How to Cook Skirt Steak (2024)

Learn how to cook the juiciest, beefy skirt steak with this marinated skirt steak recipe!

This skirt steak recipe transforms one of the most underrated steaks into the resplendently juicy, buttery tender steak of your dreams! Skirt steak is a beefy, thin, quick-cooking cut of steak that’s comparatively inexpensive, making it a choice cut when cooked right. This recipe is marinated in soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, brown sugar and seasonings to create melt-in-your-mouth tender, juicy, complex, savory, tangy, sweet and spicy bites of heaven. And that’s even before the pesto butter. This marinated skirt steak recipe requires just 10 minutes of hand’s-on prep with zero clean up. Marinate then grill – that’s it!(Stove top instructions also included.) Serve your skirt steak with strawberry spinach salad, loaded potato salad and mixed berry cobbler for a complete feast!

Steak is always a homerun favorite and arguably the easiest, quickest protein to cook! If you’re looking for ways to mix up your steak routine, don’t miss: Marinated Flank Steak, London Broil with Herb Butter, Grilled Sirloin Steak with Cajun Butter , NY Strip Steak with Harissa Butter or Steak and Potatoes.

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HOW TO MAKE skirt steak VIDEo

skirt steak recipe

With steak prices at a seemingly all-time high, I wanted to share one of the more economical options – skirt steak, one of my favorites yet unsung cuts of beef! Skirt steakis the ideal easy, affordable, hand’s-off dinner that boasts minimal prep with huge tender, juicy dividends.

Skirt steak has a reputation for being tough, but this recipe will teach you how to transform this underrated cut into one of the most intoxicatingly tender, juicy, flavorful steaks you’ve ever sunk your teeth into!

THE KEYS TO SUCCESS ARE:

1.Using outside skirt steak (more on that below)
2.Marinating the skirt steak with the right marinade
3. Not overcooking the skirt steak
4.Slicing the steak across the grain

Armed with these tricks, skirt steak will quickly become one of your go-to favorite cuts of beef! Now, just marinate and cook the steak for a couple minutes on each side and restaurant worthy steak can be served up in minutes, with practically zero cleanup.

This skirt steak recipe is delicious in its simplicity (we were eating it straight from the cutting board) or I’ve also included an herbaceous, indulgent pesto butter to mop over the steaks. Your eyes will roll back in your head with delight.

What is skirt steak

Skirt steak isa long, thin, cut of beef prized for its big, beefy flavor and affordability. It is quite lean with a lot of connective tissue and a thick grain that runs across the length of the muscle. While these attributes make it a tougher cut, it still emerges juicy and tender when marinated and not overcooked.

Skirt steak can refer to two different types of beef -the outside skirt steak and the inside skirt steak. They are from two different muscles entirely, so they are two very different cuts of beef, even though they are often not distinguished between. It is important to know the difference, however, because they do differ in tenderness:

OUTSIDE SKIRT STEAK

The outside skirt steak is the more desirable cut of beef because it boasts more marbling, is thicker, more tender and not chewy. It comes from the diaphragm muscle of the steer, is thin, quite long, (noticeably longer than the inside skirt), and tapered. It measures upward of 24 inches long, about three to four inches wide, and 1-inch thick. It will weigh about 1 ½-2 pounds.

Due to its superiority, outside skirt steak usually is reserved for restaurants and specialty butchers. You likely won’t find it at your grocery store, but it is worth sourcing. I found mine at a butcher shop in town (Tip Top Meats). If your outside skirt steak comes with the fatty membrane intact, you’ll need to remove it before marinating and cooking.

INSIDE SKIRT STEAK

When you find skirt steak at the grocery store, it is typically the inside cut, because all of the outside cuts have been snatched up by commercial kitchens! The inside skirt is tougher with thicker connective tissue fibers that make it chewy. It benefits from a good pounding with a meat mallet in order to tenderize the tough muscle fibers.

