For a brief period of my childhood, my family lived in New Mexico, and you better believe while there we ate our fair share of Mexican food. I was floating down a river of authentic refried beans and slow-cooked carnitas and garden fresh salsas and loving it. My little palette was in foodie heaven and I hardly even realized it. Those were the days.
But I don’t live in New Mexico any more. I live in Kansas, which means the Mexican food isn’t quite as authentic or abundant. I may be part Swedish, Irish, and German, but I crave a ridiculous amount of south-of-the-border goodness. Lucky for me, John does, too. The solution? Make it myself.
The truth is, we eat some form of Mexican food at least three times a week, whether it’s quick lunches at Chipotle, black bean enchiladas or an impromptu taco bar. We can’t get enough of the stuff. But one meal I hadn’t tried at home yet was fajitas – one of my favorite meals to order at restaurants.
Something about the sizzling peppers and huge platter it comes out on and the self assembly – over-stuffing to the point of ridiculousness – makes me feel like a queen. A true foodie dream dish if you ask me.
Origins of Fajitas
The history of fajitas isn’t super clear. But it’s believed that they were invented by Mexican cowboys in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. They started appearing on menus in the 1960s and continued growing in popularity after that.
One early fajita vendor (Otilia Garza’s Round-Up Restaurant) served warm tortillas with steak, guacamole, pico de gallo, and grated cheese. It’s not clear when peppers and onions became a common addition, but that’s how we’ve most commonly seen them served. Our version is not authentic, but is a plant-based take on the concept.
These fajitas remain vegan thanks to bell and poblano peppers and juicy and satisfying portobello mushrooms, sauteed in just a few simple seasonings.
They’re no carnitas, but certainly delicious in their own right. I felt full after just two, which is saying a lot for me – a true quantity eater. I suppose the giant spoonfuls of guac didn’t hurt either.
If you aren’t a fan of mushrooms, simply omit them or sub in your favorite meat. For a vegetarian version opt for scrambled eggs or black beans. And to keep these gluten free, simply opt for corn tortillas – I went with flour because that’s traditionally how fajitas are served.
Count this recipe as inspiration and proof that fajitas can be vegan and still totally, insanely delicious. Ole!
Poblano and Portobello Fajitas
Simple vegan fajitas with portobellos mushrooms and poblano and bell peppers, made extra satisfying with healthy spoonfuls of guac. Print SAVE SAVED
from votes Prep Time 10 minutes Cook Time 20 minutes Total Time 30 minutes Servings 3 (2-taco servings)Course EntreeCuisine Gluten-Free, Mexican-Inspired, VeganFreezer Friendly NoDoes it keep? 2-3 Days
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Ingredients
US Customary – Metric1 Tbsp olive or coconut oil1 whole poblano pepper (seeds removed and thinly sliced)2 medium bell peppers (seeds removed and thinly sliced)1 whole jalapeño (seeds removed and thinly sliced)1 medium yellow or white onion (cut into thin rounds)2 large large portobello mushrooms* (stems removed // wiped clean and thinly sliced)2 medium ripe avocados~1 Tbsp lime juice (juice of 1/2 lime as original recipe is written)Sea salt, cumin, & garlic powder1 tsp A1 steak sauce (optional // for mushrooms)6 small flour or corn tortillas (corn for gluten-free eaters)Fresh red onion, hot sauce, cilantro, salsa (optional)
Instructions
Heat a large skillet and a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot add a dash of olive or coconut oil to the large skillet, then the onion and peppers. Season generously with salt, cumin and garlic powder.Cook until softened and slightly caramelized, stirring often. Set aside and cover to keep warm.At the same time, add a dash of oil to the medium pan. Then add the mushrooms. Season with a bit of salt and once softened and brown (see photo), add a dash of A1 (vegan-friendly) for more flavor (optional). Remove from heat, set aside and cover.Prepare guacamole by adding avocados to a bowl then adding lime juice and a generous pinch of salt. Fresh cilantro and onion are optional.Warm tortillas in the microwave or oven and you’re ready to go. Serve tortillas with peppers and onions, mushrooms, guacamole, and any other toppings you desire such as salsa, hot sauce, and cheese or sour cream (for non-vegan).
Notes
*You can sub 4 baby portobello mushrooms per 2 regular-sized portobellos.
*Nutritional information is a rough estimate calculated with olive oil, corn tortillas, and without steak sauce or toppings.
Nutrition (1 of 3 servings)
Serving: 1 two-taco servings Calories: 362 Carbohydrates: 42.4 g Protein: 7.9 g Fat: 20.4 g Saturated Fat: 2.9 g Polyunsaturated Fat: 3 g Monounsaturated Fat: 12.5 g Trans Fat: 0 g Cholesterol: 0 mg Sodium: 38.2 mg Potassium: 1046.7 mg Fiber: 14.8 g Sugar: 7.1 g Vitamin A: 3550 IU Vitamin C: 228.5 mg Calcium: 70 mg Iron: 2 mg