You’ve never had a steak like this! A savory herbed butter marinade makes this Garlic Butter Steak melt in your mouth. Find tips for making the best NY Strip steak. I am so, so thrilled to be sharing this garlic butter steak recipe with you today…
You’ve never had a steak like this! A savory herbed butter marinade makes this Garlic Butter Steak melt in your mouth. Find tips for making the best NY Strip steak. I am so, so thrilled to be sharing this garlic butter steak recipe with you today. A few years ago I set out to successfully…
Dinnertime just got a whole lot easier! With this premade meal plan take the stress out of meal time. Save time and money while being inspired to try new recipes!
Dinnertime just got a whole lot easier! With this premade meal plan take the stress out of meal time. Save time and money while being inspired to try new recipes!
If you’re looking for a mouthwatering dinner with amazing flavor that’s super fun to make, you’ve hit the jackpot with these Chimichurri Steak Pinwheels. This recipe takes a classic cowboy favorite and gives it a fresh twist with prosciutto and a vibrant chimichurri sauce. So, for your next special dinner, fire up that grill because it’s time to impress your friends and taste buds!
Why You’ll Love Chimichurri Steak Pinwheels
Chimichurri Steak Pinwheels are not only a showstopper for your special occasions but also incredibly easy to prepare. The combination of tender skirt steak, creamy Swiss cheese, savory prosciutto, and a flavorful chimichurri sauce is an epic combo. Plus, you can use flap or flank steak if that’s what you have on hand, but trust me, skirt steak is the best way to go. When grilled to perfection, these pinwheels are juicy, flavorful, and bound to be the star of your meal!
This easy recipe starts with the freshest ingredients, which are easily found at your local grocery store.
Steak – Grab some whole skirt steaks, Swiss cheese slices, prosciutto slices, chopped parsley, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and oil.
Chimichurri – This zesty sauce comes together with some fresh parsley, red wine vinegar, fresh garlic, red chili flakes, olive oil, and then some salt.
How to Source the Best Prosciutto
If you want to score some seriously good prosciutto, look for “Prosciutto di Parma” or “Prosciutto di San Daniele.” These labels mean it’s the real deal straight from Italy, using traditional methods to get that next-level flavor.
You’ll want a deep red color with just a bit of fat and a texture that’s firm but melts in your mouth. For peak flavor, aim for prosciutto aged 18-24 months. Hit up your fave specialty markets or delis that slice it fresh for max freshness.
Pro tip: ask for a sample so you can taste that rich, buttery goodness before you buy! To source top-quality prosciutto online, start by checking out Eataly, a renowned Italian marketplace that offers authentic Prosciutto di Parma.
Now, let’s make our killer steak pinwheels the best way I know how on the FYR Grill, my new secret weapon for making the best food in my backyard.
The Prep
For starters, lay the skirt steak on a large and sturdy cutting board. Then, cover it with parchment paper, plastic wrap, or aluminum foil. Take your heavy-duty meat mallet and hammer that steak until it’s less than ½” thick. This step is key to making it tender—trust me, your future self will thank you for this!
Next up, add a luscious layer of Swiss cheese on top, followed by thin strips of prosciutto and then a generous sprinkling of chopped parsley.
Next, for the steak pinwheels, carefully roll the meat lengthwise. Secure the roll with butcher twine—two strings will do the trick—and slice between them to create two separate pinwheels.
Time to get those pinwheels ready for the grill! Slather them with oil on the outside and generously season with kosher salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Repeat the process with your remaining skirt steak.
Grilling Time
Preheat your grill for a two-zone high heat setup—aiming for around 400 degrees F is perfect for these steak pinwheels. Place your pinwheels on the hot side of the grill and sear each side for about 1-2 minutes or until they develop a nice crust. This sear is where the magic happens, giving your steak that incredible flavor and texture.
Once they’re beautifully seared, move the pinwheels over to the cooler side of the grill to cook until they reach an internal temperature of 125 degrees F—this should take about 10-15 minutes more. Once they’re done, next pull them off and let them rest for 10 minutes. This is crucial because letting your steak rest allows the muscle fibers to relax and retain those delicious juices.
Chimichurri Sauce
While your steak is resting, let’s whip up that chimichurri sauce! In a small bowl, mix together all the fresh ingredients to your desired consistency, and then salt to taste. This flavorful chimichurri sauce will elevate your pinwheels to a whole new level.
Once your pinwheels are ready, slice them up with a sharp knife, top with chimichurri, and serve. Cheers! I promise that you’re gonna love every bite. Happy grilling!
What to Serve with Chimichurri Steak Pinwheels
These Chimichurri Steak Pinwheels pair perfectly with grilled veggies, a fresh salad, or even some creamy mashed potatoes. And don’t forget about a nice glass of red wine to complement the meal!
Leftovers and Reheating
If you happen to have any steak pinwheels left (though I doubt it!), store them in an airtight container in the fridge. Store steak pinwheels in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, wrap them in aluminum foil and pop them back on the grill over medium heat for about 10-15 minutes until heated through. This will keep them juicy and prevent drying out!
What’s the Difference Between Flank Steak and Skirt Steak?
Flank steak comes from the abdominal muscles and is wider and thicker, while skirt steak is cut from the diaphragm area and is thinner with more fat. Flank steak is leaner and has a more pronounced grain, making it great for marinating, while skirt steak offers a richer flavor. Both are best cooked quickly over high heat and should be sliced against the grain for tenderness.
How Do I Prevent My Pinwheels from Getting Too Well-Done?
To prevent your steak pinwheels from becoming overcooked, use a meat thermometer to monitor the internal temperature. Aim for 125 degrees F for medium-rare; anything above that can result in tougher meat. Keeping a close eye on the temperature will help ensure they stay tender and juicy.
Can I make chimichurri in advance?
Yes! You can prepare the chimichurri sauce ahead of time for your steak pinwheels and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Just give it a good stir before serving to mix the flavors back together.
