Grilled Harissa-Spiced Plains Zebra Steak with Charred Vegetable Medley

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy plains zebra steak marinated in smoky harissa and grilled to perfection, served alongside a medley of charred seasonal vegetables. This african-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 90 minutes pairs plains zebra steak, harissa paste, olive oil 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.

Prep: 70 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 African cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, mix 2 tbsp harissa paste, 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to form a marinade. Coat 1 lb plains zebra steak evenly and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
  2. Step 2: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (around 400°F). Remove steak from marinade and grill for 4-5 minutes per side for medium-rare, or until desired doneness. Let rest for 5 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Toss 1 sliced zucchini, 1 sliced red bell pepper, and 1 small red onion cut into wedges with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp fresh thyme, and 1/2 tsp smoked paprika. Grill vegetables in a grill basket over medium heat for 8-10 minutes until tender and charred.
  4. Step 4: Slice the rested steak against the grain and serve alongside the charred vegetable medley.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Harissa-Spiced Plains Zebra Steak with Charred Vegetable Medley take to make?

Total time is about 90 minutes (70 min prep + 20 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 Harissa-Spiced Plains Zebra Steak with Charred Vegetable Medley?

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 plains zebra steak from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Harissa-Spiced Plains Zebra Steak with Charred Vegetable Medley?

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 Harissa-Spiced Plains Zebra Steak with Charred Vegetable Medley 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 Harissa-Spiced Plains Zebra Steak with Charred Vegetable Medley?

African bbq & smoked 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.

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