Why Skirt Steak is the Perfect Budget-Friendly Choice for Home Cooking

Choosing the right cut of meat at the butcher or grocery store can be overwhelming, especially when you’re unsure of which steak fits your recipe, occasion, or mood. Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. Let’s explore the world of skirt steak:

What Exactly is Skirt Steak?

Skirt steak comes from the diaphragm muscle of the cow. Located in the ‘plate’ area (the belly of the cow), this section is rich in cartilage, making it ideal for slow braising. With its nice marbling, it’s full of flavor and can also be grilled at high heat for dishes like carne asada. Other cuts found in this area include hanger steak and short ribs.

Skirt Steak vs. Flank Steak

These two cuts are quite similar, so it’s easy to confuse them (and in some cases, they could even be swapped in a pinch). Both take well to marinades and can handle high heat, but there are a few important differences to note. Flank steak is wider, thicker, and shorter, located lower on the cow in the abdomen. It’s also slightly leaner and tougher compared to skirt steak.

Sugarplum

What Does Skirt Steak Taste Like?

The fat in skirt steak provides a rich, buttery taste, and its role as a muscle in the cow gives it an extra beefy flavor.

How to Prepare Skirt Steak

Skirt steak is highly versatile and forgiving, making it an excellent choice even for beginners. When cooking skirt steak, choose a recipe based on your tastes and the type of meal you’re preparing, but here are a few general tips to keep in mind for any recipe:

Because it’s from the diaphragm muscle, skirt steak can be a bit tougher in texture, so a marinade is a great tool to tenderize it before cooking. You can marinate your steak for anywhere from 30 minutes to 24 hours, and the longer it soaks, the more flavorful it will be.
Preheat your pan, grill, or desired cooking surface so you can have it sizzling as soon as you lay the cut down.
Don’t worry about putting oil in the pan if you’ve got a marinade on the meat—you don’t need the excess fat for a good cook, and too much oil will lead to a smoky kitchen.
Let excess marinade drip off, then add salt and pepper on both sides before laying the meat down.
Sear undisturbed for about 2 to 4 minutes per side for a medium-rare to medium cook.
Let it rest for half the amount of time it was cooked.

Cooking with Shelia

How to Slice Skirt Steak

Be sure to slice skirt steak against the grain. This technique shortens the muscle fibers, making the meat less chewy and easier to enjoy.

Where to Purchase Skirt Steak

While it’s always ideal to support your local butcher, I’ve found skirt steak easily available at stores like Aldi and Kroger. Since it’s often used in dishes like fajitas, you might also find it at a Mexican grocery store.