Grilled Mato Grosso-Style Beef Skewers with Spiced Chimichurri

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

Tender beef skewers marinated with regional Mato Grosso spices and served with a vibrant, herbaceous chimichurri sauce. This brazilian-inspired beef ready in about 25 minutes pairs cut into 1-inch cubes sirloin beef, olive oil, 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Brazilian cuisine 320 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Add 1 lb sirloin beef cubes and toss to coat evenly. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
  2. Step 2: While beef marinates, prepare chimichurri by mixing 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh parsley, 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro, 2 tbsp red wine vinegar, 1/4 tsp red chili flakes, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil in a bowl. Stir until well combined and set aside to let flavors meld.
  3. Step 3: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Thread the marinated beef cubes onto skewers and grill for 3-4 minutes per side until edges are charred and beef is cooked to medium-rare.
  4. Step 4: Remove skewers from grill and let rest for 5 minutes. Serve hot with a generous spoonful of the spiced chimichurri sauce drizzled on top.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Mato Grosso-Style Beef Skewers with Spiced Chimichurri take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (15 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 Mato Grosso-Style Beef Skewers with Spiced Chimichurri?

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 olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Mato Grosso-Style Beef Skewers with Spiced Chimichurri?

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 Mato Grosso-Style Beef Skewers with Spiced Chimichurri 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 Mato Grosso-Style Beef Skewers with Spiced Chimichurri?

Brazilian 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.

Related recipes