Pineapple Soy Lime Steak Fajita Marinade Recipe
This flavorful Steak Fajita Marinade combines pineapple juice, low sodium soy sauce, fresh lime juice, garlic, and cilantro to tenderize and infuse your fajita meat with a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy notes. Ideal for marinating skirt steak, flank steak, tri-tip, or sirloin, this marinade enhances the natural flavors of the beef and prepares it for grilling to create delicious, juicy steak fajitas.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 21 minutes prep plus 8 hours to 3 days marinating time
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Marinade Ingredients
- 2 cans pineapple juice (2 cups total)
- 1 (15 oz.) bottle low sodium soy sauce
- Juice of 3 limes
- 5 garlic cloves, pressed or smashed
- 3 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped fine (optional)
- 2-4 lbs. steak fajita meat (such as skirt steak, flank steak, tri-tip, or sirloin)
Instructions
- Prepare the meat: Place your choice of steak fajita meat in a glass casserole dish with a lid to ensure even marination without contamination.
- Make the marinade: Pour the pineapple juice, low sodium soy sauce, fresh lime juice, and pressed garlic over the meat. Use tongs to stir and coat the meat thoroughly, making sure every piece is evenly covered. Sprinkle chopped cilantro over the top if desired for added color and flavor.
- Marinate: Cover and refrigerate the meat in the marinade for a minimum of 8 hours, though allowing it to marinate for 2 to 3 days will further tenderize the beef and deepen the flavor.
- Grill the meat: For best results, cook the marinated steak over a charcoal grill to impart a smoky flavor. Grill the meat to your preferred doneness, then slice thinly for serving.
Notes
- Marinating for at least 8 hours is essential to tenderize the meat properly and infuse flavor.
- Using low sodium soy sauce helps control salt content and balances the sweetness of the pineapple juice.
- Cilantro is optional but recommended for garnish and fresh herbal notes.
- If you don’t have a charcoal grill, a gas grill or broiler can be used, but charcoal imparts the best flavor.
- Ensure to use a glass or non-reactive container for marinating to avoid metallic tastes.