Get stoked for life
This sauce is FYR!
an all-new line created for live fire cooking
Born from a deep passion for food and flavor. Whether you’re grilling in the backyard or live fire cooking around the world, we have what you need to transform every meal into an adventure.
Chimichurri Steak Pinwheels feature tender steak, prosciutto, melty Swiss cheese, parsley, and my favorite Argentinian-inspired sauce.
Course Appetizer, Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine American, Argentinian
Prep Time 30 minutesminutes
Cook Time 20 minutesminutes
Total Time 50 minutesminutes
Servings 4people
Calories 558kcal
Author Derek Wolf
Ingredients
Steak:
2Whole Skirt Steaks
10-12Swiss Cheese Slices
10-12Prosciutto Slices
1.5cupsChopped Parsley
2tbspKosher Salt
2tbspBlack Pepper
2tbspGarlic Powder
Oilas needed
Chimichurri:
1cupParsley chopped
¼cupRed Wine Vinegar
4-6Garlic Cloves minced
1tbspRed Chili Flakes
Olive Oil to desired consistency
Salt to taste
Instructions
Lay your steak out on a cutting board and cover it with parchment paper or plastic wrap. Using a heavy mallet or food mallet, hammer the skirt steak until it is less than ½” thick.
Next, add a layer of sliced cheese followed by prosciutto and chopped parsley.
Carefully roll the skirt steak up lengthwise to create the pinwheel. Secure the roll with two strings of butcher twine and slice between them to make two separate pinwheels.
Slather with oil on the outside and generously season with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Repeat this with the rest of the skirt steak for all of the pinwheels.
Preheat your grill for a two zone high heat temperature (around 400F).
Add your pinwheels to the hot side of the grill to sear each side for 1 minute per side or until they have developed a nice crust.
Once they have a nice crust on the outside, pull the pinwheels over to the cool side of the grill to cook until they reach 125F internal (about 10-15 minutes more). When the steaks are done, pull them off and let rest for 10 minutes.
In a bowl, mix together all the ingredients for the Chimichurri. Set to the side.
Top each of your steaks with some of the Chimichurri, slice, serve and enjoy!
Notes
How to Source the Best Prosciutto
If you want to score some seriously good prosciutto, look for “Prosciutto di Parma” or “Prosciutto di San Daniele.” These labels mean it’s the real deal straight from Italy, using traditional methods to get that next-level flavor.You’ll want a deep red color with just a bit of fat and a texture that’s firm but melts in your mouth. For peak flavor, aim for prosciutto aged 18-24 months. Hit up your fave specialty markets or delis that slice it fresh for max freshness.Pro tip: ask for a sample so you can taste that rich, buttery goodness before you buy! To source top-quality prosciutto online, start by checking out Eataly, a renowned Italian marketplace that offers authentic Prosciutto di Parma.
If you’re looking for a food adventure and tender cut of beef to grill tonight, Brazilian Style Picanha is where it’s at! This cut, also known as rump cover, is a favorite at any Brazilian steakhouse. But today, I’ll show you how to make it right here in the United States in your own backyard with the best Cowboy Lump Charcoal.
If this is your first time meeting the coulotte steak, the picanha cut of beef is rich, juicy, and packed with flavor thanks to the large fat layer. If you want more information on this cut, check out my What is Picanha? article! Paired with zesty salsa and some homemade egg farofa, this masterpiece takes you straight to South America without leaving home.
Picanha, whether you call it rump cap, culotte steak, or top sirloin cap steaks, is one freakin’ delicious cut of meat. It’s easy to cook and loaded with flavor. The thick fat cap bastes the meat as it cooks, keeping everything juicy and tender. This cut is typically prepared with minimal seasoning—just some sea salt—because the meat itself is so flavorful. Whether you’re a home cook or a seasoned grill master, picanha is sure to be a new favorite in your grilling roster. It’ll be one of your family’s favorite cuts too, for good reason!
Before you fire up the grill, here’s your grocery list:
Picanha – Picanha meat is easy to source from your local butcher or local grocery stores. Add on some kosher salt and canola oil for the simple seasonings.
Salsa – Grab the freshest tomatoes, red onion, jalapeño, parsley, and lemon you can find. Then, make sure you have some good champagne vinegar and olive oil.
Egg Farofa – For this surprisingly satisfying side dish, you’ll need some cassava flour, unsalted butter, a white onion, fresh eggs, and scallions.
With these straightforward ingredients in your shopping cart, you’re already halfway to the most fantastic picanha recipe you’ve ever tasted.
Which kind of Cowboy Charcoal should I get to grill picanha?
For the best-grilled picanha, Cowboy Oak & Hickory Hardwood Lump Charcoal is the way to go. It burns hot and fast, giving you that perfect sear while adding a deep, smoky flavor. Plus, it’s all about controlling the heat, so lump charcoal gives you more flexibility for those quick adjustments. Perfect for nailing that crispy fat cap!
How to Make Brazilian-Style Picanha
Let’s get down to business and start cooking this flavorful steak, which is as close to traditional picanha as I can get. We’ve also got the fresh salsa and farofa as fun side items that also bring Brazilian tradition to this meal.
Prep the Meat
Start by slicing your whole picanha into thick steaks, making sure to cut across the grain of the meat (this helps make it more tender). Leave that fat cap intact—it’s what makes this juicy cut of beef so flavorful.
Once your steaks are cut, bend them into a crescent shape and skewer them onto large metal skewers or long metal skewers. If you’ve got a rotisserie like the one I have on my new FYR Grill, that’s even better!
I like to use a knife to create a hole for the rotisserie spit. As you can see above, I plunge the knife down the middle of the picanha so that it slides easier onto the rotisserie spit. Then, rub the picanha with canola oil and generously season the steaks with coarse sea salt.
Fire up the Grill
Now for the fun part! Preheat your grill for indirect heat around 300 degrees F. Rip open your Cowboy Charcoal bag and make space for the hot charcoal on one side to create a two-zone heat source. This allows the picanha to slow-cook without burning the outside too quickly.
