Thursday, March 15, 2012

Mexican-Style Steak Sandwiches


We are typically year-round grillers, so when spring arrives, I do love to fire it up, but it's not quite as exciting to me as it is to say, my sister who lives in Minneapolis.  However, this week the weather has been absolutely gorgeous, so I couldn't resist cooking our dinner on the grill and eating on the deck.

I also can't resist Mexican food, so these sandwiches were a no-brainer for me.  You have thinly sliced steak on top of refried beans, topped with sliced avocado, Pepperjack cheese, and a creamy chipotle-lime sauce.  They are also very easy.  First, the steak is quickly cooked on the grill.  While it is grilling, you prep the other fillings - shred the cheese, slice the avocado and the buns, mix up the sauce, etc.  After assembling the sandwiches, they are popped back on the grill just long enough to melt the cheese and warm the whole thing through.  They are that perfect combination of spicy, salty, and creamy.  I knew that Joey would love these, but I'm pretty sure I loved them just as much. I served these with sweet potato fries, and they were also pretty delicious dipped into the leftover sauce.  In the summer, I also think a watermelon salad would be lovely as a side dish.

These sandwiches are quick, easy, and low-maintenance.  Which is perfect for this time of year - we finished dinner, loaded Smith in the Baby Bjorn, and went for a nice, leisurely walk after dinner.  I love spring so so much!




Mexican-Style Steak Sandwiches
adapted from America's Test Kitchen's 30 Minute Suppers, Summer 2011
  • 1 lb steak (preferably flank, flatiron, or skirt steak)
  • salt and pepper
  • 1/2 cup Greek yogurt or mayonnaise (lowfat is fine)
  • 1 Tbs minced chipotle chiles
  • 1-2 Tbs lime juice
  • 1/2 cup refried beans
  • 1 avocado, pitted and sliced
  • 1/2 cup shredded Pepper Jack cheese
  • 4 sandwich or burger buns, halved
Prepare grill to cook over medium-high heat.  Season both sides of the steak with salt and pepper.  Grease the grates well, then cook the steak until charred on both sides and cooked to your liking (about 4-7 minutes per side for medium).  Transfer the steak to a cutting board and tent with foil.  Allow to rest 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl whisk together the yogurt, chipotles, and lime juice.  Taste and season with salt as desired.

 Slice the steak as thinly as possible, then chop into bite-sized pieces.  On the bottom half of each roll, spread about 2 tablespoons of refried beans.  Top with the chopped steak, avocado, and then sprinkle about 2 tablespoons of cheese over the top.  On the top half of the bun, spread about 1 tablespoon of the chipotle sauce.  Place the top of the bun over the cheese, and lightly press down.

Arrange the sandwiches on a baking sheet and place the sheet directly on the grill.  Close the cover and cook until heated through and the cheese has melted, about 2 minutes.  Serve.


13 comments:

Made in Sonoma said...

I'm not a huge steak person but when it looks like that, I'll take it!

Jen said...

i love the idea of putting refried beans on a sandwich. looks great!

Michelle said...

Love this. I think I will make it next week.

Laura said...

I managed to fight the urge all week, in order to stick to the menu plan. No more though, firing her up tonight. Everything about these sound great, can't wait to try them.

Joanne said...

The first grilling days of the season are always so exciting! (and then your parents make burgers for dinner every night until labor day. excitement wanes by mid-april.) But who could get bored of these sandwiches? They look awesome!

Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious said...

I'm loving EVERYTHING in this bad boy. And you can't even call this a sandwich. It's too good to be just a sandwich!

Dawnye7 said...

What a flavorful sandwich. I love all of the flavors that were used to put this together.

Debs @ The Spanish Wok said...

This is my kinda sandwich as I don't eat burgers, have saved for another day, thanks.

Anonymous said...

Pinned this one and I will be trying it soon.

Sweet,Spicy,and Sassy said...

They look great!! :)

Anonymous said...

Looks delicious! Check out my new blog please!

Brianna said...

Yum! So many of my favorite flavors going on here. There is a restaurant here in town that serves Mexican-Italian fusion and they have a sandwich similar to this that I tried for the first time last week. I'd love to try this with chorizo as well.

Ashley said...

My mouth is watering. These look beautiful and those buns are amazing! I will be trying these for sure. :)

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