Zucchini: Creates light, refreshing base, pick small to medium sized for tenderness.
Lemon Zest: Adds bright citrus notes, use fresh lemons for most aromatic results.
Lemon Juice: Provides acidic brightness, freshly squeezed offers superior taste.
Parmesan Cheese: Offers salty, umami finish, choose freshly grated for best texture.
Tools to Prep Balsamic Skirt Steak with Red Pepper Relish
Mixing bowl: Essential for marinating steak and combining ingredients.
Grill: Primary cooking surface for peppers and steak, providing high heat and charring.
Cutting board: Needed for chopping peppers and slicing steak.
Sharp knife: Critical for peeling peppers, chopping ingredients, and slicing steak against the grain.
Vegetable peeler: Useful for creating zucchini shavings.
Tongs: Perfect for handling peppers and steak on the grill.
Measuring spoons: Helpful for precise seasoning and oil measurements.
How to Cook Balsamic Skirt Steak with Red Pepper Relish
Balsamic Skirt Steak Flavor Journey
Marinade Magic Infusing the skirt steak with a rich blend of balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and garlic creates an incredibly deep flavor profile. Allow the meat to soak up these delicious notes for about an hour in the refrigerator, then let it rest at room temperature for a relaxed 20 minutes.
Pepper Transformation Grill red bell peppers and Fresno peppers until they develop a beautiful charred exterior. The high heat will caramelize their natural sugars, creating an intense smoky sweetness. Remove Fresno peppers when tender and continue roasting bell peppers until perfectly soft.
Relish Creation After cooling, peel away the charred pepper skins and chop them into fine pieces. Mix with balsamic vinegar, honey, fresh herbs, and a touch of olive oil to create a vibrant and tangy relish that will complement the steak's rich flavor.
Zucchini Companion Prepare a light zucchini salad by shaving the vegetable and tossing with bright citrus notes from lemon and fresh herbs. Let the salad rest to allow flavors to meld together beautifully.
Steak Perfection Grill the marinated steak to your preferred doneness, allowing each side to develop a gorgeous caramelized crust. After cooking, let the meat rest before slicing against the grain to ensure maximum tenderness.
Elegant Presentation Arrange thinly sliced steak on a plate, crown it with the roasted pepper relish, and nestle the zucchini salad alongside. Finish with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese for an extra layer of deliciousness.
Tips to Elevate Balsamic Skirt Steak with Red Pepper Relish
Master this balsamic skirt steak with insider techniques that elevate your cooking game.
Let the steak absorb balsamic flavors by marinating longer, up to 4 hours, for deeper taste infusion and more tender meat.
Experiment with different pepper varieties like poblano or sweet banana peppers to create unique relish profiles that complement the steak's rich flavor.
Replace raw zucchini with grilled or roasted zucchini strips for a smoky dimension that adds complexity to the fresh salad.
Use a meat thermometer to check steak doneness – 125°F for medium-rare, 135°F for medium – ensuring perfectly cooked meat every single time.
Ways to Serve Balsamic Skirt Steak with Red Pepper Relish
Elegant Date Night Dinner: Transform this dish into a romantic meal by dimming lights, using fancy plates, and pairing with a bold red wine for an intimate dining experience.
Backyard Barbecue Feast: Create a casual outdoor gathering where friends can enjoy the vibrant skirt steak and zucchini salad, with the red pepper relish as a standout condiment.
Mediterranean-Inspired Platter: Arrange the sliced steak, zucchini salad, and red pepper relish on a large wooden board with olives, crusty bread, and additional parmesan for a shareable, rustic presentation.
Quick Weeknight Meal Prep: Pack leftover steak and zucchini salad in containers for a delicious next-day lunch, with the red pepper relish adding a burst of flavor to your midday meal.
Storing Balsamic Skirt Steak with Red Pepper Relish Safely
Fridge-Ready Flavor Stash: Store leftover steak and relish in separate airtight containers to maintain maximum taste and texture, keeping everything fresh for up to 3 days.
Quick Meal Prep Magic: Marinate and chop ingredients in advance during weekend cooking sessions, saving precious time during busy weeknights while ensuring delicious meals are always within reach.
