Skirt Steak with Avocado Pesto and Grilled Corn Relish. (2024)

Raise your hand if you want the most delicious dinner tonight.

Skirt Steak with Avocado Pesto and Grilled Corn Relish. (1)

Because this skirt steak is about to DELIVER.

Skirt Steak with Avocado Pesto and Grilled Corn Relish. (2)

Funny (or not) story.

For months – wait, no… for YEARS – I have been talking about recreating this amazing skirt steak recipe we had with chimichurri. I’ve wanted to make it each summer. Like, I’ve actually talked about it for so long that the restaurant where we ate it? Doesn’t even exist anymore!

So this was the summer. This was the summer I would bite the bullet and do it.

I tend to only make cuts of beef like flank steak for weeknight dinners because it’s easy and mostly lean and I’m familiar with it. This time, I decided I was going to make a different cut!

And I got up the courage. Actually found it. Made it a few times and figured out my favorite way. It was delish!

I was semi-shocked at how easily I was able to find it at my local store based on my previous attempts. I was never able to find it before! How lucky was I?

Skirt Steak with Avocado Pesto and Grilled Corn Relish. (3)

Only. Only to realize like two weeks later that the steak we had that I had longed to create? Was hanger steak. Not skirt steak.

Not freaking skirt steak!

I did a quick google search and learned that up until fairly recently, you couldn’t even buy hanger steak at the retail level. All of those years, I figured I was just losing my mind and that maybe I had not looked in the right place. You know, like there was an entire other section where the hanger steak secretly hung out.

Skirt Steak with Avocado Pesto and Grilled Corn Relish. (4)

Anyhoo. Turns out I still can’t easily find hanger steak. But also turns out that I really love skirt steak! It’s slightly more flavorful and kind of… rich? Yes, rich, that’s the word. Slightly more flavorful and rich than flank steak, which can easily dry out if it’s overcooked even a little bit.

So we’re loving this! So good, super easy to make, kind of foolproof for someone like me who still isn’t an expert when cooking certain cuts of beef.

Skirt Steak with Avocado Pesto and Grilled Corn Relish. (5)

While the skirt steak is fantastic, in true Jessica fashion, here we’re all about the toppings.

This fresh corn relish is just dreamy. I used local corn and ours is so, so sweet, it’s unreal. Mixed with red pepper, shallots, cilantro and lime, it is packed with flavor. A few years ago, I made a similar topping for salmonand I make a version of that often. Freaking love it. It makes things taste so fancy.

Skirt Steak with Avocado Pesto and Grilled Corn Relish. (6)

But! The other part of this delicious plate is a bowl full of avocado pesto. I want to eat this with a spoon. Drink it through a straw! A little bit goes a long way and once you have a batch, it’s incredible on vegetables and chicken and even regular old corn on the cob. The options are really endless because it’s incredibly versatile.

It’s also super pretty. And green!

This means it’s good for us, right? YESSSSS.

Skirt Steak with Avocado Pesto and Grilled Corn Relish. (7)

Now you have dinner tonight. I love you!

Skirt Steak with Avocado Pesto and Grilled Corn Relish. (8)

Skirt Steak with Avocado Pesto and Grilled Corn Relish. (9)

Yield: 4

Total Time: 1 hour hr

Skirt steak with avocado pesto and grilled corn relish is the freshest summer dinner! It is packed with flavor and perfect for a crowd!

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Ingredients

avocado pesto

grilled corn relish

Instructions

  • In a bowl, whisk together the olive oil, brown sugar, garlic, salt and pepper. Place the steak in a baking dish or ziplock bag and pour the mixture over top. Place it in the fridge and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes or even overnight.

  • I like to remove the steak about 30 minutes before I cook it.

  • You can grill, broil or pan sear it to your liking. I tend to broil or grill it as I find that easiest. Preheat the broiler in your oven and move the oven rack as close as possible. Place the steak on a broiler pan or baking sheet and broil on each side for about 5 minutes. This usually results in a medium doneness in my oven – but since the edges are thinner, they tend to be more well done.

  • Allow the steak to rest for 10 minutes before slicing it thinly against the grain. Serve with spoonfuls of the pesto and the corn relish on top!

avocado pesto

  • To make the pesto, combine the basil, avocado, cheese, pine nuts and garlic in a food processor. Pulse until small crumbs remain, and then with the processor running, stream in the olive oil. Start with the 1/2 cup and add the extra if needed to reach the desired consistency. Add the salt, pepper and pepper flakes and blend again. Taste and season additionally if needed.

