This easy grilled chipotle flank steak with pineapple salsa is a healthy, flavorful weeknight meal that you can have ready and on your table in under 30 minutes. It's perfect for summer grilling season! (gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free)
When it comes to easy, care-free summer meals, you can't beat throwing a flank steak on the grill! It cooks quickly, is inexpensive, and is always a crowd pleaser! I take the flavor up a few notches with a simple chipotle spice rub and a fresh, sweet salsa in this delicious weeknight dinner.
Why You'll Love This Chipotle Flank Steak
This grilled chipotle flank steak with pineapple salsa is one of the easiest meals you can make. You only need about 5 ingredients and 5 minutes to get the steak ready for the grill. Plus a few more fresh ingredients to whip up the pineapple salsa. You can either make the fresh pineapple salsa while the grill is heating or in the 10 minutes that the steak is resting after it is cooked. And cleanup is easy since it's cooked outside! The contrast of hot, spicy, and juicy steak with sweet, cool salsa is perfect for summer dinners al fresco.
What is Chipotle?
Chipotle is a jalapeño pepper that has been smoked and dried. The smoky, spicy flavor is a staple in Tex-Mex cooking - and in my kitchen! I've come to lean on chipotle powder as an essential in my spice cabinet. It brings just the right flavor to this grilled flank steak.
The Ingredients
For the Chipotle Flank Steak:
- Flank steak
- Lime juice
- Spices - Chipotle powder, garlic powder, cumin, salt & pepper
- Olive oil
Tip: Chipotle power can be found in the spice aisle in most grocery stores. If your store doesn't have it, you can get it on Amazon (a worthy investment - I use it all the time!). You can also substitute the adobo sauce from canned chipotles in adobo.
For the Pineapple Salsa:
- Fresh pineapple (frozen, thawed pineapple will also work in a pinch!)
- Tomato
- Onion
- Cilantro
- Jalapeño - Use a serrano if you like things more spicy!
- Apple cider vinegar (or substitute lime juice)
- Salt & pepper
How To Make It
Make The Flank Steak
- If there is any visible silvery skin on the steak, use a sharp knife to remove it. Squeeze the lime onto both sides of the steak.
- Combine the spices in a small bowl. Rub all over the steak. Then drizzle olive oil on the steak and rub onto both sides.
- Grill the steak on medium-high heat for about 3-4 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the steak, flipping once. The steak should reach an internal temperature of 120°F for a juicy, pink-red medium rare.
- Let the steak rest, covered, for about 10 minutes before slicing against the grain.
Make The Pineapple Salsa
- Remove the stem and seeds from the jalapeño and finely dice the pepper.
- Dice the onion, tomato, and pineapple. Chop the cilantro.
- Stir everything together with the apple cider vinegar and a pinch of salt.
- Refrigerate the salsa until you're ready to serve.
Tips For Perfect Grilled Flank Steak
- To yield a tender steak, sear over high heat for just a few minutes on each side, careful not to over-cook it. Since flank steak is so thin, it doesn't take long to cook.
- Pull it from the grill when the internal temperature is about 120°F for medium-rare. The temperature will rise a few degrees as it rests. I always recommend using a meat thermometer to avoid over-cooking meat and poultry.
- Rest the meat for 10 minutes before slicing so that the juices can soak in.
- Finally, slice the meat against the grain for the most tender and juicy results. the "grain" refers to the natural direction that the muscle lines run on the meat. You want to cut parallel to those lines.
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover steak and salsa separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
What To Serve With Chipotle Flank Steak & Pineapple Salsa
- Serve with tortillas to make tacos (wrap them in foil and throw them right on the grill!)
- You can also grill some veggies alongside the steak for a quick, balanced meal with minimal effort and minimal cleanup. Some favorites are asparagus, summer squash, or red bell peppers.
- Canned black beans or my Easy Refried Black Beans are quick and nutritious. Or try my Pinto Beans.
- For a fresh, crunchy side dish, try my Cucumber Avocado Jicama Salad or fresh Apple Jicama Slaw.
If you use your grill all summer, find more inspiration for healthy grilled mains, side dishes, and even desserts in my roundup of Healthy Grilling Recipes!
If you made this recipe, please leave a star rating in the comments!
PrintEasy Grilled Chipotle Flank Steak with Pineapple Salsa
This easy grilled chipotle flank steak with pineapple salsa is a healthy, flavorful weeknight meal that you can have ready and on your table in under 30 minutes. It's perfect for summer grilling season! (gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free)
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 18 minutes
- Yield: 2-3 servings 1x
- Category: main dish
- Method: grilled
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
- 1 lb flank steak
- Juice from 1 lime
- 1 tsp chipotle powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- Pinch salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
For Pineapple Salsa:
- ½ cup fresh pineapple, diced
- ⅓ cup fresh tomato, diced
- ¼ cup onion, diced
- 1 jalapeno, seeded and diced
- ¼ cup cilantro, roughly chopped
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- Pinch salt
- Pinch freshly cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare salsa. Combine all salsa ingredients in a small bowl and stir. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Trim any excess fat or silvery looking pieces from steak. Squeeze lime over both sides of steak.
- In a small bowl, combine spices. Rub spice mixture evenly over both sides of steak. Rub evenly with olive oil.
- Heat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.
- Grill steak over medium-high heat 3-4 minutes per side, depending on thickness, flipping once. The internal temperature should reach 120°F for medium-rare.
- Remove from heat, cover and let rest 10 minutes before slicing against the grain.
- Serve steak with pineapple salsa.
Notes
- Chipotle power can be found in the spice aisle in most grocery stores. If your store doesn't have it, you can get it on Amazon (a worthy investment - I use it all the time!). You can also substitute the adobo sauce from canned chipotles in adobo.
- I always recommend using a meat thermometer to avoid over-cooking meat and poultry.
- Store leftover steak and salsa separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Keywords: grilled chipotle flank steak, flank steak with pineapple salsa, chipotle flank steak with pineapple salsa
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