Sheet Pan Fajitas: Ingredients, Instructions and More

1. What Is a Sheet Pan Recipe?

A sheet pan recipe is a helpful way to cook a healthy, nutritious meal with the convenience of one single pan. Sheet pan recipes allow you to cook various ingredients at the same time. You can add your choice of meats, starches, and vegetables, then pop it in the oven to cook. Most recipes take 30–35 minutes to cook on a sheet pan. When making a sheet pan recipe, it is important to keep time in mind. Some meats and seafood cook faster than others, and the same goes for vegetables and starches. Depending on what protein and vegetables you have chosen, you may have to give one a head start and then add the other a couple of minutes later

2. Why Are Sheet Pan Recipes So Popular?

People love sheet pan recipes because the meals typically don’t need to be in the oven for a long time. Most meals take about 30 to 40 minutes to cook, and the ingredients are usually cut into smaller pieces. The pans come in three different sizes. The quarter sheet pan (13 x 9 inches) can make enough food for one or two people. However, the half sheet pan (13 x 18 inches) is perfect for serving three or more guests. Finally, there is a full sheet pan (26 x 18 inches), which is used in most restaurants. However, the full sheet pan will not fit in most home ovens; therefore, a half sheet pan is the most popular.

Sheet pans have low sides about 1 inch high with a rim, making them different from a cookie sheet. This allows the hot air to distribute around all sides. Together with the size of the ingredients, this helps speed up the cooking process. In addition to the joy of being able to cook everything on one pan, you can also enjoy the fact that you will have fewer dishes to clean up in the kitchen later.

3. Sheet Pan Fajitas

Sheet pan fajitas are perfect for a quick and easy, fuzz-free midweek meal. There are so many options to choose from. They only take a few minutes to prepare and require minimal cleanup. Sheet pan fajitas are also great for feeding a crowd. You can even prepare two different recipes. Before preparing your ingredients, preheat the oven. Then chop your desired protein into thin strips. After that, chop your vegetables into equal sizes. Grab your sheet pan and put a layer of parchment paper or aluminum foil on the bottom. Place all of your chopped ingredients on top and spread them out evenly. Add your favorite seasoning along with some olive oil or butter. Then pop it in the oven. This is an amazing, delish dish for a busy weekday meal.

4. Ingredients for Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas

If you are a fan of shrimp like we are, then you absolutely must try this really easy, mouthwatering sheet pan fajitas recipe for dinner tonight. Shrimp cooks quickly, so you will want to cook your vegetables first to avoid them drying out or going rubbery. This recipe also includes a lime crema dressing that is so scrumptious and makes this whole meal pop. Let’s dig into making this delightful and satisfying meal. 

Ingredients:

• 4x warm flour or corn tortillas
• ⅓ cup olive oil
• ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 sweet onion, thinly sliced
• ¼ cup freshly lime juice freshly squeezed
• 1 pound of raw, deveined, and peeled shrimp
• 2 tablespoons of fresh lime zest
• 2 chopped bell peppers, yellow, red, or orange
• 1 tablespoon of honey
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 teaspoon of cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• For serving: lime wedges, pickled onions, cotija cheese or feta, quesco fresco, or goat cheese crumbles.

Ingredients for Lime Crema

• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• ½ cup Greek plain yogurt
• 1 lime, juiced and zest freshly grated
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 clove garlic minced
• 1 teaspoon of honey

5. Instructions

For the shrimp and vegetables:

1. First, preheat the oven to 425 °F.
2. Prepare your sheet pan. Line it with aluminum foil, parchment paper, or non-stick spray.
3. Whisk the olive oil, garlic, lime juice, salt, pepper, zest, paprika, honey, chili powder, and cumin in a medium-sized bowl.
4. Place the onions and peppers on the sheet pan and toss them with half of the marinade until well covered.
5. Put the sheet pan in the oven and roast the vegetables for 15 minutes. Make sure to toss them halfway through the cooking time.
6. While the vegetables cook, pour the remaining marinade over the shrimp. Then, in the meantime, make the crema.
7. Once the vegetables are done, give them another toss and push them over to one side of the pan. Place the shrimp on the opposite side of the vegetables in a single layer. Roast for a further 6-7 minutes, or until the shrimp are just pink and opaque.
8. Once the shrimp are done, it is time to put your fajitas together. Begin with the onions and peppers, and then the shrimp. Sprinkle with your choice of cheese, cilantro, and pickled onions. Finally, drizzle some of the crema on top. Serve and enjoy!

For the crema:

Whisk all the ingredients together and allow them to sit for about 15 minutes. Any extra crema can be stored in an airtight container or Madison jar for about 3 days.

6. Chef Tips

Sheet pan fajitas make an amazing meal for busy weekdays. They are incredibly versatile, and you can use your preferred choice of protein, vegetables, spices, sauces, and toppings. The next time you get that “powered by fajitas” feeling, try one of these marvelous fajita topping ideas. You’ll be surprised at how quick and simple a sheet pan fajita can be.

• Sliced avocado (drizzle a drop of lime or lemon juice over the top to stop them from turning brown).
• Sour cream
• Rocket
• Sliced lettuce
• Grated cheese
• Sliced jalapenos
• Ranch dressing
• Green or red salsa