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Grilled Cilantro Skirt Steak and Cauliflower Rice

For all the low carb, keto foodies, or just steak lovers, here’s an easy Steak Dinner with Cilantro Pesto and Cauliflower Rice recipe that you can incorporate into your weekly meal prep.

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Round plate with grilled steak with cilantro pesto and cauliflower rice.

We’re using tasty and wholesome ingredients to help you meet your low-carb lifestyle, or if you just want a delicious steak dinner. We’ve got you covered either way.

Why You’ll Enjoy this Cilantro Pesto Sauce

  • This Cilantro Pesto sauce is made with simple and whole ingredients that come together really well bringing tons of flavor.
  • The pesto sauce can be used as a sauce, salad dressing, dipping sauce, and even a marinade.
  • It’s also a great way to use up leftover cilantro herbs, and you can freeze it too!

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Ingredients Needed to Make this Low Carb Steak Dinner

  • Cilantro Pesto: We use fresh cilantro herbs lime juice, pine nuts, garlic cloves, olive oil, and salt
  • Steak: We grilled skirt steak, but you can also use flank steak or any kind of steak of your choice
  • Seasonings: We used chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, and salt
  • Cauliflower Rice: We used frozen cauliflower rice because you can easily just throw it in the microwave to cook and steam. You can serve this dish with any other low-carb vegetable such as roasted zucchini, green beans, or broccoli
Round plate with grilled steak with cilantro pesto and cauliflower rice.

How to Make Grilled Skirt Steak

  1. Season the steak with the dry rub, then coat it with olive oil.
  2. Heat an indoor grill on medium-high heat and sear the steak on each side until it cooks to your desired doneness.
  3. While the steak is grilling, blend together your cilantro pesto.
  4. After the steak cooks, let it rest before slicing it into strips.
  5. Microwave the cauliflower rice according to the packaged instructions.
  6. Drizzle the Cilantro Pesto on top of the steak.

Reference the recipe card below for detailed instructions.

Round plate with grilled steak with cilantro pesto and cauliflower rice.

Meal Prep Tips for Cilantro Pesto Sauce

  • If you don’t have a blender, you can still make a cilantro dressing by chopping the cilantro and pine nuts into fine pieces. Then, whisk it together with the lime juice, and olive oil, and season with salt.
  • If the pesto flavor is too strong as a sauce, you can just use it as a marinade for the steak before grilling it.
  • To add flavor to the plain cauliflower rice, saute it with the pesto sauce to incorporate the flavors.
Glass meal prep containers with grilled steak with cilantro pesto and cauliflower rice.
steak

Grilled Skirt Steak with Cilantro Pesto and Cauliflower Rice

Easy, low-carb grilled skirt steak dinner with a flavorful cilantro pesto and steamed cauliflower rice.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Course lunch, Main Course
Cuisine American, Mexican
Servings 2

Equipment

  • knife
  • cutting board
  • blender
  • indoor grill pan
  • tongs
  • spatula
  • saute pan

Ingredients
  

Steak and Seasoning

  • 12 oz skirt steak
  • 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Cilantro Pesto

  • 1 cup cilantro (chopped)
  • 1 lime (juiced)
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons pine nuts
  • 2 garlic clove (peeled)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 4 cups cauliflower rice (frozen, pre-cooked, recommend Green Giant Brand)

Instructions
 

  • Season the steak and coat it with olive oil. Heat an indoor grill pan on medium high heat and sear the steak on each side for about 5 to 6 minutes until it cooks to your desired doneness.
  • Meanwhile, place the cilantro, pine nuts, juice of a lime, olive oil, garlic, and salt in a blender and blend until smooth.
  • Microwave the frozen cualiflower rice according to the packaged instructions (usually about 4 to 5 minutes).
  • After the steak cooks, let it rest before slicing into strips. Serve the steak on top of the cauliflower rice and drizzle it with the yummy cilantro pesto sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will fresh pesto last in the fridge?

It’s best to use it up within 5 days in the fridge for the best flavor and freshness.


Can I freeze pesto?

Yes, we recommend putting them in ice cube trays or in small freezer-safe containers. It can keep in the freezer for up to 6 months.


Is pesto healthy?

If used in moderation, it can be a healthy way to add flavor to your meals such as a sauce or a marinade. However, because the ingredients do include olive oil, nuts, and sometimes cheese, these ingredients can be high in calories and fat. Therefore, you would want to make sure you incorporate them in balanced portions to your meals. For this recipe, we used olive oil which is primarily unsaturated and can contribute to some heart health benefits.

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