Once the hot grill is ready, get your skewered picanha on there and let them roast over the hot coals. Cook the steaks until they reach an internal temperature of 120 degrees F for medium-rare, which should take about 45-60 minutes. A meat thermometer is helpful to ensure that the steak reaches the perfect temperature. After cooking, rest the meat for 15-20 minutes before slicing.
Mix the Fresh Salsa
For a bright, zesty salsa, combine diced tomatoes, red onion, jalapeño, and then the parsley in a bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, splash in some champagne vinegar, and squeeze the juice of a lemon. Season with kosher salt to taste, and your salsa is ready to go. You can prepare this while the picanha is on the rotisserie.
Make the Egg Farofa
After the our Brazilian Style Picanha is cooked, you can move to preparing the farofa. Melt some butter in a cast iron skillet and then toss in the sliced onions. Sauté them for a few minutes until they’re soft, then scramble the eggs right in the pan. When the eggs are almost set, stir in the cassava flour and season to taste with salt. Garnish with scallions, and voila, your savory egg farofa is ready!
Serve it Up
Once your picanha has rested, slice it straight off the skewers or into thin slices. Serve with a spoonful of salsa on top and a side of egg farofa. Remember, this flavorful steak is perfect for any special occasion, and your guests are sure to fall in love with this flavorful cut of beef.
What to Serve with Brazilian Style Picanha
Picanha is a showstopper on its own, but if you want to go all out, serve it with some traditional Brazilian sides like black beans, grilled vegetables, or garlic rice. Also, a cold Caipirinha pairs perfectly with this beef cut, making it the ultimate special occasion meal.
How to Store Leftovers & Reheating Instructions
Got leftovers? Heck yes! Store any extra picanha in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat the slices in a cast iron pan over medium-high heat on the grill for a few minutes on each side and serve with your favorite sides.
Egg Farofa is a Brazilian side dish made by toasting cassava flour and mixing it with scrambled eggs, onions, and garlic. It’s got a crunchy texture and is usually served with grilled meats or stews. You can also toss in some bacon or veggies if you’re feeling creative.
Do I have to use a rotisserie for the best picanha?
No! You can cook picanha directly on the grill using long skewers. The key is to keep that fat side up so the fat melts down into the meat as it cooks.
Can I use a gas grill for picanha?
Absolutely. Just make sure you create a two-zone setup, where one side of the grill is hot for searing and the other is cooler for indirect cooking.
Get The Cookbooks!
Flavor X Fire & FOOD X Fire
By Derek Wolf
All the major tastes—salty, sour, sweet, bitter, and umami—are explored in depth, along with an investigation of other components you should consider when it comes to flavor, such as aroma, heat, and texture.
Skewered Brazilian Style Picanha is a recipe that honors traditional picanha as best I know how. Add in some fresh homemade salsa and farofa, and you've got an epic meal!
Course Dinner
Cuisine American, Brazilian
Prep Time 30 minutesminutes
Cook Time 1 hourhour30 minutesminutes
Total Time 2 hourshours
Servings 4people
Calories 484kcal
Author Derek Wolf
Ingredients
Steak:
2-3Whole Picanhacut into steaks
1tbspLarge Grain Kosher Salt
Canola Oilas needed
Fresh Salsa:
1cupDiced Tomatoes
¼cupRed Oniondiced
1Whole Jalapeñodiced
2.5tbspChopped Parsley
1.5tbspChampagne Vinegar
1medium Lemonjuiced
Olive Oilas needed
Kosher Saltto taste
Egg Farofa:
1cupToasted Cassava Flour
2tbspUnsalted Butter
½White Onionsliced
4Fresh Eggsscambled
Chopped Scallionsgarnish
Saltto taste
Instructions
Begin by slicing your picanha into steaks going from edge to edge instead of top to tail.
Once sliced, carefully form them into a “C” shape and skewer them onto the rotisserie spike.
Lather in oil and generously season with the Coarse Sea Salt.
Preheat your grill for indirect rotisserie cooking around 300F (aka two zone).
Add your picanha to the rotisserie and start cooking. Cook for about 45-60 minutes until they are 120F internal for medium rare. Then, pull off and let rest for 15 minutes.
Add a skillet to the grill along with the onions and butter. Saute for 2-3 minutes until softened, then add in your eggs and cook until almost done. When close to done, add the cassava flour, salt and scallions. Mix together and then pull off.
Next, add all the ingredients into a bowl for your Fresh Salsa. Mix and set to the side.
Slice your picanha either on the skewer or off. Top with the Fresh Salsa and serve with the Egg Farofa. Enjoy!
Notes
Which kind of Cowboy Charcoal should I get to grill picanha?
For the best-grilled picanha, Cowboy Oak & Hickory Hardwood Lump Charcoal is the way to go. It burns hot and fast, giving you that perfect sear while adding a deep, smoky flavor. Plus, it’s all about controlling the heat, so lump charcoal gives you more flexibility for those quick adjustments. Perfect for nailing that crispy fat cap!
If you want quick, simple, freakin’ delicious tacos for dinner, these steak bite tacos are it. With tender steak and your favorite toppings, they’re buttery and savory all at once. This steak taco recipe is also a great make-ahead meal for a busy weeknight taco night or big parties because you can prep a massive batch of steak at one time. When you’re ready to make your steak bite tacos, just pop the steak in your warmer oven while you prep your fixings!
In my opinion, Taco Tuesday should be a national holiday. I love tacos and have made lots of variations because there’s just something about easy steak tacos that is so satisfying.
The best thing about these flavorful steak tacos is the bite size steak pieces make them super easy to eat. No more taking a bite and having all the taco filling fall right out! Also, the garlic butter in this recipe is insane. It makes this recipe next level.
Steak: I’m going with New York strip steaks or ribeyes here, but if you’ve got another cut in mind, feel free to sub it in. I’m testing out a new seasoning on the steaks today, it’ll be available to you soon! Alternatively you can use your favorite steak rub, or a simple salt, pepper, garlic mixture. Then, we’ll add in some minced garlic and parsley while cooking.
