10+ Skirt Steak Recipes to Elevate Your Dinner Game
Skirt steak packs a punch when it comes to flavor, and it’s a cut you can whip up fast for a satisfying meal. You don’t need fancy ingredients or complicated steps to make skirt steak shine.
Whether you grill, sear, or marinate it, skirt steak fits right in for dinner. It’s a solid pick for busy nights or when you just want something good.
This steak works with lots of flavors and sides, so you can switch things up to match your mood. Once you know how to handle skirt steak, you can make a meal that feels special—without stressing.
Ingredients:
- Skirt steak
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Black pepper
Cooking Instructions:
- Heat your pan or grill to medium-high (about 400°F / 204°C).
- Brush the steak with olive oil.
- Sprinkle salt and black pepper on both sides.
- Cook for 3-5 minutes per side for medium rare, or adjust as you like.
- Let it sit a few minutes, then slice against the grain.
1) Quick and Easy Skirt Steak with Olive Oil and Pepper
Sometimes, you just need dinner to be simple and fast. This recipe only asks for skirt steak, olive oil, salt, and black pepper.
Crank up your pan until it’s really hot. Pour in a bit of olive oil and sear the steak for 3-4 minutes per side.
That quick sear gives you a crisp outside and a juicy inside. Let it rest a few minutes—don’t rush this part.
Slice thin, always against the grain. Serve it with a salad or some steamed veggies if you want.
Ingredients
- 1 lb skirt steak
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Cooking Instructions
- Heat a skillet over high.
- Rub steak with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Sear for 3-4 minutes each side.
- Take it off the heat and rest 5 minutes.
- Slice thin against the grain and dig in.
Check out this quick and easy skirt steak recipe if you want more info.
2) Medium Rare Skirt Steak Sear in Iron Skillet
If you want medium rare, grab your iron skillet and get it hot. Salt and pepper your steak right before it hits the pan.
Drop the steak in and don’t move it for 2-3 minutes. Flip and do the same on the other side.
Aim for about 135°F (57°C) inside. Rest it a few minutes, then slice against the grain.
You’ll get a steak that’s juicy, full of flavor, and honestly hard to mess up.
Ingredients
- 1 lb skirt steak
- Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Olive oil (optional for the pan)
Cooking Instructions
- Heat your iron skillet on high.
- Season steak with salt and pepper.
- Sear 2-3 minutes per side.
- Check for 135°F (57°C) inside.
- Rest 5 minutes, slice against the grain, and serve.
3) Grilled Skirt Steak with Garlic and Herbs
Marinate your skirt steak in garlic, fresh herbs, and olive oil for a punch of flavor. This marinade softens the meat and makes it taste bright.
Heat your grill to medium-high, around 400°F (200°C). Grill each side for about 3 to 5 minutes.
Let it rest, then slice thin against the grain. The flavor is fresh and the steak stays juicy.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ to 2 pounds skirt steak
- 4-6 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ cup fresh parsley or mixed herbs, chopped
- ¼ cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Mix garlic, herbs, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- Coat steak and let it marinate 30 minutes.
- Preheat grill to 400°F (200°C).
- Grill steak 3-5 minutes per side.
- Rest 5 minutes, slice against the grain.
4) Charcoal Grilled Skirt Steak with Basting
Charcoal grilling gives skirt steak a smoky depth. Trim off fat and silverskin so the marinade can really soak in.
As it grills, baste with olive oil, garlic, and herbs. This keeps it moist and adds flavor.
Grill each side for about 3 to 5 minutes at 450°F (232°C). Rest it, then slice thin against the grain.
Ingredients
- 1 lb beef skirt steak, trimmed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh herbs (parsley, cilantro, or oregano)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Fire up the charcoal grill to medium-high (450°F / 232°C).
- Mix olive oil, garlic, and herbs for basting.
- Season steak with salt and pepper.
- Grill 3-5 minutes per side, basting often.
- Rest 5 minutes.
- Slice thin against the grain.
5) Skirt Steak with Cheesy Mashed Potatoes
Pairing skirt steak with cheesy mashed potatoes just works. Boil potatoes, mash them with cheese, butter, and a splash of milk.
Watch the steak—it cooks fast. Let it rest, then slice thin.
Top the potatoes with peas or scallions for a little color and crunch. It’s simple, homey, and super satisfying.
Ingredients
- 1 pound skirt steak
- 1 1/4 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or Parmesan)
- 1 cup peas (optional)
- 2 scallions, sliced thin
- Salt and pepper
- Butter and milk for mashed potatoes
Cooking Instructions
- Boil potatoes 15-20 minutes until soft.
- Mash with butter, milk, cheese, salt, and pepper.
- Sear steak in a hot skillet 3-4 minutes per side.
- Rest 5 minutes, then slice against the grain.
- Warm peas if you want and stir in scallions.
- Serve steak with cheesy mashed potatoes and toppings.
You can find more details at Food Network.
