Flank steak is one of the most versatile and delicious cuts of meat. If you've got one to cook, here are the 40 best flank steak recipes to make this cut of beef shine! It can be a tough cut of beef but with the right marinating and cooking techniques, it transforms into juicy and flavorful steak that is delicious grilled, pan-seared, broiled and more.
Read on for lots of tips or jump down to your favorite method of cooking this flavorful cut of beef. From Traeger to Air-fryer, Grill To Crockpot, there's sure to be one to suit your mood.
With over 50 delicious side dishes, here's what to serve with flank steak.
Jump to:
- What is Flank Steak?
- Tips for Selecting the Best Flank Steak
- Flank Steak Recipes
- Appetizers
- Salads
- Cast Iron + Pan Fried
- Stir-fry + Asian Noodles
- Pasta
- Tacos
- Fajitas, Quesadilla + Mexican Stew
- Stuffed
- Grilled + Broiled
- Traegar + Smoked
- Air Fried
- Jerky
- Best Substitutes For Flank Steak
- Why You Should Use A Marinade
- Flank Steak vs. Skirt Steak vs. Hanger Steak
- How To Cook Flank Steak Perfect Every Time
- Related Recipes
- Get My Free Book
- 10 Herbs 10 Ways
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What is Flank Steak?
Flank steak is a long and flat cut of beef that comes from the abdominal muscles of the cow. It can be a tough cut of meat because it contains a lot of muscle fibers and connective tissue. But when cooked properly, it can be incredibly tender and more flavorful than other cuts of beef.
Flank steak is often used in dishes like tacos, fajitas, stir-fries, pasta, and steak salads. Although less common in stews because it is so lean, done properly, it can make a rich and tender stew recipe. It can also be smoked, grilled, air fried, made into jerky and cooked in a crock pot.
Tips for Selecting the Best Flank Steak
When selecting flank steak, look for a piece of meat that is bright red in color and has a bit of marbling. While flank steak is a lean cut of beef, if you can find one with some marbling it will help keep the meat moist and tender during cooking.
Avoid any pieces of meat that have a grayish-brown color or a lot of visible fat. Also, try to choose a piece of meat that is as uniform in thickness as possible to help it cook more evenly.
Flank Steak Recipes
Flank steak is incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes. A perfect cut for grilling season but also at home cooked on the stovetop or even in the oven. Here are a few of my favorite recipes.
Appetizers
Flank steak is fantastic for appetizers. While there is just one recipe here, if you've got some leftover steak to use, it makes the perfect pre-dinner bite. Toast or grill up some crostini and top it with some seasoned tomatoes and thinly sliced beef. Or swap the tomatoes for a dollop of cambazola cheese or fresh cut salsa. Yum 🙂
Triscuit Appetizer with Flank Steak + Blue Cheese
Looking for a quick and easy Triscuit appetizer? Try this tasty recipe with blue cheese and flank steak. They’re easy to assemble and are a great make-ahead recipe for a crowd.
Salads
Thin slices of flank steak work so well in salads. This lean cut of meat makes a great topping for a main course salad and it's a great way to use up leftover flank steak too.
Flank Steak Salad with Thai Dressing
This flank steak salad will be on your table in 30 minutes. Bright and vibrant with fresh herbs and a Thai style dressing that can be made ahead. The dressing also doubles as the marinade for the steak.
Thai Flank Steak Salad
Best Steak Salad Recipe
Turn a pan seared or grilled steak into a healthy meal with this steak salad recipe with avocado, feta cheese, and a savory salad dressing.
Flank Steak Salad with Balsamic Dressing
Flank Steak Salad with Balsamic Dressing is a refreshing and hearty salad featuring tender flavorful flank steak, crisp lettuce, and a vegetable medley tossed in a tangy lemon-balsamic vinaigrette.
Cast Iron + Pan Fried
There's nothing better than a juicy steak on a Friday or Saturday night. Sear it in a cast-iron skillet, slice it thinly and surround it with your favorite mashed or fried potatoes and some grilled veggies and red onion for a delicious and easy steak dinner. A dollop garlic butter or blue cheese on top is a great idea too.
