Grilled Skirt Steak Skewers Recipe (2024)

  • Dinners
  • Summer
  • Grilling
  • Skirt Steaks

Marinated skirt steak, threaded onto skewers and grilled, becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender and delicious, with wonderful caramelized bits!

By

Elise Bauer

Grilled Skirt Steak Skewers Recipe (1)

Elise Bauer

Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. She has an MA in Food Research from Stanford University.

Learn about Simply Recipes'Editorial Process

Updated February 06, 2022

Grilled Skirt Steak Skewers Recipe (2)

21 ratings

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Breaking in the Grill With Grilled Skirt Steak

Ah, that time of year in which you dust off the grill, vacuum out the cobwebs, scare away any critters who have taken up residence over the winter (including one black widow, yikes!), clean the grates, turn on the gas, and realize your starter doesn't work.

So you use a match, and for some reason that grill. Will. Just. Not. Get. Hot. Enough.

So you start over with the Weber and some charcoal, and grill a batch of beautiful skirt steak skewers that were marinating the whole time you were futzing with the equipment.

And they are so perfect and delicious that you don't care about the broken starter that needs to get fixed or your close call with a black widow. Like a Homer Simpson thought bubble, all you can think about is skirt steak so goooooood .

Skirt Steak—Perfect for Skewers

Why is skirt steak in particular so good, and so perfect for grilling threaded on skewers? Let me show you:

Grilled Skirt Steak Skewers Recipe (4)

It's the fat, of course!

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

Skirt steak is much fattier than flank steak. The way that the fat is marbleized throughout the meat results in a cut that is much more flavorful, and more forgiving when you cook it.

Unlike flank steak, which because it's so lean needs to be cooked rare or it gets too dry, skirt steak can be cooked all the way through without suffering.

You still need to cut the steak across the grain when you cut your strips, but the skirt steak will be tender and flavorful because of the fat.

Grilled Skirt Steak Skewers Recipe (5)

How to Marinate Skirt Steak

To marinate the skirt steak for this recipe, first cut the steak across the grain into strips. Then marinate the steak strips in a marinade of soy sauce, garlic, ginger, honey, red wine vinegar, and red pepper flakes, from anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours before grilling.

How to Cook Skirt Steak

When it's time to grill, thread each skirt steak strip onto a pre-soaked skewer. Lay the skewers on the grill perpendicular to the grill grates, over high direct heat, the hottest part of the grill. Grill for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until the meat is cooked through.

Love Skewered Food? Check Out These 5 Other Recipes

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Grilled Skirt Steak Skewers Recipe (6)

Grilled Skirt Steak Skewers

Prep Time60 mins

Cook Time20 mins

Total Time80 mins

Servings6to 8 servings

Ingredients

For the marinade:

  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

  • 1/3 cup soy sauce

  • 1/4 cup honey

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

  • 1 (1-inch) piece ginger, sliced

  • 1/2 teaspoon red chili pepper flakes

  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Other ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 to 2 pounds skirt steak, trimmed of membranes and silver skin

  • Olive oil, for grill grates

Method

  1. Soak the skewers in water:

    If using bamboo or wooden skewers, place them in a dish and cover with water to soak.

  2. Make marinade:

    Place all marinade ingredients in a small bowl and stir to combine. Set aside.

  3. Cut skirt steak in strips across the grain:

    Lay the skirt steak horizontally out on a cutting board. Notice the grain of the steak that goes up and down.

    Cut the steak into segments (along the grain of the meat), about 6 to 8-inches long.

    Grilled Skirt Steak Skewers Recipe (7)

    Grilled Skirt Steak Skewers Recipe (8)

    Then, with each segment, turn the segment so the grain of the meat runs in a line from left to right, and cut thin strips (1/4 to 1/3-inch thick, 1 1/2-inch wide, 6 to 8-inches long), angling the knife, cutting across the grain.

    Grilled Skirt Steak Skewers Recipe (9)

    Grilled Skirt Steak Skewers Recipe (10)

  4. Marinate the steak slices:

    Place the steak slices in a non-reactive bowl or casserole dish. Toss with the marinade to coat. Chill and marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours.

    Grilled Skirt Steak Skewers Recipe (11)

  5. Preheat grill, thread skewers:

    Preheat your grill, whether charcoal or gas, for high-direct heat. While the grill is preheating, thread the marinated skirt steak strips onto your pre-soaked skewers.

    Grilled Skirt Steak Skewers Recipe (12)

  6. Grill overhigh direct heat:

    When ready to grill, brush the grill grates with olive oil (helps to fold a paper towel, soak the towel in olive oil, and use long handled tongs to hold the soaked paper towel and spread oil on the grates).

