Grilled beef skewers with cactus paddles, golden pineapple, and morita chile cocoa lime marinade

Name: Grilled beef skewers with cactus paddles, golden pineapple, and morita chile cocoa lime marinade
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 16 min
Total time: 46 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Mexicana contemporanea
Ingredients: 24.7 oz beef sirloin, cut into 1.25-inch cubes; 10.6 oz cleaned cactus paddles; 10.6 oz fresh pineapple; 6.3 oz red onion; 0.7 oz morita chile; 4 tbsp lime juice; 3 tbsp olive oil; 4 cloves garlic; 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder; 1 tbsp honey; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp dried oregano; 1.5 tsp salt; 1 tsp black pepper; 0.5 cup fresh cilantro; 8 skewers wooden or metal skewers

An original grilling recipe featuring juicy beef cubes, tender cactus paddles, and caramelized pineapple, brought together with a deep marinade of morita chile, unsweetened cocoa, lime, and garlic. The result is smoky, citrusy, and lightly sweet, perfect for an outdoor meal.

30 minPrep

16 minCook

46 minTotal

4Servings

Gluten-FreeDairy-FreeHigh Protein

Ingredients

Adjust servings

700 g beef sirloin, cut into 1.25-inch cubes (without exceso of grasa)
300 g cleaned cactus paddles (cut en cuadros large)
300 g fresh pineapple (cut diced large)
180 g red onion (cut in wedges)
20 g morita chile (without stalk ni the mayoría of semillas)
60 ml lime juice (freshly squeezed)
45 ml olive oil (and a poco more for engrasar the parrilla)
12 g garlic (chopped)
8 g unsweetened cocoa powder (for profundidad of sabor)
15 ml honey (equilibra the picante)
2 g ground cumin
1 g dried oregano
8 g salt (or to taste)
2 g black pepper (freshly ground)
15 g fresh cilantro (chopped, for terminar)
8 pieces wooden or metal skewers (si son of madera, remojar 20 minutos)

Nutrition facts

per serving

402 kcal

Calories

34 g

Protein

17 g

Carbs

21 g

Fat

4 g

Fiber

13 g

Net carbs

Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.

Allergens

No declared allergens

Instructions

1
1. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 20 minutes to prevent burning. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat, about 450 °F / 230 °C.
2
2. Place the morita chile in a bowl with very hot water for 10 minutes until softened. Drain.
3
3. Make the marinade by blending or processing the softened morita chile, lime juice, olive oil, garlic, cocoa powder, honey, ground cumin, dried oregano, 1 teaspoon of the salt, and black pepper until thick and smooth.
4
4. Place the beef in a large bowl and add two-thirds of the marinade. Toss well to coat every cube. Let it rest for 15 minutes in a cool spot or refrigerated.
5
5. Toss the cactus paddles, pineapple, and red onion with the remaining marinade and the rest of the salt. Let them rest while the beef marinates.
6
6. Thread the skewers, alternating beef, cactus, pineapple, and red onion until all ingredients are used, leaving a little space between pieces so the heat can circulate.
7
7. Clean and lightly oil the grill grates. Place the skewers on the grill at 450 °F / 230 °C and cook for 12 to 16 minutes, turning every 3 to 4 minutes, until the beef is browned and cooked to your liking, the cactus is tender, and the pineapple is caramelized.
8
8. Remove the skewers and let them rest for 3 minutes. Finish with chopped fresh cilantro and serve immediately.

Chef tips

For a smokier flavor, let some edges of the pineapple and onion make direct contact with the grill. Do not marinate the beef too long with the lime juice so it keeps a firm texture.

Substitutions

You can replace the sirloin with ribeye or top round. If fresh cactus paddles are unavailable, use cooked cactus strips, well drained. The honey can be replaced with agave syrup if preferred.

What I used to make it

Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.

Illustrative image
Ninja Professional BL610 Blender
Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Easy-to-wash jar
- Check the power and jar size
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Illustrative image
TempPro TP19H Digital Thermometer
Checking doneness of meat and chicken
- Checks doneness of meat and chicken
- Quick reading
- Clean the probe after each use
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Illustrative image
Victorinox Fibrox Pro 8" Chef’s Knife
Chopping, slicing and cutting strips
- The knife I use most when cooking
- Chops, slices and cuts into strips
- Keep it sharp and hand-dry it
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