Grilled Brake Pad Beef Skewers with Spiced Chimichurri
Charred beef skewers marinated in a bold smoky sauce paired with a vibrant herbaceous chimichurri inspired by the tough durability of brake pads. This Latin American-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs sirloin steak, smoked paprika, ground cumin for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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 lb, cut into 1-inch cubes sirloin steak
- 1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup, chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/4 tsp red chili flakes
- 8, soaked in water for 30 minutes wooden skewers
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, combine 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp red wine vinegar, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to create a marinade.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb of 1-inch cubed sirloin steak to the marinade and toss to coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, ideally 3 hours.
- Step 3: While steak marinates, prepare the chimichurri by mixing 1 cup chopped fresh parsley, 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 1/4 tsp red chili flakes, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp red wine vinegar, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Step 4: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 450°F). Thread the marinated steak cubes onto 8 soaked wooden skewers, dividing evenly.
- Step 5: Grill the skewers for 3-4 minutes per side, turning once, until charred edges form and internal temperature reaches 135°F for medium-rare.
- Step 6: Remove skewers and let rest for 5 minutes before serving with a generous spoonful of spiced chimichurri on top.









