“Master the art of grilling flank steak with perfectly timed results! Discover the ideal grill time for juicy and tender flank steak, ensuring a mouthwatering meal every time. Unlock the secrets to achieving that delicious charred exterior and succulent interior with our expert tips and techniques. Elevate your grilling game and impress your guests with flavor-packed flank steak cooked to perfection.”
Easy Grilled Marinated Flank Steak
When you’re craving a flavorful steak and want it fast, this easy grilled marinated flank steak is the perfect choice. The flank steak is marinated for almost 24 hours to soak up all the delicious flavors. The marinade combines sweetness from brown sugar, saltiness from soy sauce, and a spicy kick from chili powder and red pepper flakes. Fire up the grill and give this flank steak a try for your next fajita or steak nacho night!
Flank steak is a lean and tough cut of meat, so it benefits greatly from marinating and cooking quickly over high heat. To ensure tenderness, slice the cooked steak thinly against the grain. While cuts like rib-eye or t-bone steaks are naturally flavorful due to their fat content, flank steak requires a marinade to infuse it with flavor. The marinade for this recipe consists of olive oil for fat and brown sugar for sweetness. Feel free to get creative with your marinade by using different acids like apple cider vinegar or orange juice, and experimenting with fresh herbs.
If you’re looking for other delicious recipes, try our smoked jalapeño popper mac and cheese or air fryer Brussels sprouts with bacon. And don’t forget to follow us on social media! If you make this recipe, we’d love to hear about it in the comments below.
Marinated Flank Steak
This easy grilled marinated flank steak is a flavorful and delicious main dish option. The flank steak is marinated for almost 24 hours, allowing it to soak up lots of flavors. The marinade includes brown sugar for sweetness, soy sauce for saltiness, and chili powder and red pepper flakes for spiciness. This gives the steak a perfect balance of flavors.
Flank steak is a lean and tough cut of meat, but it benefits from marinating and cooking over intense heat. The marinade helps to tenderize the meat, while grilling quickly over high heat gives it a nice char on the outside. It’s important to slice the flank steak very thin against the grain to ensure tenderness.
To make the perfect marinade, there are five main components: fat (such as olive oil), sweetness (like brown sugar), acid (try apple cider vinegar or orange juice), herbs (fresh ones like rosemary and thyme), and spices (such as chili powder or red pepper flakes). You can adjust these components to suit your taste preferences.
Flank steak
Flank steak is a wide, flat cut of meat that comes from the abdominal muscles of the cow. It is a lean and tough cut of meat because the muscle fibers all run in one direction. However, when cooked properly, it can be incredibly flavorful and tender.
To make flank steak more tender, it benefits greatly from marinating. Marinating helps to break down the tough muscle fibers and infuse the meat with flavor. The marinade used for this grilled marinated flank steak recipe includes ingredients like brown sugar, soy sauce, chili powder, and red pepper flakes to provide sweetness, saltiness, and spiciness to the meat.
When cooking flank steak, it is important to slice it thinly and against the grain. This helps to further break down the muscle fibers and ensure that each bite is tender. Flank steak is best cooked quickly over high heat on a grill or stovetop to prevent it from becoming too tough.
How to grill flank steak
To grill flank steak, start by marinating the steak for several hours or overnight. This will help tenderize the meat and infuse it with flavor. You can use a pre-made marinade or create your own using ingredients like olive oil, brown sugar, soy sauce, and spices.
Next, preheat your grill to high heat. If using a charcoal or gas grill, aim for a temperature of around 450°F. Place the marinated flank steak on the hot grill and cook for about 5 minutes on each side. The internal temperature should reach 135°F for medium-rare or 140°F for medium.
Once cooked, remove the flank steak from the grill and let it rest for about 10 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute within the meat, resulting in a more tender and flavorful steak. When slicing the flank steak, be sure to cut against the grain to ensure tenderness.
Do you have to marinate flank steak?
Marinating flank steak is not required, but it is highly recommended. Flank steak is a lean and tough cut of meat, so marinating helps to tenderize and add flavor to the steak. The marinade helps to break down the muscle fibers, making the steak more tender when cooked. Additionally, the flavors from the marinade seep into the meat, enhancing its taste.
Marinating flank steak also allows for more customization in terms of flavors. In this recipe, the marinade includes ingredients like brown sugar, soy sauce, chili powder, and red pepper flakes, which add sweetness, saltiness, and spiciness to the steak. However, you can adjust the marinade according to your own preferences by using different ingredients like apple cider vinegar or orange juice for acidity, or adding fresh herbs for additional flavor.
Overall, while marinating flank steak is not mandatory, it greatly enhances its taste and texture.
How to make a steak marinade
To make a steak marinade, you will need a few key components. Start with a fat, such as olive oil, to add moisture and richness to the meat. Next, add some sweetness with ingredients like brown sugar or honey. This will balance out the flavors and help with caramelization on the grill. For acidity, you can use vinegar or citrus juice, which will help tenderize the meat and add brightness to the flavor profile.
To amp up the flavor, add in some spices and herbs. Fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme go well with steak and can be added directly to the marinade. You can also use dried spices like chili powder or red pepper flakes for a bit of heat. Don’t forget to season with salt and pepper to enhance the overall taste.
Combine all these ingredients in a bowl or zip-top bag and mix well. Place your steak in the marinade, making sure it is fully coated on all sides. Let it marinate for at least an hour, but preferably longer if you have time. The longer it sits in the marinade, the more flavor it will absorb.
Once your steak has marinated to your liking, it’s ready for grilling. Preheat your grill to high heat and cook the steak for about 5 minutes on each side or until it reaches your desired level of doneness. Remember to let it rest for a few minutes before slicing against the grain to ensure tenderness.
With this basic formula for a steak marinade, feel free to get creative and adjust the ingredients to suit your taste preferences. Experiment with different herbs, spices, acids, and sweeteners until you find your perfect combination of flavors.
In conclusion, achieving the perfect grilled flank steak requires a careful balance of time and temperature. With a recommended grill time of 4-6 minutes per side over high heat, it is essential to monitor the steak closely to avoid overcooking. Resting the meat for a few minutes before slicing will ensure optimal tenderness and juiciness. By following these guidelines, you can enjoy a flavorful and succulent flank steak that is sure to impress your guests.
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