If you’ve ever wondered how to please both the steak lovers and salad enthusiasts in your life, Grilled Skirt Steak with Lemon Herb Couscous Salad: An Amazing Ultimate Dinner Recipe is the answer you’ve been searching for. This dish marries the bold, savory flavor of perfectly grilled skirt steak with a fresh and zesty couscous salad that’s bursting with herbs and lemon. It’s one of those unforgettable meals that feels impressive enough for a special gathering, but is easy enough for a relaxing weeknight at home.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this recipe works a little bit of magic—enhancing flavor, guaranteeing the perfect texture, or adding color and brightness that will catch your eye and make your taste buds dance. Gather these simple staples and see how every element comes together for a vibrant, satisfying meal.
- Skirt steak (1 1/2 lbs): This cut is prized for its deep, beefy flavor and tenderness when grilled quickly and sliced thinly.
- Olive oil (2 tbsp for steak, 2 tbsp for salad): Provides richness in the marinade and silkiness in the salad dressing.
- Soy sauce (2 tbsp): Adds a subtle salty depth to the steak’s marinade, enhancing that umami punch.
- Balsamic vinegar (1 tbsp): Brightens the marinade and helps tenderize the meat beautifully.
- Garlic (2 cloves, minced): Infuses the steak with aromatic, savory flavor.
- Dried oregano (1 tsp): Gives a Mediterranean soul to the marinade and complements grilled flavors.
- Black pepper (1/2 tsp): A gentle kick of heat that wakes up the taste buds.
- Salt (1/2 tsp): For perfect seasoning throughout the steak marinade.
- Couscous (1 cup): The soft, fluffy base for your salad, quick-cooking and wonderfully absorbing of herbs and lemon.
- Boiling water or vegetable broth (1 cup): Use broth for extra flavor, or water to keep it simple and light.
- Cucumber (1/4 cup, chopped): Adds satisfying crunch and coolness to each bite of salad.
- Cherry tomatoes (1/4 cup, halved): Bring juicy, sweet brightness and gorgeous color.
- Red onion (2 tbsp, finely chopped): Tiny pops of sharpness give the salad a nice kick.
- Fresh parsley (2 tbsp, chopped): Lively green flavor that feels like a burst of spring in every forkful.
- Fresh mint (1 tbsp, chopped): Invites a cooling, herby note that makes the salad sing.
- Lemon (zest and juice of 1): For the signature bright, tangy punch that ties everything together.
- Salt and pepper (to taste for salad): A final flourish to fine-tune the flavors.
How to Make Grilled Skirt Steak with Lemon Herb Couscous Salad: An Amazing Ultimate Dinner Recipe
Step 1: Marinate the Skirt Steak
Start by whisking together olive oil, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper in a shallow dish. Place the skirt steak in this tasty bath and make sure it’s completely coated. Let it work its magic in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, though if you have extra time, a few hours will deliver even deeper flavor. This simple marinade transforms the steak and sets the stage for the entire Grilled Skirt Steak with Lemon Herb Couscous Salad: An Amazing Ultimate Dinner Recipe.
Step 2: Prepare the Lemon Herb Couscous Salad
While your steak marinates, get the salad rolling. Pour boiling water or vegetable broth over the couscous, cover, and let it sit for 5 minutes. Fluff it gently with a fork to keep it light and airy. Once cooled, toss in the cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, parsley, mint, lemon zest, lemon juice, and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper, giving it all a good mix so every grain is coated and every bite is vibrant and herbaceous. Pop it in the fridge to chill until you’re ready to plate up.
Step 3: Grill the Skirt Steak
Fire up your grill or grill pan to high heat. Remove the marinated steak and lay it on the sizzling grates. Grill for about 3 to 4 minutes per side—just enough to achieve that juiciness and a gorgeous char. For the classic medium-rare, keep it closer to the shorter side, but you can always go a little longer if you like your steak cooked further. Let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing it thinly against the grain; this ensures every piece is utterly tender and packed with flavor.
Step 4: Combine and Serve
Now comes the best part: assembly! You can serve the steak slices nestled right over the cool lemon herb couscous salad, or keep them side by side for a striking presentation. The warmth of the steak mingles with the zippy chill of the salad, making every bite an irresistible mix of bold and bright. This is where Grilled Skirt Steak with Lemon Herb Couscous Salad: An Amazing Ultimate Dinner Recipe truly comes alive on your plate.
How to Serve Grilled Skirt Steak with Lemon Herb Couscous Salad: An Amazing Ultimate Dinner Recipe
Garnishes
Finish the dish with a smattering of extra chopped herbs—parsley and mint are perfect. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt and a little more lemon zest will crank up the freshness and flavor. If you’d like to add a luxe touch, a drizzle of aged balsamic or a spoonful of crumbled feta can make this Grilled Skirt Steak with Lemon Herb Couscous Salad: An Amazing Ultimate Dinner Recipe even more eye-catching and delicious.
