The trick is to get the fire hot enough and dry off any marinade before placing the meat on the grill, as this will give you the deepest sear. Here, the meat is marinated in a garlicky herb paste flecked with pickled pepperoncini chiles, though other pickled peppers will work, so feel free to substitute pickled jicama, red or green peppers, or even pickled jicama leaves.
How to Grill the Perfect Skirt Steak
Perfect Grilled Skirt Steak Recipe 🔗
Skirt steak, my favorite beef for quick grilling, benefits from rubs and marinades. My Meat Seasoning is excellent here. The skirt is cut from under the breast of the steer and rarely is thicker than 3/4 inch, which makes for quick cooking. When you buy skirt steak, ask for the outside cut, which is a little more tender than the inside cut (although they both are terrific).
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup canola oil
- 1/4 cup Meat Seasoning*
- 2 tablespoons garlic, chopped
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice, fresh
- 2 pounds skirt steak, trimmed
Instruction:
*Meat Seasoning
Makes about 1/4 cup
2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon granulated onion powder
1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
In a small bowl, stir together the pepper, salt, cinnamon, paprika, thyme, onion powder, garlic powder, and cumin. Store the seasoning in a lidded glass container or zipped plastic bag in a cool, dark place for up to 1 month.
For the Steak:
In a small bowl, mix together the oil, seasoning, garlic, and lemon juice. Rub the mixture on both sides of the meat, making sure to work it into the meat. Let the meat marinate at room temperature for at least 30 minutes but no longer than 45 minutes (if the day is very hot, don’t leave the meat out for longer than 30 minutes).
Prepare a hot fire in a charcoal or gas grill and oil the grill grates.
Grill the steak for 3 to 5 minutes on each side, until done to the degree of doneness you prefer. Let the skirt steaks rest for 5 minutes before slicing to serve.
FAQ
What is the best cooking method for skirt steak?
The secret is to get the fire hot enough and dry off any marinade before placing the meat on the grill. This will give you the deepest sear and the intense heat gives the succulent and flavorful cut a rich char that’s smoky and crisp at the edges.
How long does it take to cook skirt steak on the grill?
This thin cut is ideal on the grill, seared in a skillet, broiled in the oven, or even cooked in a smoker; you will just need to make sure your Skirt steak temperature is correct to avoid overcooking your meat.
How do you grill skirt steak?
Depending on the level of doneness you prefer, the cooking time for skirt steak should be between 10-15 minutes on the grill, plus 5–10 minutes for resting and 45–50 minutes for dry brining.