The inside skirt steak comes from the transversus abdominis muscle of the steer, below the cow’s ribs. It is shorter and wider than the outside cut, about five to seven inches wide, and half as thick, about 1/4-½ inches. It will weigh about 2 pounds.

Which cut to use?

Always go for the outside skirt if possible because it will be more tender, less fatty, less chewy with intense beefy flavor. If you can’t tell which cut you’re holding at the grocery store (because they’re usually folded), ask the butcher. The tell-tell sign is if it’s an extra great price.

The outside skirt will always be more expensive, and in this case, you definitely get what you pay for! I suggest going to a butcher shop for a great outside cut (I suggest calling first so you know they have it).

What’s the Difference Between Skirt Steak and Flank Steak?

Think of skirt steak as a loosely woven version of flank steak but with more flavor! Both skirt steak andflank steakare lean cuts of beef that benefit from marinating and are often cooked hot and fast over the grill, stovetop or stir-fried.

Skirt steak and flank steak come from two different parts of the cow which affects their flavor and toughness. Flank steak comes from the flank primal, is noticeably thicker but has less intense beefy flavor compared to the skirt. Skirt steakcomes from the diaphragm muscle of the cow which contains more tough muscle fibers; however, it boasts an intensely beefy flavor—even more flavor than the flank steak.

If you aren’t sure which cut of beef you’re looking at, pay attention to the direction of the grain. The grain on skirt steak runs width-wise (like short wide stripes), and the grain of flank steak runs the length of the steak (like long stripes). In both cases, you’ll want to slice across the grain to shorten the tough muscle fibers to achieve tender slices.

Skirt Steak FAQS

Is skirt steak a good cut of meat?

Yes! Skirt steak boasts big, beefy flavor and soaks up marinades extremely well due to its looser structure. Skirt steak is a tougher cut of meat due to a lot of connective tissue, so it needs to be handled correctly. It should be marinated or tenderized with a meat mallet and cooked hot and fast on the grill, skillet or stir fried to maximize tenderness.

Howshould you cook skirt steak?

Skirt steak should be marinated for maximum tenderness then cooked hot and fast – either grilled, broiled or pan seared. This cut of steak can easily become tough when cooked too long either at high or low temperatures so target medium-rare.

How long does it take to cook skirt steak?

HOW TO PURCHASE AND STORE SKIRT STEAK

Is skirt steak expensive? Skirt steakis generally one of the leastexpensivecuts of beef. However, outside skirt steak will be significantly more expensive than inside skirt steak. After all, it is an entirely different cut of beef!
How much skirt steak do I need per person?The general rule of thumb is to allow 4-8 oz. of steak per person; however, skirt steaks shrinks significantly when it’s cooked due to its loose structure. So, I would plan on one skirt steak feeding 4 people. If you are making fajitas out of it, with loads of sides like rice and beans, then you can probably can feed closer to 6 people with one skirt steak.
Where to purchase skirt steak?Contact your local butcher to locate outside skirt steak. Otherwise, inside skirt steak is easily accessible at your grocery store in the beef section or at the butcher counter. Skirt steak sometimes comes packaged in marinade, so make sure to double check the packaging – for this skirt steak recipe, we want just the steak.
What to look for when buying skirt steak?First, always check for outside skirt steak and snatch it up if you can. Next, look for choice and prime grades. Avoid “select” grades because they will be tougher and less flavorful. Look for steak with a fair amount of fat (which you’ll remove most of) because underneath the steak will be lean but nicely marbled cut of beef. Lastly, double check that the steak is not packaged in a marinade. For this recipe, we are marinating the skirt steak ourselves for the best steak ever!
How do I store raw skirt steak?Uncooked steak should be stored in its packaging until ready to marinate or transferred to a freezer bag with all excess air squeezed out. Store in packaging for up to three days.

Should You Marinate Skirt Steak?

