This 20-minute, colorful fajita taco salad with steak makes a delicious, fresh and well-balanced summer dinner. It's made with fresh lettuce, flavorful fried steak bites, charred peppers and red onion, cheese and crumbled Doritos. A creamy chili oregano dressing ties everything together.
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Why make this recipe?
As the name implies, this recipe combines fajita and taco flavors and textures, all packaged together in a refreshing steak taco salad. Charred strips of bell pepper, jalapeno and red onion add the typical fajita flavors. Crumbled Doritos give the salad the crunch you get from a hard taco shell. Together this is a fantastic meal salad that has everything you want and need from a dinner in one big, delicious bowl.
For another delicious dinner salad also check out this ras el hanout grilled chicken salad!
What cut of beef should I use?
I recommend sirloin steak for this recipe. Sirloin steak has great flavor and is still quite budget-friendly. That being said, you can also go with higher quality cuts of beef, such as rib eye, if you want to.
I don't recommend cheaper cuts of beef, such as steak cubes labeled as "stew meat." This cut of beef will be very tough after frying and does not have much flavor.
How to prepare beef and vegetables:
See full ingredients & instructions in the recipe card below!
Step 1. Slice red bell pepper, jalapeno and red onion into thin strips. Set aside.
Step 2. Cut the steak into ¾-inch to 1-inch chunks and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
Step 3. Heat olive oil in a cast iron pan until very hot, then sear the steak bites in it. Transfer the steak to a bowl using a slotted spoon. Add the vegetables to the same pan (no need to clean it in between) and cook until starting to soften.
Salad dressing ingredients:
How to make the dressing:
See full ingredients & instructions in the recipe card below!
Step 1. Add all ingredients to a bowl.
Step 2. Whisk until smooth. Keep refrigerated until ready to use.
How to serve the salad:
Slice romaine lettuce and distribute onto plates. Top with beef and vegetables. Drizzle the dressing on top, then sprinkle with cheese and crumbled Doritos.
How to store leftovers:
You can transfer the individual components (beef, peppers and onion, lettuce, cheese, dressing) into separate airtight containers and store in the fridge.
More Mexican-inspired recipes:
- Chunky Chuck Roast Chili (Dutch Oven)2 Hours
- Taco Stuffed Poblano Peppers48 Minutes
- Chicken and Chorizo Fajitas25 Minutes
- Spicy Chipotle Honey Cilantro Dressing10 Minutes
See all recipes with chili powder seasoning →
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating or comment! Thanks!
Full Printable Recipe
Fajita Taco Salad
Equipment:
- measuring spoons and cups
- mixing bowls
- citrus juicer
- garlic press (optional)
- knife and cutting board
- whisk
- large cast iron pan
- slotted spoon
Ingredients:
For the dressing (makes about 6 tablespoons):
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 ½ tablespoons full-fat sour cream
- 1 ½ tablespoons whole milk
- ⅜ teaspoon lemon juice, more to taste
- 1 small garlic clove, peeled and minced or pressed through a garlic press
- ½ teaspoon chili powder seasoning*
- ¾ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 ½ teaspoons mild olive oil
- salt, to taste
For the beef and vegetables:
- 8 ounces sirloin steak**, cut into ¾-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon mild olive oil
- ½ small red bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
- 1 large or 2 small jalapeno peppers, ribs and seeds removed and sliced into thin strips
- ¼ red onion, peeled and sliced into thin wedges
For the salad:
- 4 cups shredded romaine lettuce
- 1 ounce grated cheese, such as monterey jack or cheddar
- 10 Doritos, crumbled
Instructions:
For the dressing:
- Whisk all ingredients together until smooth. Season to taste with salt and more lemon juice (if desired). Refrigerate until ready to serve.
For the beef and vegetables:
- Season the steak chunks with salt and black pepper. Set aside.
- Heat olive oil in large cast iron pan until very hot. (The beef should sizzle immediately when it hits the pan.)
- Fry the beef until the edges are starting to brown (3-5 minutes). Turn the beef chunks over halfway through.***
- Using a slotted spoon, transfer the beef to a bowl, then add peppers and onion to the pan. Cook until just starting to soften (1-2 minutes).
For the salad:
- Add lettuce to plates, top with beef, peppers and onion, drizzle with dressing, then sprinkle with cheese and Dorito chips. Serve immediately.
Notes:
Nutrition Information (Estimated):
Nutrition values provided on this website are generated from a nutrition database and are estimates only. The accuracy of the nutrition information for any recipe on this website is not guaranteed. Nutrition values can vary quite a lot depending on which brands are used.
Jason
Super fast and super easy to make.
We cut our steak into strips rather than cubes. In our house, this fed two adults, but fell just shy of 3 adult portions. I recommended multiplying the recipe accordingly, depending on the size of your family.
Nicole B.
Great, let me know how you like it! :)