Skirt Steak

Grilled Skirt Steak

A flavorful, quick-cooking steak that is great for grilling. Marinate it for extra flavor, then cook hot and fast for the best texture.

Prep Time: 10 minutes (+ marinating time)
Cook Time: 6–10 minutes
Total Time: ~20 minutes + marinating
Serving Size: About 4–6 oz steak
Number of Servings: 3–4

Ingredients

• 1.5–2 lb skirt steak
• Juice of 1–2 limes
• 2–3 tablespoons chopped cilantro
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3–4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1–2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ½–1 teaspoon chili powder
• ½–1 teaspoon paprika

Optional Shortcut

• Use a pre-made steak or taco seasoning mix instead of individual spices.
Just mix it with olive oil, lime juice, and cilantro.

Instructions

1. Prepare the marinade.
   In a bowl or container, mix:
   • Olive oil
   • Lime juice
   • Cilantro
   • Garlic
   • Seasonings

2. Marinate the steak.
   Place skirt steak in a dish or zip-top bag.
   Pour marinade over the steak and coat both sides well.

   Marinate:
   • Minimum: 30 minutes
   • Best flavor: 2–8 hours

   Do not marinate too long with lots of lime juice or the texture can change.

3. Remove before grilling.
   Take steak out of the fridge about 20–30 minutes before cooking so it cooks more evenly.

4. Preheat the grill.
   Heat grill to high heat (450–500°F).
   Skirt steak cooks best hot and fast.

5. Grill the steak.
   Place steak directly on the grill.
   Cook about:
   • 3–5 minutes per side depending on thickness

   Internal temperatures:
   • Rare: 120–125°F
   • Medium-rare: 130–135°F
   • Medium: 140–145°F

6. Rest the steak.
   Remove from grill and let rest 5–10 minutes before slicing.
   This keeps the juices inside.

7. Slice correctly.
   Slice thinly against the grain.
   This is very important for tenderness with skirt steak.

Tips

• High heat gives the best char and flavor.
• Skirt steak cooks quickly — don’t walk away from the grill.
• Always slice against the grain or the meat will feel chewy.
• Lime and cilantro pair very well with tacos, rice bowls, or salads.
• Great with grilled vegetables, potatoes, or tortillas.