Grilled Skirt Steak with Pearl Couscous Salad (Printable Version)
Tender grilled skirt steak with Mediterranean pearl couscous salad featuring fresh vegetables and herbs.
# Ingredient List:
→ For the Skirt Steak
01 - 1.5 lbs skirt steak
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
04 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
06 - 1 tsp ground cumin
07 - 1 tsp kosher salt
08 - ½ tsp black pepper
→ For the Pearl Couscous Salad
09 - 1 ½ cups pearl couscous (Israeli couscous)
10 - 2 ¼ cups water or low-sodium chicken broth
11 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
12 - 1 small cucumber, diced
13 - ½ cup red onion, finely chopped
14 - ½ cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped
15 - ¼ cup fresh mint, chopped
16 - 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
17 - 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
18 - 1 tsp lemon zest
19 - ½ tsp kosher salt
20 - ¼ tsp black pepper
# Directions:
01 - Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Coat the skirt steak thoroughly with the marinade. Let sit at room temperature for 20 minutes to absorb flavors.
02 - Bring water or broth to a boil in a medium saucepan. Stir in pearl couscous, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes until tender. Drain any excess liquid and allow to cool slightly.
03 - Preheat a grill or grill pan over high heat. Grill the skirt steak for 3-4 minutes per side for medium-rare, adjusting time for desired doneness. Transfer to a plate and rest, loosely tented with foil, for 5-10 minutes.
04 - Combine cooked couscous, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, parsley, and mint in a large bowl. Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Pour dressing over salad and toss to coat evenly.
05 - Slice the rested skirt steak thinly against the grain. Arrange over a generous bed of pearl couscous salad and serve immediately.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The steak marinade comes together in seconds but makes you look like you planned all day
- The couscous salad actually gets better after sitting for a bit, making it perfect for leftovers
02 -
- Skirt steak must be sliced against the grain or it will be tough and chewy despite perfect cooking
- Letting the meat rest is non-negotiable, cutting too early spills all those precious juices onto your cutting board
03 -
- Get your grill hotter than you think you need it, that aggressive sear creates the best crust
- Let the steak come to room temperature before grilling, cold meat seizes up and cooks unevenly