Smart Leftover Transformation: Slice cold steak thinly for gourmet sandwiches, salad toppers, or quick wraps – turning yesterday's dinner into today's exciting lunch option with minimal effort.
Temperature Control Wisdom: Allow cooked steak to cool completely before refrigerating, preventing moisture buildup and maintaining optimal meat quality for future enjoyment.
Succulent balsamic skirt steak with red pepper relish brings Italian-inspired flavors to classic grilled meat. Bold marinades and tangy relish create a perfect balance of rich, smoky notes that promise a memorable dining experience.
Ingredients
Scale
1.5 lbs/680 g skirt steak
¼ cup/60 ml balsamic vinegar
¼ cup/60 ml olive oil
2 large cloves garlic, finely chopped
kosher salt
freshly cracked black pepper
2 red bell peppers
1 red fresno pepper
2 tbsps/30 ml balsamic vinegar
2 tbsps/30 ml olive oil
1 tbsp/15 ml honey
1 tbsp/15 ml chopped parsley
1 tbsp/15 ml chopped oregano
1.75 lbs/794 g zucchini, shaved with a peeler (seedy core discarded)
2 tbsps/30 ml olive oil
2 tsps/10 ml lemon zest
2 tbsps/30 ml lemon juice
1 tbsp/15 ml chopped parsley
½ cup/120 ml freshly grated parmesan cheese
flaky sea salt (optional)
Instructions
Marinate: Infuse skirt steak with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper. Rest in refrigerator for one hour, then allow to warm to room temperature.
Prepare Peppers: Char red bell peppers and Fresno pepper on high-heat grill. Remove Fresno when tender, continue roasting bell peppers until fully charred and softened.
Craft Relish: Peel and dice roasted peppers. Combine with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, parsley, and oregano. Season with salt and pepper, set aside to meld flavors.
Compose Zucchini Salad: Toss shaved zucchini with olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, and parsley. Let stand briefly, then season with salt and pepper.
Grill Steak: Clean and lightly oil grill grates. Cook marinated steak at medium-high heat for 3 minutes per side, achieving desired doneness.
Finish and Serve: Let steak rest for 5 minutes, then slice against the grain. Plate with vibrant pepper relish, accompany with zucchini salad, and sprinkle with freshly grated parmesan cheese.
Notes
Marinate for Maximum Flavor: Let the skirt steak soak in the balsamic mixture for a full hour to ensure deep, rich taste and tenderness.
Char Peppers Perfectly: Grill peppers until skin is completely blackened and blistered for maximum smoky flavor and easy skin removal.
Rest Meat Strategically: Always let the steak rest for 5 minutes after grilling to allow juices to redistribute, ensuring a juicier and more tender cut.
Slice Against the Grain: Cut the steak perpendicular to the muscle fibers to create the most tender and easy-to-chew slices possible.
Focus: Studying how food affects health, learning about balanced diets, and understanding the nutritional needs of different people.
South African Chefs Academy, Cape Town
Program: Professional Culinary Arts Diploma
Focus: Practical cooking skills, focusing on healthy meal preparation and understanding various cooking methods.
Sophie Martin is the nutrition brain and feel-good foodie at Good Tasting Meals. With a degree in Human Nutrition from Stellenbosch University and chef training from the South African Chefs Academy, Sophie brings balance to the table, literally. She loves creating meals that are easy to make, great to eat, and good for your body too.
Her recipes are made for everyday living, with a little flair and a lot of heart. Sophie’s not here to count calories, she’s here to show you how fresh, simple food can fit into your life, taste amazing, and still be nourishing.
Sophie Martin
Co-Founder & Content Creator
Expertise
Education
Stellenbosch University, South Africa
South African Chefs Academy, Cape Town
Sophie Martin is the nutrition brain and feel-good foodie at Good Tasting Meals. With a degree in Human Nutrition from Stellenbosch University and chef training from the South African Chefs Academy, Sophie brings balance to the table, literally. She loves creating meals that are easy to make, great to eat, and good for your body too.
Her recipes are made for everyday living, with a little flair and a lot of heart. Sophie’s not here to count calories, she’s here to show you how fresh, simple food can fit into your life, taste amazing, and still be nourishing.