Skirt Steak

[sirsmokesalot]

Have any of you every done skirt steak that you've been happy with? I love the way Uncle Julio's does theirs, but the employees are understandably sworn to secrecy. I've tried a couple of times and the flavor has been great, but it has been tough. I've read that marinating helps, but I would prefer to alter the natural flavor as little as possible (salt, pepper, and smoke).

Any suggestions on tenderizing? Would grilling or smoking at low temp for a long time help? Any tips are appreciated. Thanks!

 

[JDP]

Skirt steak is a lot like flank steak I believe. Which means that you need a high heat for 1-2 minutes per side and slice it thinly against the grain. You mentioned you don't want to marinade it to keep it's natural flavor but then you talk about smoking it which defininitely imparts it's own flavor. I like to make lime marinade with cilantro, chili powder, some salt and pepper. Let that sit for 4-12 hours then put on a very hot grill. Alton Brown made a version of this buy placing it directly on the coals. You have to use lump hardwood charcoal for this though. I made it and it turned out great. Again the main key is to thinly slice it against the grain.

Recipes : Skirt Steak : Food Network

Here is the recipe

JDP

 

[Candocook]

All that JDP said. Skirt steak is an absolutely delicious piece of meat that has really gotten pricey because of its use for fajitas.
You need to cook it fast and hot and slice thinly across the grain, like a London Broil or flank steak.
I marinate in a teriyaki type of sauce for flavor. It just enhances the meat to us. But an herb marinade will work also. These marinades are for flavor--not tenderizing. Tenderizing beef really only happens with papain style marinades and to me, it just turns the meat surface to mush.
Slicing correctly is the answer.

 

[CharlieD]

Skirt stake comes from the front part of the cow. Part that gets most work done. Thus just like the rest of the front part meat it is tought. Marinading and quick high temps cooking is a must.

 

[eatsOats]

Agreed with all above. The lime/cilantro marinade sounds great!

 

[Candocook]

Skirt steak actually comes from the diaphragm of the cow. It is highly marbled with fat, making it moist and flavorful when cooked rare and sliced across the grain. The grain of the skirt steak runs across its width whereas the grain of flank steak runs its length.

Skirt steak is the long and flat piece of meat that comes from the cow’s diaphragm muscle. Since it’s marbled with fat, it has tremendous flavor. Skirt steak is a favorite cut for Fajita’s.
Flank Steak is generally leaner and more tender than a skirt steak. It’s ideal for marinating, but if overcooked becomes tough.
Hanger Steak, also part of the diaphragm, hangs between the rib and loin of the cow.
This cut is becoming increasingly popular for it’s flavor. It’s generally a tender cut and is great for marinating and quick grilling. I remember my father, a butcher all of his life, would call this cut of meat the "butcher's steak" because butchers would keep it for themselves rather than sell it!

 

[Corey123]

My mom used to cook this when we were kids.

Found it tough to eat at times.

 

[sattie]

I have a recipe for skirt steak that I love, it sounds over the top, but it really compliments the steak nicely. You say Uncle Juilos... you in Texas??? I LOVE Uncle Js!!!! PM if you would like the recipe!

 

[Candocook]

My mom used to cook this when we were kids.

Found it tough to eat at times.

If it is either overcooked and not cut across the grain, it will be tough. It is not a tender piece of meat--chewy, but really really good flavor. I fix it as a steak on a plate often.

 

[BreezyCooking]

We have a little French bistro place here that serves such great skirt or hanger steak that I have yet to order anything else there yet - lol!!

It's served in one piece, unsliced, & is extraordinarily tender & flavorful. Definitely not grilled - I'm thinking braised perhaps. You get a choice of sauces - Red Wine, Bearnaise, & one or two others that escape me at the moment, & the fries (it's billed under "Steak Frites") have to be the best I've ever tasted. Think pale McDonald's-type fries - but super crispy & hot outside - tender inside. A green salad accompanies it as well, & it's one of the best lunches to be had around here - both quality-wise & value-wise.

