Grilled Beef Skirt Steak with Smoky Chipotle Salsa
Juicy grilled skirt steak paired with a smoky chipotle salsa that balances heat and tang for a bold Tex-Mex flavor. This Mexican-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs beef skirt steak, olive oil, chipotle peppers in adobo for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds beef skirt steak
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 peppers chipotle peppers in adobo
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 1.5 pounds beef skirt steak and rub with 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 tsp ground cumin. Let marinate at room temperature for 20 minutes.
- Step 2: While steak marinates, blend 2 chipotle peppers in adobo, 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, 1/4 cup finely diced red onion, and 2 minced garlic cloves in a food processor until chunky but well combined; season with a pinch of salt.
- Step 3: Preheat grill or grill pan to high heat (about 500°F). Grill the steak for 4 minutes per side for medium-rare, until charred edges form and internal temperature reaches 130°F.
- Step 4: Remove steak and let rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly against the grain. Serve topped with 1/2 cup smoky chipotle salsa.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Beef Skirt Steak with Smoky Chipotle Salsa take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (25 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Grilled Beef Skirt Steak with Smoky Chipotle Salsa?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep beef skirt steak from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Beef Skirt Steak with Smoky Chipotle Salsa?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Grilled Beef Skirt Steak with Smoky Chipotle Salsa for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Grilled Beef Skirt Steak with Smoky Chipotle Salsa?
Mexican beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
