Show
Rach brings back a favorite from when she was a kid: fajita night! Ingredients
PreparationPreheat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Season the steak with salt and pepper, and whisk up marinade: juice of 1 lime, 3 tablespoons oil, cumin, coriander, granulated garlic and onion, oregano, Worcestershire and hot sauce. Turn meat in marinade and let stand while heating a large griddle or grill pan over medium-high heat. Cook steak 2-3 minutes on each side for medium-rare to medium doneness. Toss red onions with juice of remaining lime, salt and pepper. To skillet, add remaining tablespoon oil, a turn of the pan, sliced peppers and white onion. Toss 3-4 minutes to char at edges and soften a bit. Add salt, pepper, garlic and hot peppers; toss a minute or 2 more. Deglaze pan with beer or stock. Slice steak and add to cast-iron skillet with the veggies. Char tortillas over an open flame or in a hot, ungreased skillet to blister on both sides. Keep warm in tortilla warmer or wrapped in foil. Garnish the fajita skillet with radishes and pickled red onions; serve from the pan with charred tortillas, homemade or store-bought salsa and hot sauce alongside. OUR favorite picks from Oprah's Favorite Things 2022—a fold-up backpack, hand
soap that cleans jewelry, a silk eye pillow + more gifts under $100. This savory pie is a twist on eggplant Parm that makes for an impressive meatless centerpiece. Queer Eye's Bobby Berk gives us a look into his chic desert home renovation—and you can
recreate his look for less with these DIYs and tips. A fun and creative twist on loaded oven fries with tahini yogurt sauce + smoky sweet nuts. Dr. Kristi Funk, a top breast cancer surgeon, breaks down 4 simple ways to significantly
reduce your breast cancer risk, according to the latest research. Rach calls these healthy quinoa + black bean burgers with cilantro-avocado sauce "the bomb!" This Week on the Show
Often times a hunky piece of ribeye or filet catches your attention at the market. However, there are other options for tender, flavorful, and more affordable cuts that are often overlooked. The next time a beef craving creeps up, try something new and exciting, and grab the unsung skirt steak. Skirt steak can be simply seasoned or marinated for extra gusto -- it’s often used to make fajitas. It’s best cooked in high heat for a short time, to deliver juicy slices of meat quickly to the dinner table. What Is Skirt Steak?Skirt steak is a thin, long cut with visible grain. It comes from the short plate or diaphragm area of the steer, just under the rib section. There are actually two types—the outside and the inside skirt steak. This is important to know because the texture and tenderness will differ, especially since this cut tends to be quite lean, with some tough muscle fibers.
Sometimes it’s hard to tell if the steak you’re looking at is an inside or outside cut, especially since the beef is folded when packed. If the butcher is available, I recommend asking about the location of the cut. Jessica GavinWhat’s the Difference Between Skirt Steak and Flank Steak?Both skirt steak and flank steak are lean cuts of beef that are often grilled, pan-seared on the stovetop, or stir-fried. Flank steak comes from the flank primal, the abdominal area right next to the short plate, where the skirt is located. It has a less intense beefy flavor compared to the skirt, and it is noticeably thicker. A good visual cue is that skirt steak has its grain running across the width of the meat, whereas flank runs lengthwise. With both steaks, you want to cut them across the grain to end up with a tender slice. What Is the Best Way to Cook Skirt Steak?Skirt steak is best seared in a hot pan. A cast iron skillet or a sizzling grill are my top picks. Here are some more tips for cooking the best skirt steak!
Hot and fast is the best way to cook skirt steak to end up with a tender piece of meat. The brief flash time, just a few minutes on each side, ensures a juicy finish. What's the Best Way to Slice Skirt Steak?Make sure to slice the skirt steak across the grain in thin pieces, about 1/4-inch thick. I like to hold my knife at a 45-degree angle to create a bias cut. This ensures additional tenderness by creating more surface area between the muscle fibers, so they aren’t stacked, making it easier to eat. Should You Marinate Skirt Steak?Marinating the steak can add interesting flavors and aromas onto the meat. Skirt steak has a unique accordion-like structure of coarse muscle fibers that provide increased surface area. That means more flavor can be captured, giving the meat a tasty boost. No more than 30 minutes is needed for marinating time so that the taste does not overpower the beef. Instead, serve with some additional sauce for dipping or topping. Make sure to dry the meat after marinating (before cooking). Jessica GavinNeed Some Flavor Ideas?The robust flavors of skirt steak can handle some hearty dry rubs or marinades. Try creating a customized blend using coarse salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, thyme, oregano, mustard, chili powder, cayenne pepper, or coriander, or use this recipe for Steak Dry Rub! Get creative with marinades like citrus juice, chopped fresh herbs, garlic, red wine vinegar, or soy sauce for an Asian twist. How Do You Serve Skirt Steak?Skirt steak can be served as a main dish with roasted potatoes or grilled vegetables. My sauce of choice is a tangy avocado chimichurri. Slice it up for fajitas with sautéed peppers and onions. Put it on a salad, with greens like romaine, spring mix, or arugula with a tangy vinaigrette. Chop it up to make quesadillas or nachos. If I ever have leftovers, I always look forward to the next morning's breakfast, so I can enjoy it with over-easy eggs, sliced avocados, and sautéed spinach. Need More Steak Recipes?
Watch How to Cook a Skirt SteakOpen your windows or turn on your vents, if you have them. Searing a steak this way can make a lot of smoke.
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label ×
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. How do you tenderize skirt steak for fajitas?Tricks to Tender Fajita Meat. Cut the Beef Against the Grain. Slicing meat against the grain helps tenderize it. By looking closely at the steak, you'll be able to see the direction the grain is running. ... . Marinade with an Acid. Acids like citrus juice or vinegar tenderize meat by breaking down its fibers.. How long should I cook skirt steak?It has to be cooked at high temperatures or over high to medium-high heat, about 500-550° F (260-288° C). It must take around 2-3 minutes per side (thinner inside skirt steak) or 4-5 minutes per side (thicker outside skirt steak) to cook it.
How do I cook skirt steak on the stove?In an iron skillet over medium-medium high heat place the skirt steak. Slightly press down to create sear. For medium rare, cook for 3 minutes. Flip steak and cook for an additional 3 minutes.
|