The Ultimate Guide: How to Cook Skirt Steak Perfectly Tender Every Time (Best Marinade & Grilling Tips Included)
Learn the simple techniques and use this citrus-based marinade to cook skirt steak that is incredibly tender and flavorful on the grill. This recipe is perfect for tacos or any weeknight steak dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Total Time: 10 hours 25 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs skirt steak, trimmed
- 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Combine the lime juice, olive oil, cilantro, garlic, cumin, chili powder, oregano, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Whisk well to create the easy skirt steak marinade.
- Place the skirt steak in a large, resealable plastic bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the steak, ensuring it is fully coated.
- Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to 6 hours. Do not marinate longer than 6 hours, as the citrus can break down the meat too much. This step is key for tenderizing beef tips.
- About 30 minutes before cooking, remove the steak from the refrigerator to let it come closer to room temperature.
- Preheat your grill to high heat (about 450°F). Clean and lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking.
- Remove the steak from the marinade and discard the excess liquid. Pat the steak lightly with paper towels.
- Place the skirt steak on the hot grill. Grill for 3 to 5 minutes per side for medium-rare (130°F internal temperature). Cooking skirt steak on the grill requires attention to avoid overcooking, which causes chewiness.
- Remove the steak from the grill and place it on a cutting board. Let the steak rest, uncovered, for 10 minutes. This helps keep your skirt steak juicy.
- Identify the direction of the muscle fibers. Slice the steak thinly against the grain. This step is crucial for making skirt steak tender.
- Serve immediately, perfect for skirt steak tacos or as a main dish.
Notes
- For the best results when making skirt steak tender, always slice against the grain. Look closely at the lines of the muscle and cut perpendicular to them.
- If you do not have a grill, you can cook this marinated grilled steak in a very hot cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat.
- This citrus skirt steak marinade works well for flank steak if you do not have skirt steak available.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 oz cooked
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 16
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Unsaturated Fat: 12
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 3
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 30
- Cholesterol: 85