When it comes to a quick and easy dinner, fajitas are a weeknight staple. Juicy grilled protein and veggies that are ready in just 20 minutes, sign me up!
One of the best things about fajitas is the toppings. Whether you are reaching for guacamole, spicy salsa, shredded cheese, or a dollop of sour cream, the toppings are what makes fajitas taste amazing.
The toppings also make fajitas perfect for a family dinner. Set up all your favorite fajita toppings and everyone can build their own.
So grab some warm tortillas, fill them up with your favorite protein, plenty of charred peppers and onions, and add all your favorite fixings. We've rounded up ideas from the most authentic to fun and creative toppings to make your fajitas truly stand out.
Popular Fajita Fillings
Before we dig into all the delicious toppings to add to your fajitas, let's talk about fajita fillings. There are so many delicious options.
- Chicken: Chicken fajitas are one of the most popular restaurant options with sizzling chicken, peppers, and onions. Try these Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas or Baked Fajitas.
- Steak: It's hard to beat tender Steak Fajitas with tender, juicy beef seasoned to perfection and ready in just 15 minutes.
- Shrimp: Keep things light with shrimp fajitas packed with peppers, onions, and spicy shrimp.
- Vegetarian: It's easy to make delicious vegetarian options including Eggplant Fajitas, Tofu Fajitas, and Roasted Vegetable Fajitas.
- Fajita seasoning: The key to any good fajita is the seasoning! This homemade fajita seasoning is made with chili powder, oregano, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. It gives the most amazing flavor to any fajita recipe. Use it as a spice rub or marinade combined with lime juice and olive oil.
- Tortillas: Flour tortillas are the most common but corn tortillas or alternative tortillas also can be used. For something lighter, wrap the fajitas up in lettuce.
Best Fajita Toppings
When it comes to adding toppings to fajitas, the options are almost endless. Much like tacos, fajitas work with a variety of toppings from basics like cheese and salsa to more inventive options like homemade queso or corn salsa. Here are all the best fajita toppings.
Traditional Fajita Fixings
- Cheese: Shredded Monterey jack cheese is the most popular option but cheddar, pepper jack, queso Oaxaca, or queso fresco are all delicious.
- Lettuce: Grab something crisp like Romaine or Iceberg and shred it for the most traditional option.
- Tomatoes: Diced Roma tomatoes are often used but any tomato will work.
- Sour Cream: To counteract the spices in the fajitas, sour cream is a great addition. Plain Greek yogurt works for something lighter.
- Jalapenos: For additional spice, add some sliced or diced jalapenos. Pickled jalapenos or fresh jalapenos can be used.
- Avocado: Creamy avocado is a great way to balance the flavors. Use diced or sliced avocados. Squeeze some fresh lime juice over top to prevent browning.
- Cilantro: The cilantro leaves aren't just for garnish, add them to the fajitas for a pop of flavor.
- Lime juice: Lime is used in Mexican cooking to brighten up the flavors and make them pop. Add fresh lime juice to your fajitas right before serving.
Level Up with These Favorite Fajita Toppings
Fajita Vegetables: If you aren't cooking bell peppers and onions with the meat, then you need to make these delicious fajita veggies on the side! It isn't a fajita without sizzling veggies.
Pico de Gallo: Fajitas are traditionally served with pico de gallo instead of salsa. This tasty combination of fresh tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, cilantro, and lime juice is the perfect topping. Make it from scratch to control the amount of heat.
Salsa Verde: The bright flavor of tomatillos works really well with fajitas since it has some zing. It tends to be mild and doesn't add too much extra heat.
Corn Salsa: This easy corn, cilantro, and lime salsa is so good with the slightly spicy meat and veggies in fajitas. Serve it right on top! This is especially good with skirt steak fajitas.
Pineapple Salsa: Add some sweetness to your fajitas with this spicy pineapple and serrano pepper salsa. This is especially delicious with shrimp fajitas.
Queso: Add some creaminess and cheese to your fajitas with tasty queso dip. It's made with cheddar cheese, tomatoes, and spices and adds the perfect touch of heat and cheesiness to fajitas. We love adding questo to traditional chicken breast fajitas.
Guacamole: If you are looking to cool things off, guacamole is a great addition. Typically we make our guacamole with mashed avocado, lime juice, diced onion, diced jalapenos, cilantro, salt, and pepper.
Creamy Chipotle sauce: If you are looking for something different, try this delicious chipotle sauce made with chipotle peppers in adobo and Greek yogurt. This is a great addition to veggie fajitas.
Mexican Coleslaw: If you are making seafood fajitas, this creamy Mexican coleslaw with cabbage, carrots, and a creamy lime dressing is so good piled on top.
Ranchero Sauce: Amp up the smoky flavor in fajitas with this easy homemade ranchero sauce. Use leftovers to make huevos rancheros the next day.
Pickled Red Onions: Add some crunch and acidity with some easy pickled red onions. Simply cover sliced red onions in lime juice for about 30 minutes before serving the fajitas.
Beans: Beans are typically served on the side but they also make a delicious fajita topping. Consider adding black beans, pinto beans, or a thin layer of refried beans. This is also a great way to boost protein in fajitas without meat.
Rice: Mexican rice is traditionally served as a side dish but many people like to add it right into their fajitas as a topping. Use traditional rice or try this Mexican Cauliflower Rice.