This rolled flank steak stuffed with piquant fillings is loosely inspired by Argentinian matambre, which is usually fashioned from a cut of mature veal. It’s no wonder that its name translates to “hunger killer.” Top with a garlicky green herb sauce that takes cues from Argentina’s celebrated chimichurri sauce.
| Level: | Intermediate |
| Total: | 1 hr 40 min |
| Active: | 1 hr 5 min |
| Yield: | 4 to 6 servings |
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for oiling the grill grates
- 2 links (about 6 ounces) fresh chorizo, removed from casings
- One 1 1/2-pound flank steak
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups loosely packed fresh cilantro leaves
- 1 1/2 cups loosely packed fresh Italian parsley leaves
- 1/3 cup green olives with pimento
- 2 tablespoons pickled jalapeno slices
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed and peeled
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 3 peeled hard-boiled eggs, quartered lengthwise
- 1 medium carrot, cut into 3-by-1/4-inch sticks
- 1 small red bell pepper, cut into 1/4-inch strips
- 1 cup loosely packed fresh cilantro leaves
- 1 cup loosely packed fresh Italian parsley leaves
- 1 clove garlic, crushed and peeled
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- Kosher salt
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Instructions
- For the flank steak: Prepare an outdoor grill for cooking over direct and indirect heat (if your grill has a thermometer, aim to keep the temperature at about 350 degrees F throughout grilling).
- Heat a medium skillet over medium heat. When the skillet is hot, add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the chorizo and cook, stirring and finely crumbling with a wooden spoon until cooked through, about 4 minutes. Drain on paper towels and let cool.
- Set the flank steak on a cutting board. Use a knife to score the steak down the middle against the grain, halfway through its thickness. Working from the center line, out toward the edges, cut thin flaps from the score to the edge, like a gatefold. Pound with the flat side of a meat mallet to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch. Sprinkle both sides of the steak with salt and pepper and brush with the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil.
- Chop the cilantro, parsley, olives, pickled jalapenos and garlic together on a cutting board to make a chunky paste. Brush the steak with the mustard. Spread the herb paste over the steak, leaving empty a 1-inch border around the edges. Pat to adhere the paste to the meat. Starting a third of the way in from the right, make 4 equidistant lines of egg. Between the egg lines, mound lines of chorizo, then carrots and then peppers, covering all but that first third of the steak’s surface. Roll the steak around the fillings like a jelly roll, from the filled to the empty side. Tie closed at 2-inch intervals around the circumference with kitchen twine. Tie 1 more piece of twine lengthwise around the meat.
- Lightly oil the grill grates. Grill the steak on the direct-heat side of the grill to brown all 4 sides, about 2 minutes per side. Move the steak to the indirect-heat side of the grill, cover and cook, turning occasionally and testing the temperature frequently, until the very center reads 115 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, for a steak that is well-done on the outside and medium-rare in the center, 25 to 30 minutes more. Transfer the matambre to a cutting board to rest.
- For the chimichurri sauce: Finely chop the cilantro, parsley and garlic on a cutting board. Transfer to a small bowl and stir in the red pepper flakes, vinegar and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Stir in the olive oil.
- Untie and slice the flank steak into 6-thick slices on a slight bias. Serve with the chimichurri sauce for drizzling.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving Size | 1 of 6 servings |
| Calories | 604 |
| Total Fat | 49 g |
| Saturated Fat | 12 g |
| Carbohydrates | 6 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Protein | 35 g |
| Cholesterol | 177 mg |
| Sodium | 624 mg |
Reviews
Do you think I could do a carne asada marinade and then slice and cook this as a matambre? Or would the meat not hold together enough for butterflying?
You have to take into consideration that the description of the recipe says “inspired by Argentinian Matambre”. It does not say it is the real thing.
However, it showed me a great technique for butterflying the flank steak. And by the ingredients, promises lots of flavor.
Loved it!!
I’m not a fan of cilantro but my husband is so I have to write this based on someone who does and he loved it…a LOT. It is quite a bit of work but makes an awesome presentation. I left out the carrots, I just really didn’t see the benefit other than color. Even as a cilantro disliker, I found it to be good–I did not have mine with the sauce but I did make the sauce and it disappeared.
It might not be a true Argentinian Matambre, but it was a great dish! Cilantro was a great addition to the chimichurri. Loved this recipe. Will definitely do it again!
Matambre as you made here IT IS NOT ARGENTINIAN NOR URUGUAYAN it is your creation, version of something. Chimichurri does not have cilantro. I am Argentian and I know our cooking
Very good! Lots of flavor! I will definitely make this again. Only thing I left out was the julienned carrots.
Lots of work for little taste. I wouldn’t make this again.
Yummy!!