Sirloin Steak Fajita Roll-Ups Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is sirloin tender steak good for fajitas? ›

Steak: Flank steak is what's typically used for steak fajitas. But you can also use sirloin steak or skirt steak (similar to my carne asada recipe). Steak Fajita Marinade: A simple yet flavorful combo of lime juice, olive oil, garlic, ground cumin, chili powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper — that's it!

Skirt steak is the traditional cut used for fajitas. It used to be inexpensive, but now it's not so cheap; oftentimes flank steak costs less. Either will be a good choice.

Most fine restaurants age their beef to intensify the flavor and improve the tenderness of the cut. Wet aging is done by vacuum packing the meat and letting it age in its own juices. Wet aging is done by more than 90% of fine steakhouses.

Being lean, top sirloin rarely has enough fat content to change the texture. The soft, sometimes stringy texture of heavy marbling is not present in this cut. As long as the sirloin is not overcooked, it will still be tender and juicy. On top of all of this, sirloin is one of the most affordable cuts of steak.

Marinate with Acid

Not only does a tenderizing steak marinade imbue aromatic flavour, but the acidic ingredients in it also denature connective proteins in the meat. Regular or apple cider vinegar, wine or beer, lemon or lime juice, buttermilk or yogurt contain tenderizing acids.

Fajita meat is marinated and grilled before it is cut into strips and served. The best way to get a tender slice of meat is to cut perpendicular to (across) the grain of the meat. Sometimes the grain is not straight across the whole piece of meat and can change direction several times, presenting a challenge.

Once the meat has rested, slice it against the grain into thin strips, then add to the skillet with the fajita veggies.

A fajita (/fəˈhiːtə/; Spanish: [faˈxita]), in Tex-Mex cuisine, is any stripped grilled meat, optionally served with stripped peppers and onions usually served on a flour or corn tortilla. The term originally referred to skirt steak, the cut of beef first used in the dish.

In addition to a meat pounder, another popular meat-tenderizing tool is the Jaccard, a device that contains several blades that, when pressed against the surface of the meat, cut through the muscle fibers.

What kind of onion for fajitas? ›

There's no one-size-fits-all answer to choosing the right onion for your fajitas. You can go for the traditional white or yellow onions, offering a more savory option, or experiment with sweet onions like Vidalia or Walla Walla to add a subtle sweetness to your dish.

The Sirloin is home to popular fabricated cuts but is first separated into the Top Sirloin Butt and Bottom Sirloin Butt. In the Top Sirlon you'll find steaks great for grilling, while the Bottom Sirloin provides cuts like Tri-Tip and Sirloin Bavette, which are good for roasting or grilling.

In restaurants, skirt steak is the preferred cut for carne asada. But at home, you might notice that skirt steak is never as tender as it is in restaurants. That's because restaurants buy skirt steaks pre-marinated and tenderized using a special process from commercial meat processors.

But I love the flavour of skirt steak for fajitas. And it's an ideal cut because it's (usually) pretty good value and benefits from the tenderising from the marinade.

Also known as bavette, sirloin flap meat is a great alternative to skirt steak in many recipes. This cut of beef is flavorful, tender, and versatile, making it suitable for a variety of dishes.

Some people may prefer skirt steak because it is more tender and juicy, while others may prefer sirloin because it has a more robust flavor. Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide which steak they prefer.