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 straightforward to customise with kid-friendly toppings and filled with veggies!
You recognize these nights once you wish to serve one thing particular however you’re operating 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 after I realized my youngsters have been extra enthusiastic about dinner once they might 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 hundreds up on salsa, and my husband at all times goes again for seconds. All of us get what we wish, 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 an alternative of combating over who doesn’t like what, everybody will get to create their excellent bowl with precisely the toppings they need. My youngsters really feel like they’re making their very own particular meal, which suggests manner much less dinner drama and far more precise consuming. Even my most selective eater will strive new issues once they’re in command of constructing their very own plate.
Veggies That Style Nice
The sautéed bell peppers and onions get superbly caramelized and tackle all these superb steak flavors, so that they style like a part of the primary dish moderately than a facet 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 moderately 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 utilize the identical pan for the greens, which suggests all these scrumptious steak flavors get into the peppers and onions too. The rice cooks individually, however that’s hands-off time you need to use to assist with homework or prep the toppings. By the point everybody’s performed consuming, you’ve received possibly two pans and a few bowls to scrub as a substitute of a kitchen stuffed with dishes.
Restaurant Flavors on a Household Funds
Flank steak offers you that excellent texture and beefy taste with out the value tag of premium cuts, and the marinade makes even essentially 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 following day. You’re getting restaurant-quality flavors for about half what you’d spend on takeout.
Ideas for Greatest Outcomes:
- Marinade time issues – 2 hours is the candy spot for flank steak to absorb taste with out changing into mushy. In a single day is okay in the event you’re brief on time the day-of.
- Prepare dinner steak sizzling & quick – Flank steak will get robust if overcooked. Medium-rare to medium is right.
- Relaxation earlier than slicing – Give the steak at the least 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 – Prepare dinner rice as much as 2 days forward and reheat with a splash of broth or water.
- Meal prep pleasant – Retailer elements 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 operating their very own restaurant. They love being in control of the lime wedges, cilantro, and avocado slices, and it retains them busy and engaged whilst you’re ending up the cooking. This job helps them find out about totally different components and will get them excited to strive issues they helped serve.
Ages 7-10: Washing Rice and Prepping Easy Elements
Youngsters this age can rinse the rice till the water runs clear, which is satisfying and teaches them an vital cooking talent they’ll use for all times. They will additionally assist measure spices for the marinade, shuck corn in the event you’re utilizing contemporary, and prepare the sliced greens on plates. These duties assist them perceive how flavors come collectively and provides them possession over components of the meal.
Ages 11+: Managing the Rice and Constructing Expertise
Older youngsters can deal with your 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 whilst you prep different components. By the point they’re youngsters, they will make this entire meal independently, which is strictly the type of life talent that serves them nicely later.
Substitutions & Variations
Protein swaps:
- Rooster breast or thighs – Marinate and prepare dinner the identical manner, adjusting cooking time.
- Shrimp – Marinate for simply 10–quarter-hour, then sauté 2–3 minutes per facet.
- 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 additional 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
Value: 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
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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 at the least half-hour (or as much as in a single day for greatest taste).
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Prepare dinner the Rice: Rinse rice beneath 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, scale 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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Prepare 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 facet for medium-rare (inner temp 130–135°F). Modify 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: Lower 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 facet.
- For faster prep, marinate steak whereas rice cooks.
- Substitute cauliflower rice for a low-carb possibility.
- Serve toppings individually so youngsters can customise their bowls.
- Leftovers retailer nicely in an hermetic container within the fridge for 3 days.
