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    Home ยป Spicy recipes

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    Spicy chipotle beef carne asada fajitas

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    How do you fancy some flavour-packed, wonderfully spicy beef, sliced and served in a soft flour tortilla with fresh, crunchy salad and a creamy, sweet chipotle dressing? Sounds yummy, right? And it doesn't take long to prepare either.

    Spicy chipotle beef carne asada fajitas - this recipe will help you create amazing, tasty fajitas for the whole family!

    At its simplest, 'carne asada' translates as grilled beef, typically served cut into thin strips. And while it can be infused with an almost limitless combination of flavours and served in all sorts of creative ways, the real star of the show is and always will be the beef itself.

    In warmer climes, carne asada would typically be made on an open grill to impart a charred flavour, but in England's more modest climate, I've found a heavy bottomed frying pan, brought up to a high heat is more than satisfactory in helping produce some amazing flavours.

    I've used an English beef steak for this recipe, rich in flavour and thinly cut so it takes on the vibrant and fresh-tasting marinades quickly and sears in a matter of seconds.

    Beef is such a versatile ingredient - perfect for a quick, satisfying midweek meal, but also rich in protein, which is essential for the body to grow and repair itself. Beef is also a good source of iron (in a form that is readily absorbed by the body), zinc (which is important to the function of a healthy immune system) and B vitamins including B12 (which is important for healthy red blood cells, growth and the production of energy).

    You can find out loads more about the benefits of beef on the Simply Beef and Lamb website, but right now, let's get down to making this delicious, easy, impressive-looking recipe that uses easy to source cupboard and fridge ingredients and is ready to enjoy in under 40 minutes.

    Note: If any of the kids (or grown ups!) aren't so keen on heat, you can cook some of the pieces of beef without the marinade. That way they can still enjoy the deliciousness of the seared beef fajitas, and add a little creamy spice if they wish using the dressing. That means everyone can enjoy a meal that suits them, with no extra effort!

    Ingredients

    For the creamy chipotle dressing

    • 50 g (3.35 oz) chipotle paste
    • 4 cloves (4) garlic roughly chopped
    • 2 tbsp runny honey
    • 2 tbsp white vinegar
    • 2 tbsp mustard
    • 1 tsp ground cumin
    • 75 ml (2.54 floz) sour cream
    • salt and black pepper

    For the spicy carne asada

    • 800 g (1.76 lb) thin cut English beef steaks
    • 1 lime juiced
    • 1 tbsp olive oil
    • 1 tbsp soy sauce

    For the salad

    • 1 small (1) iceberg lettuce shredded
    • 1 red bell pepper sliced
    • 1 yellow pepper sliced
    • 1 green bell pepper sliced
    • 3 fresh tomatoes diced
    • 200 g (7.05 oz) canned pinto beans
    • 200 g (7.05 oz) sweetcorn

    To serve

    • 8 flour tortillas
    • 2 fresh jalapenos sliced
    • 10 g (0.35 oz) fresh coriander (cilantro) roughly torn
    • 2 limes cut into wedges

    Equipment

    Instructions

    For the sweet chipotle dressing

    Put the chipotle paste, garlic, honey, white vinegar, mustard and cumin into a food processor.

    The ingredients for your sweet chipotle dressing, to accompany the spicy chipotle beef carne asada fajitas

    Blitz to a paste, then spoon 1 tbsp of the mix into a bowl with the sour cream with a pinch of salt and pepper.

    The ingredients are added together and mixed into a paste

    Mix well and set aside.

    The sweet chipotle dressing is now ready!

    For the marinade

    Add the lime juice, olive oil and soy sauce to the food processor with the remaining chipotle mix and blitz again.

    Now it's time to prepare the marinade for the beef steak

    Place the steaks in a large bowl.

    The steaks are shown here in a glass bowl, ready to be marinated

    Spoon the mix on top.

    Spoon the marinade on top of the steaks

    Massage the marinade into the steaks well and set aside.

