I’ll say this: if you like skirt steak and you like pesto, you are going to LOVE this pesto skirt steak air fryer recipe! The fact that I am posting a 2-ingredient recipe, though, is just a little embarrassing but every time I make it and share on Instagram, I become bombarded with questions! So I figured it’s about time that the recipe lives on the blog and can be shared with others easily!
I honestly can’t remember where this skirt steak air fryer recipe originated from because I’ve been making it so long. But I semi recall wanting to make skirt steak but was sick of the typical steak rubs. I had pesto in my refrigerator and the rest is history. Not only is it freaking delicious, but it is a huge crowd pleaser with my husband AND kids! It’s also a recipe I’d make if I’m having a family dinner party or friends over for shabbat on a Friday day night. Why? Because it’s wildly simple and I know everyone is going to love it! It’s truly a 10/10 meal!
Cooking skirt steak in the Air fryer
I started cooking my skirt steak in the air fryer about 7 years ago and I will never go back to cooking it any other way. I do like grilling steak but that’s not always feasible in the winter months in Chicago nor where most of us live. That’s not to say that it can’t be done in the grill or oven, because if you don’t have an air fryer, both of those options makes a great cooking substitute, but it’s my favorite in the air fryer. You see, the air fryer cooks food by blowing intensely hot air down and around it. This is an ideal way to make juicy, tender steak with a delicious outer crisp to it as well. It’s as delicious as it sounds!!
Why skirt steak?
Skirt steak is for sure my most favorite cut of steak. I love that it’s typically thinly cut with not much fat to it. It’s super tender and can be made a million different ways! I also find it to be extremely flavorful, too! I don’t find it to be a chewy cut of beef, which is great because that can turn a lot of people off. With that said, you have to know how to cook it so it doesn’t get tough, but when you get it right – you will feel like you are eating a true restaurant quality meal!
use your favorite kind of pesto
Literally any brand of pesto works in this recipe so I am going to go ahead and tell you to choose your favorite! I have tried a ton of different ones and I always come back to using the varieties at Trader Joe’s. They are not super expensive and they are yummy, to boot!
What to serve with pesto skirt steak
Fries are definitely my favorite side to serve this pesto skirt steak recipe with, however, you might want to serve it with potatoes and a veggie too. YUM!
Reheating the skirt steak
I loveee leftover skirt steak! But I’m going to let you in on a little secret – I love my leftover skirt steak cold! If you would prefer to heat it up, however, that’s great too! Just reheat it in a preheated air fryer on 350 degrees F for 5-7 minutes. As ovens do, air fryers vary in their temperature settings too. I would say to watch it and check it often! You can also always microwave it to heat it up and that should work great too. I would do 1-2 minutes covered in the microwave.
Repurpose your leftovers
Of course you can eat your leftover skirt steak air fryer recipe as is the next night, but there are also many other ways to eat it as well. Like, in your breakfast burrito, in a pita, as a sandwich, as a meat topping on your lunch or dinner salad, in tacos, and more! The ideas are endless here!!!
Take a look at the recipe below!!
This Air Fryer Easy 2-Ingredient Pesto Skirt Steak Recipe Tastes Restaurant Quality
Equipment
- air fryer
Ingredients
Main
- 4 8 oz cuts skirt steak I try to buy the leanest quality skirt steak I can find
- 1 jar or container pesto Any brand works! Use your fave! I like any of the ones at Trader Joe's.
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees
- Dry your steak with paper towels. Then season with salt on both sides.
- Spread a layer {not super thick but not too thin either} of pesto along the top of each of the steak cuts.
- If you have an air fryer with the basket: you might have to cut the 8 oz pieces even smaller. I suggest using kitchen shears for this and following the grain of the meat. Lay the cuts in the basket and make sure to not overlap them. You also might have to cook in batches depending on how big your basket is.
- If you have an air fryer with the trays: You should be able to fit all 4 pieces of the skirt steak on the tray {without any overlaps} to cook in the air fryer at once. If you have to cut the pieces smaller, that is okay! I suggest using kitchen shears for this and following the grain of the meat. If you have to cook them in batches, you can do that too!
- Cook time will depend on your preference for cooked beef and how thick the skirt steak is. I would air fry it for 10 minutes and check it. I like mine well done so I normally cook it from anywhere from 17-22 minutes. DO NOT FLIP IT!
- ENJOY!!!!!
If you make this recipe…
Let me know on socials!! Take a pic and post to your stories on Instagram, tagging me @danaivy! It’s my favorite thing ever when you mamas make my recipe creations and then share the love with the world!!!
Other Quick Recipes to Try
I have tons of really easy and simple dinner recipes on the blog! Some of my favorites are my Boneless Sticky Chicken Thighs, my 4-Ingredient Goulash, which was the first recipe I ever learned to make and is my absolute fave, as well as my 3-Ingredient Garlic Dill Salmon. If you’re looking for another air fryer recipe that the whole family will love, make these 3-Ingredient Pesto Provolone Chicken Roll-Ups stat!!
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