Chipotle Fajita Veggies (Copycat Recipe)

This post may feature affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Chipotle fajita veggies from the comfort of your own home? This must be a dream! Crunchy, tender, and charred vegetables are lightly seasoned with Mexican oregano and salt for a recipe that’s simple to make and tastes exactly like it does at Chipotle!

Table of Contents

🌶 What are Chipotle fajita veggies?

You’ve probably landed on this recipe because you already know how delicious Chipotle is, and you’re craving their fajita veggies.

If you don’t know, Chipotle is an international restaurant that specializes in Mexican-inspired dishes like tacos, bowls, and burritos made right in front of their customers.

One of their claims to fame is the deliciously tender, herbaceous, and slightly charred fajita veggies you can order with any meal.

To recreate an equally tasty version at home, all you’ll need is green bell peppers, onions, Mexican oregano, oil, and salt.

Once cooked, they’re now ready to be served with your favorite recipes like fajita tacos, carnitas, tacos de canasta, or Ensenada “fish” tacos.

Tip: You can add fajita veggies to your Chipotle order at any time for no extra charge!

🫑 How to julienne bell peppers

Here is the simplest and most effective method of julienning bell peppers for fajitas:

Chop the pepper in half.
Remove the stem and seeds.
Slice it into even strips.

Chipotle fajita veggies in a skillet. — Tender, fresh, and caramelized

🧅 How to slice onions

Onions can be tricky, but follow these quick steps to make your life a little easier:

Using a sharpened chef’s knife, cut the onion in half along the root.
Peel off the outer layer and throw it away in the compost.
Lay the onion flat on a cutting board. Pointing the knife towards the root, slice vertically as close to the root as you can.
Once you are finished slicing the onion in half, cut away the ends.

🍳 Tricks for the perfect sauté

If you want to make crispy yet tender sautéed veggies every time, keep these tips in mind:

Use a large skillet so it’s not overcrowded.
Medium or medium-high heat works best.
Don’t forget to preheat the skillet.
Heat the oil until it appears shiny.
Don’t stir too much so the vegetables properly brown.
Wait until the end to add salt.

🌱 Are Chipotle fajita veggies vegan?

Both Chipotle’s fajita veggies and this copycat fajita veggie recipe are 100% vegan-friendly. The only ingredients are oil, vegetables, and herbs!

Mexican oregano, belle pepper, red onion, oil, and salt on a table. — This recipe is very customizable

🛒 Ingredients & substitutions

Bell peppers — The most common color Chipotle uses is green, but feel free to try red, yellow, or orange bell peppers if you’d prefer! Green bell peppers are full of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Red onion — The vibrant color and caramelized flavor of red onion pairs incredibly well with bell peppers. However, you can substitute them with equal amounts of yellow or white onions.

Oil — Chipotle uses sunflower oil in their fajita veggies, but any neutral vegetable oil will work such as avocado, safflower, or canola oil. You can also use olive oil, but it will impart more flavor than the others.

Mexican oregano — The oregano variety Chipotle includes in their recipe comes from Mexico. While it partially shares a name with Mediterranean oregano, the flavor profiles are quite unique from each other. The best replacement for Mexican oregano is equal parts marjoram or Mediterranean oregano with a squeeze of lime.

Salt — We prefer the flavor of sea salt, but use whatever type you enjoy most.

For a complete ingredient list and step-by-step guide, scroll down to our recipe card.

📝 Instructions

Step 1 — Preheat oil in a large skillet over medium. Add onions and stir to coat in the oil. Then, add peppers and Mexican oregano.

Red onion slices in a skillet. — Give the onions a bit of a stir first

Step 2 — Cook until the veggies are softened but still crisp. Taste and season with salt to your liking.

Green bell peppers, red onions, and Mexican oregano in a skillet. — Cook the veggies until just tender

Step 3 — Remove from heat and serve immediately with your favorite meals like burrito bowls, tacos, etc. Happy eating!

If you have questions about this copycat Chipotle fajita veggies recipe, check out our FAQs or leave a comment down below!

🥗 Best ways to use fajita veggies

Much like our classic vegan fajitas, you can serve these versatile vegetables in just about any recipe to add a little flavor, crunch, and texture. Here are some of our favorite ways to use them:

With a spread. Include them in a build-your-own-fajita night spread with other dishes like beans, refried beans, pickled onions, dairy-free sour cream, flour tortillas, roasted chili corn salsa, and more.

In tacos or quesadillas. Try your fajita veggies with carnitas or quesadillas.

Added to bowls. Top buddha bowls, burrito bowls, morisqueta, or other rice bowls with your fajita veggies.

As a side dish. Chipotle fajita veggies are the perfect side dish to bulk up meals when you’re in a hurry.

🌡️ Storage & reheating

Follow these storage tips to ensure your fajita veggies last as long as possible:

Prep ahead — Store fresh-cut peppers for up to 4 days and onions for up to a week. That way you can quickly sauté them when you’re ready for fajita veggies.

Fridge — Cooked fajita veggies should last for up to 5 days in an airtight glass container.

Freezer — Freezing couldn’t be easier! Allow the vegetables to cool completely, then add them to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 6 months.

Reheating — Thaw the veggies overnight if frozen, then sauté them over medium-high for 2-3 minutes until hot.

♻️ Variations

Switch up the veggies — Try adding other vegetables like portabello mushrooms, corn, zucchini, Roma tomatoes, or poblano peppers.

Herbs and spices — Use aromatics like cumin, chile powder, garlic powder, paprika, or onion powder in addition to the Mexican oregano.

Bring the heat — Try adding some spice with jalapeños, serranos, habaneros, or cayenne.

🧑‍🍳 Top tips

Use cast iron — Although non-stick is more forgiving, cast-iron skillets give an incredible char that will yield the best copycat Chipotle fajita veggies.

Slice the veggies evenly — Make sure the onions and bell peppers are cut uniformly to ensure they cook evenly.

Don’t stir too much — Don’t stir the vegetables too much or the vegetables won’t caramelize and char.

Don’t skip the oil — To achieve the same flavor as chipotle, don’t skip the oil. It provides flavor and prevents the vegetables from sticking.

Use a large skillet — To help everything cook evenly, don’t overcrowd the pan. Use the largest skillet you can find!

Don’t overcook — Fajita veggies should have a little crunch rather than be soft and mushy.

💬 FAQ

What is the difference between fajitas and tacos?

Fajitas generally describe flour tortillas served with grilled meat strips and veggies like bell peppers and onions. Tacos are traditionally made on corn tortillas and topped with raw garnishes like diced white onion and cilantro. Keep in mind that these descriptions are not set in stone.

Are chipotle fajita veggies spicy?

Chipotle fajita veggies are not spicy. In fact, the only seasoning they use is Mexican oregano, which is herbaceous with a touch of citrus.

Can I make fajita veggies oil-free?

While Chipotle uses oil in its recipe, you can absolutely make oil-free fajita veggies. Just make sure to use a non-stick skillet!

🍴 More Mexican-inspired recipes

If you enjoyed this copycat Chipotle fajita veggies recipe, be sure to check out these other vegetable-packed dishes:

Vegan birria tacos: Chile-dipped corn tortillas stuffed with oyster mushrooms and cheese.
Huaraches: Oval bases of masa topped with refried beans, salsa, chorizo, crema, and pickled onions.
Sopes: Crispy corn discs topped with queso fresco, refried beans, and fresh vegetables.