Bavette Steak
Bavette steak is a mouth-watering steak that’s topped with a garlic butter sauce for a show-stopping dish that’s perfect for every occasion. Done in a hot skillet to your preferred doneness, this is steakhouse perfection.
Surf + Turf with Chimichurri
This delicious surf and turf with chimichurri is made with flank steak and juicy shrimp. Fresh cilantro and parsley make the bright chimichurri sauce and a punchy dry rub flavors the steak.
Easy Cast Iron Teriyaki Flank Steak with Veggies
Teriyaki flank steak boasts sweet, spicy and savoury flavours. Flank steak seared on a cast iron skillet to come out juicy and delicious. This is a favourite quick steak dinner made in a cast iron grill pan.
Pan Seared Flank Steak with Garlic Butter
Pan seared flank steak with garlic butter is flavorful and easy to prepare for a weeknight meal. Seasoned flank steak is seared on the stove top with garlic butter.
Stir-fry + Asian Noodles
With bold flavors of soy sauce, fish sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil and sriracha and fresh herbs like cilantro, green onion and basil, these recipes will excite the taste buds.
Beef + Broccoli
This Beef and Broccoli Recipe is a quick and easy 30-minute Chinese stir fry made with thinly sliced flank steak and tender broccoli florets smothered in the most flavorful stir fry sauce. Better than take-out, serve it over hot rice for an easy, delicious weeknight dinner.
Beef Noodle Stir-fry (Mi Xao Bo)
This easy beef noodle stir-fry features tender beef, flavorful noodles and crisp vegetables. Make it at home and it will be as delicious as (and healthier than) what you get at the restaurants.
Vietnamese Lemongrass Beef Stir-fry (Bo Xao Sa Ot)
Lemongrass beef stir-fry (Bo Xao Sa Ot) is a delicious and easy Vietnamese dish that combines tender beef with the refreshing flavors of lemongrass and the heat of red chilies. It is an excellent choice for a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner.
Hunan Beef
This takeout-style Hunan beef recipe takes less than 15 minutes to make, with healthy ingredients! It makes a quick, easy weeknight dinner.
Orange Beef
Orange beef recipe makes a delicious main with stir-fried beef in a zesty, spicy orange sauce, served over hot white rice. Super simple. Totally tasty.
Blackstone Beef and Broccoli (Paleo)
This healthy Blackstone Beef and Broccoli makes a quick and delicious dinner that is gluten and soy-free, and paleo compatible! The tender steak sears up quickly on the griddle and pairs perfectly with the crunchy
Pasta
Thin cut and served over pasta, these are delicious flank steak recipes that are pure comfort food.
Creamy Steak Fettuccine Recipe
Elevate your dinners with this creamy steak fettuccine recipe that carries incredible flavor complexities and only takes less than an hour to make.
Creamy Chimichurri Steak Pasta Recipe
An easy chimichurri & crème fraiche sauced pasta is topped with garlicky grilled steak for the perfect dinner in this Creamy Chimichurry Steak Pasta.
Tacos
Flank is the perfect cut of steak for tacos. If it's grilling season, light up the barbecue to cook up your taco filling in the great outdoors. With so many great taco recipes to choose from, you could try a new one every day of the week!
Marinated Mojo Steak Tacos with Quick Guac
Mojo steak tacos that are as easy as tossing a few ingredients in a bowl and letting them marinate! Mojo steak can be stuffed into your favorite tortillas and topped with guacamole and salsa or served over rice as a steak taco bowl!
Simple Marinated Grilled Flank Steak Tacos
Using the best flank steak marinade (aka carne asada marinade) means a winning flank steak recipe every time. For this summer taco Tuesday grilling taco recipe, all the details are included for how to make carne asada, so enjoy!
Flank Steak Lettuce Wraps
Ranch flank steak lettuce wraps are a fun, tasty way to do a relaxed summer barbecue meal. Like a taco but lighter! These can be a great appetizer too.
Steak Street Tacos
These Steak Street Tacos are super simple, yet full of flavor. They are loaded with juicy marinated skirt steak, cilantro, onions, salsa verde, and cotija cheese. You can grill the steak outside or use a grill pan, either way it is delicious!