Skirt steak doesn’t have to be marinated, but it should be marinated to increase tenderness due to its tough connective tissues. Skirt steak is also one of the best steaks to marinate because its loosely woven accordion of coarse muscle fibers absorbs the flavors of the marinade more quickly than just about any other type of meat.

Marinating skirt steak with an acid such as citrus or vinegar chemically breaks down the tough fibers so it not only becomes buttery tender but drinks up notes of the marinade whether that’s lime juice, lemon juice, orange juice, soy sauce, Worcestershire, or vinegar. The end result is melt-in-your-mouth buttery tender, juicy, flavor exploding steak as long as it is not over-cooked.

Skirt Steak marinade

This skirt steak marinade does all the heavy lifting! It not only tenderizes the steak, but creates a steak so dripping with robust savory, tangy, herbaceous flavors with a kiss of sweetness, you will be obsessed! And the best part, all you need is 10 minutes to whisk the ingredients together!

This marinade is the same marinade as my flank steak and London broil (as requested by you on my IG poll) because it’s the best all-purpose marinade I’ve come across (fancier marinades such as Korean and honey sriracha coming soon). It contains both lemon juice and balsamic vinegar for complex tanginess, soy sauce and Worcestershire for grounded umami, all balanced with brown sugar, and a rainbow of garlic, onion, paprika and herbs.

Skirt Steak marinade ingredients

Olive oil:I prefer using a good-qualityextra virgin olive oilsince it’s the most flavorful.
Soy sauce:usereduced sodium soy sauceso you can control the amount of salt.
Balsamic vinegar:use quality balsamic vinegar of Modena for the best flavor.
Lemon juice:freshly squeezed is best, but you can use bottled.
Brown sugar:balances the tangy lemon juice and umami of the soy with light caramel notes.
Worcestershire sauce:adds a depth of complex umami, slightly tangy flavor.
Dijon mustard:I promise it won’t make your skirt steak taste like mustard! It adds a depth of tanginess.
Herbs and spices:you will need common seasonings such as paprika, pepper, dried parsley, dried oregano and dried thyme to round out the flavor profile.

possible recipe variations

Swap citrus.Swap the lemon juice for lime juice or orange juice.
Swap vinegar.Swap the balsamic for red wine vinegar.
Make it spicy.Add additional red pepper flakes, some cayenne orchipotle chili powder.
Use a different marinade: carne asada marinade, fajita marinade, Korean marinade, mojo marinade, Banh Mi marinade, Jamaican, honey sriracha. harissa, and chipotle.

HOW LONG SHOULD YOU MARINATE SKIRT STEAK?

Skirt steak soaks up the marinade quickly due to its loose structure, so it doesn’t need much more than 4-6 hours. You can even get by with 30 minutes! You don’t want to marinate the steak longer than 12 hours, however, because the acid in the marinade will begin to change the structure of the meat and it can become mushy.

Tips for Cooking the Best Skirt Steak

Cooking skirt steak is very straightforward, but it must be done correctly in order to yield tender steak. Here’s what to pay attention to:

TRim and CUT the steak

The butcher will often remove the top fatty membrane before it’s packaged, but if your steak is covered in fat, you’ll need to remove it. Underneath the top layer of fat will be a lean cut of meat with nice marbling with a few small channels of fat. Make sure to leave these fat pockets, they will melt away during cooking, and provide succulent flavor.

After you trim the fat from the skirt steak, cut it into portions for easier marinating and grilling. It doesn’t matter how many portions, but I typically cut one skirt steak into three portions. If you notice the steak starts to become thinner at one point, then that is a good place to divide the steak.

tENDERIZE the SKirt steak if needed

If you have purchased inner skirt steak instead of outer skirt steak, then you’ll need to tenderize the steak with a meat mallet. This does wonders at breaking down the connective tissue, transforming it into a tender cut of beef.

