Fajitas are a popular Tex-Mex dish that typically consists of grilled meat, such as skirt steak or chicken, served with onions and bell peppers. They are often served sizzling hot on a cast iron skillet. While the traditional and authentic version of fajitas does not include cheese, some variations have incorporated cheese over the years. This has led many to wonder – do Mexicans put cheese in fajitas? The short answer is that traditionally, no, fajitas do not contain cheese in authentic Mexican cuisine. However, some tasteful additions of cheese have become popular in Tex-Mex and Americanized versions of the dish. Let’s take a deeper look at the history, tradition, and modern interpretations of fajitas to understand more about how cheese does and does not fit into this iconic dish.
The History and Origins of Fajitas
Fajitas have their origins in traditional Mexican cuisine, specifically in the skirt steak cuts used for grilling. Skirt steak is a long, thin cut from the diaphragm of the cow. When sliced against the grain and quickly grilled over high heat, it delivers an extremely flavorful and tender result. This technique was used by Mexican cowboys or vaqueros cooking on the campfire to create what they called arracheras, which translates to “cut meats” or “meat cuts.” Over time this dish evolved into what we know today as fajitas, inspired by the Spanish word for “belt” or “girdle” due to the strip-like shape of the meat. The traditional ingredients were limited to the meat, onions, peppers, corn or flour tortillas, and basic seasonings like salt, garlic, and lime. Cheese was not part of the original recipe.
Traditional and Authentic Fajita Recipes
In authentic Mexican cuisine, fajitas remain true to their origins as a simple grilled meat dish. The trademark ingredients are skirt steak, chicken, or sometimes shrimp, paired only with sliced onions and bell peppers. Fresh corn or flour tortillas are served on the side for wrapping the filling into tacos. Traditional seasonings include garlic, salt, black pepper, lime juice, and chili powders like ancho, guajillo, or pasilla peppers. In Mexico, fajitas are served without toppings or dips of any kind, allowing the natural flavors of the high-quality ingredients to shine. The meat is the star of the show, taking center stage in traditional fajita recipes.
Key Aspects of Traditional Fajitas
- Skirt steak, chicken breast or shrimp as the protein
- Onions and peppers as the vegetables
- Corn or flour tortillas
- Salt, pepper, garlic, lime, chili powder for seasoning
- No cheese
- No sour cream
- No guacamole
- No extra toppings or dips
This pared-down approach highlighting the meat and vegetables allows the natural flavors to take the forefront in authentic fajita recipes.
Modern Fajita Interpretations
While traditional fajitas remain popular in Mexican cuisine, the dish has undergone some modern adaptations as it has spread in popularity across Texas and the United States. There are some distinct differences between traditional and modern fajita recipes:
Tex-Mex Fajitas
Tex-Mex cuisine emerged as Mexican dishes were altered and influenced by flavors and ingredients in Texas. Tex-Mex fajita recipes often include:
- Cheddar, Monterrey Jack, or queso cheeses
- Sour cream
- Pico de gallo
- Guacamole
- Jalapenos
- Tomatoes
- Lettuce
American Style Fajitas
As fajitas became popular across America, even more embellishments and additions were made:
- Any protein like steak, chicken, shrimp or portobello mushrooms
- Onion, peppers along with zucchini, squash, eggplant
- Heavy use of Cheddar, Pepper Jack, or shredded Mexican cheese blends
- Sour cream
- Guacamole
- Salsa
- Jalapenos, olives, lettuce, rice, beans
While still based on the original fajita concept, American-style fajita recipes often pile on extra toppings and ingredients to create an abundant, over-the-top meat and veggie dish. Cheese and other embellishments act as additions rather than foundational ingredients.
Should You Add Cheese to Fajitas?
Whether or not to add cheese to fajitas comes down to personal preference. Here are some factors to consider:
- Authenticity – for a traditional experience, don’t add cheese
- Flavor – cheese adds extra richness, creaminess, and saltiness
- Texture – melted cheese gives a lovely gooey texture
- Pairings – cheeses like pepper jack, cheddar, and queso fresco pair well with fajita flavors
- Dietary needs – cheese adds more calories, fat, and sodium
In authentic Mexican restaurants, especially in Mexico, fajitas are served in the traditional way without cheese. However, at Tex-Mex establishments and homemade meals, a sprinkling or dollop of cheese on top of fajitas can be an indulgent, flavorful addition. Just like with any extra ingredients, moderation is key. Too much cheese overwhelms the other subtle flavors.