Beef Fajita Tacos
Classic Tex-Mex beef fajita tacos are made with juicy marinated steak, served with vibrant veggies and all your favorite toppings.
Easy Steak + Pico Tacos
Citrus marinated steak, pico de gallo, and tortillas- That’s all you need for these easy, simple, and delicious Steak and Pico Tacos.
Quick + Easy Korean Beef Tacos
Sweet and spicy Korean Beef Tacos are filled with tender, flavorful slices of beef and topped with a vibrant, crunchy and spicy coleslaw.
Lettuce Wrap Fajitas (Low Carb, Keto, GF)
This delicious and easy steak Lettuce Wrap Fajitas recipe comes together in minutes! A simple fajita seasoning, sliced juicy steak, & grilled peppers & onions are all you need for a fantastic dinner.
Mulitas de Asada
Mulitas de Asada are made of two crispy tortillas stuffed with beef and ooey gooey cheese. Serve with your favorite salsa and enjoy!
Fajitas, Quesadilla + Mexican Stew
Flank steak fajitas and quesadillas are another popular way to use this flavorful cut of beef. Use the grill or try them in your crockpot or in a sheet pan recipe. The Mexican ropa vieja is a fantastic Mexican stew that is a great way to try something new.
San Diego-Style Carne Asada Quesadilla
San Diego-style Carne Asada Quesadilla stuffed with juicy carne asada meat, melted cheese and topped with 4 ingredient guacamole and Pico de Gallo.
Sheet Pan Steak Fajitas
Sheet pan steak fajitas - the perfect weeknight meal for busy people! This cooking method makes for a fuss-free dinner that's as easy to make as it is to clean up!
Carne Asada
Best Carne Asada is made of flank or skirt steak soaked in a flavor packed marinade and grilled to juicy perfection! With generous amounts of chili powder, black pepper and lime juice, this recipe is flavorful and perfectly tender every single time!
Abuela’s Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja
This slow cooker ropa vieja recipe is made with flank steak, spices, peppers and onions, and a rich tomato sauce. Super tender and delicious.
Instant Pot Steak Fajitas Recipe
This Instant Pot steak fajitas dump & start recipe is SO quick and easy to make and are full of awesome Tex-Mex flavor. A great midweek meal.
Stuffed
Stuffed flank steak is a tasty way to add extra flavor. Place flank steak on a cutting board and spread your fillings inside. Roll it up and cook it before slicing it into beautiful round slices bursting with flavor.
Cranberry Cream Cheese Stuffed Flank Steak
How does cranberry cream cheese stuffed flank steak sound as a Christmas dinner dish? It’s such a great recipe for stuffed flank steak and works well as a New Year, Thanksgiving or Christmas steak recipe when you want something both fancy and tasty.
Flank Steak Stuffed with Brie + Zucchini
Tenderized flank steak stuffed with zucchini, Brie cheese, mushrooms and rosemary, tied with twine and sliced into individual portions; then grilled.
Grilled + Broiled
A good marinade can be a simple marinade and a rub can be a great tenderizer too. Try one of these below and hopefully one will become your new favorite. Place steak in a non-reactive dish (avoid aluminum or other metals) and marinade in the fridge for optimal food safety.
London Broil Recipe
Learn how to cook London broil in the oven, with simple ingredients. This quick and easy London broil recipe is juicy, tender, and flavorful. For best results, slice cooked and rested meat into thin strips, top with garlic and herb butter and serve.
Asian Grilled Flank Steak
The marinade for this Asian grilled flank steak is unbelievably good! Rice wine vinegar, soy and brown sugar acts as the meat tenderizer for this family favorite flank steak marinade.
Grilled Bulgogi Flank Steak
Did you know international flavors are perfect for the grill? Try this grilled bulgogi flank steak recipe for a tender grilled steak with Korean flavors!
Churrasco de Flank Steak
Looking for a great grilling recipe? With this Churrasco de Flank Steak from Texas de Brazil, you’ll have a delicious Brazilian style dish with bold flavors of lemon juice, parsley, garlic, red pepper and more.
