🥩🦐 Steak and Shrimp Fajita Skillet
A smoky, zesty skillet dish featuring tender steak, juicy shrimp, colorful veggies, and a creamy cheese-lime sauce. A Tex-Mex feast perfect for busy weeknights or festive gatherings!
📜 Description:
This Steak and Shrimp Fajita Skillet brings together the best of surf and turf in one bold and vibrant dish. Perfectly seasoned steak and shrimp are seared to perfection and served with sizzling peppers, onions, and a tangy-creamy sauce that takes everything over the top. Serve it with warm tortillas or rice for a complete, flavor-packed meal.
🍽️ Ingredients:
🔸 For the Steak:
- 1 lb sirloin or skirt steak, thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Juice of 1 lime
🔸 For the Shrimp:
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Juice of 1 lime
🔸 For the Fajita Veggies:
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
🔸 For the Creamy Sauce:
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup grated cheese (cheddar or Monterey Jack)
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
🔸 Optional Toppings:
- Fresh chopped cilantro
- Extra grated cheese
- Sliced jalapeños
- Warm tortillas or rice on the side
🍳 Instructions:
🔹 1. Marinate and Cook the Steak:
- In a bowl, toss sliced steak with olive oil, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, lime juice, salt, and pepper.
- Heat a large skillet over high heat. Sear steak in batches for 2–3 minutes until browned but still tender. Set aside.
🔹 2. Season and Cook the Shrimp:
- In a bowl, toss shrimp with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne, lime juice, salt, and pepper.
- Add to the hot skillet and cook 2–3 minutes until pink and opaque. Remove and set aside.
🔹 3. Sauté the Veggies:
- Add olive oil to the skillet. Sauté onions and peppers over medium-high heat for 4–5 minutes until softened and slightly charred.
🔹 4. Make the Creamy Sauce:
- In a small bowl, combine sour cream, mayo, cheese, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth. Adjust seasoning to taste.
🔹 5. Assemble the Skillet:
- Return steak and shrimp to the pan with the veggies. Stir gently to combine and heat through.
- Drizzle creamy sauce on top or serve on the side.
🧑🍳 Servings:
Serves 4–6
Perfect for family-style meals or fajita night with friends!
💡 Notes & Tips:
- Don’t overcook the shrimp – they only need a couple of minutes to cook through.
- Use cast iron for best char and heat retention.
- Cheese Swap: Try pepper jack for a spicy kick.
- Make it low-carb: Serve over cauliflower rice or in lettuce wraps.
- Make it ahead: Marinate proteins up to a day in advance. Reheat gently before serving.
🍽️ Nutritional Info (per serving – approx. based on 5 servings):
- Calories: 540
- Protein: 38g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fat: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 620mg
(Will vary with toppings and tortillas.)
🧠 Health Benefits:
- High Protein: Excellent mix of lean steak and shrimp for muscle support.
- Omega-3s: Shrimp offers healthy fatty acids that support heart and brain health.
- Vitamin-Rich: Bell peppers are loaded with vitamins A & C for immune support.
- Flavorful yet balanced: Satisfying without being overly heavy.
❓ Q&A:
Q: Can I grill instead of using a skillet?
A: Yes! Grill the steak and shrimp separately over medium-high heat, and toss the veggies on a grill pan or foil tray.
Q: What’s a good dairy-free sauce alternative?
A: Use dairy-free yogurt or avocado blended with lime juice, garlic, and olive oil for a creamy topping.
Q: Can I use frozen shrimp?
A: Absolutely — just make sure they’re fully thawed and patted dry before seasoning.
Q: What goes well on the side?
A: Cilantro-lime rice, refried beans, grilled corn, or a fresh avocado salad.
Q: Can I make this spicy?
A: Totally! Add chopped jalapeños to the skillet or stir some hot sauce into the creamy sauce.