Marinated Skirt Steak with Sweet Corn and Cherry Salad

May 25, 2016 | | | | | |
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5 from 1 vote

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Marinated-Skirt-Steak-with-Corn-and-Sweet-Cherry-SaladSummer is almost here, people, and this kid is very excited about it.

Last summer was a blur of recipe testing for ze Dude Diet book, and I spent the majority of June-August hugging my air conditioner in between endless batches of DD chili and various game day finger foods. It wasn’t all bad (the chili and finger foods were bomb!), but the sweating and crying tight testing schedule didn’t exactly leave much time for my favorite warm weather activities or seasonal meals.

So this summer, I’m determined to make up for lost time. For the next three months, I’m prioritizing being naked-ish, grilling, and eating as much fresh sweet corn as humanly possible. I will drink ice cold rosé, Instagram pictures of myself on inflatable swans/flamingos, and get sandal blisters from long walks in the summer air. I shall rock my humidity ‘fro with pride while watching my roommate splash in the ocean! In short…

Summer 2016 = Summer of Selena Serena.

You heard it here first.

Marinated-Skirt-Steak-with-Corn-and-Sweet-Cherry-Salad-2I’m kicking off the summer festivities in Maine this weekend with Logan. (I know it isn’t officially summer until late June, but whateva.) And while I’m confident we’ll be able to accomplish many of the things on the above list, the grilling/corn consumption is nonnegotiable. This Marinated Skirt Steak with Sweet Corn and Cherry Salad is already on the Memorial Day menu.

(p.s. If anyone in Northeast Harbor has an inflatable swan, please bring it over. There will be steak.)

Marinated-Skirt-Steak-with-Corn-and-Sweet-Cherry-Salad-3First things first, let’s talk about skirt steak. In case you’re not familiar, skirt steak is a thin, relatively cheap cut of beef that soaks up marinade like a champ and grills to medium-rare perfection in all of 5-6 minutes, max. (The short cook time is particularly thrilling for those who do most of their grilling on a grill pan—you may not even set off your smoke detectors!) Sliced thinly against the grain, the tenderness and in-your-face flavor of this steak will really…blow your skirt up. hehe.

This particular skirt steak takes a 30-minute bath in a heady garlic and cumin-spiked citrus marinade, which leaves you with plenty of time to whip up the accompanying sweet corn and cherry salad.

And dear GOD, you definitely want to make this salad.

Marinated-Skirt-Steak-with-Corn-and-Sweet-Cherry-Salad-4Juicy cherries and summer sweet corn are delightful on their own, but when you toss them with spicy jalapeño and red onion, fresh basil, peppery arugula, and plenty of honey-citrus dressing? I’m talking Fourth of July finale-style flavor fireworks, friends. For real.

This nutrient-packed seasonal medley speaks to me, but what’s even more exciting is that it speaks to Logan. I’ve made it twice this week already—once with this steak and once to serve over chicken paillard—and it’s primed to become a Dude Diet summer staple. (After all, the recipe pretty much epitomizes the Dude’s salad preferences: More good shit, less lettuce.) Get on board.

Marinated-Skirt-Steak-with-Corn-and-Sweet-Cherry-Salad-5Oh, and just to clear up any potential recipe confusion at the pass…the corn is added to the salad raw. I know that may seem a little odd, but I need you to trust me on this one. Freshly picked sweet corn is 100% edible in its raw state, and the refreshing flavor and crunch of the uncooked kernels is pure magic. With that said, if you can’t get your hands on fresh sweet corn, you can definitely sub frozen or canned corn in its place.

Also, don’t be alarmed when you see this recipe’s ingredient list—its length is deceptive. There’s a decent amount of overlap between the steak marinade and salad dressing, and there are lots of basic pantry ingredients involved. Breathe.