    You know your grill is hot enough when you can only stand to hold your hand 1 inch above the grill grates for one second.

    Working in batches if necessary, lay the skirt steak skewers on the hot grill grates, perpendicular to the grates. Grill for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until cooked through.

    Remove from grill and let sit for a few minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
343Calories
23g Fat
5g Carbs
29g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6to 8
Amount per serving
Calories343
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 23g29%
Saturated Fat 7g37%
Cholesterol 67mg22%
Sodium 425mg18%
Total Carbohydrate 5g2%
Dietary Fiber 0g0%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 29g
Vitamin C 1mg3%
Calcium 16mg1%
Iron 3mg18%
Potassium 418mg9%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.

Grilled Skirt Steak Skewers Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is skirt steak good for kebabs? ›

Marinated skirt steak, threaded onto skewers and grilled, becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender and delicious, with wonderful caramelized bits!

How long does it take to cook skirt steak on the grill? ›

Skirt steak is a lean, thin cut of meat, which means for the best results you need to cook it hot and fast. You'll only need 3 to 4 minutes per side for a golden brown, crispy crust that gives way to a decadently juicy, pink interior. Ideally, go for rare to medium-rare and no longer.

How do you cut skirt steak for kabobs? ›

Cut skirt steak crosswise (with the grain) into 8-inch-long pieces. Working with 1 piece at a time, cut lengthwise (against the grain) into 1-inch strips. (If any of the pieces are thicker than 1/4 inch, carefully butterfly thick pieces crosswise and open up to create larger 1/4-inch-thick pieces.) Set aside.

How do you cook skirt steak so it isn't tough? ›

Skirt steak is thin and lean, so going past medium-rare or medium doneness will yield an extremely dry and chewy steak. Cook it hot! Cook it fast with high heat, instead of low heat for slow cooking. There is not much connective tissue in skirt steak.

What is the best cut of steak for skewers? ›

Choose the Best Beef Cut for Kabobs

Relatively tender, without a need for extensive marinating, Sirloin (from top to tip) is lean and fits into a balanced diet — plus, it's budget-friendly . Other good beef choices for kabobs are Flat Iron or Strip Steak and even Tenderloin.

What is the outside skirt steak best used for? ›

Opposite the Inside Skirt Steak, this cut is known for its robust flavor profile. Marinate and grill hot for fajitas or use for stir-fry. Slicing beef against the grain is always important, but even more so for thin, coarse cuts such as the Skirt Steak.

Do you flip skirt steak on grill? ›

To grill skirt steak to medium-rare, make sure your grill is thoroughly preheated with a high-heat area of 450-500 degrees. Transfer the steak to the grill and let sear on one side for 3-5 minutes. Flip with a pair of tongs and sear the other side for 3-5 minutes.

Why is my grilled skirt steak tough? ›

Skirt steak can be a little tough due to the amount of connective tissue, so it needs careful preparation when cooking to maximize tenderness. Skirt steak has a similar beefy flavor as flank steak but is a tougher cut in terms of texture.

Should skirt steak be cooked fast or slow? ›

The best way to cook Skirt steak is quickly and over high heat. This thin cut is perfect on the grill, seared in a skillet, broiled in the oven, or even cooked in a smoker. You will just need to ensure your Skirt steak temperature is correct to not overcook your meat.

Do you cut skirt steak with or against? ›

Always cut skirt steak against the grain. The grains of a skirt steak run crosswise, the short way. When you're slicing skirt steak off the end, you're cutting it with the grain. You're biting into long strands of muscle, meaning it requires more effort to chew.

What tenderizes skirt steak? ›

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.

Why is my skirt steak always chewy? ›

Skirt steak is shaped much the same, but tends to have a beefier flavor. But, this cut comes from the diaphragm muscles of the animal, making it a tougher piece of meat. It can become very chewy quickly, especially if it's not cooked correctly.

Is skirt steak tough meat? ›

Skirt steak is a very flavorful cut of meat with a bold, beefy flavor. Skirt steak can be a little tough due to the amount of connective tissue, so it needs careful preparation when cooking to maximize tenderness. Skirt steak has a similar beefy flavor as flank steak but is a tougher cut in terms of texture.

Which skirt steak is better for grilling? ›

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).

What is the most common meat in kebabs? ›

The traditional meat for kebabs is most often lamb meat, but regional recipes may include beef, goat, chicken, fish, or even pork (depending on whether or not there are specific religious prohibitions).

Is skirt steak more tender than flank steak? ›

Flank steak is generally one of the most affordable cuts of beef you can find. Yet it tends to come at a slightly higher price than the Skirt steak. This is largely because the Skirt cut is a little more tender, and therefore easier to cook with different methods.

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