    The steaks are marinated, a key part of these spicy chipotle beef carne asada fajitas

    For the beef

    Warm a large, heavy bottomed, non-stick pan over a high heat - you want the steaks to sizzle. Place the steaks into the pan (you'll probably have to do them in batches) and fry for just 30 to 60 seconds, then flip and sear the other side for 30 to 60 seconds. They should be a little pink in the middle (and read around 45C/113F).

    Cook the steaks in a large, heavy bottomed pan
    The marinated beef steaks are cooked over heat
    Cooked, marinated beef steak - a key part of these spicy chipotle beef carne asada fajitas

    Leave to rest for 5 minutes, then slice into thin strips against the grain.

    Slice the marinated steak against the grain

    For the salad

    Arrange the lettuce on a large platter and pile all of the other salad ingredients on top.

    Arrange your salad to create the perfect accompaniment to your spicy chipotle beef carne asada fajitas

    Serve to the table with the sliced beef, flour tortillas, jalapeños, coriander, lime wedges and the creamy dressing you made earlier, and allow everyone to dig in and construct their own meals.

    Serve everything to the table, with added accompaniments, for everyone to assemble their own spicy chipotle beef carne asada fajitas!

    How do you have your fajitas - do you love to add lots of sauce and salad, or do you prefer a more minimal meal?

    Don’t forget to check out the Simply Beef and Lamb website. You can also follow them on Facebook @SimplyBeefAndLamb and Instagram @SimplyBeefAndLamb.

    Print this carne asada fajita recipe for later

    Print Recipe
    4.8 from 10 votes

    Easy Chipotle Beef Carne Asada Tortillas Recipe

    Chipotle beef carne asada fajitas with plenty of veg and a fantastically spicy, creamy dressing that can be made easily in a pan.
    Prep Time30 minutes mins
    Cook Time10 minutes mins
    Total Time40 minutes mins
    Course: Spicy mains
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Servings: 8 tortillas
    Author: Emily Leary

    Ingredients

    For the creamy chipotle dressing

    • 50 g (3.35 oz) chipotle paste
    • 4 cloves (4) garlic roughly chopped
    • 2 tbsp runny honey
    • 2 tbsp white vinegar
    • 2 tbsp mustard
    • 1 tsp ground cumin
    • 75 ml (2.54 floz) sour cream
    • salt and black pepper

    For the spicy carne asada

    • 800 g (1.76 lb) thin cut English beef steaks
    • 1 lime juiced
    • 1 tbsp olive oil
    • 1 tbsp soy sauce

    For the salad

    • 1 small (1) iceberg lettuce shredded
    • 1 red bell pepper sliced
    • 1 yellow pepper sliced
    • 1 green bell pepper sliced
    • 3 fresh tomatoes diced
    • 200 g (7.05 oz) canned pinto beans
    • 200 g (7.05 oz) sweetcorn

    To serve

    • 8 flour tortillas
    • 2 fresh jalapenos sliced
    • 10 g (0.35 oz) fresh coriander (cilantro) roughly torn
    • 2 limes cut into wedges

    Instructions

    For the sweet chipotle dressing

    • Put the chipotle paste, garlic, honey, white vinegar, mustard and cumin into a food processor. Blitz to a paste.
    • Spoon 1 tbsp of the mix into a bowl with the sour cream with a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix well and set aside.

    For the marinade

    • Add the lime juice, olive oil and soy sauce to the food processor with the remaining chipotle mix. Blitz again.
    • Place the steaks in a large bowl with the marinade. Massage well and set aside.

    For the beef

    • Warm a large, heavy bottomed, non-stick pan over a high heat - you want the steaks to sizzle.
    • Place the steaks into the pan (you'll probably have to do them in batches) and fry for just 30 to 60 seconds, then flip and sear the other side for 30 to 60 seconds. They should be a little pink in the middle (and read around 45C/113F).
    • Leave to rest for 5 minutes, then slice into thin strips against the grain.

    For the salad

    • Arrange the lettuce on a large platter and pile all of the other salad ingredients on top.
    • Serve to the table with the sliced beef, flour tortillas, jalapeños, coriander, lime wedges and the creamy dressing you made earlier, and allow everyone to dig in and construct their own meals.

