Mexican Skirt Steak Recipes

ARRACHERA (MEXICAN SKIRT STEAK FOR TACOS)

Steps:

• Place a single layer of steak in a shallow casserole dish. Sprinkle a portion of lime juice, sazon, and adobo seasoning. Top with chopped onion pieces. Repeat layers until all pieces of steak are seasoned. Pour beer over the mixture. Cover and refrigerate for 1 to 24 hours.
• Preheat a grill to medium-high. Discard marinade. Grill steak until lightly charred on the outside but still slightly tender in the center for medium doneness, 6 to 7 minutes per side.

MEXICAN SKIRT STEAK

Steps:

• Combine the salsa, lime juice, Worcestershire, garlic and 2 tablespoons of the oil in a blender; puree until smooth. Pour into a resealable plastic bag and add the steak pieces. Seal tightly and rub the steaks with the marinade until evenly coated. Set aside for about 30 minutes at room temperature.
• Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove the steaks from the marinade, allowing the excess to drip off. Discard the marinade. Pat the steaks dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper. Lay the steaks in the skillet and cook, turning once, until browned on the outside and medium-rare, 6 to 8 minutes total. Let the steaks rest for 5 minutes. Serve sliced with warm tortillas, sliced avocado, cilantro leaves, lime wedges and extra salsa to make tacos.

SPICED SKIRT STEAK WITH WHOLE ROASTED PLANTAINS

Steps:

• Trim steak of any fat and membrane. Mix salt and pimiento Tabasco and rub lightly into steaks. (This can be done up to 4 hours ahead.)
• Heat a grill or place a heavy skillet over high heat. Heat oven to 450 degrees and place another large cast-iron skillet inside. When oven is hot, place plantains, skin on, in the oven skillet. Roast for 15 to 20 minutes, until the skins split at the seams and the natural sugars caramelize on the skin.
• Place steak on grill or in the skillet on top of the stove. Sear, turning a few times, until crisp outside and rare to medium-rare inside (8 to 10 minutes).
• Remove steak from pan, tent with foil and let rest 3 to 4 minutes, turning a few times to allow juices to absorb evenly through the meat. To serve, cut each steak in half crosswise, then cut each half in thick slices against the grain. Divide slices between four plates and add a whole plantain to each, opening seams with a sharp knife to expose the flesh. Drizzle each plantain lightly with honey, then grate a dusting of cinnamon on top.

GRILLED MEXICAN STEAK

Steps:

• Toast the cumin seeds in a medium saute pan over medium-low heat for 5 minutes, or until fragrant.
• In a blender, combine the cumin seeds, jalapenos, garlic, pepper, lime juice, and salt. Pulse the blender to finely chop ingredients. Add the oil and cilantro and puree until smooth.
• Lightly score both sides of the meat with a knife so that the marinade will penetrate. Place the meat in a large plastic bag or bowl, pour in the marinade, and coat well. Marinate in the refrigerator for 24 to 48 hours.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat and lightly oil grate.
• Remove the meat from the marinade and discard the remaining marinade. Cook on high, 1 to 2 minutes per side, to sear the meat. Turn the heat down to low and cook for an additional 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until the it has reached the desired doneness.

SKIRT STEAK FROM ZACATECAS

Steps:

• Pound the meat with a butcher's mallet until a uniform 1/4 inch thick. In a large bowl, combine the garlic, Worcestershire sauce, red wine vinegar, red chile powder, 1 tablespoon of the salt, 2 teaspoons of the pepper, cumin, onion powder, cilantro, oil, and the red and chipotle chile sauces to make a marinade. Rub the mixture over the meat, cover, and marinate overnight in the refrigerator (or less time, if you want more obvious beef flavor).
• Prepare a charcoal or gas grill. Season the meat with additional salt and pepper as you throw it on the grill. Grill the meat over medium-high heat, flipping it once during cooking, 6 minutes total. Remove the meat from the heat and cut into 1/4-inch-thick strips (my preference) or 1/4-inch dice.
• To serve, lay the tortillas side by side, open face and overlapping on a platter. Divide the filling equally between the tortillas and top with salsa and garnishes. Grab, fold, and eat right away. Or build your own taco: lay a tortilla, open face, in one hand. Spoon on some filling, top with salsa and garnishes, fold, and eat right away.

LIME-MARINATED SKIRT STEAK

Steps:

• In blender, combine lime juice, soy sauce, garlic, and jalapeno; puree until smooth. Transfer to a shallow dish or large resealable plastic bag. Toss with steak to coat. Let stand at least 30 minutes, and no more than 2 hours, to infuse with flavor.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high, until very hot. Cook steak, in two batches if necessary, until browned, 2 to 3 minutes per side for medium-rare. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing thinly. Serve with lime wedges, if desired.