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Garlic and Black Pepper Beef Skewers Recipe

5 from 145 reviews

These Garlic and Black Pepper Beef Skewers feature thin strips of marinated skirt steak, bursting with aromatic garlic, ginger, curry powder, and fresh cracked black pepper. Quickly broiled to achieve a delicious caramelized char, they are perfect served with rice, fresh cilantro, and a zesty drizzle of lime juice and fish sauce. This flavorful and easy-to-make dish pairs perfectly with light salads or steamed veggies for a satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Beef Marinade

  • 1.5 lbs skirt steak, cut against the grain into very thin strips
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon garlic paste
  • 1 tablespoon ginger paste
  • 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon curry powder
  • Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

Toppings and Serving

  • Fish sauce, for drizzling
  • Lime juice, for drizzling
  • Chili crisp, optional, for topping
  • Cilantro, fresh, for garnish

Sides (optional)

  • Rice
  • Broccoli, bagged salad, or quick cucumber salad (see notes)

Instructions

  1. Prep: Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 15 minutes to prevent burning during cooking. Meanwhile, cut the skirt steak against the grain into very thin strips to ensure tenderness.
  2. Marinate the Beef: In a mixing bowl, combine the beef strips with soy sauce, garlic paste, ginger paste, kosher salt, granulated sugar, curry powder, and a generous amount of freshly cracked black pepper. If time allows, marinate for 30-45 minutes to deepen flavor, but a minimum of 5-10 minutes will still yield tasty results.
  3. Skewer the Beef: Thread the marinated beef strips onto the soaked skewers, scrunching the meat tightly onto each skewer. Arrange the prepared skewers on a parchment-lined baking sheet and sprinkle more freshly cracked black pepper on top for extra spice and aroma.
  4. Broil the Skewers: Position an oven rack approximately 4-6 inches below the broiler element and preheat the broiler to high heat. Place the baking sheet in the oven and broil the skewers for about 6 minutes, or until the beef develops a caramelized, golden crust. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
  5. Serve: Remove the skewers from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes. Brush the tops with any collected pan juices, then drizzle with fresh lime juice and fish sauce to brighten the flavors. Garnish with fresh cilantro and, if desired, a spoonful of chili crisp. Serve alongside rice and your choice of sides such as steamed broccoli, a simple bagged salad, or a quick cucumber salad for a complete, finger-licking meal.

Notes

  • For quicker salads, a refreshing cucumber salad complements the skewers beautifully—thinly slice cucumbers and toss with rice vinegar, sugar, and a pinch of salt.
  • If you do not have wooden skewers, metal skewers can be used instead but no soaking is needed.
  • Alternatively, these skewers can be cooked on a hot grill or under a grill pan on stovetop for similar caramelization.
  • Ensure to slice the beef very thinly to maximize tenderness and ease of skewering.

Keywords: beef skewers, garlic beef, black pepper beef, broiled beef skewers, quick Asian recipe, curry powder beef, lime beef skewers