Grilled Skirt Steak

How Long to Cook Marinated Skirt Steak

Marinated grilled skirt steak takes about 3-5 minutes per side to cook. If you prefer rare or medium-rare meat, stick to the shorter end of that time frame. But if you want your steak well done, you may need to give it 6-7 minutes per side.

That said, these time frames will also vary depending on the thickness of your steak. It takes some practice to get it perfect, but after one or two tries, you’ll find the sweet spot. 👌 And an instant-read thermometer does come in handy here.

Ingredient List

1. Skirt Steak – A couple of pounds of skirt steak (a thin cut of meat) will do the trick here. Look for fresh steaks that are bright red and of your preferred thickness. Flank steak usually works for skirt steak recipes, too.
2. Marinade Liquids – Freshly squeezed lime juice, soy sauce, and pineapple juice make up the incredibly flavorful marinade base.
3. Seasonings – Oregano, cumin, white pepper, and cilantro add a Mexican flair to the flavor profile of this beef. 

How to Marinate Skirt Steak for Grilling

Marinate the Steak

• Trim the steak. (Photo 1)
• Marinade – Mix the marinade ingredients in a large, shallow bowl. (Photo 2)
• Marinate – Add the skirt steak, coat well, and marinate for at least an hour. Refrigerate until ready to cook if marinating longer. (Photos 3-4)

Grill the Skirt Steak

• Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
• Dry – Once the grill is hot, drain the skirt or flank steak and use paper towels to pat dry. (Photo 5)
• Grill – Place the skirt steaks on the ripping hot grates and grill for 3-5 minutes per side for medium-rare to medium, depending on your preference. Turn as needed with tongs. (Photo 6)
• Rest – When the steak is done, transfer it to a cutting board and let it rest for about 2 minutes.
• Serve – Thinly slice the skirt or flank steak against the grain and on the bias.

Recipe Variations

1. Swap out the herbs. Spices like oregano, cumin, and cilantro are typical in Mexican cuisine. However, you can replace them with other spices and herbs, depending on the ethnicity you’re craving. For example, curry powder and ginger will give it an Indian flair, while adding lemongrass will make it taste Thai.
2. For an Afro-Caribbean take on this steak, include thyme, scotch bonnet, and allspice in the marinade. 🏝️
3. Italian. Oregano, thyme, parsley, minced garlic, black pepper, and red pepper flakes mixed in with enough extra virgin olive oil make a great marinade.
4. Make steak sandwiches. Slice your cooked steak and pile it on a hoagie-type bun, along with some grilled or sauteed peppers, onions, and mushrooms. Oh! And don’t forget the melted cheese. 

Tips and Tricks

1. To keep the steaks from sticking to the grill grates, clean and oil them before preheating.
2. Don’t skip letting the steaks rest for 10 minutes before slicing. That way, the juices have a chance to redistribute for a tenderer, juicier steak. 
3. Wait until the grill is ripping hot before cooking the skirt steak on it so it gets a nice char on the outside. 
4. Cut the steak against the grain for a more tender chew because it cuts across the muscle fibers.

Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions

You can grill and even slice skirt steak ahead of time. Then, let it cool and store it in the fridge in an airtight container for up to three days. You can reheat them on the grill or in a skillet, but they also taste great chilled on salads or in sandwiches. You can treat leftovers the same way.

What Goes With Marinated Grilled Skirt Steak

Tuck the slices into tortillas, hoagies, or burritos, or use them for tacos or salad. Add some grilled peppers and onions, grilled avocado, salsa verde, and a side of Mexican rice.

Wash it all down with a cold cerveza. Then, for dessert, serve some grilled pineapple and vanilla ice cream. 😋

More Beautifully Beefy Recipes to Try

1. Smoked Brisket Flat
2. Dry Brine Steak
3. Grilled Flat Iron Steak
4. Smoked Meatballs
5. Juicy Smoked Burgers