Tacos: Because you can’t have a proper taco without shredded cheese (I used Jack cheese), chopped fresh cilantro, diced white onions and warm tortillas.
Garlic Butter: Here’s the part of the recipe that gives these easy steak tacos tons of flavor. We’ll melt unsalted butter and mix it with more minced garlic, chopped fresh chives, red pepper flakes and kosher salt.
The Best Way to Warm Up Tortillas
We all know it’s a good idea to warm up tortillas for tacos, because no one wants a tortilla that flakes and falls apart while you’re eating. But what’s the best way to do it?
Here’s my favorite method, which you can use any time you’re making tacos. Place a dry cast iron skillet on the grill while I’m making the other components of the recipe. For corn tortillas, keep the skillet dry; for flour tortillas, add a little bit of butter to the skillet so they brown up.
Heat the tortillas for about 30 seconds per side. Once they start to bubble up, they’re ready to flip or pull off. You can also place your tortillas directly on the grill grates and heat them for 15 to 30 seconds per side. Once you’ve heated up all your tortillas, keep the warmed tortillas in foil, or wrapped in a damp dish towel inside an airtight container.
Get stoked for life
This sauce is FYR!
an all-new line created for live fire cooking
Born from a deep passion for food and flavor. Whether you’re grilling in the backyard or live fire cooking around the world, we have what you need to transform every meal into an adventure.
First thing: that freakin’ delicious butter. In a small bowl, mix together 12 ounces of unsalted butter (which equals 24 tablespoons of butter), 2 tablespoons minced garlic, 1.5 tablespoons chopped chives, 1.5 tablespoons red pepper flakes and 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Then, set the garlic butter to the side until you’re ready to use it.
Next, cut two New York strip steaks or ribeye steaks into bite-sized cubes. Slather those small pieces of steak with oil, then generously season with a steak rub. I’m testing out a new rub today, but you can alternatively use 1 tablespoon kosher salt, 1 tablespoon black pepper and 1 tablespoon garlic powder. Place the steak bites in the fridge until you’re ready to grill.
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, about 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Place a cast iron skillet on the grill, then add in the steak. Sear the steak on all sides, then add in 2 tablespoons minced garlic and 1.5 teaspoons chopped parsley. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the steak is tender and done to your liking, then pull off the heat.
To finish our steak bite tacos, place a cast iron skillet on the grill over medium heat. Add a tortilla to the pan, warm for 30 seconds, then flip and top with a handful of shredded Jack cheese. Place the steak, diced white onion, chopped cilantro and butter sauce on the tortilla, then fold it over to crisp up. Cook the steak bite taco until the cheese is melted and the tortilla is crispy.
Pull off, finish with a squeeze of lime juice, serve and enjoy!
What to Serve with Steak Bite Tacos
Since this steak bite taco recipe is quick and easy, you’ll want to do the same with your sides. Everyone’s always stoked about chips and salsa or guacamole, which would be a great starter for these steak tacos. You could do a simple slaw on the side, with lots of lime and scallions, or some blistered shishito peppers. Refried beans and rice are also simple staples!
Leftovers and Reheating
If you’ve got leftovers of these steak bite tacos, store the steak in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to eat, reheat them in a large skillet on the stovetop or grill at medium heat. Store the garlic butter in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. To reheat, warm up in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, then slather over everything.
What’s another cut of beef I can use for steak bite tacos?
Skirt steak, flank steak and sirloin steak are all great options. You’ll get great beefy flavor whatever you choose!
What are some other ideas for toppings?
Another reason I love tacos: they’re so versatile! If you’re looking for other toppings, sour cream, cotija cheese, corn salsa, salsa verde, red onion, and homemade salsa or pico de gallo would all be great additions to your taco bar.
What’s better, flour tortillas or corn tortillas?
You can use either in this steak bite taco recipe! Basically, all you need to know is that corn tortillas are firmer and have an earthier flavor. Flour tortillas are softer and sweeter. My opinion: you can’t really go wrong.
Get The Cookbooks!
Flavor X Fire & FOOD X Fire
By Derek Wolf
All the major tastes—salty, sour, sweet, bitter, and umami—are explored in depth, along with an investigation of other components you should consider when it comes to flavor, such as aroma, heat, and texture.
These freakin' delicious steak bite tacos are buttery and savory all at once. Perfect quick and simple recipe for taco night!
Course Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutesminutes
Cook Time 25 minutesminutes
Total Time 40 minutesminutes
Servings 4people
Calories 1099kcal
Author Derek Wolf
Ingredients
Steak:
2NY Strips or Ribeyescut into bite sized cubed
1tbspKosher Salt
1tbspBlack Pepper
1tbspGarlic Powder
Neutral Oilas needed
2tbspMinced Garlic
1tbspChopped Parsley
Tacos:
2cupsShredded Jack Cheese
Chopped Cilantrogarnish
Diced White Onionsgarnish
Flour or Corn Tortillas
Garlic Butter:
12ozUnsalted ButterMelted
2tbspGarlicMinced
1.5tspRed Chili Flakes
1.5tbspChivesChopped
1tspKosher Salt
Instructions
Steak and Butter:
Add all the ingredients for your butter to a bowl and mix. Set to the side until ready to use.
Slather your cubed steak with oil and generously season with salt, pepper and garlic powder or your favorite steak rub. Set in the fridge until ready to cook.
Preheat a grill to medium-high heat (about 375F).
Add a cast iron skillet to the grill and add in the steak. Sear off the steak on all sides, then add in minced garlic and chopped parsley. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the steak is tender and done to your liking, then pull off the heat.
Tacos:
Add a cast iron skillet over medium heat to preheat.
Add a tortilla and cook one side then flip and top with a handful of shredded cheese. Add the steak, cilantro, onion and butter sauce to the tortilla, then fold it over to crisp up. Cook until the cheese is melted and the tortilla is crispy.