Marinated-Skirt-Steak-with-Corn-and-Sweet-Cherry-Salad-6The recipe for this epic steak and salad combo serves four peeps, but it’s easily doubled or tripled to feed a crowd, so definitely keep it in mind for your upcoming summer soirées. You can prep the salad (just wait to dress it until close to serving) and marinate the steak in advance, and then all you’ll have to do come party time is throw the steak on the grill for a hot second. I like to round out the meal with grilled bread and a bottle or three of chilled rosé, but feel free to get some tortillas (tacos!) or butter/Boston lettuce leaves (lettuce wraps!) involved.

Happy almost long weekend, friends! May it be filled with sun, c-tails, and skirt steak. And in case you need more Memorial Day BBQ inspiration, I’ve teamed up with some of my favorite bloggers to bring you 50+ recipe ideas for the ultimate summer shindig. Snag all the delicious links at the end of this post.

Marinated Skirt Steak with Sweet Corn and Cherry Salad: (Serves 4)

Marinated-Skirt-Steak-with-Corn-and-Sweet-Cherry-Salad-7Ingredients:
1 pound skirt steak
1 lemon, juiced
1 lime, juiced
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon honey
3 large garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 pinch cayenne pepper
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
For the salad:
2 ears sweet corn, shucked
2 cups sweet cherries (about ¾ pound), halved and pitted
¼ cup very thinly sliced red onion (about ¼ of a small red onion)
1 small jalapeño, very thinly sliced
1 cup baby arugula
8 fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced (aka chiffonade)
2 ounces goat cheese, crumbled (optional)
For the honey-citrus dressing:
1 lime, juiced
½ lemon, juiced
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon honey
½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Preparing your Marinated Skirt Steak with Sweet Corn and Cherry Salad:

-In a shallow baking dish, whisk the lemon juice, lime juice, olive oil honey, garlic, cumin, and a pinch of cayenne pepper.

Marinated-Skirt-Steak-with-Corn-and-Sweet-Cherry-Salad-step-1-Add the steak to the marinade, turning to makes sure both sides are coated, and marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes.

Marinated-Skirt-Steak-with-Corn-and-Sweet-Cherry-Salad-step-2-Meanwhile get going on the salad. In a small bowl, whisk the ingredients for the dressing. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

-Carefully slice the kernels from each ear of corn into a large mixing bowl. Add the cherries, red onion, jalapeno, arugula and basil to the bowl, and toss to combine.

Marinated-Skirt-Steak-with-Corn-and-Sweet-Cherry-Salad-step-3-Add the dressing and toss again. Allow the salad to rest for 10 minutes to let the flavors mingle.

Marinated-Skirt-Steak-with-Corn-and-Sweet-Cherry-Salad-step-4-Time to cook the steak! Heat a lightly oiled grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Remove the steak from the marinade and pat it dry with paper towels. Season generously on both sides with salt and pepper.

Marinated-Skirt-Steak-with-Corn-and-Sweet-Cherry-Salad-step-5-Grill the steak for 2-3 minutes per side for medium rare. (Skirt steak is thin and cooks quickly—be careful not to overcook it!!)

Marinated-Skirt-Steak-with-Corn-and-Sweet-Cherry-Salad-step-6-Transfer the steak to a cutting board. Let it rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute, then slice thinly against the grain.

Marinated-Skirt-Steak-with-Corn-and-Sweet-Cherry-Salad-step-7-Transfer the salad to a serving bowl or plate and top with crumbled goat cheese (if using).

