Grilled Beef Skewers with Lime and Soy Marinade

 

Ingredients:

For the Marinade:

1/3 cup (80ml) soy sauce

1/4 cup (60ml) lime juice

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 tablespoon grated ginger

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon chilli powder (optional)

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For the Beef Skewers:

• 1 pound (450g) flank steak, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch squares
• 1 yellow onion, cut into 1-inch squares
• Wooden skewers (soaked in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning)

Instructions:

1. Make the Marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, lime juice, olive oil, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, cumin, chilli powder (if using), and black pepper.
2. Marinate the Beef: Add the beef cubes to the marinade and toss to coat them evenly. Cover the bowl and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or ideally 2-4 hours for maximum flavour.
3. Assemble the Skewers: Thread the marinated beef cubes onto the soaked wooden skewers, alternating them with bell pepper squares and onion chunks.
4. Prepping the Grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (around 400°F). You can also use a grill pan on your stovetop.
5. Grilling the Skewers: Once the grill is hot, brush or spray the grates lightly with oil to prevent sticking. Place the skewers on the grill and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, or until the beef reaches your desired level of doneness.
6. Serve: Transfer the cooked beef skewers to a plate and brush them with any remaining marinade for extra flavour (optional). Serve immediately with your favourite dipping sauces, such as chimichurri, teriyaki sauce, or simply a squeeze of lime.

Tips:

• Use flank steak or skirt steak for these skewers as they are tender cuts suitable for quick grilling.
• Make sure to cut the beef into uniform cubes for even cooking.
• If you don't have wooden skewers, you can use metal skewers. However, metal skewers can heat up quickly, so be careful not to burn your fingers while handling them.
• For a smoky flavour, soak the wooden skewers in water infused with a smoked paprika or liquid smoke for 30 minutes before assembling the skewers.
• Leftover skewers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a pan or oven until warmed through.

Nutritional Information:

Beef is a good source of protein and iron. This recipe is also relatively moderate in calories and fat, depending on the type of oil used. The soy sauce adds some sodium, so be mindful of your portion size.

Enjoy these zesty and flavourful grilled beef skewers!