Pull off, serve and enjoy!
Notes
The Best Way to Warm Up TortillasWe all know it’s a good idea to warm up tortillas for tacos, because no one wants a tortilla that flakes and falls apart while you’re eating. But what’s the best way to do it?Here’s my favorite method, which you can use any time you’re making tacos. Place a dry cast iron skillet on the grill while I’m making the other components of the recipe. For corn tortillas, keep the skillet dry; for flour tortillas, add a little bit of butter to the skillet so they brown up. Heat the tortillas for about 30 seconds per side. Once they start to bubble up, they’re ready to flip or pull off.You can also place your tortillas directly on the grill grates and heat them for 15 to 30 seconds per side. Once you’ve heated up all your tortillas, keep the warmed tortillas in foil, or wrapped in a damp dish towel inside an airtight container.
This collection of favorite dishes by the 2024 Presidential nominees, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, will leave you wanting more. From Tacos to Meat Loaf, there’s a delicious recipe for everyone.
This collection of favorite dishes by the 2024 Presidential nominees, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, will leave you wanting more. From Tacos to Meat Loaf, there's a delicious recipe for everyone.
Now that we’re deep into football season, all my favorite game day foods — like this smoked beer cheese — are getting their time in the spotlight. We take this smoked queso to the next level by adding beer, steak and shrimp!
Because we’re using Samuel Adams Just the Haze IPA, we get a nice tang in our smoked beer cheese without any of the alcohol. Samuel Adams has been brewing freakin’ delicious beers since 1984, so you know the company’s nonalcoholic options won’t disappoint.
Whether you’re making it for the big game or as a party appetizer, this smoky beer cheese goes with everything. Soft pretzels and smoked beer cheese dip? Basically a match made in my football heaven. In this beer cheese recipe, we beef things up (literally) by adding steak and shrimp. Why? Because it’s fun and adds more flavor! Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t have a dip recipe for dinner.
Beer Cheese: This beer cheese recipe combines four types of cheese — Velveeta, cheddar cheese, Jack cheese and cream cheese — and our Samuel Adams beer, Hatch chiles, Dijon mustard, and whole milk.
Steak: We’ll cube New York strip steaks and then season them with your favorite beef rub, minced garlic and chopped fresh parsley.
Shrimp: Our surf portion of the smoked beer cheese stays simple, with just peeled and deveined shrimp and seafood seasoning.
What’s important about these cheeses?
Each of our cheeses in the smoked beer cheese recipe has an important role to play. Velveeta has superior melting powers, so it keeps our beer cheese smooth. Then, we add the cheddar cheese and Jack cheese because they bring a ton of flavor to the mix. The cream cheese acts as a binder, helping to add to that smooth and creamy texture.
Preheat your smoker to 250 degrees F for indirect cooking. Add some wood chips or wood chunks for extra smoke flavor.
Then, slather your 2-3 cubed New York strip steaks with oil and season generously with 2.5 tablespoons of your favorite steak rub. Set the steak to the side.
Next, slather you shrimp in oil as well and generously season with 2.5 tablespoons of your favorite seafood rub. Set to the side.
Making the Queso
Add a cast iron skillet or foil cooking pan to the smoker, along with 16 ounces cubed Velveeta Yellow Cheese, 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, 2 cups shredded Jack cheese, 6 ounces of Just the Haze IPA, 2 ounces canned Hatch chiles, 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard and 1 block of cubed cream cheese. Then, close the lid and let that incredible queso smoke for 45 minutes, until the cheese has softened and is almost melted.
Once the cheese is looking good, add 1.5 cups whole milk and use a spoon to stir up the queso until the liquid is fully incorporated. If the queso is too thick for your liking, add more milk or beer to thin it out, then keep stirring until fully incorporated again. Close the lid and let the queso continue cooking for 20-25 more minutes or until it is to your liking. When the queso is done, pull it off and keep warm.
Cooking the Steak and Shrimp
To make the steak and shrimp, add a skillet with oil and sear your proteins for 2-3 minutes until done. Add 1.5 tablespoons minced garlic and some chopped parsley to the cast iron pan with the steak and shrimp, then let it cook for another 1-2 minutes. Pull the steak and shrimp off and keep warm.
Assembling Our Smoked Beer Cheese
Top the finished dip with the steaks and shrimp, then garnish with chopped parsley and serve. Enjoy!
What to Serve with Smoked Beer Cheese
The steak and shrimp make this smoked beer cheese recipe a real meal, so you can round it out with a simple green salad or vegetable, like sauteed spinach, grilled asparagus or a side of kale. If you want to treat the smoked beer cheese sauce more like an appetizer, serve with soft pretzels or tortilla chips.
Leftovers and Reheating
If you’ve got leftover smoked beer cheese, allow it to cool, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge and consume it within 2-3 days. For reheating, you can warm the cheese in a skillet or Dutch oven, stirring and adjusting the consistency as needed. Add a splash of milk if it thickens. If you’ve got leftover steak and shrimp, store them in separate airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet on the grill or stove at medium heat.
Depends on your tastebuds! Sharp cheddar is aged longer than regular cheddar cheese; the longer the cheese is aged, the sharper and more pronounced the flavor becomes. Also, there’s no real difference between white cheddar and orange cheddar except for the color. Orange cheddar’s color comes from annatto, the seed from the achiote tree of Central and South America.
What rubs would you recommend for the steak and shrimp?
Because it’s got hits of garlic, peppercorn and salt, along with dried vegetables like red bell pepper, this Gaucho Steakhouse rub is one of my favorites. Spiceology also carries Mermaid’s Trident Seafood Seasoning, which would be so freakin’ delicious on the shrimp. If you’ve got a favorite rub to share, leave a note in the comments — I’d be stoked to try it!
Samuel Adams has a great feature on the company’s website that allows you to filter your location, what type of beer you want and what size you’d like. Be sure to check it out and find your favorite beer here!
