Out of Skirt steak, one case
Guide to skirt steak substitutes
6 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Flank steak
Same amount as the skirt steak
The best substitutes for skirt steak are flank steak (1:1 ratio), hanger steak (1:1 ratio), flat iron steak (1:1 ratio), and sirloin steak (1:1 ratio). For tacos and fajitas, flank steak is the most traditional choice. For carne asada, both flank and skirt steak work equally well.
- The tweak —
- Marinate and cook quickly over high heat. Slice thinly against the grain.
- Best for —
- tacos
One casethe full skirt steak card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of skirt steak |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Flank steaktacos | Same amount |
| 2 | Hanger steakgrilling | Same amount |
| 3 | Flat iron steakgrilling | Same amount |
| 4 | Sirloin steakgrilling | Same amount |
| 5 | Chuck steakbudget cooking | Same amount |
| 6 | Ribeye steakpremium dishes | Same amount |
Flank steak
intense beefy, very similar
The most traditional substitute for skirt steak with similar texture and flavor profile. Good for tacos, fajitas, and carne asada.
- Best for
- tacos, fajitas, carne asada, grilling, stir-fries, marinated dishes
- Texture
- coarse grain, similar
- Prep
- Marinate and cook quickly over high heat. Slice thinly against the grain.
Slightly thicker than skirt steak but very similar in flavor and texture. Most widely available substitute.
Hanger steak
intense beefy, similar
Premium substitute with similar flavor but more tender texture. Excellent for grilling and pan-searing.
- Best for
- grilling, pan-searing, marinating, when you want tender texture, premium dishes
- Texture
- tender, fine grain
- Prep
- Cook quickly over high heat. More tender than skirt steak.
More tender than skirt steak but similar flavor. May be more expensive and harder to find.
Flat iron steak
good beefy flavor
Tender cut with good beefy flavor, more tender than skirt steak but similar cooking properties.
- Best for
- grilling, pan-searing, marinating, when you want tenderness, quick cooking
- Texture
- tender, fine grain
- Prep
- Cook quickly over high heat. More tender than skirt steak.
More tender than skirt steak, good marbling, cooks quickly. Good alternative when available.
Sirloin steak
good beefy flavor, less intense
Lean cut with good beefy flavor, more tender than skirt steak but may lack the intense flavor.
- Best for
- grilling, pan-searing, stir-fries, marinating, quick cooking
- Texture
- tender, fine grain
- Prep
- May need more seasoning to match skirt steak flavor.
More tender than skirt steak but leaner. Good for grilling and marinating. May need more seasoning.
Chuck steak
good beefy flavor
Budget-friendly option with good flavor but requires longer cooking or marinating for tenderness.
- Best for
- budget cooking, slow cooking, marinated dishes, when other cuts unavailable
- Texture
- tougher, requires tenderizing
- Prep
- Marinate longer (2-4 hours) or use slower cooking methods. Slice very thinly against the grain.
More affordable but tougher. Requires longer marinating or slower cooking methods.
Ribeye steak
rich, well-marbled
Premium option with excellent marbling and tenderness, more expensive but very flavorful.
- Best for
- premium dishes, grilling, pan-searing, when you want marbling, special occasions
- Texture
- tender, fine grain
- Prep
- Cook quickly over high heat. More expensive option.
More expensive than skirt steak but very tender and flavorful. Good marbling.
How it behaves in this recipe
Skirt steak is a popular cut for tacos, fajitas, and carne asada, but it can be hard to find or expensive. Flank steak is the most traditional substitute with very similar texture and flavor. Other good options include hanger steak, flat iron steak, and sirloin steak depending on availability and budget.
Tips for substituting skirt steak
12 tips- For tacos: Flank steak is the most traditional choice, slice thinly against the grain
- For fajitas: Both flank and skirt steak work well, marinate for at least 30 minutes
- For carne asada: Use flank steak or skirt steak, both are traditional choices
- For grilling: Any substitute works, but flank steak is most similar to skirt steak
- For marinating: All substitutes work well, but flank steak holds marinades best
- For stir-fries: Flank steak or sirloin work well, slice thinly against the grain
- For budget cooking: Chuck steak works but requires longer marinating
- For premium dishes: Hanger steak or ribeye work well but are more expensive
- Always slice against the grain for maximum tenderness
- Cook quickly over high heat to avoid toughness
- Let meat rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing
- Bring meat to room temperature before cooking for even cooking
Notes on skirt steak
- For tacos: Flank steak is the most traditional choice, slice thinly against the grain
- For fajitas: Both flank and skirt steak work well, marinate for at least 30 minutes
- For carne asada: Use flank steak or skirt steak, both are traditional choices
- For grilling: Any substitute works, but flank steak is most similar to skirt steak
- For marinating: All substitutes work well, but flank steak holds marinades best
- For stir-fries: Flank steak or sirloin work well, slice thinly against the grain
- For budget cooking: Chuck steak works but requires longer marinating
- For premium dishes: Hanger steak or ribeye work well but are more expensive
Questions
10 questionsWhat is the best substitute for skirt steak?
Flank steak is the best substitute for skirt steak because it has the most similar texture, flavor, and cooking properties. Use a 1:1 ratio and cook it the same way as skirt steak.
Can you substitute flank steak for skirt steak?
Yes, flank steak is an excellent substitute for skirt steak. They have very similar texture and flavor profiles. Use a 1:1 ratio and cook flank steak the same way you would cook skirt steak.
What can I substitute for skirt steak in tacos?
For tacos, flank steak is the most traditional substitute for skirt steak. Other good options include hanger steak, flat iron steak, or sirloin steak. Slice thinly against the grain for the best texture.
What can I substitute for skirt steak in fajitas?
For fajitas, flank steak is the most traditional substitute for skirt steak. Both cuts work well for fajitas because they have similar texture and flavor. Marinate for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
What can I substitute for skirt steak in carne asada?
For carne asada, both flank steak and skirt steak are traditional choices. You can use either one interchangeably. Other good options include hanger steak or flat iron steak. Marinate with citrus and spices before grilling.
Can I substitute flat iron steak for skirt steak?
Yes, flat iron steak can substitute for skirt steak. It's more tender than skirt steak but has good beefy flavor. Use a 1:1 ratio and cook quickly over high heat.
What's a good substitute for skirt steak in Canada?
In Canada, flank steak is the most readily available substitute for skirt steak. Other options include sirloin steak, flat iron steak, or hanger steak if available. Check with your local butcher for the best options.
What's a good substitute for skirt steak in Australia?
In Australia, flank steak is the most common substitute for skirt steak. Other options include sirloin steak, flat iron steak, or hanger steak. Ask your butcher for the best available cuts.
What's a cheap substitute for skirt steak?
Chuck steak is the cheapest substitute for skirt steak, but it's tougher and requires longer marinating or slower cooking methods. Flank steak is usually the best balance of price and quality.
Can I substitute flank steak for skirt steak in fajitas?
Yes, flank steak is actually the most traditional choice for fajitas and works well as a substitute for skirt steak. Use a 1:1 ratio and marinate for at least 30 minutes before cooking.