A colourful, flavorful steak fajita bowl that’s excellent for household meals! With tender marinated flank steak, sautéed peppers and onions, and shiny cilantro lime rice. They’re simple to customise with kid-friendly toppings and filled with veggies!
You understand these nights once you need to serve one thing particular however you’re working on empty after a full day? That’s precisely when these steak fajita bowls come to the rescue in my home. I began making these once I realized my children have been extra enthusiastic about dinner once they may construct their very own plates, and actually, it made my life a lot simpler too.
The very best half is watching everybody customise their bowls precisely how they like them. My choosy eater skips the onions, my adventurous one masses up on salsa, and my husband at all times goes again for seconds. All of us get what we would like, and I solely need to prepare dinner one meal. That’s what I name a household dinner win.
Why Households Love these Steak Fajita Bowls
While you’re juggling homework assist, after-school actions, and the everlasting query of “what’s for dinner,” fajita bowls ship precisely what busy households want.
Construct-Your-Personal Taste
As a substitute of combating over who doesn’t like what, everybody will get to create their excellent bowl with precisely the toppings they need. My children really feel like they’re making their very own particular meal, which implies approach much less dinner drama and far more precise consuming. Even my most selective eater will attempt new issues once they’re in charge of constructing their very own plate.
Veggies That Style Nice
The sautéed bell peppers and onions get fantastically caramelized and tackle all these superb steak flavors, in order that they style like a part of the principle dish relatively than a aspect everybody has to choke down. The corn provides pure sweetness that children love, and the cilantro lime rice makes greens really feel like a part of one thing particular relatively than one thing they need to eat. We’re getting a rainbow of vitamins with out anybody feeling like they’re consuming “well being meals.”
Minimal Cleanup Magic
After you prepare dinner the steak, you employ the identical pan for the greens, which implies all these scrumptious steak flavors get into the peppers and onions too. The rice cooks individually, however that’s hands-off time you should utilize to assist with homework or prep the toppings. By the point everybody’s completed consuming, you’ve obtained possibly two pans and a few bowls to scrub as a substitute of a kitchen filled with dishes.
Restaurant Flavors on a Household Finances
Flank steak offers you that excellent texture and beefy taste with out the value tag of premium cuts, and the marinade makes even probably the most inexpensive steak style like one thing particular. The rice, beans, and greens stretch the meat to feed a household of 4 generously, and leftovers make superb lunch wraps or quesadilla filling the subsequent day. You’re getting restaurant-quality flavors for about half what you’d spend on takeout.
Ideas for Finest Outcomes:
- Marinade time issues – 2 hours is the candy spot for flank steak to take in taste with out turning into mushy. In a single day is ok in case you’re brief on time the day-of.
- Cook dinner steak scorching & quick – Flank steak will get powerful if overcooked. Medium-rare to medium is right.
- Relaxation earlier than slicing – Give the steak not less than 5 minutes to relaxation so juices redistribute.
- Slice in opposition to the grain – This shortens muscle fibers and retains the meat tender.
- Batch roast veggies – If doubling the recipe, unfold them on a sheet pan and roast at 425°F for 15–20 minutes as a substitute of sautéing in batches.
- Make-ahead rice – Cook dinner rice as much as 2 days forward and reheat with a splash of broth or water.
- Meal prep pleasant – Retailer parts individually, then assemble bowls simply earlier than consuming.
Child Helper Jobs for Steak Fajita Bowls
Ages 4-6: Setting Up the Topping Station
Little ones can prepare all of the toppings in small bowls across the desk, which makes them really feel like they’re working their very own restaurant. They love being in command of the lime wedges, cilantro, and avocado slices, and it retains them busy and engaged when you’re ending up the cooking. This job helps them find out about totally different substances and will get them excited to attempt issues they helped serve.
Ages 7-10: Washing Rice and Prepping Easy Components
Children this age can rinse the rice till the water runs clear, which is satisfying and teaches them an necessary cooking talent they’ll use for all times. They will additionally assist measure spices for the marinade, shuck corn in case you’re utilizing recent, and prepare the sliced greens on plates. These duties assist them perceive how flavors come collectively and provides them possession over elements of the meal.