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Flavor X Fire & FOOD X Fire
By Derek Wolf
All the major tastes—salty, sour, sweet, bitter, and umami—are explored in depth, along with an investigation of other components you should consider when it comes to flavor, such as aroma, heat, and texture.
Smoked beer cheese takes queso to the next level with Samuel Adams, steak and shrimp, making this recipe a freakin' delicious game day treat.
Course Appetizer, Dinner, Lunch, Main Course, Sauce, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutesminutes
Cook Time 1 hourhour45 minutesminutes
Total Time 2 hourshours
Servings 6people
Calories 823kcal
Author Derek Wolf
Ingredients
Grilled Steak:
2-3NY Stripscubed
2.5tbspFavorite Beef Rub
1.5tbspMinced Garlic
Chopped Parsleygarnish
Neutral Oilas needed
Shrimp:
1.5lbsShrimppeeled & deveined
2.5tbspSeafood Seasoning
Neutral Oilas needed
Beer Cheese:
16ozVelveeta Yellow Cheesecubed
2cupsCheddar Cheeseshredded
2cupsJack Cheeseshredded
6ozSam Adams Only the Haze IPA
2ozHatch Chilescanned
2tbspDijon Mustard
1block Cream Cheesecubed
1.5cupsWhole Milk
Instructions
Preheat your smoker to 250F for indirect cooking. Add some wood chips or wood chunks for added smoke flavor.
Slather your cubed steak with oil and season generously with your favorite steak rub. Set to the side.
Slather you shrimp in oil as well and generously season with your favorite seafood rub. Set to the side.
Add a cast iron skillet or foil cooking pan to the smoker along with all the ingredients for the queso (except for the milk). Close the lid and let it smoke for 45 minutes until the cheese has softened and is almost melted.
Once the cheese is looking good, add your milk and use a spoon to stir up the queso until fully incorporated. If the queso is too thick for your liking, add more milk or beer to the skillet to thin it out and keep stirring until fully incorporated again.
Close the lid and let the queso continue cooking for 20-25 more minutes or until it is to your liking. When the queso is done, pull it off and keep warm.
Add a skillet with oil and sear off your steak and shrimp for 2-3 minutes. Then add some minced garlic and chopped parsley to the skillet and cook for another 1-2 minutes. Pull off and keep warm.
Top the queso with the steaks and shrimp. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve. Enjoy!
Notes
What’s important about these cheeses? Each of our cheeses in the smoked beer cheese recipe has an important role to play. Velveeta has superior melting powers, so it keeps our beer cheese smooth. Then, we add the cheddar cheese and Jack cheese because they bring a ton of flavor to the mix. The cream cheese acts as a binder, helping to add to that smooth and creamy texture.
This plate of cheese fries with chimichurri steak is seriously loaded. That’s because we’ve got the works here: hanger steaks, my favorite smoked chimichurri sauce, crispy shallots, an insanely delicious cheese sauce and crispy fries. You’ll never look at fries the same way again.
To make our smoked chimichurri the safe and healthy way, we only use real wood or natural lump charcoal. Because of that, I’m always reaching for Cowboy Charcoal. Cowboy Charcoal is the perfect charcoal for making the smoked chimichurri recipe, since it burns really clean and has no chemicals in it. I like it better than other charcoals for all-purpose grilling as well!
Why You’ll Love Cheese Fries with Chimichurri Steak
These chimichurri steak fries are a great season-to-taste recipe for all the food lovers in your life. Pile as much steak as you want on top of the French fries. Dial up the heat or acidity in the fresh chimichurri. You can even adjust the cheese sauce to your liking. If the sauce is too runny for your taste buds, just add more cheese. If it’s too thick, then slowly add milk until it’s good to go!
I’ve recently become a huge fan of smoked sauces for grilled meats, like smoked butter and chimichurri, because they’re super easy to make and ridiculously versatile. These sauces pair perfectly with everything: beef, seafood, chicken, roasted veggies or even just a slice of warm French bread.
Chimichurri: This South American cowboy sauce is made of chopped fresh parsley, chopped cilantro, red wine vinegar, garlic, green onions, red pepper flakes, olive oil and kosher salt.
Cheese Sauce: I purchased some premium cheese sauce at the grocery as a time saver for this recipe. If you’d like to do a homemade cheese sauce in place of this check out my beer cheese sauce!
Crispy Shallots: For a little extra crunch, we’ll fry finely sliced shallots in canola oil. Don’t underestimate the flavor with these crispy little slices. It adds texture and a savory zest to the dish.
Fries: The foundation of it all. Grab a bag of your favorite fries (or make your own) and some FYR RED Hot Sauce for the best cheese fries with chimichurri steak.
How to Get the Best Fries
Whether you buy a bag of frozen fries or make your own, here are a couple tips to remember for any loaded fries recipe. To ensure your French fries cook evenly and get that freakin’ delicious crisp, spread your fries out in a single layer on a baking sheet or in the air fryer basket.
Also, make sure you choose the right fries! Crinkle-cut fries, steak fries, waffle fries or even sweet potato fries all work great. If you’ve got extra time and want to make your own fries, cut them evenly for consistent cooking. You’ll also want to soak them in cold water and a teaspoon of baking soda to get rid of excess starch and achieve crispy fries perfection. Check out my beef tallow fries or these regular fries for more detail on how to execute homemade fries!
Get stoked for life
This sauce is FYR!
an all-new line created for live fire cooking
Born from a deep passion for food and flavor. Whether you’re grilling in the backyard or live fire cooking around the world, we have what you need to transform every meal into an adventure.
Add all the ingredients for the chimichurri —1/2 cup chopped parsley, 1/2 cup chopped cilantro, 1/4 red wine vinegar, 4-6 minced garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons chopped green onions, 1 tablespoon red chili flakes, olive oil to your desired consistency and kosher salt to taste — to a mason jar. Give it a good mix.
