These juicy Chimichurri Steak Skewers are packed with flavor and perfect for dinner, parties, or summer cookouts. Tender steak pieces are coated in a zesty homemade chimichurri sauce made with fresh herbs, garlic, olive oil, and red wine vinegar, then air-fried until browned. If you don’t have an air fryer, you can also grill the skewers, cook them in a hot skillet, or bake them in the oven. If you are looking for another quick and easy skewer recipe that is just as delicious, you will love my Bang Bang Chicken Skewers too!
Ingredients & Substitutions
There are two main parts to this recipe–the steak and the chimichurri sauce.
- Steak: The best steak for skewers is sirloin because it’s soft, full of flavor, and not too expensive. You can also use ribeye for extra juicy bites, or try tenderloin, flat iron, or strip steak if you like different textures. No matter which steak you choose, cut it into even pieces so your steak skewers cook evenly and taste great.
- Chimichurri Sauce: Chimichurri sauce is a fresh, zesty mix of herbs, garlic, olive oil, and vinegar that adds bold flavor to grilled meats like steak. I’ve included my homemade chimichurri sauce in this recipe which is packed with flavor! (I halved my recipe for about a cup of sauce.) But, store-bought sauce would work, too.
Wooden vs. Metal Skewers
Both wooden and metal skewers work for these steak skewers, even in the air fryer. Each has its pros and cons. Wooden skewers are great for one-time use and easy to find, but you need to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes so they don’t burn. If they’re too long for your air fryer, you can break them in half to make them fit. Metal skewers don’t need soaking and can be reused, but make sure they fit in the basket before cooking. Either option works. Just choose what fits your air fryer and cooking style best!
Make Ahead Instructions For Chimichurri Steak Skewers
There are a few options when it comes to making these steak skewers ahead of time! Make the chimichurri sauce up to one week in advance and keep it in a covered container in the refrigerator. You can also cut the steak and mix it with a little sauce up to one day before cooking. If you want, thread the steak onto skewers a few hours ahead and store them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook the skewers.
Can You Marinate Steak In Chimichurri Sauce Before Cooking?
Yes, you can marinate the steak in chimichurri sauce! It adds big flavor to the meat. (But don’t worry, if you skip the marinating time, the steak skewers will still taste great!) Use about ¼ cup of the sauce to marinate the steak for 15–30 minutes, or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator. Make sure to set aside the rest of the chimichurri in a separate bowl before marinating; this keeps it safe and fresh for serving later.
Steak Doneness Guide: Best Temperatures for Rare, Medium Rare, Medium, and Well Done
Cooking steak just right doesn’t have to be hard! Whether you like it soft and pink or cooked all the way through (I like mine medium!), knowing the right temperature helps a lot. Here’s a simple guide:
Rare: 120–125°F (very red and cool in the center)
Medium Rare: 130–135°F (warm red center and juicy)
Medium: 140–145°F (pink center with less juice)
Medium Well: 150–155°F (a little pink, more firm)
Well Done: 160°F and up (no pink, fully cooked)
Tip: Steak keeps cooking a little after it comes off the heat. Take it off just a bit early so it’s not overdone!
How To Store and Reheat Chimichurri Steak Skewers
To store leftover chimichurri steak skewers, follow these steps for the best freshness and safety:
- Cool down: Let the steak skewers cool to room temperature (but no longer than 2 hours to avoid bacteria growth).
- Store: Place the skewers in an airtight container.
- Refrigerate: Store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: When ready to eat, reheat the skewers in the air fryer, oven, or skillet until warm.
If you have leftover chimichurri sauce, store it separately in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Freezer Tips for Chimichurri Steak Skewers
You can freeze chimichurri steak skewers to enjoy later! Here’s how:
To Freeze Before Cooking: Marinate your steak cubes in chimichurri sauce, then place them in a zip-top freezer bag or airtight container. Make sure to remove as much air as possible to avoid freezer burn. Freeze for up to 3 months.
After Cooking: Let the cooked skewers cool completely, then store them in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. Freeze for up to 2-3 months.
Reheating: To reheat, thaw marinated, uncooked steak skewers in the refrigerator overnight and cook as usual, or reheat cooked skewers in the air fryer, oven, or skillet until warmed through.
Freezing is a great way to prep ahead for a tasty meal anytime!
Chimichurri Steak Skewers
Ingredients
Chimichurri Sauce
- ½ cup (107 g) extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup (60 g) red wine vinegar
- ½ medium shallot, finely diced (about 2 tablespoons)
- 1 small jalapeno, seeded and finely diced (about 2 tablespoons)
- ½ cup fresh parsley, minced
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 ½ teaspoons fresh oregano, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh basil, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh cilantro, minced
- ½ teaspoon fresh thyme, minced
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes
Steak Skewers
- wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
- 1 pound steak, cut into 1-inch cubes (top sirloin or ribeye work well)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup chimichurri sauce, from the recipe above, divided
Instructions
Chimichurri Sauce
- In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients. Stir well to combine.
- Let the mixture rest at room temperature for 1-2 hours to allow the flavors to develop.
- Store the sauce in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- Before using, stir to mix any separated ingredients.
Steak Skewers
- Soak the wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning.
- Season the steak cubes with salt and pepper.
- In a medium bowl, toss the steak cubes with ¼ cup chimichurri sauce, reserving the rest for serving.
- Thread the seasoned steak cubes onto the skewers, leaving space between each piece for even cooking.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.*
- Arrange the steak skewers in a single layer in the basket of your air fryer. (Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches.)
- Air fry for 4-6 minutes, flipping halfway through, until steak is browned and cooked to your desired doneness.
- Remove from the air fryer and brush with some of the reserved chimichurri sauce. Serve the rest of the sauce on the side for dipping. Enjoy warm!
Notes
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- Place the seasoned steak skewers on the grill and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until the steak is browned and cooked to your desired doneness.
- Brush with chimichurri sauce and serve.
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Place the skewers on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Roast for 8-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the steak is cooked to your desired doneness.
- Brush with chimichurri sauce and serve.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat with a bit of oil.
- Cook the skewers for 4-6 minutes per side, until the steak is browned and cooked to your liking.
- Brush with chimichurri sauce and serve.
Did you make this recipe?
You can tag me at @iamhomesteader.
What the Test Kitchen had to say about this recipe:
Autumn
These steak skewers were amazing! The chimichurri sauce really brought out the flavor. So easy to make in the air fryer.
Elizabeth
I didn't realize that steak could taste so good after cooked in an air fryer! These were great!
Bella
I love how juicy and tender these steak skewers turned out. The air fryer made them so quick and crispy on the outside.
Stephanie
The steak was perfectly cooked and the chimichurri sauce added the best kick. I loved these.
Annabelle
I was impressed! The steak came out perfectly and the chimichurri sauce was spot on.
Thank you so much !! You have some awesome recipes!!!!! 🥰