30-Minute Smoky Chipotle Steak
Marinated skirt steak with smoky chipotle adobo, garlic, and lime, seared on a griddle until caramelized. Topped with compound chipotle butter infused with cilantro. The steak is sliced against the grain and finished with a pat of butter and lime wedge for bright acidity that cuts through the rich, spiced crust.
Ingredients
- 1 2-3 pound skirt steak, wholeflank steak or ribeye1:1protein
adjust cook time for thickness
- 1 8-ounce can chipotle peppers in adobo, divided in halfsmoked paprika + red chili powder0.5 teaspoon each per 3 peppersspice
reduces smoke depth
- 4 clove garlic, minced, divided (2+2)
- 2 teaspoon olive oil
- lime juice, from 2 limes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 8 tablespoon salted butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- 1
Combine steak, half the chipotle peppers with adobo sauce, half the minced garlic, olive oil, lime juice, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- 2
Cover and marinate at least 4 hours or overnight.
- 3
Mince remaining chipotle peppers and combine with remaining minced garlic.
- 4
Mix chipotle-garlic mixture into softened butter with cilantro until combined.
- 5
Wrap butter in plastic wrap and form into a log, then refrigerate until solid.
- 6
Preheat griddle or grill over high heat.
- 7
Sear steak for 5-6 minutes, flip, and cook to desired internal temperature.
- 8
Slice steak against the grain into thin slices.
- 9
Top with chipotle butter slices and garnish with lime before serving.
Tips
Slice against the grain for maximum tenderness.
Chipotle butter can be made 1-2 days ahead and stored wrapped in the refrigerator.
Good to Know
Leftover steak keeps 3-4 days refrigerated. Chipotle butter freezes up to 1 month wrapped tightly.
Marinate steak up to 24 hours. Make chipotle butter 1-2 days ahead.
Slice hot steak, top with butter, garnish with lime wedges. Serve immediately.
Common Mistakes
Do not skip the grain direction when slicing—cutting with the grain yields chewy results.
Do not under-marinate—less than 4 hours limits chipotle flavor penetration.
Substitutions
adjust cook time for thickness
reduces smoke depth