Traegar + Smoked
Cook up a tender steak dinner with the low and slow method of smoking. This cooking method takes outdoor grilling to a new level and is lots of fun!
Traeger Smoked Flank Steak
This Traeger Smoked Flank Steak is marinaded in a delicious sauce, then smoked, reverse seared and topped with a flavorful chimichurri sauce.
Smoked Traeger Carne Asada
This is a tender, delectable Mexican carne asada recipe with a delicious smokey flavor because it’s smoked on a Traeger instead of grilled on a propane grill.
Smoked Flank Steak
Smoked Flank Steak is the tender beef entree you’ve been dreaming of. Moist and flavorful this easy smoked steak will become a standard on your menu.
Air Fried
Follow the simple steps of the Air Fryer recipe below for a healthy and tasty meal cooked in less time than other methods.
Air Fryer Flank Steak
Yes you can cook a steak in the air fryer! Air fryer flank steak comes out perfectly browned, juicy and tender in only 10 minutes. A healthy way to cook your Friday night dinner.
Jerky
Here's a great flank steak recipe to take out hiking or camping. Light weight and tasty, it's a great, high-protein snack for lunch bags too!
Sweet & Spicy Beef Jerky Recipe
Our spicy beef jerky recipe will satisfy all your snack cravings. The spicy beef jerky marinade is savory & sweet, everything you want in a perfect jerky!
Best Substitutes For Flank Steak
You may see flank steak called London broil but if you can't find the flank or London cut, you can choose a substitute. Skirt steak is the closest, followed by a hangar steak and then the tri tip. These are all lean cuts of beef that have amazing flavor, just like a beef flank steak. You can use them in all of these recipes, and be sure to cut them across the grain, just as you would for the flank steak.
Why You Should Use A Marinade
Marinating is essential for a juicy flank steak. The marinade helps break down the tough muscle fibers in the meat, helps retain moisture when cooking, and infuses it with flavor.
My favorite flank steak marinades are soy sauce, rice wine vinegar and garlic or a simple red wine vinegar and olive oil mixture. Soy sauce adds saltiness and umami, while the vinegar helps to tenderize the meat and add richness. Other great marinade options include Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, garlic powder, balsamic vinegar and fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme.
When marinating your steak, let it sit in the marinade for at least 30 minutes and as long as overnight. About 6-8 hours is optimal to flavor the meat while still keeping a nice texture. Time allows the flavors to penetrate the meat and make it more tender. Before cooking the steak, bring it to room temperature an it will cook more evenly.
Flank Steak vs. Skirt Steak vs. Hanger Steak
Flank steak, skirt steak, and hanger steak are all cuts of beef that come from the abdominal area of the cow. While they are similar in texture and flavor, they are each slightly different.
Flank steak is the leanest of the three cuts, with a rich, beefy flavor. It is also the most tender when cooked properly. Skirt steak has a more pronounced beefy flavor and is slightly tougher than flank steak. Hanger steak is the most flavorful of the three cuts, with a beefy taste that is often compared to that of a ribeye. However, it is also the toughest and most difficult to cook properly.
How To Cook Flank Steak Perfect Every Time
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure that the internal temperature reaches 130-135 degrees Fahrenheit for medium-rare. This will help you avoid overcooking the steak and making it tough. If you prefer your steak more well-done, you can cook it for a few extra minutes on each side. However, be careful not to overcook it, as this will make it tough and dry.
- After cooking, let the steak rest for at least 5-10 minutes before slicing. Letting flank steak rest before slicing is crucial for achieving a juicy and tender steak. When you cook meat, the juices are drawn towards the center of the meat. If you cut into it too soon, the juices will escape and leave you with a dry and tough steak. Letting the meat rest allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat and make it more tender.
- When slicing the steak, cut against the grain to break up the muscle fibers and make it easier to chew. Grab a sharp carving or chef's knife and a cutting board with a groove around the edge to catch the juices. Cutting it across the grain makes a big difference in the finished dish.
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Cheers and happy cooking, Friends! Sabrina
