The Skirt Steak: Tender and Flavorful

Skirt steak is the star of this dish, providing a tender yet flavorful base for the pinwheels. Known for its rich, beefy taste and slightly chewy texture, skirt steak is the perfect cut for grilling and stuffing. By pounding the steak to a thinner, uniform thickness, it becomes more tender and easier to roll, ensuring that each bite is as flavorful as it is satisfying.

Before grilling, the steak is seasoned with kosher salt, black pepper, and garlic powder, which enhance its natural flavor without overpowering the dish. The seasoning creates a flavorful exterior while allowing the caramelized onions and Swiss cheese to shine as the primary flavors inside the pinwheel.

Caramelized French Onions: Sweet and Savory Perfection

The caramelized onions are one of the key components of this dish. Slowly cooking the onions in beef tallow until they’re golden brown and deeply sweet ensures that the flavor is rich and savory, with just a hint of sweetness. The addition of garlic and rosemary enhances the savory depth, while the deglazing with bourbon and beef broth brings a unique complexity to the caramelized onions.

The bourbon adds a touch of smokiness and richness to the onions, while the beef broth and brown sugar round out the flavors with a touch of sweetness. The result is an onion mixture that’s savory, slightly sweet, and deeply flavorful, perfectly complementing the richness of the steak and the creaminess of the cheese.

Swiss Cheese: Melty and Rich

Swiss cheese plays a pivotal role in this dish, offering a smooth, melty texture that contrasts beautifully with the crunchy, cheesy topping that will come later. Its mild, nutty flavor pairs well with the caramelized onions, without overpowering the rich beef. As the steak is rolled up, the Swiss cheese melts into the onions, creating a cohesive, delicious filling that’s both gooey and flavorful.

This combination of melted cheese and sweet onions ensures that every bite of the French Onion Steak Pinwheels is indulgent and comforting. The Swiss cheese adds just the right amount of creaminess to balance the savory steak and onions.

The Cheese Crust: A Crunchy, Golden Finish

What sets these pinwheels apart from a typical steak dish is the final cheesy crust. After the pinwheels are grilled and rested, they are topped with a mixture of Gruyere cheese, Panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and melted butter. This mixture is sprinkled over the pinwheels, creating a golden, crunchy crust that adds a delightful texture and extra layer of flavor.

The Gruyere and Parmesan cheeses bring a nutty, salty richness to the crust, while the Panko breadcrumbs add the perfect amount of crunch. Once the pinwheels are topped with the cheese mixture, they can be finished off with a kitchen torch or by broiling them for a few minutes, creating a beautifully caramelized crust that gives each bite a satisfying crunch.

Grilling the Pinwheels: Perfectly Cooked, Juicy Steak

Grilling the pinwheels is the final step, and it’s crucial to get the temperature just right to ensure the steak stays juicy and tender. The two-zone high heat setup on the grill (around 400°F) allows you to sear the pinwheels on the hot side of the grill for about one minute per side, creating a nice crust and locking in the juices.

Once seared, the pinwheels are moved to the cooler side of the grill to cook indirectly until they reach an internal temperature of 125°F. This ensures that the steak is perfectly cooked to medium-rare, with the cheese and onions inside staying warm and gooey. After grilling, the pinwheels rest for about 10 minutes, allowing the juices to redistribute and making sure the steak stays tender.

Assembling the Pinwheels: A Flavorful Roll-Up

Assembling the pinwheels is a simple yet crucial step in creating this beautiful dish. After tenderizing the skirt steak and seasoning it, the next step is to layer the Swiss cheese and caramelized onions along the length of the steak. These ingredients are placed carefully on the steak, ensuring an even distribution for each bite. Once the filling is added, the steak is rolled up tightly, forming a pinwheel shape, and secured with kitchen twine to keep everything in place while grilling.

This method of stuffing and rolling ensures that the steak cooks evenly and that the caramelized onions and cheese stay inside the pinwheel. When sliced, each pinwheel reveals a beautiful spiral of steak, cheese, and onions, making for a visually appealing and flavorful presentation.

Serving and Garnishing: A Final Touch

Once the pinwheels are grilled, rested, and topped with the crunchy cheese crust, they are ready to be sliced and served. Slicing the pinwheels into individual servings reveals the beautifully layered filling inside. For an extra touch of freshness and color, garnish with chopped parsley. This adds a pop of green that brightens up the dish and complements the rich, savory flavors.

These French Onion Steak Pinwheels are perfect for a hearty main course, and they can be served with a side of roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a fresh salad. Their impressive presentation and rich flavors make them ideal for special occasions, yet they’re simple enough for a family dinner.

Conclusion

French Onion Steak Pinwheels are a show-stopping main course that brings together the comforting flavors of French onion soup with the richness of skirt steak and melted cheese. The tender steak, sweet caramelized onions, and gooey Swiss cheese create a perfect combination of flavors, while the crunchy cheese crust adds an extra layer of texture and flavor. Whether you’re grilling for a holiday gathering or preparing a special family meal, these pinwheels will surely impress your guests with their delicious taste and beautiful presentation. With every bite, you’ll enjoy a satisfying balance of savory, cheesy, and caramelized flavors that will make this dish a new favorite in your culinary repertoire.