Dirt, water, light, and care are the basics of growing plants and flowers. Dirt is where the plant resides and the foundation of support for the plant. Nutrients are pulled by roots from the soil. Water is as life sustaining to plants as it is people and animals. Light contributes to the processing of those nutrients. Finally there is care that encompasses so many other aspects. Care comes from making the dream of harvesting the bounty from a tiny seed or plant come true. One of the ways I use my herb harvest is to make Chimichurri Skirt Steak. It's so nice to go out and clip what I need from my own garden. Here are some of plants I am growing:
Gardening success is easier for some than others. There are many variables that contribute to the end result. I've learned a few things along the way. Make the dirt as good as possible. This means using high quality potting soil for containers. For in-ground gardens, there is soil amendment you can mix into the ground to improve dirt conditions. Water as recommended for each plant. Make sure your containers have at least one hole in the bottom for excess water to drain out. Put the plant in the amount of light it needs. Full sun will burn some and shade will not be enough for others.
Herbs are some of the easiest plants to grow. Most of them do not have insect or disease issues. In fact, there are some you plant next to vegetables to help keep pests away. They grow rather quickly too. You will have multiple harvests. One of the tastiest sauces you can make with herbs is chimichurri. Slathering the lush green sauce over a skirt steak to marinate is a thing of beauty all on its own.
Skirt steak is a fast steak. What I mean is it does not take long to marinate or grill it. For this recipe, the marinating is done in an hour while it is coming up to room temperature prior to grilling. The time on the grill is only a few minutes on each side (depending on thickness and desired doneness). There are two important keys to tender, juicy skirt steak. One is to let it rest for 10 minutes after grilling and before slicing. The other is to thinly slice it at an angle across the grain.
A few notes on the chimichurri sauce. I adapted it from the one I used with Grilled Herb Shrimp. This recipe makes a larger batch so there is enough for marinating and serving. I also added a serrano pepper because I think peppers go nicely with beef.
Growing my own herbs and vegetables is a dream I made come true. I was beyond excited when I found out American Family Insurance wanted to partner again with Sunday Supper for their Choose Dreams campaign. AmFam is encouraging people to garden and cook from the harvest. Take a look at and follow the Recipes From The Garden Pinterest board for meal inspiration. Also scroll down to find a list and links to more recipes. Special thanks to Jennifer of Peanut Butter and Peppers for hosting this event.
More on American Family Insurance: You can follow them on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, YouTube, Google+, LinkedIn, and their website.
Chimichurri Skirt Steak
Ingredients
For the chimichurri sauce:
- 1 bunch fresh flat-leaf parsley
- 1 bunch fresh cilantro
- ¼ cup packed fresh oregano leaves
- 3 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
- 1 ½ teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary leaves
- 1 serrano pepper seeded and chopped
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon fresh ground pepper
- ½ cup olive oil plus more if needed
For the steak:
- 1 to 2 pound skirt steak
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
For the chimichurri sauce:
- Make sure all the fresh herbs have been rinsed and dried (I use a salad spinner to spin-dry).
- Cut the stems from the parsley and cilantro below the leaves (to have mostly only leaves left).
- Place the parsley, cilantro, oregano, thyme, rosemary, serrano pepper, vinegar, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a knife blade.
- Pulse a few times to chop the herbs. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Pulse while drizzling in the olive oil. Do not over-process or it will become a paste.
- Transfer the chimichurri sauce to a small bowl. Stir in additional olive oil for desired consistency. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate overnight. Recommended to make a day ahead for flavors to develop.
For the steak:
- Spread about ⅓ to ½ of the chimichurri sauce on both sides of the steak. Let marinate for 1 hour on the counter while the steak is coming to room temperature.
- Heat a grill to medium-high heat (about 450 to 500 degrees F)
- Cut steak in half cross-wise with the grain. Scrape off most of the chimichurri and discard (to prevent the taste of burnt herbs).
- Sprinkle salt and pepper on both sides of the steak.
- Grill the steaks until medium-rare (or your preferred doneness), about 2 to 4 minutes per side, depending on thickness of steak.
- Remove steak from the grill and cover loosely with foil. Let rest for 10 minutes.
- Thinly slice steak at an angle across the grain.
- Arrange steak slices on a platter with some of the chimichurri sauce on top.
- Serve immediately with remaining chimichurri on the side.
