How Many Calories in a Steak Fajita with Tortilla?

December 12, 2025 •

8 min read

The calorie count for a steak fajita with tortilla can vary dramatically, ranging from around 400 to over 1,500 calories per serving depending on ingredients, portion sizes, and preparation method. Understanding the calorie breakdown of this popular dish is key for those mindful of their nutritional intake.

Quick Summary

The calorie count for a steak fajita with tortilla varies significantly based on steak cut, tortilla type, oil usage, and toppings. The difference between a simple homemade version and a restaurant-style entree can be hundreds of calories. Customizing ingredients is key to managing the total calories.

Key Points

Significant Calorie Variation: The number of calories in a steak fajita with a tortilla is highly variable, ranging from under 500 to over 1,500 depending on preparation and ingredients.
Homemade vs. Restaurant Difference: A homemade fajita is typically much lower in calories than a restaurant version, which often includes larger portions, more oil, and heavier toppings.
Ingredient Impact: The biggest calorie contributors are the type of steak, the tortillas, the cooking oil, and any added high-fat toppings like sour cream and cheese.
Tortilla Choices Matter: Swapping large flour tortillas for smaller whole-wheat or corn tortillas, or even lettuce wraps, can drastically reduce the total calorie count.
Control Your Toppings: Minimize calorie intake by using measured, low-fat toppings or replacing them with fresh salsa, pico de gallo, or extra cilantro.
Lean Protein and Veggies: The core components of grilled steak and vegetables are relatively low-calorie; the cooking methods and accompaniments are what inflate the calorie count.
Customization is Key: By actively choosing leaner steak cuts and controlling the amount of oil and condiments, you can build a delicious and satisfying meal that fits your dietary needs.
Serving Size Awareness: The number of tortillas used per serving, especially in a restaurant setting, has a major impact on the final calorie total.

Breaking Down the Calories in Steak Fajitas

Determining the exact calorie count for a steak fajita with tortilla is complicated because there is no single standard recipe. Instead, the total caloric value is a sum of its components: the steak, bell peppers and onions, tortillas, and any added toppings like cheese, sour cream, or guacamole. While the grilled steak and vegetables provide lean protein and nutrients, the overall calorie density is heavily influenced by how the dish is prepared and what condiments are included.

The Core Components and Their Caloric Impact

1. The Steak: The type and cut of beef used make a significant difference. Leaner cuts like flank or skirt steak contain fewer calories and less fat than more marbled cuts. For example, a 4-ounce serving of lean flank steak has fewer calories than the same amount of a fattier cut. The cooking oil used also adds to the total.

2. The Vegetables: Bell peppers and onions are low in calories and high in fiber and vitamins, adding nutritional value without a major caloric impact. However, the amount of oil used to sauté them can dramatically increase the fat and calorie content.

3. The Tortillas: This is one of the most variable components. A single fajita-sized flour tortilla can have anywhere from 100 to 150 calories, while corn tortillas are generally lower in calories but still contribute to the total. The number of tortillas consumed per serving is also a major factor, as some restaurant platters come with four or more tortillas.

4. The Toppings: Condiments like cheese, sour cream, and guacamole can substantially raise the calorie count. For instance, a dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of cheese can add 20 to 100 calories or more per fajita.

Calorie Comparison: Homemade vs. Restaurant Fajitas

It's important to recognize that a homemade steak fajita can be significantly lighter than its restaurant counterpart. Restaurants often use more oil, larger portions of meat, and high-fat toppings, leading to a much higher calorie total. A serving from a chain restaurant might contain well over 1,000 calories, while a carefully prepared homemade version can be under 500 calories.

Strategies for Reducing Fajita Calories

Choose Leaner Steak: Opt for a lean cut like flank or sirloin steak and trim any excess fat before cooking.
Control the Oil: Use a non-stick pan and a light spray of olive oil instead of a tablespoon of vegetable oil when sautéing vegetables.
Pick a Healthier Tortilla: Choose whole wheat or corn tortillas over traditional white flour tortillas. Alternatively, serve the filling in lettuce wraps for a low-carb, low-calorie option.
Manage Toppings: Opt for low-fat sour cream, use a smaller amount of cheese, or swap them for fresh toppings like pico de gallo, salsa, or extra cilantro.
Increase the Veggies: Boost the fiber and nutrient content by adding more bell peppers, onions, or other vegetables to your fajitas, which increases volume and satiety without adding many calories.

