Easy Skirt Steak Marinade Recipe

This quick-and-easy, no-fuss marinade packs big flavor with just four simple ingredients.

Grilled Skirt Steak Marinade Recipe 

We’ve tested a lot of different recipes for marinades, and one thing is for certain, you don’t need a lot of ingredients to create really delicious flavor. This simple marinade is perfect for quick and easy meal prep and gives a versatile flavor to the steak that makes it a great addition to a wide variety of meals. The coconut aminos give the steak a salty umami flavor with just a hint of sweetness, while the garlic and the olive oil provide depth. All of those delicious flavors are enhanced and brightened by a few squeezes of lemon juice! 

What makes this recipe a good marinade for skirt steak?

A good marinade is really a cook’s best friend. It adds complexity to any dish without a lot of hands-on time. The depth of flavor that is achieved from the few ingredients makes this marinade perfect for both simplicity and ease. As an added bonus, the acidity from the lemon juice also helps break down the muscle fibers in the meat.

Does skirt steak need to be marinated?

Skirt steak doesn’t need to be marinated (it is a delicious cut of meat seasoned with just salt and pepper), but it is a cut of meat that takes really well to marinades and absorbs a lot of the flavor. This makes it ideal for a marinade soak!

Does marinating overnight make a difference?

The majority of the flavor from the marinade is going to be absorbed into the outer layer of the skirt steak in the first 30 minutes to 2 hours. So from a flavor standpoint, it doesn’t make a huge difference. From a tenderness standpoint, marinating overnight may result in a more tender texture as the acid from the lemon juice can help break down some of the connective tissues in the steak. Be sure not to leave the steak in the marinade for much longer than 24 hours because the outside of the steak can become mushy.

Skirt Steak Marinade Ingredients 

• 1 pound skirt steak
• ½ cup of coconut aminos
• 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon of granulated garlic (or 3 cloves of fresh, minced garlic)

Ingredient Modifications

This marinade was made really simply for both big flavor and a quick prep in mind. Here are some ideas for additions and substitutions to this marinade:

• Sub the coconut aminos. If you prefer a savory marinade without the touch of sweetness that the coconut aminos add, you could use tamari or soy sauce as the base instead. 
• Add spices. Add additional spices such as ginger, paprika, cayenne, chili powder, red pepper flakes, or onion powder.
• Use a different meat. While this recipe was written with skirt steak in mind, you could certainly substitute for another cut of beef or even use it with chicken or pork.

How to Make a Simple Skirt Steak Marinade

To make this easy marinade, here’s what you’ll do:

1. Add ingredients. Combine all of the ingredients in a mason jar or bowl and shake or whisk to combine.
2. Marinate. Pour the marinade over the skirt steak in a casserole dish and cover, or place the steak in a sealable bag, then add the marinade. This marinade makes enough for about 1 pound of skirt steak.
3. Refrigerate. Place the covered dish or bag in the fridge and marinate for 30 minutes or up to 24 hours. 
4. Cook and enjoy! Use your preferred method to cook your skirt steak (mine is the grill!), serve, and enjoy!

Just for You

Beef Recipes

Want more recipes like this?

Skirt Steak Marinade FAQs