RECIPE

Pork Tenderloin Fajitas

  • ACTIVE:
  • TOTAL TIME:
  • SERVINGS: 6

Fajitas have been a Texas tradition since 1973, when Mexican-born restaurateur Ninfa Laurenzo put them on the menu of her Houston restaurant, Ninfa's. Originally, fajitas were grilled skirt steak, but they've been made with everything from lobster to Portobellos. This recipe calls for succulent pork tenderloin marinated in lime juice and spices and dressed with chipotle salsa and pico de gallo.

  • ACTIVE:
  • TOTAL TIME:
  • SERVINGS: 6

Ingredients

  • HERB AND SPICE RUB
    1. 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
    2. 1 tablespoon paprika
    3. 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
    4. 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
    5. 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
    6. 1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt
    7. 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
    8. 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
    9. 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
  • FAJITAS
    1. Two 1-pound pork tenderloins, halved crosswise
    2. 2 tablespoons herb and spice rub
    3. 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
    4. 1/4 cup olive oil
    5. Vegetable oil, for the grill
    6. 1 red bell pepper, quartered
    7. 1 yellow bell pepper, quartered
    8. 1 poblano chile or green bell pepper, quartered
    9. 2 medium white onions, sliced crosswise 1/2-inch thick
    10. 2 bunches scallions, trimmed
    11. 18 small flour tortillas
    12. 2 tomatoes, seeded and finely diced
    13. 1 red onion, finely diced
    14. 1 cup coarsely chopped cilantro
    15. 1 1/2 cups sour cream
    16. Chipotle Salsa
    17. Pico de Gallo

Directions

  1. Combine all of the ingredients in a 1/2-pint jar. Cover and shake to blend.
  2. Cut the tenderloins halfway through lengthwise; pound to 1/4-inch thickness with a meat mallet. Put the meat in a baking dish; sprinkle with the rub. Drizzle on the lime juice and oil and turn to coat. Cover and set aside to marinate for 30 minutes.
  3. Light a grill. Lightly brush the grate with oil. Grill the peppers, onions and scallions until they begin to char at the edges. Remove to a large platter and keep warm. Remove the meat from the marinade and pat dry. Grill the pork over high heat until browned and cooked through, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer the meat to a carving board and cut crosswise into thin slices. Transfer the meat to a platter, cover loosely with foil and keep warm.
  4. Warm the tortillas on the grill until soft, 10 to 20 seconds on each side. Place them in a cloth-lined basket, cover and keep warm. Serve the fajitas and grilled vegetables with the tortillas, diced tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, sour cream and and Pico de Gallo.