Marinated-Skirt-Steak-with-Corn-and-Sweet-Cherry-Salad-step-9-Serve the sliced steak alongside the salad. Maybe get some rosé involved…

Marinated-Skirt-Steak-with-Corn-and-Sweet-Cherry-Salad-9

Marinated Skirt Steak with Sweet Corn and Cherry Salad

Author - Serena Wolf
Prep Time: 35 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Yields: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 pound skirt steak
  • 1 lemon juiced
  • 1 lime juiced
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 3 large garlic cloves peeled and smashed
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper

For the salad:

  • 2 ears sweet corn shucked
  • 2 cups sweet cherries about ¾ pound, halved and pitted
  • ¼ cup very thinly sliced red onion about ¼ of a small red onion
  • 1 small jalapeño very thinly sliced
  • 1 cup baby arugula
  • 8 fresh basil leaves thinly sliced (aka chiffonade)
  • 2 ounces goat cheese crumbled (optional)

For the honey-citrus dressing:

  • 1 lime juiced
  • ½ lemon juiced
  • 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  • In a shallow baking dish, whisk the lemon juice, lime juice, olive oil honey, garlic, cumin, and a pinch of cayenne pepper. Add the steak to the marinade, turning to makes sure both sides are coated, and marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes.
  • Meanwhile get going on the salad. In a small bowl, whisk the ingredients for the dressing. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Carefully slice the kernels from each ear of corn into a large mixing bowl. Add the cherries, red onion, jalapeno, arugula and basil to the bowl, and toss to combine. Add the dressing and toss again. Allow the salad to rest for 10 minutes to let the flavors mingle.
  • Heat a lightly oiled grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.
  • Remove the steak from the marinade and pat it dry with paper towels. Season generously on both sides with salt and pepper. Grill the steak for 2-3 minutes per side for medium rare. (Skirt steak is thin and cooks quickly—be careful not to overcook it!!)
  • Transfer the steak to a cutting board. Let it rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute, then slice thinly against the grain.
  • Transfer the salad to a serving bowl or plate and top with crumbled goat cheese (if using). Serve the sliced steak alongside the salad.

50 recipes for the perfect summer get-together! Whether you're planning a barbecue, picnic, or outdoor party, check out everything from appetizer recipes, entree recipes, cocktail recipes, dessert recipes, side dish recipes and more to go with your BBQ! #greatbloggerBBQ

50 recipes for the perfect summer get-together! Whether you're planning a barbecue, picnic, or outdoor party, check out everything from appetizer recipes, entree recipes, cocktail recipes, dessert recipes, side dish recipes and more to go with your BBQ! #greatbloggerBBQ

Appetizers

Korean BBQ Tofu Sliders with Kimchi Slaw by Hello Little Home
Corn, Black Bean, and Feta Dip by Lizzy is Dizzy
Crab, Bacon & Guacamole Crostinis by That Square Plate

Cocktails and Drinks

Blackberry Gin Slush by The Speckled Palate
Homemade Lemonade by Winstead Wandering
Blood Orange Mocktail by Body Rebooted
Fleur Collins Cocktail by Hungry Girl por Vida
Fourth of July Sparkler by Mixplorology
Black Stripe Cold Rum Cocktail by Honey and Birch
Fresh Watermelon Mojito by Twin Stripe
Mint Hibiscus Lemonade by The Little Epicurean
Wine Slushy by Living Well Kitchen
Basil Gin Lemonade by Glisten and Grace

Entrées

Salt Plate Shrimp by The Mexitalian
Jamaican Jerk Chicken Burgers by Simple and Savory
Roasted Vegetable Grilled Pizza with Garlic Herb Oil by Ciao Chow Bambina
Memphis Style Pulled Pork by Two Places at Once
Balsamic & Honey Chicken Skewers with Strawberry-Kiwi Salsa by No Spoon Necessary
Amazing Basic Spice Rub for Grilling by An Oregon Cottage
Mediterranean Chicken Kebabs by PasadenaDaisy
Smoked Porchetta Pork Loin by Tasty Ever After
Pressure Cooker Pulled Pork by Appeasing a Food Geek
Peach Barbecue Sauce by The Beach House Kitchen
Tuna Stuffed Sweet Peppers by SugarLoveSpices
Herb Marinated Steak Gyros Plates with Tomato-Onion Salad and Green Tahini Sauce by Feed Me Phoebe
Sweet & Sour Chicken Kebabs by Tastefully Frugal

