How to Make Juicy, Flavorful Beef Fajitas on a Pellet Grill

Beef fajitas sizzling hot off the grill are a quintessential Tex-Mex favorite. But did you know you can make incredible fajitas at home on your pellet grill? With just a few simple steps you can enjoy restaurant-quality beef fajitas from the comfort of your own backyard. In this article we’ll share tips and tricks for grilling the most tender, flavorful beef fajitas on a pellet grill.

Selecting the Right Cut of Beef

The first step is choosing the right cut of beef. For authentic beef fajitas, you’ll want to use skirt steak. This long, thin cut comes from the diaphragm muscle of the cow. Skirt steak has tons of beefy flavor and a pleasant chew when sliced against the grain.

There are two types of skirt steak – inside and outside skirt. Inside skirt steak is more widely available. It’s a bit chewier than outside skirt but still makes delicious fajitas. Look for skirt steak that is well-marbled for tenderness. Or opt for pre-tenderized skirt steak to minimize chewiness.

The Importance of Properly Marinating the Beef

To infuse the beef with lots of flavor, it’s crucial to marinate the skirt steak before grilling A simple marinade of salty fajita seasoning, tart lime juice, sweetener, and oil does the trick The lime juice gently breaks down the meat fibers, making the beef more tender.

For best results, marinate the skirt steak for at least 2-3 hours, but no more than 12 hours. Too little time won’t allow the flavors to penetrate. But letting it sit too long can make the texture mushy. Place the steak in a sealed plastic bag or container, coating it completely with the marinade.

Prepping the Pellet Grill for High-Heat Searing

Cooking fajitas over intense direct heat is the secret to getting that coveted char while keeping the inside juicy. A pellet grill excels at smoking low and slow. For searing, we need to max out those temperatures.

Preheat your pellet grill to the highest temperature, around 500°F. Let it fully preheat for at least 10-15 minutes after it reaches top temp. This gets the grill grates screaming hot and ready for the beef.

Place the marinated skirt steak along the edges of the grill, where direct heat concentrates. Avoid going over the drip pan, which blocks direct heat. Quickly sear the first side for 4-5 minutes until charred. Flip only once and cook just 1 minute more, until medium doneness.

Slicing Against the Grain for Tenderness

Once cooked, let the steak rest 5-10 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute so they don’t flood out when you slice. Skirt steak has a very obvious grain running lengthwise.

Always cut perpendicular to the grain into long, thin strips. This severs the tough muscle fibers, making each bite tender. A sharp knife helps get clean slices.

Customize with Grilled Veggies and Toppings

The beauty of beef fajitas is customizing them just how you like. Mix and match toppings like sliced grilled peppers and onions, guacamole, pico de gallo, queso, salsa, sour cream, cheddar cheese, cilantro, and jalapeños.

For extra smoky flavor, throw sliced bell peppers, onions, poblanos directly on the pellet grill alongside the steak. Char them up to add more dimensions to your beef fajitas. Warm flour or corn tortillas to finish everything off.

Recipe for Pellet Grill Beef Fajitas

Now that you know the secrets to success, here’s a simple recipe for making incredible beef fajitas on your pellet grill:

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs skirt steak
• 2 Tbsp fajita seasoning
• 1 Tbsp sugar
• 1/2 cup fresh lime juice (about 6 limes)
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• Sliced peppers and onions (optional)
• Corn or flour tortillas
• Toppings like guacamole, pico, etc.

Instructions:

1. Combine fajita seasoning, sugar, lime juice, and oil in a bag or dish. Add steak and marinate 2-12 hours.
2. Preheat pellet grill to 500°F and let it fully heat 10-15 minutes.
3. Add steak along the grill’s hot edges. Sear 4-5 minutes per side until charred and medium doneness.
4. Rest steak 5-10 minutes then slice against the grain into strips.
5. Serve with warmed tortillas, grilled veggies, and desired toppings!

Tips for Leftover Steak Fajitas

Leftover steak fajitas make amazing tacos, burritos, nachos, omelets, and more. Dice or shred the meat and reheat in a skillet with sauce. Or chop and incorporate into casseroles and scrambled eggs.

Freezing is another great way to save leftover fajitas. Allow cooked steak to cool completely, then freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring to bags. Thaw in the fridge before using.

Satisfying Steak Fajitas Right from Your Backyard

By selecting the right cut, marinating sufficiently, and using high heat, you can enjoy incredible steak fajitas cooked right on your pellet grill. In just 30 minutes of active time, this flavorful Tex-Mex favorite can be on your dinner table. Customize with your favorite toppings for a meal the whole family will love.