Beef Fajita Salad Lime (Printable View)

Tender spiced beef meets crisp vegetables and zesty lime for a fresh, satisfying dish.

# What You Need:

→ For the Beef

01 - 14 oz flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 tsp chili powder
04 - 1 tsp ground cumin
05 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
06 - ½ tsp garlic powder
07 - ½ tsp onion powder
08 - ½ tsp salt
09 - ¼ tsp black pepper

→ For the Salad

10 - 1 large romaine lettuce heart, chopped
11 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
12 - 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
13 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
14 - 1 ripe avocado, sliced
15 - 3.5 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
16 - 2 oz cheddar cheese, shredded
17 - Fresh cilantro leaves, to garnish

→ For the Lime Dressing

18 - 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
19 - 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
20 - 1 tbsp honey
21 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
22 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
23 - ¼ tsp salt
24 - ⅛ tsp black pepper

# How-To Steps:

01 - Combine olive oil, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Add sliced beef and toss to coat evenly. Let marinate for 10 minutes while preparing remaining ingredients.
02 - Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Cook marinated beef strips for 2-3 minutes per side until browned and just cooked through. Remove from heat and set aside.
03 - Arrange chopped romaine lettuce, red and yellow bell peppers, red onion, avocado, cherry tomatoes, and shredded cheddar cheese in a large salad bowl.
04 - Whisk together extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lime juice, honey, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until fully emulsified.
05 - Add warm beef strips to the salad. Drizzle with lime dressing and toss gently to combine. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The warm spiced beef against cool crisp lettuce creates this incredible temperature contrast that makes every bite interesting
  • You get all those classic fajita flavors but feel light and energized instead of heavy afterward
  • The lime dressing cuts through the richness while pulling everything together in this bright way that makes you want to keep eating
02 -
  • Slice your beef against the grain or it will be tough no matter how perfectly you cook it
  • Do not skip letting the dressing emulsify properly or it will separate and pool at the bottom of your bowl
  • Add the beef while it is still hot because that slight warmth wilts the lettuce just enough to make it perfect
03 -
  • Pat the beef completely dry before adding the spice rub or it will not sear properly
  • Let your skillet get properly hot between batches so each piece gets that gorgeous crust
  • Taste the dressing before adding it and adjust the honey or lime based on your personal preference

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