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Flash-Marinated Skirt Steaks with Gochujang, Sesame, and Scallion

By Matthew Fairman

Published on September 5, 2023

Time

45 minutes

Yield

Serves 4 to 6

Flash-Marinated Skirt Steaks with Gochujang, Sesame, and Scallion

Ingredients

2 pounds outside skirt steak, 3 to 4 inches wide and ½ to 1 inch thick, trimmed5 tablespoons soy sauce 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided1½ tablespoons gochujang 1½ tablespoons toasted sesame oil 3 garlic cloves, minced2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger 1 scallion, sliced thin1 teaspoon sesame seeds

Before You Begin

Skirt steaks come from two different muscles and are sometimes (though not always) labeled as “inside” skirt steak or “outside” skirt steak. We prefer the more tender outside cut, which measures 3 to 4 inches wide and ½ to 1 inch thick. If you can find only the inside cut, which typically measures 5 to 7 inches wide and ¼ to ½ inch thick, halve the steaks lengthwise before cutting them into 3- to 4-inch-long steaks in step 1. If using thinner steaks, you may need to cook them in more than two batches in step 2. It is difficult to take an accurate temperature on skirt steaks because they are so thin; if you have trouble getting a temperature reading, rely on the times in the recipe. Depending on the length of your whole skirt steaks, you will get anywhere from eight to 10 pieces once the steaks are cut into 3- to 4-inch sections.

Instructions

  1. Slice steak with grain into 3- to 4-inch-long steaks. Whisk soy sauce, 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, gochujang, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger together in large bowl. Transfer 2 tablespoons marinade to second bowl; set aside. Place steaks in first bowl with marinade and toss to coat. Let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes. Remove steaks from bowl, pat dry with paper towels, and place on plate; discard marinade.
  2. Set wire rack in rimmed baking sheet. Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add half of steaks and cook until browned on both sides, about 2 minutes per side.
  3. Continue to cook, flipping steaks about every 30 seconds, until steaks are well browned and register 130 to 135 degrees, 2 to 4 minutes longer. Transfer steaks to prepared rack, tent with aluminum foil, and let rest for at least 5 minutes. Wipe skillet clean and repeat with remaining 1 tablespoon vegetable oil and steaks.
  4. Slice steaks thin against grain and transfer to platter. Pour any accumulated juices from cutting board and sheet over steaks. Drizzle with reserved marinade and sprinkle with scallion and sesame seeds. Serve.
Flash-Marinated Skirt Steaks with Gochujang, Sesame, and Scallion
Photography by Steve Klise. Styling by Sasha Coleman.

Flash-Marinated Skirt Steaks with Gochujang, Sesame, and Scallion

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Time

45 minutes

Yield

Serves 4 to 6

Ingredients

2 pounds outside skirt steak, 3 to 4 inches wide and ½ to 1 inch thick, trimmed
5 tablespoons soy sauce
3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
1½ tablespoons gochujang
1½ tablespoons toasted sesame oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
1 scallion, sliced thin
1 teaspoon sesame seeds

Ingredients

2 pounds outside skirt steak, 3 to 4 inches wide and ½ to 1 inch thick, trimmed
5 tablespoons soy sauce
3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
1½ tablespoons gochujang
1½ tablespoons toasted sesame oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
1 scallion, sliced thin
1 teaspoon sesame seeds

Ingredients

2 pounds outside skirt steak, 3 to 4 inches wide and ½ to 1 inch thick, trimmed
5 tablespoons soy sauce
3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
1½ tablespoons gochujang
1½ tablespoons toasted sesame oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
1 scallion, sliced thin
1 teaspoon sesame seeds

Why This Recipe Works

Because it has a high ratio of exterior surface area to interior area, skirt steak takes exceptionally well to marinating. Marinades don’t penetrate deeply into the meat, but in the case of this relatively thin cut, they don’t need to. In just 10 minutes, the bold, flavorful mixture of soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, gochujang, garlic, and ginger imparted loads of flavor. The sugar in the gochujang not only balanced the saltiness of umami-rich soy sauce but also aided in browning, meaning that the thin steaks achieved a flavorful caramelization without risk of overcooking. 

Before You Begin

Skirt steaks come from two different muscles and are sometimes (though not always) labeled as “inside” skirt steak or “outside” skirt steak. We prefer the more tender outside cut, which measures 3 to 4 inches wide and ½ to 1 inch thick. If you can find only the inside cut, which typically measures 5 to 7 inches wide and ¼ to ½ inch thick, halve the steaks lengthwise before cutting them into 3- to 4-inch-long steaks in step 1. If using thinner steaks, you may need to cook them in more than two batches in step 2. It is difficult to take an accurate temperature on skirt steaks because they are so thin; if you have trouble getting a temperature reading, rely on the times in the recipe. Depending on the length of your whole skirt steaks, you will get anywhere from eight to 10 pieces once the steaks are cut into 3- to 4-inch sections.

Instructions

  1. Slice steak with grain into 3- to 4-inch-long steaks. Whisk soy sauce, 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, gochujang, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger together in large bowl. Transfer 2 tablespoons marinade to second bowl; set aside. Place steaks in first bowl with marinade and toss to coat. Let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes. Remove steaks from bowl, pat dry with paper towels, and place on plate; discard marinade.
  2. Set wire rack in rimmed baking sheet. Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add half of steaks and cook until browned on both sides, about 2 minutes per side.
  3. Continue to cook, flipping steaks about every 30 seconds, until steaks are well browned and register 130 to 135 degrees, 2 to 4 minutes longer. Transfer steaks to prepared rack, tent with aluminum foil, and let rest for at least 5 minutes. Wipe skillet clean and repeat with remaining 1 tablespoon vegetable oil and steaks.
  4. Slice steaks thin against grain and transfer to platter. Pour any accumulated juices from cutting board and sheet over steaks. Drizzle with reserved marinade and sprinkle with scallion and sesame seeds. Serve.

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