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Make restaurant-quality, copycat Chipotle fajita veggies in under 20 minutes with just 5 ingredients – they’re slightly sweet, lightly charred, tender-crisp, and delicious over everything!
Table of contents
What are Chipotle Fajita Veggies?
Serving up classic Mexican-inspired dishes, Chipotle is a popular International restaurant chain across several continents that serve up their Chipotle fajita veggies side/topping (free of charge!) to any order.
Chipotle fajita peppers and onions are tender-crisp, lightly caramelized, and have a delicious, herby flavor, thanks to Mexican oregano. Best of all, though, they’re super easy to recreate from the comfort of your home with just 5 ingredients and under 20 minutes. They taste exactly the same!
Better yet, by making this easy fajita recipe at home, you can experiment with adding extra veggies and seasonings. Once cooked, enjoy the sauteed pepper and onions for vegan fajitas, tacos, burritos and burrito bowls, salads, and more.
The Chipotle Fajita Vegetables Ingredients
- Vegetable oil: Use any neutral flavored, high-heat cooking oil like avocado oil, canola oil, vegetable oil, etc.
- Bell peppers: Fajita veggies Chipotle style traditionally use only green bell peppers or a mixture of green and red. However, use a combination of colors if preferred.
- Onion: Chipotle uses red onion, but yellow or white onions are also fine.
- Dried Mexican oregano: Mexican and regular oregano aren’t the same, so use Mexican oregano for the most authentic Chipotle vegetables flavor.
- Salt & black pepper: Use kosher salt/sea salt rather than table salt and season to taste.
What Else Could I Add To this Fajita Vegetables Recipe?
Though any changes you make to the recipe will take them away from an authentic Chipotle fajita veggies recipe, there are several simple add-ins you could play with.
- Other vegetables: Other quick-cooking vegetables will be a delicious (and nutritious) add-in with the fajita onions and peppers. These include mushrooms, zucchini or summer squash, tomatoes, or corn.
- Garlic: Use thinly sliced garlic cloves or garlic powder to add extra aromatic flavor to the fajita veggie recipe.
- Spice: Add a little heat with some chili powder, cayenne pepper, and/or hot sauce.
- Smoked paprika: For a subtle, smoky flavor to the Chipotle peppers and onions.
- Garnishes: A bit of cilantro and some fresh lime juice add some freshness and help brighten the Chipotle vegetables when serving.
How to Make Fajita Veggies (Chipotle)?
Learn how to sauté peppers and onions for fajitas in just 5 simple steps.
- 1) First, slice the peppers and onion into strips about 1/4-inch thick.
- 2) Then, heat the oil in a large skillet/wok over medium-high heat until it shimmers.
- 3) Once hot, add the vegetables and salt and cook for 10-15 minutes (less if you’re using a very large pan with more surface area), stirring only occasionally, until the fajita veggies begin to brown/char and become tender crisp.
- 4) Add the oregano, mix well, then season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- 5) Cook for a further minute, then remove the fajita pepper and onions from the heat and serve.
Top Recipe Tips and Notes
- Use a cast iron pan if you have one: This will help produce that slightly charred flavor, along with using a large enough skillet (if it’s too small, the veggies will steam).
- Use fresh vegetables: While it’s technically possible to use frozen peppers and onions, they become very soft and won’t caramelize in the same way.
- To save time: Use pre-sliced peppers/onions to reduce prep time (and effort) on busy evenings.
- Don’t stir too much: Letting the fajita vegetables sit in the pan for a bit will encourage charring and caramelization.
- If you can’t find Mexican oregano: Try combining equal parts Italian oregano and marjoram with just a squeeze of lemon or lime juice. Alternatively, you could use fajita seasoning, if preferred.
How to Serve Chipotle Fajita Veggies?
Enjoy these Chipotle fajita peppers and onions as a side dish at potlucks and Cinco de Mayo, and use them to recreate your favorite Chipotle order like a vegan Chipotle fajita bowl, burritos, tacos, burrito bowls, salads, etc., at a fraction of the cost, with:
- Flour or corn tortillas
- Cilantro lime rice or Mexican rice (or lower-carb cauliflower rice)
- Beans (black beans, pinto beans, frijoles de olla, or refried beans)
- Shredded lettuce
- Vegan cheese (shredded or feta to crumble)
- Salsa (Pico de Gallo, restaurant-style, tomatillo green, etc.)
- Crispy tofu (pan-fried, air-fried, or breaded)
- Guacamole (or sliced avocado)
- Hot sauce
- Vegan sour cream
- Cilantro
- Lime juice/ wedges
Storage Instructions
You can prepare and store the chopped peppers and onions (separately) for 2-3 days before cooking them. Once cooked, allow the Chipotle fajita vegetables to cool, and store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.
We don’t recommend freezing them, as the texture will change upon thawing, though it’s technically possible to do so for up to 4 months.
To reheat the sautéed peppers and onions, use a microwave in 30-second increments or pop them back in a skillet (with a splash of water or oil) over medium-high heat, stirring often.
More Easy Vegan Mexican Recipes
- Vegan Black Bean Tacos [2 Ways]
- Lentil Tacos
- Sweet Potato Burritos
- Easy Scrambled Tofu Breakfast Burrito
- Sopa de Fideo (Mexican Noodle Soup)
- Texas Caviar [Avocado Corn and Bean Salad]
Photos by Alfonso Revilla
Fajita Vegetables (Chipotle Copycat)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of high heat oil
- 2 large green peppers, sliced
- 1 large red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ teaspoon dried Mexican oregano
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil. Add peppers, onions, and salt.
- Cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, letting some onions and pepper slightly brown.
- Add the oregano, mix well, and add more salt and pepper if needed. Cook for one more minute.
- Remove from heat and serve.
Notes
- Use a cast iron pan if you have one: This will help produce that slightly charred flavor, along with using a large enough skillet (if it’s too small, the veggies will steam).
- Use fresh vegetables: While it’s technically possible to use frozen peppers and onions, they become very soft and won’t caramelize in the same way.
- Don’t stir too much: Letting the fajita vegetables sit in the pan for a bit will encourage charring and caramelization.
- If you can’t find Mexican oregano: Try combining equal parts Italian oregano and marjoram with just a squeeze of lemon or lime juice. Alternatively, you could use fajita seasoning, if preferred.
Nutrition
Disclaimer: Although plantbasedonabudget.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Plantbasedonabudget.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.
