You only need a few ingredients and less than 30 minutes to make these delicious Vegetarian Fajitas. Vegetarian, vegan friendly, and even an option for oil free, these Vegetable Fajitas are still hearty while being an incredibly healthy meal!
Serve these Fajitas with Mexican Corn, Homemade Salsa, and Healthy Pina Coladas for a delicious, healthy meal!
Vegetarian Fajitas
One of my favorite plant based meals to make is vegetarian fajitas.
For me, the star of fajitas has always been the peppers and onions. The sweetness of the onions and the char on the peppers is what makes a fajita to me and what keeps me craving fajitas again and again. So it only makes sense that Vegetarian Fajitas would be one of my favorite meals.
This recipe is light, flavorful, and simple to make. I add portabello mushrooms to the mix, for their meaty flavor and to add a bit more substance the fajita mixture. Seasoned boldly with homemade fajita seasoning and finished with fresh lime juice, these Vegetable Fajitas are not lacking for anything! In fact, my meat loving husband can’t get enough of these meatless fajitas. The mushrooms add just the right flavor and texture to keep him satisfied.
When topped with creamy avocado and fresh cilantro, these fajitas are simple, yet perfect. They are a great recipe for incorporating more plant based or vegetarian meals into your dinner rotation–or just need a quick meal that is ready in less than 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- Peppers: Use any large, ripe peppers you like. I love a mixture of red and yellow bell peppers, but green and orange peppers are also great options.
- Onions: A regular yellow onion or sweet onion, like a Vidalia onion, are both great options for fajitas. They both caramelize beautifully and lend the fajitas delicious flavor.
- Portabello Mushrooms: Portabello mushrooms give these fajitas texture, meatiness, and make them feel more substantial. I don’t remove the gills from the mushrooms, as I like the meaty taste it gives these fajitas. But if the texture bothers you, by all means, scrape the gills from the mushrooms before adding to the skillet.
- Garlic: A bit of garlic is always a must in my book!
- Fajita Seasoning: I use a homemade blend of fajita seasoning. It is earthy, a bit smokey, and a bit spicy.
- Limes: The zest and juice of fresh limes will make the filling come to life. I strongly recommend not skipping this ingredient.
- Tortillas: Use any tortilla you like. Wheat, flour, corn, or gluten free tortillas all work.
- Toppings for Fajitas: Diced avocado, diced tomatoes, diced onions, and cilantro are all great toppings. If you are not dairy-free or vegan, these fajitas are also delicious topped with cheese and sour cream.
How to Make Vegetarian Fajitas
There are four things to remember when making fajitas that will help you achieve the BEST vegetarian fajitas.
- Cut everything into strips. You want your vegetables to run the length of the tortilla, so it is crucial to cut your peppers, onions, and mushrooms into thin, long strips. The vegetables will have more contact surface with the skillet when cut in this manner, meaning more opportunity for char and flavor. They also will fit perfectly into the fajitas, filling every bite with peppers, onions, and mushrooms. Plus thin strips cook fast, making this meal super fast to to pull together.
- Use the right pan. Cast Iron skillets are best for authentic fajitas. The char that is achieved on the peppers and onions in a cast iron skillet is hard to beat. However, you can use a nonstick skillet if that is all you have. Just be sure your pan is heated fully before adding your peppers and onions. This will let your vegetables caramelize on the outside, while still maintaining some of their crispness.
- Add lime zest and fresh lime juice. The zest and juice of the lime bring these fajitas to life. Always zest your lime before cutting. Once you zest the lime, roll it around on the counter to get the juices flowing and then cut the lime open and squeeze the juice over the vegetables. It is a game changer when it comes to flavor in fajitas.
- Serve with a slotted spoon. Even though most of liquid will evaporate as the vegetables cook, there may be some residual liquid in the pan. And while that juice is flavorful, that same juice could make your tortillas soggy–and no one likes soggy tortillas!
More Vegetarian Mexican Favorites
Vegetarian Fajitas
Ingredients
- 1/2 tablespoon olive oil see note for oil free version
- 1 large onion thinly sliced
- 2 bell peppers seeded and thinly sliced
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 2 portabella mushrooms sliced into 1/2 inch slices
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 lime zest and juice
- minced cilantro optional
For serving: tortillas, avocado, cheese, sour cream, tomatoes, etc
Instructions
- Preheat a 12 inch cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add in oil, onions, and peppers. Saute for 4-5 minutes or until onions begin to soften and caramelize.
- Add in garlic, portabello mushrooms and spices. Saute for 4-5 minutes longer until mushrooms soften and the liquid that was released into the pan mostly renders off (it will not all render off and that is okay!)
- Turn off the heat and add in the zest and juice of one lime.
- Use a slotted spoon and serve on top of your favorite tortillas and top as desired.
Notes
Kristen Chidsey
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These are really and perfect for weeknights when I don’t want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. We will definitely make these again!
I am so glad you enjoyed Ashley. I love how fast they are myself.
I made these for dinner last night and they were incredible! I loved how quick, easy and DELICIOUS they were!
I am so glad you enjoyed so much Jessica! Thank you for letting me know.
These fajitas were absolutely delicious! Thank you for the recipe!
I am so glad you enjoyed Jen! Thank you for leaving a review.
Such a smart idea for keeping things light and flavorful. Great recipe!
Glad you enjoyed Renee!