Just after typing that I'm thinking we'll have to stop by there really soon - lol!!!

 

[Candocook]

Served well done? Interesting.

 

[BreezyCooking]

Nope - cooked to order. And cooked PERFECTLY to order, I might add. I ask for it medium-rare, & that's exactly what I get.

It just isn't grilled in the usual sense.

Next time I'm there I'll try to find out how they cook it, because it's absolutely fabulous.

 

[AlexR]

Skirt steak is what I call bavette. It is fibrous, but delicious. Tenderness sacrificed in the interest of taste.

I either served it with shallots fried in butter or else as a pepper steak (coarse black pepper pounded in with a rubber mallet, white wine added to the fry pan at the end, then cream).

Is there a difference between skirt steak and hanger steak?
I was under the opinion that it was one and the same thing.

Best regards,
Alex R.

 

[Candocook]

Nope - cooked to order. And cooked PERFECTLY to order, I might add. I ask for it medium-rare, & that's exactly what I get.

It just isn't grilled in the usual sense.

Oh, of course. That isn't what I would call "braise"==cooking in liquid. Those cuts do need to be cooked to order, and not well done, was sort of what I was trying to say.
Could be pan fried or whatever.
Hanger steak is VERY popular in Europe/France. Good bistro fare.

 

[Candocook]

Is there a difference between skirt steak and hanger steak?
I was under the opinion that it was one and the same thing.

Best regards,
Alex R.[/quote]

If you go back a few posts to my last one there is an explanation of the 3 steaks. Hanger and skirt are pretty close but still a little different. We get them seldom to never here in the US (hanger). I imagine the restaurant trade has snapped them up.

 

[Corey123]

If it is either overcooked and not cut across the grain, it will be tough. It is not a tender piece of meat--chewy, but really really good flavor. I fix it as a steak on a plate often.

Can it be prepped and cooked like London Broil? Julia Child once made a stuffed flank steak. She cooked it on the stove and made a gravy to it.

 

[BreezyCooking]

Skirt steak is what I call bavette. It is fibrous, but delicious. Tenderness sacrificed in the interest of taste.
Alex R.

Thanks Alex - THAT'S IT!!! The bistro I mentioned doesn't call it "Steak Frites", it's "Bavette"!! I knew I had something wrong there.

Regardless, it's absolutely delicious. Like I said, to the point where while I've tasted (& loved) everything my husband has ordered, I so far haven't been able to bring myself to order anything else when we're there.

 

[jminion]

A hanger steak is part of diaphragm a V shaped muscle the attaches from the last rib and the loin. A skirt or flank steak could be sub for a hanger if needed.

Jim

 

[Candocook]

Can it be prepped and cooked like London Broil? Julia Child once made a stuffed flank steak. She cooked it on the stove and made a gravy to it.

Stuffed flank steak is a whole 'nother thing. Stuffed, rolled, and braised. then sliced across the pinwheel for presentation.

 

[JayBird46]

Skirt Steak prep and cooking

As mentioned above, quick cooking over high heat is imperative, whether grilling, as I usually do, or using a well seasoned cast iron skillet. My preferred method of preparation is to marinate the skirt steak for at least two or three hours in a Spanish marinade called Mojo Criollo. You can usually find this in the ethnic foods area of your supermarket, and a popular brand is by Badia. I use the Kirby brand that I purchase by the gallon from my friends at the Cuban Food Market: cubanfoodmarket dot com. By the way, if you like Cuban style black beans (Frijoles Negros), buy the El Ebro brand, also available from Cuban Food Market. They go great with some rice along with the skirt steaks. If you get them, empty two standard sized cans of beans into a saucepan to heat up gently, and add about a quarter cup each of olive oil and vinegar to them. Top with chopped or grated onion as a garnish and have a great meal!