Side Dishes
This dinner is beautifully complete on its own, but you can round it out with warm pita bread, roasted seasonal vegetables, or a simple green salad for even more color and crunch. Grilled asparagus, charred corn, or a medley of marinated olives fit seamlessly into the Mediterranean vibe.
Creative Ways to Present
For an elevated presentation, try serving individual steak and couscous bowls, or slice the steak extra thin and fan it over the salad on a large platter. For a family-style meal, pile the couscous onto a big serving dish, mound the sliced steak on top, and let everyone help themselves to generous portions of this satisfying Grilled Skirt Steak with Lemon Herb Couscous Salad: An Amazing Ultimate Dinner Recipe.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’ve managed to save any, stash the steak and salad separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. The flavors deepen overnight, especially in the couscous salad, making tomorrow’s lunch something to look forward to. The salad stays bright and fresh, and the steak remains juicy for up to three days.
Freezing
While the couscous salad is best enjoyed fresh, the skirt steak is freezer-friendly. Slice it, arrange in a single layer, and seal tightly before freezing for up to two months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating, and you’ll have a speedy protein ready for dinners on busy nights. Keep in mind that freezing changes the steak’s texture slightly, but it will still taste fantastic within this Grilled Skirt Steak with Lemon Herb Couscous Salad: An Amazing Ultimate Dinner Recipe.
Reheating
To warm the steak, use a skillet over low heat just until heated through, or microwave in short bursts. Avoid overcooking to keep it tender. The couscous salad is best served cold or at room temperature, so simply fluff with a fork and enjoy—it only gets more flavorful as it sits.
FAQs
Can I substitute skirt steak with another cut?
Absolutely! Flank steak and sirloin are great stand-ins for skirt steak in Grilled Skirt Steak with Lemon Herb Couscous Salad: An Amazing Ultimate Dinner Recipe. Just remember to grill them quickly and slice thinly against the grain for the best texture.
Is it possible to prepare the couscous salad in advance?
Yes, and it’s actually even better if you do! The couscous salad’s flavors deepen after a few hours in the fridge. Just add any extra herbs or fresh lemon juice right before serving for the brightest taste.
What if I don’t have a grill?
No problem—you can absolutely use a grill pan or even a hot cast iron skillet on your stovetop. The steak will still develop a beautiful sear and that irresistible smoky flavor, keeping the spirit of Grilled Skirt Steak with Lemon Herb Couscous Salad: An Amazing Ultimate Dinner Recipe alive.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Definitely! Substitute the couscous with cooked quinoa or millet to create a delicious, gluten-free version of the dish without sacrificing flavor or texture.
What protein alternatives can I use for the salad?
This lemon herb couscous salad is a flexible foundation. Try it with grilled chicken, shrimp, or even roasted chickpeas for a vegetarian spin—it’s impossible to go wrong pairing those fresh flavors.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a meal that brings lush flavors, vibrant colors, and pure joy to the dinner table, you’ll adore making (and eating!) Grilled Skirt Steak with Lemon Herb Couscous Salad: An Amazing Ultimate Dinner Recipe. I can’t recommend it enough—treat yourself and your loved ones to this crowd-pleaser. I guarantee it’ll become a regular request in your home!
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Grilled Skirt Steak with Lemon Herb Couscous Salad: An Amazing Ultimate Dinner Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes (plus marinating)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Enjoy a flavorful and satisfying meal with this Grilled Skirt Steak with Lemon Herb Couscous Salad recipe. Tender skirt steak marinated to perfection and grilled to your desired doneness, served with a refreshing couscous salad bursting with Mediterranean flavors.
Ingredients
For the Steak:
- 1 1/2 lbs skirt steak
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
For the Couscous Salad:
- 1 cup couscous
- 1 cup boiling water or vegetable broth
- 1/4 cup chopped cucumber
- 1/4 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 tbsp red onion, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh mint
- zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Marinate the Steak: In a shallow dish, combine olive oil, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper. Add the skirt steak and coat well. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, up to 4 hours.
- Prepare the Couscous Salad: Place couscous in a bowl, pour boiling water or broth over it. Let sit for 5 minutes, fluff with a fork, and let cool. Add cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, parsley, mint, lemon zest, lemon juice, and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper, toss to combine, and chill.
- Grill the Steak: Preheat a grill or grill pan over high heat. Remove steak from marinade, grill for 3–4 minutes per side for medium-rare. Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice against the grain.
- Serve: Arrange steak slices over or alongside the lemon herb couscous salad.
Notes
- You can substitute skirt steak with flank steak or sirloin.
- The couscous salad is also delicious on its own or with grilled chicken or shrimp.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus marinating time)
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 steak portion with salad
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
