17 Flank Steak Recipes To Make For an Elevated (But Easy) Meal
Who’s craving some steak?
Fred Hardy
Believe it or not, steak meals go far beyond pricey filet mignon or a massive Tomahawk. In fact, flank steak, which is a popular cut of beef that comes from the cow's stomach muscles, is a very lean and relatively thin choice that’s not nearly as fatty as some other cuts. Additionally, this fast-cooking, affordable cut works well when marinated and cooked over high heat, which makes it tender and juicy. This means it's a great source of protein in dishes like tacos, sheet pan meals, stir-fries, and more.
So, are you ready for some flank steak recipes? This roundup includes a flank steak meal for any occasion, like a flavorful fajita steak salad or a steak stir fry with snap peas and sweet potatoes, and since flank steak cooks quickly, many of these dishes come together in under an hour. Keep reading for some delicious inspiration!
Related: 15 Beef Tenderloin Recipes to Make When You Want to Treat Yourself
Ginger Stir-Fry Beef With Green Beans
Jennifer Causey
Flank steak thrives in a stir-fry, because the ingredients are cooked quickly over high heat. Here, the meat is joined by green beans, ginger matchsticks, and a thick, glossy sauce flavored with fresh soy sauce, sesame, and spicy chile-garlic combo. To complete the meal, serve everything over a mound of white or brown rice.
Balsamic Steak With Radicchio and Pears
This flank steak dinner is cooked on the grill and delivers that beloved charred flavor. If you don’t have a grill, go ahead and use a grill pan. In this dish, juicy, sweet pears and bitter radicchio, both grilled, complement the rich steak and vibrant balsamic-shallot dressing. A sprinkling of funky blue cheese and a scattering of chives ties everything together.
Grilled Chipotle Steak With Okra and Corn
Fred Hardy
In the market for another grilled dish? Give this 40-minute meal a try. Here, marinated flank steak teams up with okra and corn for a recipe that also boasts smokiness from adobo sauce, and brightness from lime and cilantro. You won’t be disappointed with this dish.
Steak Stir-Fry With Snap Peas, Bok Choy, and Basil
There are endless combinations of ingredients when it comes to making a stir-fry. In this variation, flank steak is joined by healthy vegetables like bok choy, snap peas, and a sprinkling of scallions. Plus, fans of spicy food will be happy to know that this dish includes a hot red chili, which means the final result packs a punch.
Flank Steak With Orange and Avocado Salsa
We love this steak and salsa combo because you can eat it solo, use it to fill tacos, or serve it over a pile of healthy salad greens. Plus, this dish feeds the whole family, and comes together in just 20 minutes. We suspect you’ll be making this recipe multiple times a year.
Related: 15 Classic Meatloaf Recipes For a Cozy Meal
Taco-Rubbed Flank Steak
The Spruce / Ali Redmond
Here, traditional Mexican taco seasonings such as chili powder, ground cumin, and cayenne pepper are rubbed into flank steak, which is then grilled or broiled. The result is a flavorful, tender steak that will thrive in tacos, grain bowls, or served alongside rice and beans.
Grilled Stuffed Flank Steak With Scallions, Ginger, and Teriyaki Glaze
If you like stuffed chicken, it’s time to try stuffed steak! In this recipe, a butterflied flank steak is packed with an aromatic scallion-ginger mixture and grilled over hot coals. It’s also served with a homemade teriyaki sauce, making it similar to beef negimaki. Don’t skip the step in which you butterfly the steak, because doing so allows you to stuff it more easily.
Grilled Balsamic and Garlic Flank Steak
Maxwell Cozzi
This grilled flank steak is paired with a punchy vinegar broth, which pulls double duty in that it adds flavor and makes the somewhat tough cut of meat more tender. Just make sure not to cook the steak past medium, or else it will be difficult to cut and chew.
Caprese Salad With Grilled Flank Steak
By now you’re probably aware of Caprese salad, which is made with sliced mozzarella, fresh tomatoes, and basil. This version includes grilled flank steak, which adds more protein to the dish and makes it more filling. Drizzle the finished dish with high-quality balsamic vinegar and enjoy!
Pan-Seared Flank Steak With Peaches and Dandelion Greens
Bitter greens and sweet peaches join pan-seared flank steak for a flavorful and balanced one-pan dinner that comes together in just 15 minutes. And if you’re wary of cooking with dandelion greens, don’t be! The sweet peach, tart lemon, and hot chilies all work in concert to mellow out the bitterness of the greens.
Jamaican Jerk Flank Steak
The Spruce / Maxwell Cozzi
Flavor is key when cooking with flank steak, and this recipe is about as flavorful as it gets. You’ll start by seasoning the steak with a marinade that includes a litany of blended spices and other ingredients, including lime juice, a Scotch Bonnet pepper, rum, and soy sauce. Then, you’ll grill the steak for about 15 minutes and boil the remaining marinade simultaneously. When the steak is done and rested, simply slice it and top it with the remaining marinade. Serve over rice and dig in!
Grilled Balsamic Flank Steak With Peppers and Onions
If you’ve never cooked with flank steak before but want to give it a try, this is a good recipe to start with. Here, you’ll simply caramelize an onion on the grill and pile the slices atop the steak for a sweet main dish that’s excellent to serve in the summer.
Jack Daniel's Flank Steak
The Spruce / Nyssa Tanner
Head to your bar cart for this recipe and grab a bottle of Jack Daniel's. The whiskey acts as a marinade and infuses the meat with all of its flavors while also making the steak more tender. Go ahead and score the steak using your knife, making a diamond pattern, in an effort to help the meat absorb the marinade better. After less than 30 minutes, dinner is served!
Flank Steak Stir Fry With Asparagus and Red Pepper
Flank steak, asparagus, and red bell peppers join forces to create a flavorful midweek dinner that comes together in about 40 minutes. The highlight of this recipe is homemade sauce, which coats the meat and veggies. Luckily, it’s made with mostly pantry staples, including soy sauce, chili oil, and garlic.
Related: 89 Easy Dinner Ideas to Add to Your Weeknight Rotation
Grilled Stuffed Flank Steak With Roasted Chilies and Pepper Jack Cheese
Steak and cheese works beyond a cheesesteak sandwich. In this recipe, flank steak is rubbed with a garlicky chili rub, then stuffed with roasted green chiles and pepper Jack cheese. To keep the steak from unraveling while it cooks, secure it with a combination of butcher's twine and wooden skewers.
Citrus-Marinated Colombian Carne Asada
The Spruce
Who doesn’t love carne asada? The Colombian dish is a citrus-marinated skirt or flank steak that is cooked to perfection on a smoky grill. However, this recipe calls for making carne asada on a skillet, and is perfect for those who don’t own a grill or are short on time. Do yourself a favor and marinade the meat over night so it really sops up the bold flavors of the lime juice, cumin, chili powder, and more.
Garlicky Hoisin Beef
Hoisin sauce, typically used in Cantonese cooking, has a fragrant aroma and taste that pairs perfectly with flank steak. You won't miss takeout with this stir fry that's loaded with bell pepper, sweet potato, and snap peas, served over rice to soak up every last drop of the sweet, spicy sauce.
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