6) Salsa-Marinated Skirt Steak Tacos
Marinate skirt steak in salsa, lime juice, garlic, plus a bit of oregano and cumin. It makes the meat tangy and tender.
After an hour or so, grill over medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes per side. Rest, slice thin, and pile into tortillas.
Top with avocado, onions, or whatever you’ve got on hand. Tacos this good don’t need much else.
Ingredients
- 1 lb skirt steak
- 1 cup salsa (mild or spicy)
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- Salt and pepper
- Tortillas
Cooking Instructions
- Mix salsa, lime juice, garlic, oregano, and cumin.
- Marinate steak in the mixture for 1-4 hours.
- Heat grill to medium-high (about 400°F/204°C).
- Grill 4-5 minutes per side.
- Rest 5 minutes, slice thin against the grain.
- Serve in tortillas with your favorite toppings.
For marinade inspiration, check Salsa Marinated Skirt Steak Fajitas Recipe.
7) Soy Garlic Marinated Skirt Steak
Want big flavor with minimal effort? Mix soy sauce, garlic, honey, and a dash of sesame oil for a killer marinade.
Let the steak soak for an hour or so. Grill it over high heat for a few minutes per side.
Slice thin and serve with rice or veggies. It’s fast, bold, and honestly kind of addictive.
Ingredients
- 1 lb skirt steak
- ½ cup soy sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
Cooking Instructions
- Whisk soy sauce, garlic, honey, and sesame oil.
- Marinate steak in a bag for 1-4 hours.
- Preheat grill to medium-high (about 400°F / 204°C).
- Grill 3-4 minutes per side.
- Rest 5 minutes, slice thin against the grain.
8) Tenderized Skirt Steak with Simple Marinade
If you want your skirt steak extra tender, marinate it with lime juice, garlic, and a splash of soy sauce. Lime juice breaks down the fibers and makes it softer.
Let it sit in the marinade for at least 30 minutes. That’s all it takes to boost both flavor and texture.
Grill or sear over high heat for just a few minutes on each side. Don’t overdo it—skirt steak is best when it stays juicy.
Ingredients
- 1 lb skirt steak
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil (vegetable or canola)
Cooking Instructions
- Mix lime juice, garlic, soy sauce, and oil in a bowl.
- Add skirt steak and toss it around so every piece gets coated.
- Let it marinate for 30 minutes at room temp.
- Heat your grill or a pan on high.
- Cook the steak for 3-4 minutes per side if you want medium-rare.
- Let it rest for 5 minutes, then slice it thinly against the grain.
9) Balsamic and Soy Sauce Skirt Steak Marinade
Balsamic vinegar gives skirt steak a tangy kick that’s hard to beat. When you throw in soy sauce, the flavors get even better—kind of sweet, kind of salty.
This marinade does double duty by tenderizing the steak and making it extra juicy. Just mix up some balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and a splash of mustard or Worcestershire sauce.
Let the steak hang out in the marinade for a few hours. Grill or sear it however you like.
Honestly, it’s a no-fuss marinade that brings a lot of flavor. Perfect for a weeknight meal or when you’ve got friends dropping by.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Cooking Instructions:
- Toss all marinade ingredients in a bowl and stir.
- Put the skirt steak in a ziplock bag and pour the marinade over it.
- Seal it up and stick it in the fridge for 2-4 hours.
- Fire up your grill or pan to medium-high (about 400°F / 205°C).
- Cook the steak for 3-5 minutes per side, or until it’s done the way you like.
- Let it rest for 5 minutes, then slice against the grain.
10) Skirt Steak with Chimichurri Sauce
Skirt steak cooks quickly and packs a ton of flavor. Since it’s thin, you don’t have to fuss over it much to keep it juicy.
Chimichurri sauce is a game changer here—it’s fresh, herby, and a little tangy. You just blend up parsley, oregano, garlic, olive oil, and vinegar.
It comes together fast in a food processor. That zesty sauce really wakes up the steak.
I like to grill or sear skirt steak to medium rare. Let it rest, then slice across the grain for tenderness.
Spoon the chimichurri right on top, or serve it alongside and let everyone help themselves.
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds skirt steak
- 1 cup fresh parsley
- 1/2 cup fresh oregano
- 3-4 garlic cloves
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
-
Toss parsley, oregano, garlic, olive oil, and vinegar into a blender. Whirl it up until you’ve got a nice chimichurri sauce.
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Sprinkle salt and pepper all over the skirt steak.
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Fire up a grill or skillet. Medium-high heat usually does the trick.
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Drop the steak on and cook each side for about 3-4 minutes. Aim for medium rare—around 130°F/54°C if you’re using a thermometer.
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Take the steak off and let it chill out for 5 minutes. Then, slice it thinly against the grain.
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Pile on the chimichurri sauce, or serve it alongside if you’d rather dip.
If you want the full lowdown, check out skirt steak with chimichurri sauce from RecipeTin Eats.