Cheese Options For Delicious Steak Fajitas

Steak fajitas are a delicious and easy meal to make, perfect for a busy weeknight or a fun dinner with friends. The sizzling sound of fajitas is enough to get anyone's mouth watering, but what kind of cheese should you use to make them extra tasty? The type of cheese you choose for your steak fajitas can elevate this classic dish and make it even more mouth-watering. From the classic choice of cheddar to the more unusual option of mozzarella, each type of cheese will give your fajitas a unique flavour and texture. So, which one will you pick?

Mozzarella, provolone, or cheddar cheese

Mozzarella, provolone, and cheddar are all delicious options for steak fajitas. Each cheese has its own unique characteristics that can enhance the dish in different ways.

Mozzarella is a soft, creamy cheese with a high moisture content and a delicate, mildly tangy flavour. When melted, it becomes stretchy and gooey, making it a perfect topping for pizzas, casseroles, and grilled dishes. Its mild flavour and creamy texture make it an excellent choice for those who want the cheese to complement the other ingredients in their fajitas without overpowering them.

Provolone, on the other hand, has a slightly firmer texture and a more pronounced flavour that can add depth to the dish. It melts well and has a gooey, stretchy consistency similar to mozzarella, making it a good substitute for those who want a more distinct cheese taste. Provolone Dolce, a milder variety of provolone, may be preferred for fajitas as it has a similar texture and melting point to mozzarella.

Cheddar cheese is available in mild to sharp varieties and is known for its good melting properties. Sharp cheddar can add a tangy flavour to the fajitas, similar to Provolone Piccante.

When choosing between mozzarella, provolone, or cheddar for steak fajitas, consider the desired flavour intensity and texture. All three cheeses melt well and offer their unique taste profiles, so the final decision depends on personal preference and the specific recipe.

Steak fajita grilled cheese

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 small yellow onion, sliced thin
• 1 small green bell pepper, sliced thin
• 6 ounces of beef fajitas
• 4 slices of thick-cut sourdough bread
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• Salt to taste

Optional Ingredients

• Mushrooms
• Avocado
• Sour cream
• Salsa
• Lime juice
• Greek yoghurt
• Cilantro leaves
• Worcestershire sauce
• Olive oil
• Garlic
• Red chilli flakes
• Brown sugar
• Lime

Method

• Melt butter in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat.
• Add onions and bell peppers to the skillet and cook until tender.
• Add beef fajitas to the skillet and cook until heated through.
• Coat one side of each slice of bread with butter-flavoured non-stick cooking spray.
• Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.
• Place two slices of bread, cooking spray side down, in the hot skillet.
• Top each slice of bread with mozzarella cheese, beef fajita mixture, and a second slice of bread, cooking spray side up.
• Cook each side until golden-brown.

Tips

• For extra flavour, rub a fajita spice mix all over the beef fillet steaks and chargrill the peppers and onions.
• For a deeper flavour, marinate the beef and vegetables in a mixture of olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, lime juice, garlic, cumin, chilli flakes, and brown sugar for 1-2 hours in the refrigerator.
• To make the sandwich even more filling, add ingredients such as mushrooms, avocado, sour cream, salsa, Greek yoghurt, or cilantro leaves.
• For a vegan option, use olive oil or margarine instead of butter and swap the cheese for vegan cheese.

Philly cheesesteak fajitas

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1.5 lbs Sirloin Steak sliced thin
• 1 large onion, sliced thin
• 1 medium green bell pepper, seeds removed and sliced thin
• 1 medium red bell pepper, seeds removed and sliced thin
• 1/2 lb mushrooms (optional)
• 8 ounces shredded mozzarella or provolone cheese
• 8 flour tortillas

Optional Toppings

• Sour cream
• Avocado
• Salsa
• Shredded lettuce
• Lime wedges

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 425ºF.
• In a large bowl, combine olive oil, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and brown sugar until mixed.
• Add the beef, onions, bell peppers, and mushrooms (optional) to the marinade and toss to coat.
• Place the mixture on a rimmed baking sheet and spread it out. Bake for 15 minutes.
• Remove the baking sheet from the oven and sprinkle the cheese on top of the steak and vegetables. Return the pan to the oven for 1 minute to let the cheese melt.
• Warm the flour tortillas and spoon the steak and vegetable mixture on top. Serve with your choice of toppings.

Tips

• For easier slicing, place the sirloin steak in the freezer for a few minutes before slicing.
• Sirloin steak can be substituted with other cuts of beef such as ribeye or top round.
• For a more authentic Philly Cheesesteak flavour, use provolone cheese or Cheez Whiz.

Rice and cheese blend

A rice and cheese blend is a great option for those looking for a hearty and flavourful steak fajita. This blend can be made in one pan and is perfect for those busy weeknights when you need a quick and easy meal.

For this rice and cheese blend, you will need:

• Steak (such as sirloin, flank, or hangar steak)
• Rice (white jasmine rice or brown rice)
• Cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a Mexican blend)
• Vegetables (bell peppers, onions, garlic, etc.)
• Seasonings (taco seasoning, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, etc.)
• Avocado oil or olive oil
• Beef broth or chicken broth
• Optional ingredients: avocado, lime, cilantro, sour cream

To make the rice and cheese blend:

• Start by cooking the steak, vegetables, and seasonings in a large pan with oil.
• Once the steak is cooked to your desired doneness and the vegetables are soft, remove them from the pan and set them aside.
• Add the rice and broth to the pan and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the rice is cooked.
• Add the cooked steak and vegetables back to the pan with the rice.
• Stir in the cheese and let it melt, creating a cheesy blend with the rice.
• Serve with optional toppings such as avocado, a squeeze of lime, cilantro, or a dollop of sour cream.

This rice and cheese blend is a perfect filling for your steak fajitas, adding a creamy and indulgent texture to the dish. It can also be used as a base for a burrito or served on its own as a tasty rice bowl.

Cheese sauce

You can also make your own cheese sauce from scratch. A basic cheese sauce is made by melting cheese into a roux, which is a mixture of butter and flour. You can use a variety of cheeses, such as cheddar, mozzarella, or Monterey Jack, depending on your preference. For a more complex sauce, you can add milk or cream, spices, and other flavourings such as mustard or hot sauce.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

• Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
• Add the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for about 2 minutes, until the mixture forms a paste.
• Slowly whisk in the milk, stirring continuously, until the mixture thickens and comes to a boil.
• Reduce the heat to low and add the cheese, stirring until it has melted and the sauce is smooth.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve the cheese sauce warm, drizzled over the steak fajitas or as a dipping sauce.

This sauce can be customised to your taste by adding different spices or herbs, such as cumin, chilli powder, or red pepper flakes. You can also experiment with different types of cheese to find your favourite combination.

Frequently asked questions