Grilled Flank Steak
Grilled Flank Steak is a flavorful and elegant meal that you can throw together in just 30 minutes. This thin and juicy steak can be enjoyed on its own or as an addition to tacos, sandwiches, salads, or stews!
Because flank steak is a relatively inexpensive cut of beef, it’s often written off as tough, dry, and poor quality. However, when grilled properly, flank steak can be tender, juicy, and flavorful. My grilled flank steak recipe is a great way to create an elegant meal on a budget. Simply pair your grilled flank steak with a few of your favorite side dishes, such as my Southwest Rice bowl and Homemade Dinner Rolls, and in no time, you’ll have a well-rounded meal perfect for your next holiday dinner or family get-together.
I love this easy-grilled flank steak recipe because it’s made with just a handful of simple ingredients. All you’ll need to get started is some flank or skirt steak, a high-quality olive oil, and a handful of spices. Once your steak has been oiled and seasoned, it’s ready to be thrown on a grill pan and seared to juicy perfection. Trust me, you won’t be able to get enough of this perfectly seasoned grilled flank steak.
Ingredients:
- 2lb Flank Steak, Trimmed and Cut Into steaks
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 Tablespoon Kosher Salt
- 1 Tablespoon Black Pepper
- 1 Teaspoon Cumin
- 1 Teaspoon Dried Oregano
- 1 Teaspoon Chipotle Chili Powder
How to Grill Flank Steak
- Dry the steaks thoroughly before brushing them with olive oil. Set aside.
- Mix the cumin, oregano, chipotle chili powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
- Rub the spice mixture over both sides of the steak. Set aside.
- Heat your grill pan until smoking, brush with olive oil, and add the seasoned steaks.
- Grill to your desired doneness.
- Allow the steak to rest before slicing, serving, and enjoying!
How to Pick Out a Good Flank Steak
When shopping for this cut of beef, pick out a steak that feels a little soft and fleshy and is bright in color. Avoid cuts that are dull and grey or tough to the touch. You’ll also want to note that flank steak is sometimes labeled as skirt steak or London broil.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best method to cook a flank steak?
Flank steak is most tender and flavorful when cooked quickly. For this reason, we recommend grilling, broiling, or air-frying your steak. However, you can also sear or bake flank steak. There are lots of ways to make a juicy flank steak.
How do you cook flank steak so it’s not tough?
To keep this thin cut of steak juicy and tender, we recommend cooking it medium-rare. Any more done and the steak will get tough and chewy.
How long should flank steak sit out before grilling?
Allow your flank steak to sit out on the counter for at least 30 minutes before oiling and seasoning it. The beef should be at room temperature before grilling to ensure even cooking.
How do I know when my steak is done?
The best way to know that your steak has been grilled to your desired doneness is to check its internal temperature with a meat thermometer. A rare steak will be about 125°F, medium rare will be 130°F, medium will be 140°F, medium well will be 150°F, and well done is anything over 160°F.
How to Store and Serve Grilled Flank Steak
Any leftover grilled flank steak can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and is best reheated in the oven, air fryer, or microwave. Remember that leftover flank steak won’t be as juicy and tender as fresh, but would still be a great addition to tacos, sandwiches, or stews.
Savory and salty grilled flank steak will be the star of your next dinner party or at-home date night! To really accentuate its natural flavors, I recommend serving this grilled flank steak with simpler sides like a garden salad, steamed vegetables, roasted corn, or chips and salsa. Don’t forget to garnish your grilled steak with fresh parsley or cilantro.
Can I Make Flank Steak Without a Grill Pan?
Absolutely! You can still grill this cut of beef on a charcoal or gas grill or even in a cast iron skillet on the stovetop. No matter how you choose to grill this steak, make sure that your cooking medium is very hot and well-oiled before adding your seasoned meat.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Really worried about your steak getting dry and tough? Try marinating your steak in a mixture of olive oil, garlic, red wine vinegar, soy sauce, honey, salt, and pepper instead of using a homemade dry rub.
- It’s ok if your steak smokes while it’s grilling! This is normal when cooking at such a high temperature.
- The chipotle chili powder gives this grilled flank steak a bit of a kick. If you’re sensitive to spice, you can omit it or swap it out for some paprika.
More Recipes:
Grilled Flank Steak
Grilled Flank Steak is a flavorful and elegant meal that you can throw together in just 30 minutes. This thin and juicy steak can be enjoyed on its own or as an addition to tacos, sandwiches, salads, or stews!
Ingredients
- 2lb Flank Steak, Trimmed and Cut Into steaks
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 Tablespoon Kosher Salt
- 1 Tablespoon Black Pepper
- 1 Teaspoon Cumin
- 1 Teaspoon Dried Oregano
- 1 Teaspoon Chipotle Chili Powder
- Ingredient Notes
- Flank Steak—Trimmed and cut into individual portions.
- Olive Oil—Or other high-heat fat such as avocado oil or ghee.
- Spices—A savory and aromatic blend of cumin, oregano, chipotle chili powder, salt, and pepper.
Instructions
- Allow the steak to sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
- Pat dry the steaks with a paper towel on both sides and brush on the olive oil on both sides.
- In a small bowl, mix together the seasons including the chipotle chili powder. Rub the seasonings onto both sides of the steak and set aside.
- Heat a cast iron grill over medium high heat until smoking, brush olive oil over the pan and gril the steaks for 4-5 minutes on both sides. (for medium rare) Transfer the steak to a plate to rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
- Slice the steak across the grain and serve. Enjoy!
Notes
Use a meat thermometer:
- Rare (125°-130°F)
- Medium Rare (130°-140°F)
- Medium (140°-150°F)
- Medium Well (150°-160°F)
- Well (Over 160°F)
- Really worried about your steak getting dry and tough? Try marinating your steak in a mixture of olive oil, garlic, red wine vinegar, soy sauce, honey, salt, and pepper instead of using a homemade dry rub.
- It’s ok if your steak smokes while it’s grilling! This is normal when cooking at such a high temperature.
- The chipotle chili powder gives this grilled flank steak a bit of a kick. If you’re sensitive to spice, you can omit it or swap it out for some paprika.
Best served with salad, corn, or salsa.
Garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro.
Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
The chipotle chile powder adds a bit of a kick to the dry rub, but regular chili or even paprika can be used instead.
It is very important to allow the steaks to come to room temperature before cooking to ensure even cooking on the steaks.
Always allow the steaks to rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing. Cutting or slicing beforehand will cause the steaks to dry out and be less flavorful.
Nutrition Information
Yield
2Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 1255Total Fat 65gSaturated Fat 24gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 32gCholesterol 466mgSodium 2240mgCarbohydrates 4gFiber 2gSugar 0gProtein 155g