Comparison Table: Calorie Breakdown


Component	Restaurant Version (Estimate)	Homemade Version (Estimate)
Steak (4 oz)	350-400 calories (fattier cut, more oil)	220-250 calories (lean cut, less oil)
Vegetables (1 cup)	100-150 calories (sauteed with plenty of oil)	50-70 calories (lightly sauteed with minimal oil)
Tortillas (2, flour)	300-350 calories (standard flour)	200-250 calories (whole wheat or smaller size)
Toppings (Sour Cream, Cheese)	200-300+ calories (generous portions)	50-100 calories (controlled portions or low-fat options)
Total (Approximate)	950-1200+ calories	520-670 calories

Conclusion

Ultimately, the total number of calories in a steak fajita with tortilla is highly customizable. A restaurant fajita platter with all the fixings can easily exceed 1,000 calories, primarily due to the type of tortilla, amount of cooking oil, and generous high-fat toppings. By making informed choices about the ingredients and controlling portion sizes at home, you can enjoy this flavorful meal while keeping your calorie intake in check. Focusing on lean protein, plenty of vegetables, and mindful condiment usage will create a delicious and satisfying dish without a caloric overload.

How to build a healthier fajita

Building a healthier fajita starts with the basics. Choose a lean cut of steak and trim any visible fat before seasoning and grilling. Use a small amount of healthy oil, like olive oil, to cook the bell peppers and onions until tender-crisp. Instead of traditional large flour tortillas, opt for smaller whole-wheat tortillas or even crisp lettuce cups. For toppings, prioritize fresh, low-calorie options such as homemade pico de gallo, salsa, or cilantro. If using cheese or sour cream, measure out a small, controlled portion or choose a reduced-fat alternative. These simple swaps can lead to a significant reduction in overall calories and fat.

For more information on portion control, you can visit the American Heart Association’s website at heart.org.

FAQ

How can I make my steak fajitas lower in calories?

To make your steak fajitas lower in calories, use a lean cut of steak, minimize the cooking oil, use whole-wheat or corn tortillas instead of large flour ones, and reduce or swap high-fat toppings like sour cream and cheese for fresh salsa or extra vegetables.

Are corn or flour tortillas better for calorie counting?

For calorie counting, corn tortillas are generally a better choice than flour tortillas. A typical fajita-sized flour tortilla has more calories and fat than a standard corn tortilla, though portion size and ingredients vary by brand.

What are the main sources of calories in a restaurant steak fajita?

The primary sources of calories in restaurant steak fajitas are often the tortillas (especially if you eat more than one), the oil used for sautéing the steak and vegetables, and high-fat toppings such as cheese, sour cream, and guacamole.

How much do toppings add to the calorie count?

Toppings can add a significant number of calories. For example, a large spoonful of sour cream can add 20 to 60 calories, a small amount of shredded cheese can add 50 to 100 calories, and guacamole, while healthy, is calorie-dense and can easily add 50 or more calories per scoop.

Is homemade or restaurant steak fajita higher in calories?

Restaurant steak fajitas are almost always higher in calories than homemade versions. This is due to larger portion sizes, more generous use of cooking oils and fats, and a heavy-handed approach to toppings.

What is a low-carb alternative to tortillas for fajitas?

A great low-carb alternative to tortillas is using large, crisp lettuce leaves, such as butter lettuce or romaine. You can also serve the fajita filling in a bowl with a base of cauliflower rice for a low-carb, high-volume meal.

How does the type of steak affect the calorie count?

Using a leaner cut of steak, such as sirloin or flank steak, will result in a lower-calorie fajita than a dish made with a fattier cut. The amount of fat marbled within the cut directly impacts its caloric density.

Citations

Frequently Asked Questions

To reduce calories, use a lean cut of steak (like sirloin or flank), minimize cooking oil, opt for corn or whole-wheat tortillas, and control your portions of high-fat toppings like cheese and sour cream.

Flour tortillas typically have more calories than corn tortillas. A standard flour tortilla for fajitas can have significantly more calories and fat compared to a corn tortilla of a similar size.

The calorie count for just the steak and vegetables can range, but a homemade serving with lean steak and lightly sautéed vegetables can be around 300 to 400 calories before adding tortillas or toppings.

Yes, guacamole is a calorie-dense topping. While it provides healthy fats, a typical scoop can add 50 or more calories to your fajita. Control the portion or use it sparingly if you're watching calories.

For a low-carb option, you can use large lettuce leaves (like butter or romaine) as a wrap, or simply serve the fajita filling in a bowl without any tortilla at all.

Steak fajitas can be a healthy meal when made with lean steak, plenty of vegetables, and minimal cooking oil. However, restaurant versions often contain excess oil, fat, and calories, making them less healthy.

Restaurant fajitas are often high in calories because they use large portions of meat, more cooking oil and butter, and generous amounts of calorie-dense toppings like cheese, sour cream, and guacamole.