fajita seasoning and serve with traditional toppings such as salsa, avocado, cheese, Pico de Gallo, sour cream, and guacamole inside tortillas.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 1Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 288 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 288kcal | 14% |
| Carbohydrates | 10g | 3% |
| Protein | 2g | 4% |
| Fat | 28g | 43% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 20g | 100% |
| Sodium | 3009mg | 125% |
| Potassium | 167mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 507IU | 10% |
| Vitamin C | 22mg | 24% |
| Calcium | 36mg | 4% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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