There’s something about the way the kitchen smells when bell peppers and onions hit a hot skillet that instantly signals comfort. I remember one evening, juggling a dozen things and realizing dinner hadn’t even crossed my mind until the clock nudged past six. The colors of the peppers, bright and inviting, mixed with the rich scent of browned ground beef, pulled me in. I was halfway through chopping when the phone rang—interrupting me—and I dropped the knife with a clatter that startled even me. But the sizzle kept going, a reminder that this meal wasn’t going to wait, and neither could I.
Later, wrapping those warm tortillas around the spicy, savory filling felt like a small victory. The blend of smoky paprika, cumin, and a touch of chili powder danced on my tongue, and the fresh squeeze of lime cut through the richness in the best way. I didn’t measure the time exactly, but somewhere between the first bite and the last, I knew this was going to be a quick favorite. It’s the kind of dinner that doesn’t ask for much fuss but delivers a lot — and sometimes, that’s exactly what a busy night calls for.
- Combines fresh vegetables with seasoned ground beef for a balanced, flavorful bite.
- Fast to prepare, making it ideal for busy weeknights or unexpected guests.
- It’s simple — and that’s kind of the point. No complicated steps, just good food.
- Flexible toppings let you customize without stress, though the cheese and cilantro really add a nice touch.
If you’re worried about juggling everything, this recipe’s forgiving nature gives you room to breathe while still pulling off a satisfying meal.
Print
Ground Beef Fajitas
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
A quick and flavorful ground beef fajitas recipe with sautéed bell peppers and onions, seasoned with classic fajita spices, perfect for a delicious weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 medium green bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 medium yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
8 small flour tortillas
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
1 lime, cut into wedges (optional)
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the sliced onions and bell peppers to the skillet and sauté for 5-6 minutes until they are tender and slightly caramelized. Remove the vegetables from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the ground beef. Cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until browned and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes.
Add the minced garlic, chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper to the cooked ground beef. Stir well to combine and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to toast the spices.
Return the sautéed bell peppers and onions to the skillet with the seasoned ground beef. Stir to combine and heat through for 1-2 minutes.
Warm the flour tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave according to package instructions.
To serve, spoon the ground beef and vegetable mixture onto each tortilla. Top with shredded cheddar cheese and chopped fresh cilantro if desired. Serve with lime wedges on the side.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
Honestly, you don’t need anything fancy here. A sturdy skillet and something to slice those peppers is enough. I usually toast the tortillas in the same pan just to soak up some of those leftover flavors — it’s a little trick I picked up that makes a difference. For serving, a simple side salad or even some quick black beans rounds things out nicely. I’ve tried swapping out the ground beef for turkey or even plant-based crumbles, but the beef’s richness really wins. Sometimes, I toss in a pinch more crushed red pepper flakes if I’m feeling adventurous, but not every time — it depends on the mood.
FAQ
Can I make this ahead? Yes, you can prepare the beef and vegetables in advance and reheat when ready. Just keep the tortillas separate to avoid sogginess.
What if I don’t like spicy food? You can easily reduce or omit the crushed red pepper flakes and adjust the chili powder to your taste.
Are there alternatives to flour tortillas? Absolutely, corn tortillas or even lettuce wraps work well if you want to lighten things up.
Feeling that craving again? Don’t let the evening slip by without grabbing a quick, tasty solution. Try this ground beef fajitas recipe and let the flavors do the talking.