The perfect summer, casual dinner party lets your guests pick and choose what they want to eat. What better combination than spicy beef, grilled chicken and shrimp, and all the toppings you want?
For your southwestern buffet, set up an assembly line of fillings – meats, veggies, rice, beans, cheese and sauces – and let your guests make their own dinner, all wrapped up in a tortilla shell.
Here are some suggestions for offerings for your build-your-own fajita dinner, along with recipes for beef rub, and marinades for chicken and shrimp
Start with . . .
- 10-inch flour tortillas
Tortillas can be warmed in the microwave by placing them on a paper plate and covering with a slightly damp paper towel. Microwave on high for about 30 seconds.
- Grilled beef
For the meat lovers, grill a flank steak that’s been treated with a spicy rub. See recipe below.
- Grilled chicken
Grill marinated chicken breasts and slice them diagonally as another meat option. See marinade recipe below.
- Grilled shrimp
Seafood fajitas are a perfect alternative to the norm. Use a grill screen or put the peeled and marinated shrimp on skewers and grill. See marinade recipe below.
- White rice
For perfect fluffy rice, cook it in a big pot of boiling water, just like you would pasta. Boil for 20 minutes and then drain and rinse with hot water (preferably fresh boiled water).
- Black beans
Drain and rinse a can of black beans and warm them in the microwave.
- Sautéed onions and green peppers
Slice onions and peppers and sauté in oil with a little bit of minced garlic.
- Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- Lettuce, shredded
- Tomato, diced
- Avocado, chopped
- Cilantro, snipped and chopped
- Salsa
- Sour cream
Place desired fillings in the tortilla shell and roll, tucking in both ends as you roll.
Beef Rub Recipe
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Mix spices together and sprinkle over beef. Rub in lightly with your hands. Let sit for at least an hour before grilling. Cut into thin slices diagonally.
Marinated Grilled Chicken Breasts
- ½ cup sherry
- ¾ cup olive oil
- ½ large onion, grated
- 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- ½ teaspoon thyme
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon rosemary
- ½ teaspoon marjoram leaves
- 4 boneless chicken breasts
Mix thoroughly sherry, oil, Worcestershire, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, thyme oregano, rosemary and marjoram. Pour mixed sauce over chicken breasts and allow to marinate for at least 1 hour and up to overnight. Place on a preheated 350 degree grill and cook for about 20 minutes, turning once.
Shrimp Marinade
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 5 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1 teaspoon ginger
- ¾ cup vegetable oil
- 5 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
Marinate shrimp for 1-2 hours and grill for 5-10 minutes.
Looking for more southwestern recipes? Check out:
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