Notes
How about some recipes for your garden harvest? Check out these by Sunday Supper contributors. Visit each of them for more gardening tips too:
- Asparagus Penne with Bacon Cream Sauce by Country Girl In The Village
- Basil, Honey and Walnut Gelato by The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
- Chimichurri Skirt Steak by Magnolia Days
- Garden Foccacia by The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
- Garden Vegetable Lasagna by Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
- Greek Stuffed Tomato by Yours And Mine Are Ours
- Herb Grilled Shrimp with Grilled Sweet Peppers by Daily Dish Recipes
- Herbed Chicken Kabobs by Momma's Meals
- Individual Indian Corn Pudding Souffles by Delaware Girl Eats
- Lemon Herb Slow Cooker Roast Chicken by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Rosemary and Lemon Chicken Thighs with Asparagus by Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen
- Rosemary Cornbread by Alida's Kitchen
- Salmon Peppers and Onions by Family Foodie
- Spinach Pasta with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce by Cindy's Recipes and Writings
- Strawberry Basil Pasta Salad by Peanut Butter and Peppers
- Summer Pasta Puttanesca by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Three Cheese Naan Pizza with Sausage, Mushrooms, and Arugula by Neighborfood
- Tortellini with Garden Fresh Pesto by The Foodie Army Wife
- Quinoa Tabbouleh by Supper for a Steal
- White Bean Cilantro Chopped Vegetable Salad by Shockingly Delicious
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Disclosure: This post is sponsored by the American Family Insurance. All opinions are my own.
Yum Renee! I love the chimichurri sauce, it sounds so fresh and amazing! I'm with you on skirt steak, I love how quick it cooks!
Thanks Jennifer
I have all the herbs needed growing in my garden...though they're teeny weeny at this time! What a delectable way to bring the garden to the plate!
Those herbs will be big and ready to harvest soon. Mine have been growing like crazy lately.
Your garden looks amazing! And so does this steak. My boys would go crazy for it.
Thanks Brianne and I hope you make it for your boys sometime.
Your Chimichurri sauce sounds amazing! I love the bright color. Herbs are such a great crop to grow. You can harvest all season long!
Thanks Shannon and I also love the color of this sauce.
I love a good chimichurri! Mmm there is nothing better than the steak soaking in that vinegary mixture. Makes it so tender and delicious.
So true Lane, so very true.
Looking forward to trying your version of Chimicurri Steak -- It looks fantastic.
Thanks Isabel
Your garden pictures always look so beautiful! I love the sound of this sauce on steak!
Thank you so much Cindy. I love taking photos of plants and flowers.
love love love chimichurri sauce with grilled meat!!! Delicious!!!
Thanks Alice
Oh this is mouth watering! Yummo!!!
Skirt steak and flank steak are my absolute favorite cuts. Your green chimichurri is awesome!
Those are my favorite cuts too when it comes to steaks that are marinated.
Mmmmm....This looks absolutely DEEElicious!
Thanks Conni
You say meat and chimichurri and my mouth waters Renee! Leftovers make the best sandwiches! Sadly, I don't have the slightest shade of green thumb... gardening is not my forte, but your plants look amazing!
Thanks Paula. There have been plenty of sandwiches made from the leftovers of that big steak (only 2 of us). I've used the slices on salads too.
Chimichurri is definitely on my list of things to make this year! I would put that stuff on everything!
I'm also wondering about ways to incorporate it into spreads like chimichurri mayo or something.
I've always admired your garden pictures Renee! I'm also excited that I have all of the herb ingredients in this chimichurri marinade right on my back porch! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much for your kind words on my garden pictures. Nature is such a great subject to photograph.
Look at all of those beautiful greens!! This sauce looks amazing...I have some steak in the freezer that will be covered in your tasty chimichurri in the very near future!
Thanks Alida.
Growing herbs is so gratifying. Your steak with chimichurri sounds and looks absolutely out of this world. Love it!
Thanks Bea and the great thing for you and your family is that it is dairy-free.
I had chimichurri last weekend and have been craving it again ever since. Gotta make this!
Well, hurry up and make it to satisfy your craving.
Chimichurri sauce is such a beautiful way to use fresh herbs
I could not agree with you more Shaina.
You must have read my mind because I have been wanting this dish for the last week!! Now I know I will be making it 🙂
I hope you get your craving satisfied soon.
So many delicious fresh herbs in the chimichurri sauce! I bet it tastes wonderful!
It sure does Heather.
I adore skirt steak and your version of chimichurri sounds great with more than just the usual parsley and oregano in the mix!
Cilantro is really what makes chimichurri to me. I can't imagine not having it in the mix.
This looks SO awesome!
Thanks SO much Christine
Those are mouth-watering pictures that make me want to run out and get some skirt steak.........I love this dish!
Thanks so much Kelli
Chimichurri is a favorite of mine! I love that you added a serrano pepper, I am definitely doing that next time I make some! Beautiful pics and a delicious looking skirt steak with chimichurri!! yumm Pinning!
My next batch I may use a jalapeno pepper since I'm growing them in my garden too. And thanks a bunch for the pin.
YUMMY! I grow lots of herbs too so I'll be using this recipe!!
Thanks Karli. Having fresh herbs in the garden is such a great thing.
You have such a green thumb, Renee! That vibrant green looks like a fabulous sauce and your skirt steak is done to perfection!
I get my green thumb from my dad. Although his was greener. He could grow anything.
I recently saw Ina Garten use skirt steak to make delicious grilled dinner. This would be a great way to use that cut of meat
It sure is. Thanks Cathy
I don't have the patience or green thumb for a garden, but I love chimichurri sauce. It is such a quintessential summer food.
Yes it is and I'll be making many batches of chimichurri this summer.