This vibrant fajita vegetable stir fry is a quick and easy dish that brings a burst of color and flavor to your table. Perfect as a side dish or a main course, it's packed with fresh vegetables and aromatic spices, making it a healthy and delicious option for any meal.
While most of the ingredients in this recipe are common, you might need to pick up a few items if your pantry isn't fully stocked. Fresh bell peppers in red, green, and yellow varieties, as well as a red onion, are essential for the colorful medley. Additionally, fresh cilantro and a lime will add a burst of freshness to the dish.
Ingredients For Fajita Vegetable Stir Fry Recipe
Olive oil: Used for sautéing the vegetables, adding a rich flavor and helping to cook them evenly.
Red bell pepper: Adds a sweet and slightly fruity flavor, along with a vibrant red color.
Green bell pepper: Provides a slightly bitter taste and a crisp texture.
Yellow bell pepper: Offers a mild, sweet flavor and bright yellow hue.
Red onion: Adds a sharp, tangy flavor that complements the sweetness of the bell peppers.
Garlic: Minced garlic infuses the dish with a robust, aromatic flavor.
Chili powder: Adds a mild heat and depth of flavor to the stir fry.
Cumin: Brings a warm, earthy flavor that is characteristic of fajita seasoning.
Paprika: Adds a subtle sweetness and a rich red color to the dish.
Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the vegetables and spices.
Black pepper: Adds a touch of heat and sharpness to balance the flavors.
Lime: Fresh lime juice adds a zesty, tangy finish to the stir fry.
Cilantro: Chopped fresh cilantro provides a burst of freshness and a hint of citrus.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When stir-frying the bell peppers and red onion, make sure to cut them into uniform slices. This ensures even cooking and helps achieve that perfect tender-crisp texture. Additionally, to enhance the flavor, allow the vegetables to sit undisturbed for a minute or two in the hot skillet before stirring. This will give them a slight char and deepen their flavor.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a high smoke point and a neutral flavor, making it a great alternative for stir-frying.
red bell pepper - Substitute with orange bell pepper: Orange bell peppers have a similar sweetness and crunch, providing a colorful and tasty alternative.
green bell pepper - Substitute with poblano pepper: Poblano peppers add a mild heat and a slightly different flavor profile, enhancing the dish.
yellow bell pepper - Substitute with zucchini: Zucchini offers a different texture and a mild flavor that complements the other vegetables well.
red onion - Substitute with yellow onion: Yellow onions have a slightly sweeter taste and can be used interchangeably with red onions in most recipes.
garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots provide a milder garlic flavor and add a subtle sweetness to the stir fry.
chili powder - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper adds a similar heat level, though it is slightly spicier, so use less if needed.
cumin - Substitute with ground coriander: Ground coriander has a citrusy and slightly sweet flavor that can complement the other spices in the dish.
paprika - Substitute with smoked paprika: Smoked paprika adds a smoky depth to the dish, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce adds a savory umami flavor and can replace salt while adding depth to the dish.
black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a slightly different heat and flavor profile, offering a subtle change to the dish.
lime - Substitute with lemon: Lemon juice provides a similar acidity and brightness, making it a good alternative to lime juice.
fresh cilantro - Substitute with fresh parsley: Fresh parsley offers a different but complementary herbaceous flavor, suitable for those who may not enjoy cilantro.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How to Store / Freeze This Dish
Allow the fajita vegetable stir fry to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the vegetables soggy.
Transfer the cooled stir fry into an airtight container. Using glass containers is ideal as they do not retain odors and keep the flavors fresh.
Store the container in the refrigerator. The stir fry will stay fresh for up to 4-5 days.
For longer storage, consider freezing. Place the stir fry in a freezer-safe container or a resealable plastic bag. Make sure to remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
Label the container or bag with the date. This helps you keep track of how long it has been stored.
When ready to use, thaw the stir fry in the refrigerator overnight. This ensures even thawing and maintains the texture of the vegetables.
Reheat the stir fry in a skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of olive oil or a bit of water to prevent sticking and to refresh the flavors.
Avoid reheating in the microwave if possible, as it can make the vegetables mushy. If you must use a microwave, do so in short intervals and stir frequently.
For an added burst of freshness, squeeze some lime juice and sprinkle freshly chopped cilantro over the reheated stir fry before serving.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Stovetop Method:
- Heat a skillet over medium heat.
- Add a small amount of olive oil or vegetable broth to prevent sticking.
- Toss in the leftover fajita vegetables and stir occasionally.
- Cook for about 5-7 minutes until heated through.
- Squeeze a bit of fresh lime juice for a burst of flavor before serving.
Microwave Method:
- Place the fajita vegetables in a microwave-safe dish.
- Cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap with a small vent.
- Heat on high for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Check the temperature and heat in additional 30-second increments if needed.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Spread the fajita vegetables evenly on a baking sheet.
- Cover with aluminum foil to retain moisture.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes if you prefer a slightly crispy texture.
Air Fryer Method:
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the fajita vegetables in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Heat for 3-5 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
- Check for doneness and heat for an additional 1-2 minutes if necessary.
- Serve immediately with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro.
Steaming Method:
- Set up a steamer basket over a pot of simmering water.
- Place the fajita vegetables in the steamer basket.
- Cover and steam for about 5 minutes until heated through.
- Remove from the steamer and serve with a squeeze of lime juice.
Grill Method:
- Preheat your grill to medium heat.
- Place the fajita vegetables on a grill-safe tray or use a grill basket.
- Grill for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from the grill and serve with fresh cilantro and lime juice.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Skillet: A large, flat-bottomed pan used for stir-frying the vegetables evenly.
Spatula: A tool for stirring and flipping the vegetables to ensure even cooking.
Knife: Essential for slicing the bell peppers, red onion, and mincing the garlic.
Cutting board: A surface to safely chop and prepare the vegetables.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure out the spices and olive oil accurately.
Juicer: Handy for extracting juice from the lime efficiently.
Mixing bowl: Optional, for combining the spices before adding them to the skillet.
Serving dish: A plate or bowl to serve the finished fajita vegetable stir fry.
Tongs: Useful for tossing the vegetables in the skillet to ensure they are evenly coated with spices.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Pre-slice vegetables: Slice all bell peppers and red onion in advance and store them in airtight containers.
Use pre-minced garlic: Save time by using store-bought minced garlic instead of mincing it yourself.
Measure spices ahead: Pre-measure your chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper and keep them in a small bowl.
Quick lime juice: Use a lime squeezer to quickly juice the lime.
Chop cilantro early: Chop the cilantro beforehand and store it in the fridge.
Fajita Vegetable Stir Fry Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 Red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 Green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 Yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 1 Red onion, sliced
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Chili powder
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 Lime, juiced
- 0.25 cup Fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- 1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- 2. Add sliced bell peppers and red onion. Stir-fry for 5-7 minutes until tender.
- 3. Add minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir well.
- 4. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until spices are well combined.
- 5. Remove from heat and squeeze lime juice over the vegetables.
- 6. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve immediately.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
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