To tenderize, place the steak sections in between two pieces of plastic wrap and pound it evenly with a meat mallet or side of a can until it is about ¼ inch thick. This may seem extra thin, but due to the loose accordion structure of the steak, it pulls back together as it cooks instead of shrinking as much.

Marinate the SKirt steak

Even if you’re short on time, don’t skip marinating your skirt steak for at least 30 minutes. This will help soften the tough muscle fibers and infuse your steak with unbelievable flavor.

Skirt steak is a boldly flavored cut of beef, so it stands up to a bold marinade. You can choose any style of marinade, but I’ve included my favorite in this recipe. Simply whisk the marinade ingredients together directly in a freezer size Ziploc bag (yay for no dishes!). To make this easier, I like to prop the plastic bag in a large liquid measuring cup or bowl to help it stand up.

Add the steak, press out excess air and seal. Massage the marinade into the steak with your hands through the outside of the bag. Turn the bag over a couple times so it wraps around the steak. Marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature or up to 12 hours in the refrigerator.

BRING SKirt STEAK TO ROOM TEMPERATURE

Steak (or any protein) should not be cooked cold. Instead, the steak should be transferred to the counter 30-60 minutes before grilling or pan searing to help bring it to room temperature. This helps the steak cook more evenly, otherwise you are left with an overcooked exterior and cold interior, especially because the steak should only be cooked to medium rare.

Bringing the steak to room temperature also relaxes the cold muscle fibers so they release natural moisture which is then reabsorbed into the muscle for juicier results.

Prepare the Grill if Using

If grilling, start by heating the grill with the lid closed cranked to the maximum temperature so it can achieve temperature more quickly; plan on 10-15 minutes. Once the grill is fully heated,clean it thoroughly with a wire grill brush. A clean grill ensures direct contact with the heat to create a beautiful sear and grill marks and helps prevent sticking.

It is important to grease your grill with a high smoking point oil such as vegetable oil or canola oil. To do this, first clean grill per directions above. Next, make a wad of paper towels, drench them in oil, then use tongs to rub it along the grill grates. NEVER spray a firing grill with cooking spray.

COOK OVER HIGH HEAT

Skirt steak is thin and relatively lean, so it should be cooked quickly over high heat whether on the grill or in a cast iron skillet. Cooking over high heat will create an intensely flavored, signature crust while keeping the inside medium-rare and tender.

Inside skirt steak will cook more quickly because it is thinner, so sear for just 2-3 minutes per side. Outside skirt steak is thicker, so sear for 4-6 minutes per side, however, the thinner, tapered end will cook closer to 2 minutes per side. As always, use a meat thermometer so you don’t overcook your steak!

cook skirt steak to medium-rare

Skirt steak is a lean cut of beef so it is best not to cook above medium-rare or else it will be dry, tough and chewy. The ONLY way to cook your steak to perfection is witha meat thermometer. An internal thermometer should read 130-135 degrees F for medium rare. Here’s the complete steak temperature breakdown:

Rare steak: 120-125 degrees F
Medium rare: 130-135 degrees F *RECOMMENDED*
Medium: 140-145 degrees F
Medium well: 150-155 degrees F (not recommended)
Well done: 165 degrees F (not recommended)

NOTE: The USDA recommends steaks and roasts be cooked to 145°F and then rested for at least 3 minutes for safety.

LET THE STEAK REST

Remove the steak to a cutting board and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing. While the steak cooks, the juices are forced away from the heat to the middle of the meat. The resting time allows for the redistribution and reabsorption of the juices throughout the whole steak for optimal flavor and juiciness. If you don’t allow for this calming period, valuable juices will seep out and be lost when you slice into the steak, resulting in less juicy steak.

SLICE the SKirt steak Acorss THE GRAIN

Skirt steak absolutely must be sliced thinly across the grain (meaning the opposite direction/perpendicular to the grain) or you’ll end up with chewy bites of steak.