Then, drop in a smoldering Cowboy Lump charcoal from the fire (ideally white hot). If you don’t use Cowboy Charcoal, please only use real wood or natural lump charcoal. Do not use briquettes or any charcoal that has been treated with chemicals. Cover quickly to encapsulate the smoke, then set to the side to marinate for 20-30 minutes. Fish out the piece of charcoal once you’re done marinating.
Grilling the Steak
To make the steak for our cheese fries with chimichurri steak recipe, first preheat your grill to high heat (about 400 degrees Fahrenheit) for direct cooking. Then, slather your 1-2 hanger steaks in FYR BLK Hot Sauce to serve as a binder for the rub. Then season generously with 3 tablespoons of my Gaucho Steakhouse Rub or your favorite beef rub.
Next, add the steaks to the grill to cook for 3-4 minutes per side or until 120 degrees F internal temperature. Once they’ve reached temperature, pull them off and let the steak rest for about 10 minutes. Once the rest is complete, slice the steak against the grain into bite-sized cubes.
Frying the Shallots
For an extra crispy topping on our cheese fries with chimichurri steak, add a skillet to the grill with 2 cups of canola oil. When the oil is nice and hot, add 1/2 cup of finely sliced shallots and fry for 1-2 minutes, or until crispy golden brown. Once they’re done, pull the shallots off the grill and let them cool. The crunch and added flavor is next level.
Assembling the Cheese Fries with Chimichurri Steak
To finish, add your favorite cooked fries to a plate and then top with the cheese sauce. Let cook in an oven at 350F for 2-3 minutes or until the cheese is very melted. Add the steak, chimichurri, fried shallots and FYR RED hot sauce on top. Serve and enjoy!
What to Serve with Cheese Fries with Chimichurri Steak
With a plate of loaded fries like this, you’ll want to keep your sides simple and fresh. A lime-scallion slaw on the side would be great, or a simple garden salad.
If you have leftover cheese fries with chimichurri steak, store all the ingredients separately in the fridge for no more than 3 days. Reheat them in the oven by spreading the fries on a baking sheet, covering with aluminum foil and then baking at medium heat (about 350 degrees F) until warmed through. I also like to reheat the steak in same way in the oven or in a frying pan. To reheat the cheese sauce, place it in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until warmed through.
FAQs
Can I use different cuts of steak?
For sure. Ribeye steak, skirt steak, sirloin steak and flank steak are all great options for cheese fries with chimichurri steak. Just be sure to pay attention to the cooking time and check the internal temperature so you don’t overcook your steak.
What’s a faster way to chop all these fresh herbs for the zesty chimichurri sauce?
Your new kitchen best friend: the food processor! I love the food processor because you can throw in all the ingredients (including the garlic and red pepper flakes) and blend to your desired consistency.
There are tons of places where you can buy Cowboy Charcoal. Check out this product locator on the website. You can also order online!
Get The Cookbooks!
Flavor X Fire & FOOD X Fire
By Derek Wolf
All the major tastes—salty, sour, sweet, bitter, and umami—are explored in depth, along with an investigation of other components you should consider when it comes to flavor, such as aroma, heat, and texture.
Add all the ingredients for the chimichurri to the mason jar and mix. Then add a smoldering Cowboy Lump charcoal from the fire (ideally white hot). Cover quickly to encapsulate the smoke, then set to the side to marinate for 20-30 minutes.
Steak & Fries:
Preheat your grill to high heat (around 400F) for direct cooking.
Slather you steak in FYR BLK Hot Sauce and season generously with my Gaucho Steakhouse Rub or your favorite beef rub.
Add a skillet to the grill with 2 cups of oil. Add the finely sliced shallots and fry for 1-2 minutes or until crispy golden brown. Pull off and let cool once done.
Add the steaks to the grill to cook for 3-4 minutes per side or until 120F internal. Once done, pull off and let rest. Once rested, slice against the grain into bite size cubes.
Add your favorite cooked fries to a plate and then top with cheese sauce. I used premade fries and cheese sauce for this cook to save time, but you're welcome to use homemade. Let them cook in an oven at 350F for 2-3 minutes or until the cheese is very melted. Add the steak, chimichurri, fried shallots and FYR RED hot sauce on top. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
How to Make the Best FriesWhether you buy a bag of frozen fries or make your own, here are a couple tips to remember for any loaded fries recipe. To ensure your French fries cook evenly and get that freakin’ delicious crisp, spread your fries out in a single layer on a baking sheet or in the air fryer basket.Also, make sure you choose the right fries! Crinkle-cut fries, steak fries, waffle fries or even sweet potato fries all work great. If you’ve got extra time and want to make your own fries, cut them evenly for consistent cooking. You’ll also want to soak them in cold water and a teaspoon of baking soda to get rid of excess starch and achieve crispy fries perfection. Check out my beef tallow fries or these regular fries for more detail on how to execute homemade fries!
Get ready for some luxe, freakin’ delicious mini burgers: surf and turf sliders! This sliders variation puts an exclamation point on classic surf and turf. I’m not shy about my love for sliders, so you’ve got to know I’m stoked to add these sandwiches to the mix.
Whatever you call it — surf and turf, reef and beef, just plain old lobster and steak — surf and turf has a stellar reputation for a reason. Plus, because you’re serving two proteins, it’s a versatile crowd pleaser.
Our version of surf and turf sliders uses ribeye steaks and lobster claw meat for that high-quality feel. Since I love cheese on sliders, I’ve also got provolone cheese slices to round out the dish. You can skip it on these surf and turf sliders if you don’t like seafood and cheese (which I can’t say I’ve ever really understood, because lobster mac and cheese is insanely good).
Steak: For the turf portion of our sliders, we’ll grill ribeye steaks. Our steak seasoning is my Bourbon Prime Rub and I used FYR BLK Hot Sauce as a binder.
Lobster: I use lobster claw meat here because it’s less expensive than lobster tail, but still has great flavor and texture. We’ll season the lobster meat with butter, seafood rub, garlic cloves and chopped chives.
