A two-level fire allows you to brown the steak over the hot side of the grill, then move it to the cooler side if it is not yet cooked through. If your steak is thin, however, you may not need to use the cooler side of the grill. The times in the recipe below are for relatively even, 1-inch-thick steak tips. When grilling, bear in mind that even those tasters who usually prefer rare beef preferred steak tips cooked medium-rare to medium because the texture is firmer and not quite so chewy. See related recipes for marinade suggestions. Serve lime wedges with the Southwestern-marinated tips, and orange wedges with the garlic, ginger, and soy-marinated tips.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 pounds sirloin steak tips, trimmed of excess fat
- lime wedge or orange wedge for serving
INSTRUCTIONS
- Combine marinade and meat in gallon-size zipper-lock bag; press out as much air as possible and seal bag. Refrigerate 1 hour, flipping bag after 30 minutes to ensure that meat marinates evenly.
- About halfway through marinating time, ignite about 6 quarts (1 large chimney) charcoal briquettes and burn until covered with thin coating of light gray ash, 20 to 30 minutes. Create two-level fire by spreading single layer of coals over half of grill bottom and arranging remaining coals in layer several briquettes high over other half. Position grill rack over coals, cover grill, and heat rack until hot, about 5 minutes; scrape grill rack clean with wire brush. Grill is ready when thicker layer of coals is medium-hot (you can hold your hand 5 inches above grill rack for 3 to 4 seconds).
- Remove steak tips from marinade and pat dry with paper towels. Grill, uncovered, until well seared and dark brown on first side, about 4 minutes. Using tongs, flip steak and grill until second side is well seared and thickest part of meat is slightly less done than desired, 4 to 5 minutes for medium-rare (about 130 degrees on instant-read thermometer), 6 to 8 minutes for medium (about 135 degrees); if exterior of meat is browned but steak is not yet cooked through, move steak to cooler side of grill and continue to grill to desired doneness.
- Transfer steaks to cutting board; tent loosely with foil and let rest 5 minutes. Slice steak very thinly on the bias; serve immediately with lime or orange wedges.