skirt steak: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowCulinary / technical (butchery, cooking), informal (grocery, dining).
Quick answer
What does “skirt steak” mean?
A long, flat, and thin cut of beef from the diaphragm (plate) section of the cow.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A long, flat, and thin cut of beef from the diaphragm (plate) section of the cow.
The term has no established extended meaning.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
While the term 'skirt steak' is understood in both varieties, it is more commonly used in American English. In British butchery and older cookbooks, cuts from the plate section might be referred to more generically (e.g., 'plate steak' or simply sold as mince/braising steak).
Connotations
In the US, it is strongly associated with fajitas and Tex-Mex cuisine. In the UK, it may be perceived as a specialist or 'foodie' ingredient.
Frequency
The term is of moderate-to-low frequency in the US in food contexts and low frequency in the UK.
Grammar
How to Use “skirt steak” in a Sentence
[marinate/cook/grill/slice] + [the/a] + skirt steakskirt steak + [is/comes] + [from the plate section]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in the food supply, wholesale meat, and restaurant procurement sectors.
Academic
Used in culinary arts programmes, food science, and animal science (meat cutting).
Everyday
Used in recipes, restaurant menus, and grocery shopping.
Technical
Used in professional butchery and meat inspection classifications.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “skirt steak”
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “skirt steak”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “skirt steak”
- Pronouncing 'skirt' as /skaɪət/ (like 'sky').
- Spelling as 'skert steak' or 'skrit steak'.
- Assuming it is a tender cut suitable for slow cooking.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. They are adjacent cuts from the abdominal area. Skirt steak is from the diaphragm (plate), is thinner, has a more pronounced grain, and is generally considered more flavourful. Flank steak is from the flank, is thicker, and leaner.
It is best cooked quickly over very high heat (grilling, pan-searing, broiling) to medium-rare or medium. It must be rested and then sliced thinly against the grain to maximise tenderness.
The name likely comes from its physical resemblance to a piece of hanging fabric or 'skirt', being a long, thin, flat muscle.
It is not recommended. Skirt steak is a lean, thin cut that becomes tough and chewy if braised or stewed for a long time. It is designed for fast, high-heat cooking.
A long, flat, and thin cut of beef from the diaphragm (plate) section of the cow.
Skirt steak is usually culinary / technical (butchery, cooking), informal (grocery, dining). in register.
Skirt steak: in British English it is pronounced /skɜːt steɪk/, and in American English it is pronounced /skɝt steɪk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a 'skirt' is made of fabric that is thin and hangs flat. A skirt steak is similarly a long, flat, thin piece of meat.
Conceptual Metaphor
N/A for this specific compound noun.
Practice
Quiz
Where on the animal does skirt steak come from?