If you want to take these sliders to the next level, serve them with cowboy butter for dipping! Cowboy butter is really just a catch-all term for a spicy garlic and herb butter. To make my favorite cowboy butter, which I’ve used with grilled ribeyes, mix together 1 cup melted butter, juice from 1 medium lemon, 2 tablespoons minced garlic, 1.5 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon chopped parsley, 1 tablespoon chopped chives, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne powder and kosher salt to taste (I usually like 1/2 tsp salt) in a small bowl. Serve and enjoy with these sliders or really any surf and turf recipe!
For other delicious butter recipes, check out all my favorites here: The Best Butter Recipes
Slather your steaks with vegetable oil and generously season with 3 tablespoons of my Bourbon Prime Rub (or your favorite steak rub) and a few dashes of FYR BLK Hot Sauce to serve as a binder. Set in the fridge until you’re ready to cook.
Preheat your outdoor grill to medium-high heat (about 375 degrees Fahrenheit) for two-zone indirect grilling. Next, add your 1-2 ribeye steaks to the grill. Cook them for 4-6 minutes per side or until they are 120 degrees F internal temperature.
Once the steaks have reached temperature, pull them off to let them rest for 10 minutes. When they’re done resting, slice the steaks against the grain.
Preparing the Lobster Meat
Next, add a cast iron skillet to the grill with 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Once the butter has melted, add 2 cups of lobster claw meat, 4 minced garlic cloves and 2 tablespoons of your favorite seafood rub to the skillet. Mix it all together and cook for 5 minutes over a low simmer. Then, pull the skillet off the grill and top your surf mixture with 2 tablespoons of chopped chives.
Assembling the Sliders
While keeping the slider rolls together, slice your slider rolls in half (horizontally) so there is a top side and bottom side. Then, place the bottom bun half into a foil bin or a large skillet. Add a layer of provolone cheese, sliced steak, cooked lobster meat, then finish with another layer of sliced cheese plus the top part of the buns. Gently brush a little melted butter over the top of the rolls and sprinkle the surf and turf sliders with Everything Bagel Rub.
Next, get your grill to a two-zone medium high heat (around 350-375 degrees F) for indirect cooking. Add your sliders in the foil bin, then place on the hot grill rack to cook until they are golden brown and crispy (about 10-12 minutes). Once they’re done, pull the sliders off the grill and let them cool for 2-3 minutes.
Slice up your sliders and serve with cowboy butter for dipping. Enjoy!
What to Serve with Surf and Turf Sliders
This is definitely a full recipe, so feel free to keep your sides easy with a simple green salad or your favorite green vegetable. To get that steakhouse vibe, I like sautéed spinach, grilled asparagus or grilled zucchini.
If you find yourself with leftover surf and turf sliders, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To reheat, simply warm them up on a medium-high heat grill or a 350-degree F oven while wrapped in aluminum foil.
FAQs
Can I substitute different proteins?
Definitely! You can use jumbo shrimp instead of lobster for your surf and turf sliders. In that case, just toss shrimp with the same ingredients in the cast iron skillet. If you want a different turf, you can go with other steaks like New York strip or sirloin. You could also use beef patties or lamb burger.
What do you recommend for seafood rub?
My Lemon Chili Rye is a great choice for any seafood, or you could go the Old Bay route.
You can also make your own with 1 tablespoon celery salt, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 2 teaspoons paprika, 2 teaspoons ground ginger, 1 teaspoon of dry mustard, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon allspice, and kosher salt and black pepper (about 1 tablespoon each).
OK, but why do people say you can’t mix cheese and seafood?
It’s based in the fact that a lot of fish is delicate — like haddock, cod and other flaky white fish — and because cheese can overpower its flavor. But you can definitely mix cheese and seafood! Think lobster mac and cheese, shrimp alfredo, shrimp and feta bakes in Greece, these surf and turf sliders and more. This Smithsonian Magazine story does a deep dive on the super interesting history behind this idea!
Get The Cookbooks!
Flavor X Fire & FOOD X Fire
By Derek Wolf
All the major tastes—salty, sour, sweet, bitter, and umami—are explored in depth, along with an investigation of other components you should consider when it comes to flavor, such as aroma, heat, and texture.
Slather your steaks with oil and generously season with my Bourbon Prime Rub or your favorite steak rub. Set in the fridge until ready to cook.
Preheat a grill to medium-high heat (about 375F) for two zone indirect cooking.
Next, add your steaks to the grill and cook for 4-6 minutes per side or until they are 120F. Once the steaks are done, pull off to let rest for 10 minutes. When done resting, slice the steaks.
Add a cast iron skillet to the grill with butter to melt. Add the lobster meat, minced garlic and seafood rub to the skillet and mix together. Cook for 5 minutes over a low simmer, then pull off and top with chopped chives.
While keeping the slider rolls together, slice your slider rolls in half (horizontally) so there is a top side and bottom side.
Add the bottom side into a foil bin or cooking safe skillet. Add a layer of cheese, sliced steak, cooked lobster meat and finish with a layer of more sliced cheese plus the top part of the buns.
Gently brush a little butter over the top of the rolls and sprinkle with everything bagel rub.
Get your grill to a two zone medium high heat (around 350-375F) for indirect cooking. Add your sliders in the foil bin on to the smoker to cook until they are golden brown & crispy (about 10-12 minutes). Once done, pull the sliders off and let cool for 2-3 minutes.
Slice up your sliders and serve with the cowboy butter for dipping. Enjoy!
Notes
Cowboy ButterIf you want to take these sliders to the next level, serve them with cowboy butter for dipping! Cowboy butter is really just a catch-all term for a spicy garlic and herb butter. To make my favorite cowboy butter, which I’ve used with grilled ribeyes, mix together 1 cup melted butter, juice from 1 medium lemon, 2 tablespoons minced garlic, 1.5 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon chopped parsley, 1 tablespoon chopped chives, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne powder and kosher salt to taste (I usually like 1/2 tsp salt) in a small bowl. Serve and enjoy with these sliders or really any surf and turf recipe!