  • As a note, to toast the pine nuts, I add mine to a skillet and heat over low heat. I shake and stir until the are golden and fragrant, about 5 minutes.

grilled corn relish

  • Stir all ingredients together in a bowl until combined. You can make this a bit ahead of time if needed! It stays great in the fridge for a day or two.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Did you make this recipe?

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I appreciate you so much!

Skirt Steak with Avocado Pesto and Grilled Corn Relish. (10)

That is one big plate of flavor.

Skirt Steak with Avocado Pesto and Grilled Corn Relish. (2024)

FAQs

How long do you cook skirt steak on the grill? ›

Grill meat over direct heat until char lines appear, and meat is done to taste, 3 to 5 minutes per side, or broil until charred, 2 to 5 minutes per side. Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing against the grain and serving, garnished with herbs and scallions.

Why is my grilled skirt steak tough? ›

If the fibers of the meat are lined up and long then you have carved it incorrectly and it will be hard to eat. Skirt steak is prized for its flavor but must be cut against the grain of the meat or else it is hard to chew.

How do you make skirt steak not tough? ›

Cook it fast with high heat, instead of low heat for slow cooking. Slicing the meat thinly across grain will provide enough tenderization, especially if you don't overcook your skirt steak to make it tough and dry.

Is flank steak the same as skirt steak? ›

Skirt steak has more fat, making it taste even richer and juicier than flank steak. It also has more connective tissue. Flank steak is thicker and wider than skirt steak and a little easier to find in stores.

Do you flip skirt steak on the grill? ›

Place your steaks directly above the coals and sear for 2 to 3 minutes total, per side. With skirt steak, we like to break from standard protocol by flipping frequently to achieve a good crust.

Should skirt steak be heated high or low? ›

Grilled skirt steak is best cooked to rare or medium rare over high heat for 3 to 4 minutes per side. This will create a beautiful sear without overcooking. From there, cook according to your preference: Rare: 2-3 minutes per side, with an internal temperature of 115-120°F.

Does skirt steak need to be soaked before cooking? ›

Skirt steak needs a nice soak and a quick sear

Even if you've never purchased skirt steak before, you've more than likely eaten it: According to MasterClass, this thin, long cut of beef made up of many muscle fibers is the cut most commonly used to make steak fajitas.

What happens if you marinate skirt steak too long? ›

Over-marinating can even pose a health risk. By storing skirt steak for a long time — beyond 3 days — you may invite an unhealthy amount of bacteria to take over the meat. Chances are high that you may get sick if you eat it after this stage.

How to prevent skirt steak from being chewy? ›

Slice Against the Grain: When you're ready to serve, make sure you slice your steak against the grain. This shortens the muscle fibers and makes each bite more tender. Rest Your Steak: After cooking, let your steak rest for about 10 minutes.

Should you salt skirt steak? ›

Season your steak on both sides with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Usually, you'd let a thick steak sit out at room temperature for about an hour before cooking to take the chill off, but since the skirt steak is so thin, it only needs to sit for about 15 minutes before it's good to go.

What is skirt steak called at the grocery store? ›

Typically, when you buy skirt steak at the grocery store, it'll be labeled as simply "skirt steak." It might also be labeled as "inside skirt" and "outside skirt," however, depending on where exactly in the diaphragm the meat came from.

What is skirt steak good for? ›

Because it contains a lot of connective tissue, skirt steak is an excellent candidate for the tenderizing touch of marinades. While cooking briefly over high heat, the seasonings mingle with the meat, creating juicy, savory dishes like grilled balsamic-soy marinated skirt steak and tantalizing kebabs.

How do you cook skirt steak? ›

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 broil skirt steak on high or low? ›

Turn broiler on high. Place steak on rimmed, foil-lined baking sheet. Broil until sizzling and deeply golden brown, about 5 minutes. Flip and continue broiling until medium-rare to medium (130–135°F), about 5 minutes.

How long to grill carne asada on a gas grill? ›

Preparation
  1. Start a charcoal or gas grill. Crush garlic and rub steak with it. Combine remaining ingredients and rub into steak. Let steak sit until you're ready to grill.
  2. Grill steak 3 to 4 minutes per side for medium-rare. Cut into slices and use as soon as possible (hot is best, but warm or room temperature is fine).

How long to grill skirt steak on green egg? ›

Grill the skirt steak over direct heat for 4 minutes per side, or until they begin to lightly develop char marks. Be careful not to overcook, this is a thin cut of meat that will continue to cook after it's taken off the EGG.

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