How to make fajitas: the best toppings guide

A popular Tex-Mex dish, fajitas are filled tortilla wraps, traditionally loaded up with sizzling, spiced meat or veggies. When it comes to what to put on fajitas, anything goes – stick to classic combos like chicken and peppers, or try tofu or halloumi, with fixings like crunchy slaw, salsa and guacamole. The key is to balance spicy, smoky flavours with creamy, crunchy textures, wrapped in a fluffy tortilla for the ultimate crowd-pleasing family feast.

• Steak: cook over a high heat to allow the meat to develop a nice char, and load up into fajitas with sour cream, crunchy slaw and hot sauce.

• Chicken: stir-fry with spices and peppers, then top with avocado and fresh coriander.

• Halloumi: try pan-seared or air-fried for a golden, crunchy texture.

• Tofu: make vegan tacos with crispy tofu and smashed avocado.

• Beans: simmer with spices until creamy and thick, then top with grated cheddar or crumbled feta.

• Sweetcorn: try charring in a pan to develop a smoky flavour.

Best spices for fajitas

Go for classic smoky, fiery spices – a mix of smoked paprika, cumin, coriander and cayenne will work. If you’re short on time, our Fajita Spice Mix is a great shortcut.

Which meat to put in fajitas

• Chicken, steak, or prawns will all stand up to bold flavours and spices.

• Going veggie? Try charred roasted cauliflower or broccoli, or roasted aubergine.

• Transform leftover roast lamb or chicken, tumbled in punchy spices.

• Something creamy: try guacamole, lime-dressed avocado, mayo or sour cream.

• Something fresh: like a vibrant red cabbage slaw or fresh coriander.

• Something hearty: try re-fried beans or a coriander and lime-flecked rice.

• Something zingy: fresh lime wedges or pickled red onions.

• Something spicy: your favourite hot sauces or jarred jalapeños.

How to build your fajitas

1. Prep things like slaw, sour cream, beans, salsa and salad in advance. Be mindful that avocado will go brown if left out too long – so make your guacamole last.

2. Lay the table and get condiments and hot sauces ready to go.

3. Sizzle your veggies, meat or fish in a pan over a medium-high heat with spices to help them develop a rich flavour.

4. While the main filling is cooking, warm the tortilla wraps and keep warm in tin foil or a tea towel.

5. Prep final garnishes, such as lime wedges, fresh coriander, avocado and guacamole.

6. You can either lay everything out on the table for everyone to help themselves and build their own, or assemble with a layer of sour cream or guacamole, a scoop of the meat topping, then some crunchy slaw. Finish with hot sauce, lime wedges, coriander and jarred jalapeños.

Our top fajita recipes

• Whip up some quick and easy chicken fajitas with our shortcut fajita seasoning.

• For a lighter twist, whip up these healthy chicken fajitas, which carry our Eat Well health seal of approval.

• Load wraps with ready-made fish goujons and sweet potato fries for speedy fish fajitas.

• Give these plant-packed roasted cauliflower fajitas a go.

• Or get your fibre fix with loaded bean fajita wraps.

• Be inspired by fajita flavours – try a fajita roast chicken; fajita pasta bake, or vibrant chicken burrito bowls.

More midweek ideas from M&S Food

Whether you're cooking from scratch, want to take a few ingredient shortcuts, or want us to do all the hard work for you, M&S is the home of easy, crowd-pleasing dinners that pack a flavour punch.

• Cook up a storm with our fiery Mexican-inspired recipes, from tacos to burritos.

• Short on time? Try our Slow Cooked range of meat, from succulent fajita spiced chicken to pulled pork – ideal for fajita night.

• Our perfectly balanced meal kits are a busy cook's best friend, made for whipping up delicious meals without the fuss.

• Or let us do the chopping with a hands-off, restaurant-quality Dine In dinner, whether you fancy fresh pasta or fiery curry.