Strawberry Barbecue Beef Recipe | Sweet & Smoky Grilled Beef

1. Roasting the Strawberries for the Sauce

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
2. Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper.
3. Toss the strawberries with 1 tbsp olive oil, ½ tsp salt, and ½ tsp black pepper in a mixing bowl until they are evenly coated.
4. Spread the strawberries in a single layer on the baking sheet, ensuring they are not overcrowded.
5. Roast the strawberries in the oven for 20 minutes until they soften, release their juices, and develop slight caramelization.
6. Remove from the oven and let them cool slightly.

2. Preparing the Strawberry Barbecue Sauce

1. Heat a medium saucepan over medium heat.
2. Add the roasted strawberries along with ½ cup apple cider vinegar (or date vinegar), ¼ cup honey, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp halal soy sauce, and 1 tsp smoked paprika.
3. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
4. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Let it cook for 10-15 minutes until it thickens slightly.
5. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with more salt or honey if needed.
6. Turn off the heat and allow the mixture to cool for 5 minutes.
7. Blend the sauce using an immersion blender or a standard blender until smooth.
8. Strain if necessary for an ultra-smooth consistency.
9. Set aside for basting and serving.

3. Preparing the Strawberry Basil Salsa

1. Dice the strawberries into small, uniform pieces.
2. Finely chop the red onion and fresh basil leaves.
3. In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup diced strawberries, ¼ cup finely chopped red onion, and ¼ cup chopped fresh basil.
4. Squeeze fresh lime juice over the mixture and season with ½ tsp salt and ½ tsp black pepper.
5. Gently mix all the ingredients until well combined.
6. Cover and refrigerate for at least 10 minutes to let the flavors meld together.

4. Preparing the Beef

1. Pat the flank steak dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
2. Brush both sides with 1 tbsp olive oil.
3. Season generously with ½ tsp salt and ½ tsp black pepper.
4. Allow the steak to sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before grilling.

5. Grilling the Beef

1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (~200°C).
2. Clean and oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.
3. Place the steak on the hot grill and cook for about 4-5 minutes on one side without moving it.
4. Flip the steak using tongs and cook for another 4-5 minutes on the other side for medium-rare.
5. In the last 2 minutes of grilling, baste the steak generously with the prepared strawberry barbecue sauce using a brush.
6. For a deeper glaze, flip and baste again on both sides.
7. Check the internal temperature using a meat thermometer:
8. 52-54°C (125-130°F) for rare
9. 57-60°C (135-140°F) for medium-rare
10. 63-66°C (145-150°F) for medium
11. Once the steak reaches your desired doneness, remove it from the grill.

6. Resting and Slicing the Beef

1. Transfer the grilled steak to a cutting board.
2. Cover loosely with foil and let it rest for 5-10 minutes. This helps retain juices and keep the meat tender.
3. Slice the steak thinly against the grain to ensure tenderness. Cutting against the muscle fibers shortens them, making the meat easier to chew.

7. Plating and Serving

1. Arrange the sliced steak on a serving platter.
2. Spoon the fresh strawberry basil salsa over the steak, distributing it evenly.
3. Drizzle extra strawberry barbecue sauce on top or serve on the side as a dipping sauce.
4. Garnish with additional fresh basil leaves if desired.
5. Serve immediately with grilled vegetables, rice, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.