A simple and quick recipe for grilled top sirloin steak that guarantees tender and flavorful results every time. Ready in 15 minutes, top sirloin is a delicious and lean cut of beef that has more protein and less saturated fat and calories than other popular cuts of steak. Delicious topped with a drizzle of this cilantro chimichurri sauce.
Learning how to easily and simply prepare a lean, grilled steak is an invaluable dish to have in your culinary toolkit. Why I love prepping steaks for an easy dinner (or lunch) win comes down to a few things:
- Top sirloin steak is a nutrient dense, lean cut of beef that has fewer calories, less saturated fat and higher protein than other popular cuts of beef.
- Grilled sirloin is easy to prepare, not taking much more than salt and pepper. And the steak grills up in a matter of minutes.
- Affordability and versatility also makes this cut of meat a great choice. While not as economical as some cuts like flank steak, top sirloin is generally much more economical than other popular grilling steaks like ribeye, NY steaks and filet mignon. And it’s flavorful and tender enough to be eaten as is, or used in tacos, burritos and salads.
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Ingredients & Equipment for Grilled Top Sirloin Steak
- Standard top sirloin steaks, which are typically about .9-1.2 pounds in total weight, and are between 1″-1.5″ in thickness. There are also petite top sirloin steaks, but they cook up quickly and need constant babysitting to ensure they don’t overcook. Smaller top sirloins are great in dishes like my steak tips & potatoes recipe.
- Kosher salt and black pepper, about 1 teaspoon and ½ teaspoon respectively. Give each side a generous sprinkling of each.
- An instant read thermometer of some sort. I love the Thermapen for its accuracy and high quality design. My husband, the tech lover, swears by the Meater meat thermometer when he’s grilling though, and loves them so much he has two!
- BBQ Grill – either indoor or outdoor, gas or charcoal will do!
Is top sirloin lean & healthier than other steaks?
Beef is an excellent source of protein and vitamins and minerals like iron, zinc and the complex B vitamins. With that being said, most health organizations including the USDA dietary guidelines and AHA recommend sticking to leaner cuts of red meat. Let’s compare the popular ribeye to a top sirloin.
A 3 ounce serving of broiled rib eye steak contains 220 calories, while sirloin steak contains 180 calories. Rib eye steak contains about 17 grams of fat, while sirloin steak contains about 8 grams. Similarly, a rib eye is much higher in saturated fat, with 5.7 grams, compared with the 3 grams in a serving of sirloin. Lastly, top sirloin is also higher in protein, containing 25 grams vs rib eye’s 16 grams of protein.
How to Grill Top Sirloin Steak
Grilling this cut of beef couldn’t be easier.
Begin by removing the steak from the refrigerator and allowing it to come to room temperature for at least 20-30 minutes. This promotes more even cooking, leading to a more consistent doneness throughout the cut.
While the steaks come to room temperature, start preheating the grill to medium-high heat, or 450 degrees f.
Season steaks with a generous sprinkle of salt and pepper. Feel free to use a favorite dry spice blend; ones with garlic and onion powder and fresh herbs are great options. We personally like it short and simple and stick to kosher salt and black pepper.
When the steak is ready, place on the grill and cook for about 5-8 minutes one side. The steak should have nice dark grill marks but should not be overly cooked.
Flip and if necessary, lower the heat a bit, down to 400 degrees f or medium heat. Continue to grill for another 4-8 minutes, until desired doneness is achieved.
Recommended Grilling Times and Internal Temperatures
Total grilling time will depend on thickness of steak and desired doneness. For medium rare steaks that are 1″ thick, total grilling time will be approximately 9-12 minutes, and 12-15 minutes for a 1.5″ thick steak. To cook to medium, grill for 10-13 minutes for 1″ steaks, or 13-16 minutes for 1.5″ thick steaks.
For most accurate reading, use an instant read thermometer to check doneness. Medium rare grilled top sirloin steaks should cook to about 130 degrees f, and medium steaks should reach about 140 degrees f.
Pull steaks from the grill and place on a cutting board or platter. Cover with foil and allow to rest for at least 5 minutes. The temperature will continue to rise about 5 degrees f during the resting period, which is called “carryover cooking.”
how to prepare top sirloin –
Since grilled top sirloin is a leaner cut of meat, for best results we recommend slicing it thinly on the bias. This results in a much tender, less tough texture.
To air fry top sirloin steak, heat air fryer to 400 degrees f. Cook 8-12 minutes, flipping halfway in between, and check for doneness with an instant read thermometer. Temperature ranges will be the same as grilled top sirloin.
To cook top sirloin in the oven, preheat the oven to 425 degrees f. In a cast iron skillet, heat a bit of oil on medium high heat. Sear each side of the seasoned steak for about 2 minutes per side. Transfer pan with steaks in it to the oven, and cook for 5 minutes, then start checking for doneness.
FAQ’s
There are 3 cuts from the sirloin; the top, top and bottom. Top sirloin is considered to be the most tender of the sirloin cuts, and most resembles the taste and texture of a ribeye or NY steak, but with less fat. For best results, slice thinly against the grain.
We love top sirloin and find it to be the perfect balance of flavorful and tender, without being too greasy and heavy. Some cuts of meat just feel too rich and don’t often digest as well due to their higher fat content. Sirloin steak is filling but won’t weigh you down, and works beautifully with heavier foods like mased potatoes, or tossed in a light salad.
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Other delicious beef recipes
- Beef Sirloin Tip Steak with Garlic Potatoes – #1 recipe on the blog!
- Easy Tri-tip in the Slow cooker – use it for tacos, burritos, or enjoy as is!
- Tender & Juicy Flank Steak in the Air Fryer – so quick & easy and always works!
- Lamb & Beef Meatballs – perfect for meal prep and tastes great in Mediterranean bowls or pitas!
Grilled Top Sirloin Steak Recipe
Equipment
- BBQ grill indoor or outdoor, gas or charcoal
Ingredients
- 1 lb Top sirloin steak 1"-1.5" thick
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon Black pepper
Instructions
- Remove the steak from the refrigerator, bringing it to come to room temperature for at least 20-30 minutes.1 lb Top sirloin steak
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat, or 450 degrees f.
- Season steaks with a generous sprinkle of salt and pepper., or use a favorite dry spice blend1 teaspoon Kosher salt, ½ teaspoon Black pepper
- Once seasoned, place the steak on the grill and cook for about 5-8 minutes one side. The steak should have nice dark grill marks but should not be overly cooked.
- Flip and if necessary, lower the heat a bit, down to 400 degrees f or medium heat. Continue to grill for another 4-8 minutes, until desired doneness is achieved. See recipe notes for recommended cooking times and internal temperatures.
- Remove steaks from the grill and place on a cutting board or platter. Cover with foil and allow to rest for at least 5 minutes. The temperature will continue to rise about 5 degrees f during the resting period, which is called “carryover cooking.”
- To serve, slice thinly on the bias and serve.
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