Side Dishes

Caprese Pasta Salad by Club Narwhal
Cranberry Almond Broccoli Salad by Two Sisters Kitchens
Coconut Milk Mac & Cheese by A Little Gathering
Cherry Quinoa Salad by Food Lovin Family
Cheddar, Corn and Bacon Potato Salad by Family Food on the Table
Lemon Rocket Pasta Salad by Lauren Caris Cooks
Red White & Blue Watergate Salad by A Joyfully Mad Kitchen
Zesty Potato Skewers by Pamela Salzman
Quinoa Tabouli by A Fork’s Tale

Desserts

Banana Pudding Ice Cream Cake by Feast + West
Strawberry Beer Floats by bethcakes
Cherry Cheesecake Dessert by The Little Blonde Baker
Light Berry Angel Food Cake by The Creative Bite
Lemon Cream Tarts with Berries by Girl Heart Food
Fresh Strawberry Muffins by Spiced
Lemon Pie Sundae by Flavours & Frosting
Strawberry Lemon Shortcakes by Dash of Herbs
Grasshopper Pie by 2 Cookin’ Mamas
Berry Mango Smoothie Pops by HÄLSA Nutrition
Mixed Berry Vanilla Bean Cake by Cake ‘n Knife
No Churn Cookies and Cream Strawberry Ice Cream by The Secret Ingredient Is
Coconut Blueberry & Vodka Ice Pops by Nik Snacks
Strawberry Key Lime Margarita Greek Yogurt Ice Pops by Beer Girl Cooks
Cherry & Rhubarb Tart by Crepes of Wrath

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9 Comments

  1. Chrissy on June 14, 2016 at 2:34 pm

    This was amazing. The perfect dinner. And that salad is KILLER. Made it last night, took leftovers for lunch today, and am contemplating making it again tonight. THAT GOOD. And so pretty!

  2. Erin on May 30, 2016 at 11:53 am

    “For the next three months, I’m prioritizing being naked-ish, grilling, and eating as much fresh sweet corn as humanly possible. I will drink ice cold rosé, Instagram pictures of myself on inflatable swans/flamingos, and get sandal blisters from long walks in the summer air. I shall rock my humidity ‘fro with pride while watching my roommate splash in the ocean!” —> This is AMAZING and exactly what I would like to be doing with my summer, too.

    And could we just TALK about this skirt steak and that salad? OMG, Serena. It loks like summertime perfection on a plate, and I cannot wait to make it for myself. Because that WILL be happening.

    Thanks so much for participating in the Great Blogger BBQ with us today. This has been SO much fun! I hope you and yours have a lovely holiday weekend!

  3. Amy | Club Narwhal on May 26, 2016 at 1:45 pm

    This makes me want to get a grill ASAP! What a gorgeous plate!

    • Serena Wolf on May 27, 2016 at 7:51 am

      Thank you, Amy! (I’m forever dreaming of outdoor grills, but for now, my grill pan and I are doing just fine 😉 )

  4. Kelsey Tenney on May 25, 2016 at 4:05 pm

    Your plates are incredible! And I love the sound of this salad! Perfect for summer 🙂 Happy #greatbloggerBBQ!

  5. Dixya Bhattarai RD on May 25, 2016 at 10:25 am

    seems like your summer 2016 is going to be blast..i will be rotting away in my office and enjoying your IG posts.

    • Serena Wolf on May 27, 2016 at 7:49 am

      Hahaha, fingers crossed for summer success on both our parts!! xox

  6. mimi rippee on May 25, 2016 at 8:22 am

    That salad is absolutely gorgeous. The steak isn’t even necessary! Love it. Beautiful photos as always.

    • Serena Wolf on May 27, 2016 at 7:49 am

      Thank you, Mimi!! Hope you have a fabulous Memorial Day weekend!!

5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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