What is wrong with my skirt?

bhugg

Skirt steak that is. I grilled skirt steak for some fajitas. Cooked it to a medium or so and cut it across the grain. It was probably the chewiest thing I have ever attempted to eat. What did i do wrong and what can I do better next time? I love some beef fajitas, but not when its a workout to eat. 

lkapigian

How thick did you cut? Type of Marinade ?

bhugg

lkapigian said:

How thick did you cut? Type of Marinade ?

I cut probably less than 1/4" and marinade in Italian dressing with salt, pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin...marinated for about 2 hours or so. 

lkapigian

may have just been the cut as it sounds like you cooked it whole- pre slicing can make it tougher

spray

May have been inside skirt steak.  Sam's Club in my area sells inside skirt and it's very tough, while the outside skirt steak I get from Publix (which is way more expensive) is much more tender, and IMO, much better. 

fishlessman

screaming hot grill, cook til its the rare side of med/rare, rest it uncovered.  it toughens up at medium and beyond. just checking how you cut it

https://youtu.be/-pncWvsLfh0

Rascal

I love skirts, but as you've discovered, the quality can vary, depending on???
Had some that were on sale at Aldi's a while back, and they were godawful terrible!!!

berndcrisp

One of the children will be along soon to ruin this post.

Cashfan

I had some skirt a couple weeks ago. The parts that were medium rare were tender, the medium to well done area wasn't edible. The whole thing was marinated with a nasty tasting marinade and was awful. I fed it to the dog, he thought it was great.

saluki2007

Skirt steaks in my experience are very finicky.  I've stopped buying them and just go with the flank or flat iron.  Seems to be more consistent.

Rascal

Rascal said:

I love skirts, but as you've discovered, the quality can vary, depending on???
Had some that were on sale at Aldi's a while back, and they were godawful terrible!!!

I might add that they were cooked to medium rare.

fishlessman

Rascal said:

Rascal said:

I love skirts, but as you've discovered, the quality can vary, depending on???
Had some that were on sale at Aldi's a while back, and they were godawful terrible!!!

I might add that they were cooked to medium rare.

alot of aldis beef is grass fed outside the us, just wondering. certain cuts i dont like grass fed

pgprescott

Flat iron. 

Rascal

fishlessman said:

Rascal said:

Rascal said:

I love skirts, but as you've discovered, the quality can vary, depending on???
Had some that were on sale at Aldi's a while back, and they were godawful terrible!!!

I might add that they were cooked to medium rare.

alot of aldis beef is grass fed outside the us, just wondering. certain cuts i dont like grass fed

On the flip side,  they recently offered St Louis ribs at a great price, and I prepared them indoors (Smart Oven) using a very simple recipe.  They were beyond a doubt, the meatiest, most tender ribs I can remember eating!!~~

GrillSgt

I believe the trick is very high heat. Usually go to medium for the kiddos and it’s tender. I buy it from a butcher but it’s cheap. 

bhugg

spray said:

May have been inside skirt steak.  Sam's Club in my area sells inside skirt and it's very tough, while the outside skirt steak I get from Publix (which is way more expensive) is much more tender, and IMO, much better. 

That is was. It was an inside skirt steak. I was unaware there was a difference. 

dmourati

Outside skirt is preferred but I have done both with success. Cook ripping hot (~600F) for like 60s per side. For an amazing recipe, check this out: https://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2015/09/carne-asada-food-lab-recipe-kenji.html

Botch

Would wailing on it with one of those spiked meat tenderizer hammer thingies help?  Works on chicken-fried steak.  

tjv

the skirt steak was probably to thick and not cooked hot enough to soften the fatty tissue.  If thick, I cut real thin. If thin, I cut thicker.

You locator says Dallas, find a good local mexican grocery store with meat market and you'll be set. Their fajita meat may look ugly/fatty but grills up great. Good chance, their rub will be loaded with MSG, so grill accordingly if problematic. 

Aldi's is kin to trader joes.....

t

Austin Egghead

I have had some good luck with the Costco in Rockwall.  I also like Dave's meat market in Garland, and Deep Cuts in Richardson.  Michoacana at Walnut Hill and Audelia has been pretty good too (get there early).  Have not been impressed with the Fiesta in Garland.  
Marinate in the cheapest beer possible...Lone Star is the go to in San Antonio and for us.  

Slippy

I bought some pre-marinated skirt (and chicken) at that Mexican market next door to the Sigels in Mobile City... It was really good. 

dunwoodyegg

Marinate the skirt steak overnight in orange juice. It will make it tender.