7 Perfect Skirt Steak Substitutes
A skirt steak substitute could be flank steak when making tacos or fajitas. If you want to grill the meat, then hanger steak will be the best choice when it comes to substitutes for skirt steak. There are many other options listed in this post so let’s get into it!
Skirt steak is a cut that comes from the lower part of the cow’s diaphragm muscles. The skirt steak is rich in fat and flavor, but it can be tough when cooked, so it is advised that you either marinate it for several hours or replace it with more tender meat cuts.
Other options include beef tenderloin, flap steak, flat iron steak, etc. To learn more about skirt steak substitutes, keep reading this article!
Table of Contents
Skirt Steak Substitute
1. Flank steak
The most common substitute for skirt steak. Its flavor, texture, and appearance are the most similar to skirt steaks. However, flank steak has less fat than skirt steak, and it is thicker with a broader cut. It is usually less tough than skirt steak.
2. Flap steak
Unlike skirt steak, flap steak is cut from the cow’s bottom parts. It is less expensive but more tender than skirt steak. It’s a perfect choice for pan-fried or grilled meat dishes.
3. Hanger steak
Also referred to as butcher’s steak or also known as hanging tenderloin. It is one of the most tender meat cuts but also full of flavor and comes with a coarse texture.
4. Ribeye steak
Cut from ribcage muscles, this is one of the most popular cuts. With a delectable texture and beautiful flavor, it makes no wonder that there is so much demand for this steak!
5. Flat iron steak
Flat iron steaks are cut from cows’ shoulders or chuck, and they are similar to skirt steaks when it comes to size and fat content. However, this cut is more marbled, tender, and beefy than the skirt steak.
6. Beef tenderloin
The most tender cut. It is delicate and juicy, with a rich buttery flavor. It is a perfect choice for when you need soft meat for your recipe.
7. Strip loin steak
Another cut with a tender texture. Strip loin steaks include more tender meat than the tenderloin steak because of the concentration of muscles in the surrounding regions of the cow’s body.
Skirt Steak Substitute For Tacos
If you want to enjoy delicious tacos, you certainly don’t want to chew the meat that’s too tough. Instead, you want tender meat full of flavor. Skirt steak is indeed full of flavor but sometimes can be tough to chew.
When you are looking for a skirt steak substitute for tacos, you have several options: flap steak, thinly sliced beef tenderloin, or thinly sliced short loin steak (strip loin steak). Flank steak is also a great option. You just need to slice it thinly.
Skirt Steak Substitute Canada
In Canada, skirt steak is usually substituted with a sirloin tip side steak. It is a lean meat cut and comes without a bone. It has a loose grain, which makes him go well with marinades, tacos, fajitas…
Skirt Steak Substitute For Fajitas
Although skirt steak is the best choice for making fajitas, you can substitute it with rump or flank steak. Flank steak is leaner, and it is better if you cook it medium-rare. Rump steak is also a tasty, lean, and relatively tender cut of meat that is best enjoyed when cooked medium-rare.
Skirt Steak Substitute UK
The best substitute for skirt steak in the UK is flank steak, and some people don’t even consider skirt and flank steak to be different cuts of meat.
Skirt Steak Substitute Australia
Australians use flank steak, flat iron steak, or hanger steak as substitutes for skirt steak. All three steaks are lean and quite tender, which makes them great skirt steak alternatives.
Skirt Steak Replacement
Apart from the already mentioned flank, flap, flat iron, and other steaks that can replace skirt steak, you should try a Denver steak. Denver steak, similar to flat iron steak, comes from the beef chuck, and it’s quite tender. A bit thicker than skirt steak, it will require you to slightly adjust cooking times. It is the best when cooked rare to medium-rare.
If you want to replace skirt steak with non-beef meat, chicken breast is your best choice. It is lean and full of flavor, but be aware that you need to cook it well done.
Vegetarians and vegans often replace skirt steaks with tofu because of tofu’s high protein content. Another option is portobello mushrooms because they are meaty with a strong, umami flavor.
Skirt Steak Alternative Name
Skirt steak has several alternative names, mostly used outside the US. Romanian tenderloin, Romanian steak, Philadelphia steak, Arrachera, etc. In some supermarkets, both flank and skirt steaks are called flank steaks.
Skirt Steak Alternative NZ
In New Zealand, skirt steak is often replaced with flank steak, as well as with some other cuts, such as tri-tip steak, flat iron steak, and even a prime rib or ribeye steak.
What Is A Substitute For Flank Or Skirt Steak?
Hanger steak is not only budget-friendly, but it is also full of rich flavor with a bit of coarse texture. It has a nice amount of marbling, which means that this steak is juicy and tender. This steak is underrated, and very often, it is used for ground beef.
Can I Substitute Sirloin For Skirt Steak?
You can use sirloin as a substitute for skirt steak and vice versa. Sirloin is more tender and better for grilling, but skirt steak is an equally tasty option.
Summary
Now you know which cuts you can use as a skirt steak substitute. The most popular substitute is flank steak, but you can also use flap steak, hanger steak, flat iron steak, beef tenderloin, and strip loin steak. There are also non-beef alternatives and even vegan substitutes for skirt steaks. Which one should you choose? It depends on your preferences, and hopefully, this article helped you decide!