How to Add Cheese to Fajitas
If you want to incorporate some cheese into your fajita recipes, here are some serving suggestions:
As a Topping
Sprinkle a small amount of shredded melting cheese like cheddar, Monterey Jack, Mexican blend, or queso fresco on top of the fajita meat and veggies just before serving. Place under the broiler for 1-2 minutes until melted.
Stuffed Quesadillas
Load up fajita meat and veggies inside a quesadilla with cheese like cheddar, Monterey Jack, queso fresco, or Oaxaca. Grill or pan fry until the cheese is fully melted. Fresh pico de gallo, guacamole, and sour cream make tasty accompaniments.
Nachos
Pile fajita meat and veggies over tortilla chips and top with plenty of melted cheese to create Tex-Mex nachos. Garnish with common fajita toppings like sour cream, guacamole, jalapenos, pico de gallo, etc.
Taco Bar Toppings
Offer shredded cheese like cheddar or Mexican blends as a topping option for fajita meat taco bars. Keep it on the side so guests can add as much or as little as desired.
Steak Quesadillas
For an easy cheesy appetizer, stuff fajita steak and onions in a quesadilla with cheese and grill until crispy. Offer sliced wedges with sour cream or guac for dipping.
Best Cheeses for Fajitas
To take your fajitas to the next level, use high-quality authentic Mexican and Tex-Mex cheeses. Recommended varieties include:
Monterey Jack
This white melting cheese is similar to cheddar but with a mild flavor and hint of nuttiness. It melts extremely well into fajitas.
Pepper Jack
Pepper jack cheese adds a kick of spice and southwestern flair to fajitas with its blend of Monterey jack and jalapenos.
Queso Fresco
Queso fresco is a soft, moist Mexican cheese with a mild milky flavor. It pairs perfectly with fajita seasonings.
Cheddar Cheese
For a Tex-Mex twist, yellow or white cheddar cheese delivers classic, crowd-pleasing melted flavor.
Oaxaca Cheese
This smooth, stretchy Mexican cheese melts into long gooey strands with a mild creamy taste.
Mexican Cheese Blend
Shredded mixes combine cheddar, queso quesadilla, and asadero for an easy cheesy topping.
Fajita Recipe with Cheese
Try this deliciously cheesy beef fajita recipe:
Ingredients
- 1 lb skirt steak, sliced
- 1 red onion, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1⁄2 tsp cumin
- 1⁄2 tsp oregano
- Corn tortillas
- 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
Instructions
- Combine steak, garlic, olive oil, lime juice, chili powder, cumin and oregano in a bowl. Marinate 15 minutes.
- Heat pan over high heat. Add marinated steak and cook 1-2 minutes per side until charred and medium rare. Remove from pan.
- Add onion and bell pepper to pan. Cook 5 minutes until softened and lightly charred.
- Return steak to pan and mix with onion and pepper. Cook 1 minute to combine.
- Serve steak and veggies in tortillas topped with shredded cheese.
The melted cheese takes these fajitas over the top with indulgent, creamy flavor. Adjust spice levels by adding more or less chili powder and serve with all your favorite Tex-Mex fajita toppings.
FAQs
Do fajitas have cheese?
Traditionally no, authentic fajitas do not contain cheese. However, in Tex-Mex and Americanized versions, melted cheese is sometimes added as a topping.
What cheese is used in fajitas?
Popular cheeses include cheddar, Monterey Jack, pepper jack, Mexican blends, queso fresco, and Oaxaca.
Is cheese authentic on fajitas?
No, cheese is not used in authentic fajita recipes from Mexico. It is added in some regional variations though.
Is it OK to make fajitas with cheese?
Yes, while not traditional, adding a bit of cheese can give fajitas an extra creamy, rich flavor. Just be careful not to overdo it.
What goes on fajitas besides meat?
Onions and bell peppers are the traditional fajita vegetables. You can also find recipes with zucchini, squash, tomatoes, jalapenos, and other veggies.
Conclusion
While cheese is not an authentic ingredient in classic fajita recipes, dashes of shredded melting cheeses can be a delicious embellishment in moderation. Keep the flavors balanced by using high quality skirt steak, chicken, or shrimp. Grill colorful peppers and onions as the vegetables. For Tex-Mex flair, sprinkle a bit of cheese right on top of the fajitas when serving. Favorites like cheddar, pepper jack, queso fresco, and Mexican blends pair particularly well. By staying true to the origins while allowing room for regional twists, fajitas with a touch of cheese can be an amazingly tasty dinner.