Grilled Flank Steak

Indulge in the absolute best Grilled Flank Steak that’s marinated to perfection, resulting in a melt-in-your-mouth experience. Grilled to perfection, its juicy and flavorful goodness will leave you craving more at every tender bite.

This recipe is the best way to prepare and cook this lean cut of beef. It’s so easy that it’s almost brainless! You only need a plastic bag (like a Ziploc), some marinade, and your gas grill (charcoal works, too!). 

Even though flank steak has a reputation for being a tough cut of beef, this recipe will always give you a seriously juicy steak! Every bite is tender, flavorful, and a pure party on your tongue. It’s more than a great flank steak recipe; it’s the only recipe you’ll ever use again. 

Why You’ll Love Grilled Flank Steak

• The juiciest way to prepare a tender flank steak
• You can make it on the stove or a grill
• Perfect for outdoor BBQs
• There are a lot of ways to use leftover steak
• Uses an easy and flavorful marinade

Ingredients

The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.

• Flank steak: You need a whole flank steak for this easy recipe.
• Italian dressing: Bottled salad makes a good marinade; use your favorite kind.  
• Garlic cloves: They infuse herbaceous flavor into the meat; use whole garlic cloves, not garlic powder. 

How to Make Grilled Flank Steak

• Step One: Place steak, Italian dressing, and garlic into a large Ziploc bag. Placed the bag into your refrigerator for the steak to marinade for at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours.

• Step Two: Preheat your grill to 400°F.
• Step Three: Place the steak on the grill, cook for 4 minutes, and flip over to the other side. Continue cooking for 3 to 5 minutes until the steak reaches an internal temperature of 135°F.
• Step Four: Remove the steak from the heat and allow the steak to rest for 5 minutes.
• Step Five: Slice the steak against the grain.

Equipment Needed

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• Gallon Ziploc bag – Use a large bag to hold your steaks while they sit in the marinade. 
• Grill –  Any grill, even an indoor grill like a George Foreman, will work. 
• Sharp knife – This is to cut the steak after it rests. 
• Spatula – You’ll need a metal spatula to flip the steak over.  

What to Serve with Grilled Flank Steak 

This easy grilled steak recipe is perfect for a family at a cookout. Here are some of my favorite sides that taste delicious with steak.   

• Herb-roasted potatoes
• Dr. Pepper Baked Beans 
• Parmesan Roasted Carrots
• Corn on the Cob

Variations and Substitutions

• Make it spicier. Sprinkle red pepper flakes. 
• Add fresh lime.  A spritz of lime juice adds fresh flavors to the steak.  
• Make steak skewers. Thread the marinated steak through bamboo skewers and grill them. My recipe for Thai Flank Steak Kebobs is delicious!
• Top With pesto. This is a delicious topping for steak, no matter what you use to marinate it. 
• Add sweetness. Mix some brown sugar into the marinade,  but only a bit, because it won’t take much to make it taste sweet. 

Storage Instructions 

Store your cooked steak in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. 

Grilled Flank Steak Tips and Tricks

• Preheat the grill. This is a great way to get that nice sear to the steak. 
• Make gravy. Use excess marinade to create a thick gravy or topping for the steak. 
• Cook it on a charcoal grill to get a smoky flavor. 

Is Flank Steak The Same As Skirt Steak? 

Flank steak and skirt steak come from the same area of the cow, but flank comes from the bottom part and skirt from the top. Flank steak has less marbling than skirt steak, so it’s a leaner cut of meat. 

How Long Do You Marinate Steak?

Marinating the steak is an essential step. Yes, you have to marinate your steak if you want it to come out juicy. Don’t skip the marinade. Let the steak sit in the marinade for at least an hour, but it’s best if you marinate it overnight so that the marinade can penetrate the muscle fibers. Since it’s the connective tissues that make this cut of beef so tough, give the marinade time to soak and tenderize it. If you do, you’ll get tender meat every time. 

Marinade Ideas 

There are so many different types of sauce that you can use as a steak marinade. As long as the marinade includes an acidic ingredient that will tenderize the meat and flavorful herbs, the steak will taste unforgettable!

Some of the best flank steak marinade ingredients include: 

• Soy sauce
• Balsamic vinegar
• Lemon juice 
• Red wine vinegar
• Worcestershire sauce 

You can also make your own flank steak marinade with red onion and Dijon mustard.  

Stovetop Instructions

You can also make flank steak on the stove, too. First, preheat the skillet over medium-high heat and melt butter or add olive oil to coat the bottom of the skillet. 

Then, turn down the temperature and cook the steak over medium heat. Use an instant-read thermometer and cook it until it reaches your preferred degree of doneness. 

Using a grill pan is an easy way to get nice grill marks on your steak. 

Steak Doneness Temperatures

Always use a meat thermometer to test the meat to reach the level of doneness you prefer. The rarer the steak, the more tender it will be. 

These are the temps according to preferred doneness levels: 

• Rare: 125 degrees F
• Medium Rare: 135 degrees F
• Medium: 145 degrees F
• Medium Well: 155 degrees F
• Well Done: 165 degrees F 

How To Cut Steak

There is a specific way to cut the steak to keep as much juice and flavor intact as possible. Grab a cutting board, a sharp knife, and cut it into thin slices. Here’s the best way to cut flank steak. 

1. Look at which direction the fibers are running in your steak. 
2. Cut the steak across the fibers. This is called cutting against the grain. 
3. Hold your knife bland at a 45-degree angle while you slice. This is called cutting on the bias, which weakens the bonds holding your meat together, making it even more tender. 

How Long To Let Flank Steak Rest Before Slicing 

While you don’t want it to cool off to room temperature, it is a good idea to let your steak rest before you serve it. Cover it lightly with foil and set it on the counter for about five minutes. This will make the internal temperature rise about five more degrees. This is called carryover cooking. 

Resting your steak is very important. The heat from the meat will pull the juices toward the surface. If you cut into your steak too quickly (without this resting period), the juices will run out onto your plate. 

Common Mistakes To Avoid 

As easy as this recipe is, there are still a few different ways to end up with a tough but flavorful steak. 

For best results, let it rest before you slice into it. Remove the steak when it is 5 degrees less than your desired doneness, and let it cook while it is off the direct heat. Let it rest for at least 4-5 minutes. 

Another mistake to avoid is cooking your teak on a dirty grill. Clean the grill grate before cooking so your steak won’t taste like burnt bits. 

Finally, always use a food thermometer. Overcooking flank steak will give you chewy meat. Following cook times isn’t the most accurate way to grill steak. 

Leftover Steak Ideas

Flank is a versatile cut of beef because there are so many different ways to use the leftover steak! Use it to make any of these tasty recipes: 

• Steak fajitas
• Steak salad 
• Flank steak tacos
• Stir-fry

FAQ

Steak Recipes    

Want more easy steak recipes? Here are some of my favorites:

• Blackened Steak
• Garlic Steak Bites
• Chimichurri Steak Salad
• Sirloin Steak With Herb Sauce
• Mushroom Swiss Steak
• Slow Cooker Honey Bourbon Steak Bites
• Slow Cooker Mushroom Steak Bites

Try it with my homemade BBQ sauce. You’ll also like Ginger Lime Chicken.

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