Grilled steak pinwheels are a delicious gourmet twist on steak. This steak is prepared using skirt steak, cheese, spinach, and spices. The skirt steak serves as the base and accommodates all the delicious toppings. Afterward, the skirt steak is rolled up and tied before getting put on a grill. It seems quite straightforward, right?
I learned this delicious grilled steak pinwheels recipe while in culinary school, and I’ve been preparing it for my family ever since. This dish is amazingly quick to prepare. The total preparation and cooking time is generally under an hour, so you can prepare this tasty skirt steak if you’re in a rush. Let’s look at a more detailed guide so you can start making this dish.
Grilled steak pinwheels are surprisingly easy to make. The entire cooking process takes roughly 45 minutes, and it is the ideal dish for dinners and cookouts. Here’s how to prepare this delicious steak:
The first step is to slice the thick skirt steak down the middle, then spread it to create a wider and thinner meat cut. Slicing the skirt steak ensures the pinwheels are balanced and cook evenly. The steak pinwheels may fall apart if the steak is too thick, which will make rolling them more challenging.
After slicing the steak down the middle, place a sheet of plastic wrap on top and use a meat tenderizer to pound the steak. Ensure that you flatten the meat until it is half an inch thick. Additionally, be certain that the entire steak has been pounded to a uniform thickness, so the pinwheels will be easy to roll. Afterward, sprinkle kosher salt, black pepper, and crushed garlic on the meat.
I used Boursin cheese, slices of provolone cheese, shredded parmesan, baby spinach, and a little bit of garlic for this recipe.
Here, Boursin cheese will be the first layer. Spread a thin layer of Boursin cheese over the top of the skirt steak. To ensure that you get a bit of cheese with each bite, try spreading it all the way to the edges. Lay down your baby spinach next, add some provolone cheese, and top it off with some shredded parmesan. Ensure you keep each layer fairly even as you pack your pinwheels with these condiments.
Now, roll up the skirt steak into pinwheels and tie them together. Grab the longer end of the steak and roll it to the other end. Make sure you roll it tightly so the ingredients remain intact. Once you’ve rolled the steak, tie it off every two inches with a piece of butcher’s twine. Make sure you tie the steak properly so it does not loosen on the grill.
Now, it’s time to put the steak pinwheel in the freezer for 20 minutes. Even though this step isn’t compulsory, it’s best to do it. That said, if you’re pressed for time, you can skip this step. Freezing keeps the meat firm and ensures the toppings stay together. This makes slicing the pinwheels much easier and reduces the risk of the steak falling apart.
Start preheating your grill while the steak pinwheel is cooling in the freezer. I used a Traeger pellet grill for this recipe, but you can also produce delicious results with a gas or charcoal grill. I recommend setting your grill at a medium to high heat of 350 °F. You’ll need the grill grates to be hot and sizzling, so make sure you preheat the grill for roughly 10 minutes.
Once the steak has cooled in the freezer for 20 minutes, take it out and place it on a cutting board. Then, use a sharp knife to cut the roll of steak into pinwheels.
To ensure that each steak pinwheel stays connected, cut the meat between the parts tied with the butcher’s twine to ensure that the pinwheel stays together. This way, the roll will stay intact as you grill the meat. You can also use wooden skewers to better secure the pinwheels.
All that’s left to do is grill the skirt steaks for 5 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature hits 135°F, depending on how you prefer your meat cooked. I particularly love cooking the steak pinwheels medium-rare because of how juicy it gets.
Once your tasty steak pinwheels are done cooking, take them off the grill and set them aside on the cutting board to rest for 10 minutes. Resting the meat will allow all its tasty juices to recirculate, releasing a more delicious bite.
Skirt steaks can be prepared in different ways. That said, regardless of the cooking technique you use, you must ensure you cook the meat properly. The goal is to cook the meat at a consistent temperature. The perfect steak pinwheel should be tender with a delicious, caramelized exterior.
One of the ways you can cook steak pinwheels is on a stove. First, make sure you pick a cast-iron pan that properly retains heat. However, note that your steak pinwheels may not be as tender as you like on the stove.
Due to this, searing both sides of the skirt steaks in a cast-iron skillet and then finishing them in the oven is the best way to get a crispy exterior and tender interior. Let’s look at a step-by-step guide for preparing the pinwheels using the stove and oven technique. We’ll be using the same ingredients and preparation steps mentioned above for this recipe. So, skip steps 1 to 4.
You can refrigerate your leftover steak pinwheels for three to five days in the refrigerator and up to four months in the freezer. Simply place the meat in an airtight container and place it in the coolest part of your fridge or freezer. An extra tip is to wrap the steak in plastic wrap. Wrapping in plastic wrap further protects the steak from moisture.
Reheating pinwheels can be challenging because the skirt steak tends to fall apart during the warming process. For this reason, I recommend reheating the steak in an oven at 300 degrees for 5 to 10 minutes.
This way, the pinwheel will stay intact during the process. You can also reheat the skirt steak in a skillet on low heat for 5 minutes on each side. Make sure you flip the steak carefully so it doesn’t fall apart.
Skirt steak is cut from the plate section of the cow. This long and flat cut is located below the prime rib of the steer and is renowned for its strong flavors. Skirt steaks are generally affordable, and you can find it in your local grocery store.
However, this meat can become really tough if cooked incorrectly. For this reason, it’s best to cook the skirt steak the right way. In my experience, the best way to cook skirt steak is probably on the grill, but other delicious options include broiling it in the oven, pan-searing it in a skillet, or even using an instant pot.
Even though the recipe we’ve just discussed is incredibly delicious, there are several tasty variations to this skirt steak recipe. Let’s look at four popular recipe variations.
You can fill steak grilled steak pinwheels with crispy bacon, provolone cheese, and spinach. The steak is then firmly rolled up and baked in the oven at 350 degrees until it is tender and golden. This recipe is perfect for meat lovers searching for a tasty, filling meal.
You can also add roasted bell peppers, onions, and garlic to the layers of parmesan and provolone cheese on your steak for a more savory taste. If you love some spiciness and fresh flavors, this recipe variation is for you.
You can also use flank steak to make pinwheels. The robust flavor from the flank steak combined with the flavor from condiments and a BBQ rub produces a mouthwatering dish anyone can enjoy. So, you don’t always have to use skirt steaks for pinwheels, flank steaks also come out delicious.
Of course! Reverse searing adds a smoky flavor, and when the flank steak is seared again, it gets that lovely browning, and the proteins are caramelized for an incredible flavor. This method also allows the flank steak to cook more evenly than just searing it. Use the reverse sear technique, also known as smoking and searing, to get the best of both worlds.
Because they are tiny and delicate bits of meat, steak pinwheels can easily be burned. If they have burned edges, they will probably be dry and tough.
Make sure you properly oil the cooking surface to prevent the pinwheels from sticking to it and burning. Not only will this prevent the meat from burning, but it will also produce a beautiful caramelized exterior. Don’t forget to apply BBQ rub for more flavor. Moreover, ensure you flip the steak pinwheels once they’re done on one side and allow them to sit for 10 minutes once they’re done cooking.
The pinwheel steak is packed with a tasty condiment, and the crispy crust balances out the savory filling while offering a delicious tingle to your taste buds. This skirt steak pinwheel recipe will amaze your family and guests. Moreover, this dish can be prepared quickly, and you can always add different toppings and condiments based on your preference. So go ahead and try this recipe. You won’t regret it!
