A little reason to celebrate
National Fajita Day
Food ยท August 18
A food day for fajitas: sizzling strips of grilled meat or vegetables with peppers and onions, wrapped in warm tortillas at the table.
National Fajita Day falls on Wednesday, August 18, 2027. That is 295 days away.
You usually hear fajitas before you see them. The platter comes out of the kitchen on a hot iron skillet, still hissing, with strips of grilled meat, peppers and onions piled on top and a little cloud of steam rising off it.
The dish is Tex-Mex. The name is generally linked to faja, the Spanish word for a belt or strip, and the classic cut is skirt steak. Chicken, shrimp and vegetables now show up just as often. The meat is usually marinated with lime, garlic and spices, then cooked fast over high heat so the edges char and the middle stays tender.
Part of the appeal is that everyone builds their own. A stack of warm flour or corn tortillas sits nearby, along with small bowls of guacamole, salsa, sour cream, cheese and pico de gallo. You take a few strips, add what you like, fold, and repeat. Nobody's fajita looks quite like anyone else's.
At home the sizzle is easy to copy with a heavy cast iron pan heated until it is very hot. Slicing the meat thin and against the grain does more for tenderness than any marinade. Peppers in a few colors make the platter look like the restaurant version, and they cook in about the same time as the onions.
The skillet stays hot long after it lands on the table, which is why the server always warns you about it.
Ways to celebrate
- Try making fajitas at home in a very hot cast iron pan.
- Set out toppings and let everyone build their own.
- Warm tortillas in a dry skillet for a softer, toastier wrap.
- Try a vegetable or shrimp version alongside the classic steak.
- Share your favorite fajita topping combination with friends.
Dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Tuesday, August 18 |
| 2027 | Wednesday, August 18 |
| 2028 | Friday, August 18 |
| 2029 | Saturday, August 18 |
| 2030 | Sunday, August 18 |
All national days on August 18
Also on August 18
Categories: Food days