Flank Steak

Unfortunately (and unfairly), flank steak can get a bad rap. A cut from the cow’s lower abdominal muscles, flank steak is extremely flavorful, but prepared incorrectly, it can verge on being tough. This recipe aims to change that. With a simple marinade and two cooking options (on the grill or in the oven) this recipe will give you an extra flavorful, tender steak dinner to enjoy alone—or in your favorite recipe—in under an hour with around 5 ingredients. Here's everything you need to know:

How to cook flank steak:
Because flank steak is a lean cut of meat that can be tough, the best way to cook it is hot and fast. We included directions for both the grill and the broiler in this recipe so you can enjoy this meal all year long. Regardless of your cooking method, the amount of time it will take to cook your steak will depend on two things: the thickness of your steak, and your desired doneness. Our steaks were to our desired doneness—medium-rare—after around 6 minutes on each side. If your steaks are larger (or if you're not a medium-rare fan), leave them on the grill until they're at your desired level of doneness. The best way to make sure your steaks are done to your liking? Use a meat thermometer.

Flank steak marinade.
Our simple marinade has just four ingredients, and is the perfect way to prep your flank steak to be extra-tender and flavorful. While acidic citrus juice and salty soy sauce act to both season and tenderize the steak, olive oil helps to keep the meat supple and juicy. A small amount of brown sugar brings out the meat's natural sweetness and helps to create a slightly caramelized crust once the steak hits the grill.

Don’t have everything on hand? No worries—this marinade is super flexible. For the soy sauce, you can substitute in tamari to make it gluten-free, or use Worcestershire or fish sauce for a funkier kick. No citrus on hand? Use an equal amount of balsamic vinegar for the right balance of sweetness and acidity.

Tip: Wondering how long to marinate your flank steak? We recommend at least 30 minutes, but you can go up to 2 hours.

Flank steak serving ideas:
If you're looking for a classic steak dinner, then serve this flank steak up with grilled veggies and a starchy component (you can never go wrong with herb-roasted potatoes), or with any number of our favorite steak sides. If you want to switch things up, you could also use this in your favorite tacos, as steak fajitas, or in a stir-fry like our beef and broccoli.

If you've made this flank steak recipe, we'd love to hear from you! Comment down below how you liked it, and remember to leave us a rating!

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