Skirt steak has dense muscle fibers that you can see running through the steak in one direction – this is called “the grain.” Slicing across the grain shortens the fibers, so you’re not biting through the tough, long, stringy fibers yourself.

Skirt steak is an unusual cut of beef because the grain is running width-wise, instead of cuts like flank steak, in which it runs length-wise. That means you can’t slice the steak like you typically would, slicing down the length of the steak. Instead, you’ll need to first cut the steak into shorter sections and then slice those sections across the grain.

For example, place the steak horizontally on the cutting board in front of you. You’ll see the muscle fibers running north to south. Slice the steak into sections (however long you want your steak slices), then rotate those sections 90 degrees, now the grain is running west to east. Hold your knife straight in front of you and slice the steak thinly across the muscle fibers.

WAYS TO USE SKIRT STEAK

WHAT TO SERVE WITH SKIRT STEAK?

This skirt steak recipe pairs beautifully with practically everything!We especially love it withCompany Mashed PotatoesandHoney Garlic Roasted Carrots,but it is also fabulous with any of the following:

Veggies:Roasted Parmesan Broccoli,Roasted Cauliflower,Brown Butter Asparagus,Creamy Brussels Sprouts,Roasted Butternut SquashorGlazed Carrots

Potatoes:Company Mashed Potatoes,Smashed Potatoes,Twice Baked Potatoes,Au Gratin Potatoes,Roasted Pesto Potatoes

Rice or pasta:Rice Pilaf,Million Dollar Macaroni and Cheese,Cranberry Apple Wild Rice,Parmesan Risotto,Spinach Risotto,Mushroom Orzo Pasta

Salads:Garden Salad, Caesar Salad, Wedge Salad,Apple Salad,Fall Salad,Roasted Butternut Squash SaladorGreen Bean Salad

Fruit Salads:Winter Fruit Salad,Perfect Fruit Salad,Creamy Grape Salad,Pina Colada Fruit Salad,Berry Salad in Honey Mascarpone Dressing

HOW TO STORE AND REHEAT

Storage:Transfer skirt steak to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to five days.

Microwave:Transfer sliced steak to a microwave safe plate. Microwave for 20 seconds then at 10 second intervals as needed.

Skillet:Warm sliced skirt steak in a skillet on the stove with some melted butter or oil over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.

Oven:Transfer steak to a baking sheet, slather with some melted butter, cover with foil and reheat at 350 degrees F for 5-10 minutes, or just until warmed through.

HOW TO Freeze

You may freeze the steak either after it is cooked or as soon as it’s added to the marinade.

ToFreeze Marinating Steak:Add steak to the marinade in a freezer bag, squeeze out excess air, label and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then use immediately.

ToFreeze CookedSteak:After you have cooked the steak, let it cool completely then transfer it to an airtight container or plastic freezer bag and squeeze out any excess air. Freeze for 2 to 3 months.

Looking for Steak recipes?

Marinated Flank Steak
London Broil with Herb Butter
Grilled Sirloin Steak with Cajun Butter
NY Strip Steak with Harissa Butter
Steak and Potatoes
Spice Rubbed Steaks with Herb Butter
Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon
Pan Seared Steak with Balsamic Herb Sauce
Cajun Tri-Tip with Apricot Orange Sauce
Asian Steak with Cilantro Basil Chimichurri

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Marinated Skirt Steak

This skirt steak recipe transforms one of the most underrated steaks into the resplendently juicy, buttery tender steak of your dreams! Skirt steak is a beefy, thin, quick-cooking cut of steak that’s comparatively inexpensive, making it a choice cut when cooked right. This recipe is marinated in soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, brown sugar and seasonings to create melt-in-your-mouth tender, juicy, complex, savory, tangy, sweet and spicy bites of heaven. And that's even before the pesto butter. This marinated skirt steak recipe requires just 10 minutes of hand’s-on prep with zero clean up. Marinate then grill – that’s it!(Stove top instructions also included.) Serve your skirt steak with strawberry spinach salad, loaded potato salad and mixed berry cobbler for a complete feast!

