Discover how to cook steak in a cast-iron skillet for a perfect sear and achieve restaurant-quality flavor. This easy method delivers juicy, tender steak with a golden crust every time—no grill required! Great for weeknight dinners, date nights, or special occasions. Master this stovetop technique and impress with steakhouse results from your kitchen.
I created an incredible Steak Fajita Salad using a skillet, and it’s so delicious!
I’m sharing helpful tips (and recipes!) to make cooking using a cast iron skillet a breeze! Please continue reading to learn more about them now.
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My Steak Fajita Salad
This is my go-to dinner idea whenever I want something green and satisfying. I love the flavors and how easy it is to make!
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Cooking a Steak in a Cast Iron Skillet
The best cut of steak to cook in a cast-iron skillet is the New York Strip, and fortunately, it was on sale when I checked the store. We don’t eat beef too often, but when we do, I like to pair it with a salad because the meat is heavy, and serving it with a salad balances the meal. One strip is enough for a giant salad to serve 3-4 people.
Steak Fajita Salad Recipe
Here’s how I cook my New York Strip, along with the salad I love to pair it with!
Ingredients for the Steak Fajita Salad
For the Steak
- 1 New York Strip steak
- Salt
- Pepper
- 1 tbsp Butter or Ghee
For The Salad
- Red and Green Bell Pepper
- Onion
- Jalapeño
- Lettuce
- Red Cabbage
- Cilantro
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Avocado
- Olive Oil
Supplies Used
How to Cook a Steak in Your Cast Iron Skillet
Everyone loves a steak on the grill, especially during the warmer months, but sometimes it’s just easier and not worth the hassle to get all your BBQ tools out to cook one steak that you are going to eat indoors anyway.
Often, I like to cook the steak quickly in my Cast-Iron Skillet. If you don’t have a Cast-Iron Skillet, this is a great item to have in your kitchen because it is durable and will last a long time. You can also use it to sear meat and then finish it off in the oven.
#1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
#2. Heat your cast-iron skillet on high with 1 tablespoon of ghee. Once the skillet is hot, reduce the heat. While the skillet is warming, season both sides of the steak with salt and pepper to your taste. Add the steak to the skillet and cook for 4 minutes or until browned.
#3. Flip the steak over and cook for an additional 4 minutes, or until browned on the other side. Insert a meat thermometer (this is the one I use), turn it on, and set it to the desired temperature, depending on how you enjoy your steak. I cook my steaks to medium, which is 140-145 degrees Fahrenheit, and for medium-rare, it is 130-135 degrees Fahrenheit.
Note: Ensure your meat thermometer is set to Fahrenheit, not Celsius. I have made this mistake before.
#4. Once your steak reaches the desired temperature, please remove it from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes. After the steak has rested, serve and enjoy!
Now that you have the perfect steak, proceed to the salad recipe below, which is divine!
How to Make the Fajita Salad
#1. In a frying pan, heat olive oil and add peppers, onions, and jalapeños, stirring well to coat them with olive oil. The trick to sauté peppers and onions is to cook them long enough to caramelize for the best flavor. To do this, reduce the heat to medium and let them cook, stirring every 5 minutes or so, until they are softened and browned, about 20–25 minutes.
#2. While your peppers and onions are cooking, prepare your salad. Mix the romaine and cabbage in a large salad bowl, and top with cilantro and tomatoes.
#3. Once the peppers are cooked down and caramelized, plate the salad, add the dressing, and top with fajita veggies and steak, then garnish with avocado. You can also toss all the ingredients together and then plate, totally up to your preference. Enjoy!
Note: I don’t toss the salad because we typically have leftovers. Keeping the fajita veggies, steak, and avocado separate will keep the salad fresh, allowing us to enjoy it for lunch the next day.
What Is The Best Salad Dressing For Steak Salad?
This is up to you. If you are a fan of cilantro (like I am), then you will love this Creamy Cilantro dressing. The zing brings out the depth of the steak’s flavors.
Where I Buy My Steaks
Do you enjoy a steak now and then? Do you wonder which cut of steak is best suited for grilling or pan-frying? There are numerous cuts to choose from! Some steaks are best suited for grilling, while others are better suited for crockpot cooking. It depends on what you want to do with them. This is where to Buy a Good Steak Online.
Type of Steaks I’ve bought online
- ribeye
- strip
- sirloin
- flank
What Is the Best Cast Iron Skillet to Cook Steak On?
You can’t beat a classic. Even America’s Test Kitchen agrees – the best cast iron skillet is the Lodge Classic Cast Iron Skillet. Buy the 12″ skillet for the perfect steak!
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More Steak Recipes To Try
If you enjoyed this Steak Fajita Salad, you’ll want to try these recipes too:
- Balsamic Steak Salad
- Mexican Steak Street Tacos
- Grilled Lime Flat Iron Steak
- Fresh Greek Salad with Steak
- Simple Grilled Balsamic Steak
Kitchen Gadgets To Make Cooking Easy
See highly rated kitchen gadgets in my Amazon Store! Our favorite time-saving kitchen gadgets are also on my Amazon Storefront. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
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Cast Iron Steak Fajita Salad
Ingredients
- 1 New York Strip Steak Sliced reference above
- 1 Red Bell Pepper
- 1 Green Bell Pepper
- 1 Onion
- 1 Jalapeno
- 1 Head Romaine Lettuce
- 2 Cups Chopped Red Cabbage
- 1/2 Cup Chopped Cilantro
- 1 Cup Chopped Cherry Tomatoes
- 1 Avocado
- 2 TBS Olive Oil
- Favorite Dressing – my personal fave is Trader Joes Creamy Cilantro or if I am trying to eat light I just squeeze lemon or lime over my salad
Instructions
- In a frying pan heat olive oil and add peppers, onions, and jalapeño and stir well to coat with olive oil.
- While your peppers and onions are cooking, prepare your salad. Mix the romaine and cabbage in a large salad bowl, top with cilantro and tomatoes.
- Once the peppers are cooked down and caramelized plate the salad, add dressing, add fajita veggies, and top with steak and avocado, or simply toss all the ingredients up and then plate.
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