Last Updated on 21st April 2022 by
Skirt steak is one of our favourite cuts of beef for no other reason than that it is used in fajitas. These tend to be thin cuts of beef that cook quickly, so they are great for quick meals. If you don’t have long to make your meal but you need some beef in it, then skirt steak is a great choice.
Filet and ribeye get plenty of recipes for them and prime spots on the menu at your favourite restaurant, but who is talking about skirt steak, much less using it? We think that’s unfortunate, because there is a lot to love about this piece of beef. It’s tasty, savoury, and really easy to work with.
Our favourite way to cook skirt steak is on high heat for just a short time. This brings out the juices and keeps the steak tender and succulent. It’s the kind of steak cut that is tasty just about any way you cook it- on the grill, in the oven or in the skillet. You don’t need much to season it with, since it is so flavourful already. We suggest just using a little marinade or steak sauce so that you can enjoy the natural flavour this meat has to offer.
The Difference between Skirt Steak and Flank Steak
One kind of beef cut that skirt steak gets mistaken for often is flank steak. They are easy to get confused with one another, because they have a lot of similarities.
They are both thinner cuts of beef, meaning that they will cook through quickly. They both look a little odd as well, neither having that classic steak cut shape.
The flank steak tends to be thicker than the skirt steak, and its flavour is not as intense. You may need to flavour the flank steak more, and it may be notedly tougher as well. It’s considered a slightly less desirable cut of meat when comparing the two.
Both of them have to be cut against the grain in order for the cut to be reasonably tender. Otherwise, you are going to have to eat through tough tendon and connective tissue. Cutting them properly avoids that issue.
Cooking Skirt Steak in Oven
A lot of people will grill or fry up their skillet steak, using a dry cooking method to sear it and blacken some of the outside. This helps to keep the inside tender and juicy. However, I want to show you how to cook skirt steak in oven preparation. This takes longer, but it makes for a tenderer steak through and through and can be a great way to add some flavour or play around with the presentation of the steak.
You can begin by preheating your oven. You want it hot- so 450 degrees Fahrenheit is a good temperature for the skirt steak. Remember what I said about cooking the skirt steak fast at a high heat for best results. How to cook skirt steak in the oven? Just use the same principles as when you cook it anywhere else.
The skirt steak should be placed in a pan sprayed with oil to keep the steak from sticking. You can bake other foods with it that you want to serve with the skirt steak. I would recommend potatoes, carrots, onions, garlic, and tomatoes as some good possibilities.
Make sure the pan you use is large enough to accommodate your skirt steak lying flat and even.
How long to cook skirt steak in oven? Once your oven has properly heated, place the steak in the oven for 7 minutes. Then flip it over and cook it on the other side for just half that amount of time. If you want it done more, you can cook it for up to 9 minutes, and for a rarer steak, cook for 5-6 minutes.
Once the meat is done, you can take it out of the oven and serve it hot. I love fried and salad with mine. Check the internal temperature of the steak to ensure it is cooked all the way through. It should be 145-165°F,
If it is not cooked all the way through, you could be at risk for contracting a food-borne illness. Cooking the steak in the oven properly ensures that most of the bacteria (particularly the harmful bacteria) is killed before you consume the food. Some people prefer a steak not cooked for as long as we recommend, just because they want it really juicy and tender, but you need to still check the steak to see if it has been cooked enough. It is better to not take any risk with uncooked or partially cooked steaks. I prefer a skirt steak in oven that is a little on the dry side just to avoid the risk of food poisoning.
How to Serve Your Skirt Steak
Now that you know how to cook skirt steak in the oven, let’s talk about sides. The steak is the main course, so you want something to accompany it and fill out your meal some more. This is a juicy steak, so a dry salad with vinaigrette dressing works really well as accompaniment. I think the juicier the meat, the drier the sides should be. So, I opt for baked fries rather than fried ones with this kind of meat, but it is up to you.
Cooking skirt steak in the oven is quick and easy, and your sides should probably be pretty quick to make as well. You still want that steak to be warm when the sides are finished, after all. That’s why I would be hesitant to make a potato dish, since those can be very time consuming. Some roasted veggies are my preferred option, and grilled veggie kebabs go nicely too.
Once you have mastered how to make skirt steak in oven, you can use it in all sorts of dishes. Like I said earlier, it’s perfect for fajitas, and you can be prepping your fajita fixings while the steak is cooking. It works great in quesadillas and burritos or any kind of Mexican food that calls for steak. You’ll class up a simple taco or burrito this way, and you can even throw the steak into a salad thanks to how tender it is. This is definitely not a tough piece of steak that you will be gnawing all night on.
We have covered how to cook a skirt steak in the oven, and now you’re prepared to try it out. Get ready to enjoy this succulent steak that’s easy to cook and get on its own or well-seasoned and slathered in sauce.
I'm Pauline, a retired patisserie chef, mother of four and now a full time food blogger! When i'm not cooking i love long walks, reading thriller novels and spending time with my grandkids. Head to my about me page to learn more about the woman behind the food! You can find my Facebook here