Servings: 4 servings

Total Time: 2 hours hrs 16 minutes mins

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 6 minutes mins

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Ingredients

Steak

1 ½ -2 pounds skirt steak, preferable outside skirt, see notes
vegetable oil for grilling or pan searing

Marinade

1/3 cup olive oil
1/3 cup reduced sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 TBS EACH onion powder, garlic powder
1 tsp EACH paprika, pepper, red pepper flakes, dried dill weed, dried thyme
1/2 tsp EACH dried oregano, ground coriander

Pesto Butter (optional)

1/4 cup basil pesto
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

Instructions

Prep steak: If the skirt steak comes in a long strip, cut it into 2 or 3 smaller pieces. If using inside skirt steak, cover with plastic wrap and pound with a meat tenderizer or side of a can to tenderize.
Marinate: Whisk the marinade ingredients together in a freezer size Ziploc bag. Add steak, press out excess air and seal. Massage marinade into the steak with your hands through the outside of the bag. Marinate in the refrigerator for 2 to 12 hours.

TO GRILL:

Let the steaks sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking. Preheat grill to high heat, (550 degrees F with the lid closed). Clean, and grease grill grates with vegetable oil.
Grill steaks for 2-5 minutes per side depending on thickness, or until an internal thermometer reads 130-135 degrees F for medium-rare. The tapered end of the outside skirt will grill the most quickily. Grilling times will vary depending on thickness of your steak so please always use a meat thermometer! (This is the exact one I use.)

TO PAN SEAR:

Let the steaks sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking. Heat a large cast iron skillet over high heat for 2-3 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons vegetable oil and heat until smoking.
Working in batches as needed, use tongs to carefully add the steak to the pan. Press firmly down with a spatula to ensure full contact. Grill for 2-5 minutes per side depending on thickness, or until an internal thermometer reads 130-135 degrees F for medium rare. Grilling times will vary depending on thickness of your steak so please always use a meat thermometer! (This is the exact one I use.)

To Slice:

Remove the steaks to a cutting board and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Slice steaks into thin strips across the grain (perpendicular to the long strands). To do this, place the steaks horizontally in front of you (the grain is running north and south). Slice the steak into sections, then turn the sections 90 degrees, so the grain is running west to east. Hold your knife straight in front of you and slice the steak thinly across the grain.

Pesto Butter

Using a spatula, combine the pesto and softened butter in a bowl until combined. Serve alongside the steaks if desired.

Video

Notes

Outside vs Inside Skirt Steak: Skirt steak can refer to two different types of beef -the outside skirt steak and the inside skirt steak. They are from two different muscles entirely, so they are two very different cuts of beef, even though they are often not distinguished between.

The outside skirt steak is the more desirable cut of beef because it boasts more marbling, is thicker, more tender and not chewy. Due to its superiority, outside skirt steak usually is reserved for restaurants and specialty butchers. You likely won’t find it at your grocery store, but it is worth sourcing. I found mine at a butcher shop in town (Tip Top Meats). Costco sometimes carries it as well, but make sure it is not packaged in a marinade.

You may still use inside skirt steak for this recipe, but it will be more chewy.

How to Store and Reheat

Storage:Transfer skirt steak to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to five days.
To Freeze Marinating Steak:Add steak to the marinade in a freezer bag, squeeze out excess air, label and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then use immediately.
To Freeze CookedSteak:After you have cooked the steak, let it cool completely then transfer it to an airtight container or plastic freezer bag and squeeze out any excess air. Freeze for 2 to 3 months. Let thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Microwave:Transfer sliced steak to a microwave safe plate. Microwave for 20 seconds then at 10 second intervals as needed. Take care not to overcook.
Skillet: Warm sliced skirt steak in a skillet on the stove with some melted butter or oil over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.

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