Ages 11+: Managing the Rice and Constructing Abilities
Older children can deal with the complete rice cooking course of from begin to end, which builds their confidence with timing and following multi-step directions. They will additionally assist with slicing greens and studying correct knife security, or take cost of the marinade when you prep different substances. By the point they’re youngsters, they will make this entire meal independently, which is strictly the sort of life talent that serves them properly later.
Substitutions & Variations
Protein swaps:
- Rooster breast or thighs – Marinate and prepare dinner the identical approach, adjusting cooking time.
- Shrimp – Marinate for simply 10–quarter-hour, then sauté 2–3 minutes per aspect.
- Tofu or tempeh – Press tofu to take away moisture, then marinate and pan-sear till golden.
- Portobello mushrooms – Slice thick and grill or sauté for a hearty vegetarian possibility.
Veggie swaps:
- Use zucchini, mushrooms, or broccoli florets if peppers aren’t in season.
- Add roasted candy potato cubes for a fall twist.
- Swap frozen fire-roasted corn for further smokiness.
Rice swaps:
- Brown rice, farro, or quinoa for a nutty, fiber-rich base.
- Cauliflower rice for low-carb or lighter possibility (sauté briefly to melt).
- Mexican-style rice for a bolder taste profile.
Taste boosts:
- Add a pinch of cayenne or purple pepper flakes to the marinade for warmth.
- Stir in 1–2 tbsp chopped pickled jalapeños to the sautéed greens.
- Drizzle with chipotle crema (mix bitter cream or Greek yogurt with chipotle in adobo).
Steak Fajita Bowls With Cilantro Lime Rice
A colourful, flavorful bowl that’s excellent for household meals, that includes tender marinated flank steak, sautéed bell peppers and onions, and shiny cilantro lime rice. Straightforward to customise with kid-friendly toppings and filled with hidden veggies!
Servings: 4 servings
Price: Inexpensive
1 Resealable Plastic Bag or Shallow Dish for Marinating
1 Medium Saucepan with Lid
1 Giant Skillet or Grill Pan
1 Reducing Board and Sharp Knife
Cilantro Lime Rice
- 1 cup long-grain rice white or brown
- 2 cups water
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup cilantro freshly chopped
- 1.5 tsp lime about 1 lime
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Make the Marinade: In a bowl, whisk collectively 2 tbsp olive oil, lime juice, garlic, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and 1/4 cup cilantro.
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Marinate the Steak: Place flank steak in a resealable bag or shallow dish and pour the marinade over it. Seal and refrigerate for not less than half-hour (or as much as in a single day for finest taste).
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Cook dinner the Rice: Rinse rice underneath chilly water till water runs clear. In a medium saucepan, mix rice, water, salt, and 1 tbsp olive oil. Convey to a boil, then cowl, cut back warmth to low, and simmer for quarter-hour. Take away from warmth and let stand lined 5 minutes. Fluff with fork, then stir in cilantro and lime juice.
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Cook dinner the Steak: Warmth a big skillet or grill pan over excessive warmth. Take away steak from marinade and pat dry with paper towels. Add 1 tbsp olive oil to the pan and sear steak 4–5 minutes per aspect for medium-rare (inner temp 130–135°F). Regulate time for desired doneness. Switch steak to a plate, tent with foil, and let relaxation 5–10 minutes.
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Sauté the Veggies: In the identical pan, add the sliced bell peppers, onions, and corn. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and prepare dinner over medium-high warmth till softened and barely charred, about 5–7 minutes.
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Slice the Steak: Reduce steak thinly in opposition to the grain for tenderness.
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Assemble Bowls: Divide cilantro lime rice amongst 4 bowls. Prime with sliced steak, sautéed veggies, avocado slices, salsa, and extra cilantro. Serve with lime wedges on the aspect.
- For faster prep, marinate steak whereas rice cooks.
- Substitute cauliflower rice for a low-carb possibility.
- Serve toppings individually so children can customise their bowls.
- Leftovers retailer properly in an hermetic container within the fridge for 3 days.