    Video

    Notes

    If any of the kids (or grown ups!) aren't so keen on heat, you can cook some of the pieces of beef without the marinade. That way they can still enjoy the deliciousness of the seared beef fajitas, and add a little creamy spice if they wish using the dressing. That means everyone can enjoy a meal that suits them, with no extra effort!  

    Nutrition

    Calories: 464kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 65mg | Sodium: 450mg | Potassium: 858mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 3395IU | Vitamin C: 81.6mg | Calcium: 113mg | Iron: 4.7mg
    * Note: nutritional information is estimated, based on publicly available data. Nutrient values may vary from those published. Information on this website should not be taken as medical advice. Cuisines identify the primary region of inspiration for a dish.
    Tried this recipe?Snap a pic and tag @amummytoo on Instagram or tag @EmilyLearyCooks on Twitter. I can't wait to see your posts!

    This is a commissioned post for Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board.

    Pin these spicy chipotle beef carne asada fajitas

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    Comments

      4.80 from 10 votes (1 rating without comment)

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    1. Alix @A Hedgehog in the Kitchen says

      March 22, 2020 at 2:45 pm

      Hi Emily!

      This recipe looks so tasty! We're really missing going out to restaurants at the moment and are making a little list of fun recipes to try while we're inside, here in Paris. I can' wait to try these fajitas! Thank you.

      Reply
      • Emily Leary says

        March 23, 2020 at 9:43 am

        Thank you! x

        Reply
    2. Jennifer Campbell says

      April 08, 2018 at 6:45 pm

      Made this for the firstctime today. Really lovely, Spicy and tasty! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Emily Leary says

        April 11, 2018 at 9:24 am

        Great to hear that you made this recipe and I'm so glad that you enjoyed it! Thanks for letting me know :)

        Reply
    3. Tiffany Yong says

      March 23, 2018 at 5:25 pm

      This look really delicious and healthy! I think my boyfriend will love this. It has everything healthy ingredient inside for a balance meal. :)

      Reply
      • Emily Leary says

        March 26, 2018 at 9:12 am

        Thank you! I hope that your boyfriend enjoys this recipe - it doesn't take too long to prepare and it's just right for a delicious mid-week meal!

        Reply
    4. Emily Leary says

      March 22, 2018 at 9:30 pm

      It is a great combination of flavours!

      Reply
    5. Journa Ramirez says

      March 19, 2018 at 11:11 am

      I am going to make some for my family. I'm sure I need to make a lot because they will love this!

      Reply
      • Emily Leary says

        March 21, 2018 at 1:17 pm

        Thank you! My family love this recipe so I'd love to hear how it goes in your house!

        Reply
    6. Preet says

      March 15, 2018 at 9:40 pm

      5 stars
      I love fajitas, actually, my whole family loves them. These spicy beef fajitas look so delicious, I would love to try your recipe. Great pictures, making me hungry already.

      Reply
      • Emily Leary says

        March 16, 2018 at 9:37 am

        Thank you! I love fajitas too, in fact we all love them in our house and this recipe is perfect for one of our weekly 'fajita nights' I hope that you give the recipe a try!

        Reply
    7. Stephanie Jeannot says

      March 15, 2018 at 12:44 pm

      Ooh I want to try making this. Chipotle is so tasty and I love anything chipotle. Looks great.

      Reply
      • Emily Leary says

        March 16, 2018 at 10:11 am

        Thank you! I hope that you give this recipe a try. It doesn't take long to prepare it's really yummy!

        Reply
    8. Donnรฉ says

      March 15, 2018 at 6:02 am

      5 stars
      These flavors are some of my favorite. My husband and I travelled in Mexico for a while last year and discovered chipotles in a big way. Sadly, they are hard to come by in South Africa. Do you know if they are easy to grow or if there is a good alternative? What exactly makes a chili smokey?

      thanks

      Reply
      • Emily Leary says

        March 16, 2018 at 8:49 pm

        Hi! Chipotle paste is made with smoke-dried jalapeรฑos, so you could google for smoke-dried chillis / smoke-dried chilli paste and you might have some luck. Do you have a Woolworths near you? It looks like it might stock this sort of thing.

        Reply
    « Older Comments

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