How to Cook the Perfect Flank Steak

Flank steak recipe ultimate on the stove grill

Flank steak is an outstanding cut of beef. It has an excellent balance between being both economical and also resulting in a tender juicy steak. On top of that, flank steak is incredibly versatile and really good sliced up and used in fajitas, panini, salad, and so much more.

In the summer, flank steak is often cooked on the grill, but pan searing it on the stovetop in the kitchen is another great way to prepare the steak. Pan seared flank steak tastes amazing, so don’t fear that you will lose flavour if it is not grilled. It tastes just as good!

Flank steak recipe ultimate on the stove grill

Flank steaks are a very flat cut of beef and depending on the cut you get, some are long while others seem to be almost round in shape. They very in weight, but generally are around 1-2 pounds.

Flank steak recipe ultimate on the stove grill

Trim the steak of any excess fat on the outside of the meat. Flank steak is generally quite a lean cut of beef but sometimes it is sold with a bit of fat on the outside or a thin membrane. These can be mostly trimmed and removed.

Let the steak rest on the counter for 10 minutes. This helps bring the meat closer to room temperature before it is cooked. The benefit of this is that it allows for a more even finished cook and a steak that is pink from edge to edge when sliced.

Flank steak recipe ultimate on the stove grill

While the flank steak is resting, heat up the skillet or griddle. I use a cast iron griddle which is excellent for long flank steaks. Round skillets will also work, but make sure that whatever flank steak you get fits in the skillet. If the steak is too long, you can cut it in half and pan sear it one piece at a time.

Flank steak recipe ultimate on the stove grill

While you can marinate the steak with so many different kinds of marinades, I often find myself simply pan searing it with oil, salt and pepper. Just rub both sides with the oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. It is super easy and highlights the beefy flavour of the steak.

For marinades, there are all sorts of different types you can use. Get creative and try different types. If marinating, place the steak in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Place in the fridge for 2-3 hours to let the marinade penetrate into the meat.

  • A standard marinade of oil, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, honey, garlic and dried chilies is excellent.
  • You can also make an Asian marinade using sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar and sriracha sauce.
  • A Greek marinade with olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, oregano and black pepper is excellent on flank steak.
  • Use a Mexican type marinade or rub with chili powder, cumin, and lime for amazing steak fajitas.

Flank steak recipe ultimate on the stove grill

Make sure the skillet or griddle is hot before putting on the steak. You want to get a good sear on the meat so the pan needs to be hot. Hover your hand a couple inches over the skillet or griddle to test the heat so that you know it is nice and hot.

Slowly lower the steak on the hot pan. I find that lowering it slowly helps to generate a nice sear on the surface of the steak.

Flank steak recipe ultimate on the stove grill

Sometimes, flank steaks will curl or raise while it is cooking. I often find that the middle of the steak will rise up preventing the middle from searing and cooking. You can use a metal spatula to press the middle down to keep it cooking evenly. You can also use a cast iron steak weight or panini press weight (as seen in the image above). Resting that in the middle of the steak will keep it nice and flat.

Flank steak recipe ultimate on the stove grill

After 3-4 minutes, flip the steak over. You should see a nice brown sear on the cooked side of the flank steak. Cook for another 3-4 minutes or until the steak reaches your desired internal temperature. I like flank steak to be somewhere between rare and medium rare.

  • Rare – 125F
  • Medium rare – 130F
  • Medium – 135F

Flank steak recipe ultimate on the stove grill

Once the steak reaches the desired internal temperature, take it off the heat and let it rest for 5 minutes. Resting allows the juices to draw back into the steak so that when carving you will get a super juicy steak. If you slice it right away, you will find that lots of steak juice will pour out of the meat.

Flank steak recipe ultimate on the stove grill

It is important to slice flank steak across the grain. If you were to cut it with the grain, the meat would be tough and stringy. Cutting the steak in thin strips against the grain will result in tender melt in your mouth deliciousness!

Sliced flank steak is good for so many things. While it is great to just eat straight up, flank steak is outstanding for fajitas or steak tacos. Slices of the steak are perfect as part of a panini or a lettuce wrap.

Flank steak slices are also excellent as part of a salad or on a flatbread like this recipe: Grilled Flank Steak, Watercress and Blackberry Flatbread.

How to Cook the Perfect Flank Steak

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Instructions for how to pan sear the ultimate flank steak. Whether you marinate or use a simple seasoning this recipe for cooking flank steak on the stove is super easy.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Resting Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 18 minutes
Servings: 3 people

Ingredients

  • 1.5 pound flank steak
  • 3 tbsp oil
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp fresh ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Rub the flank steak on both sides with oil and season with salt and pepper. Let the steak rest on the counter at room temperature for 10 minutes.
  • Heat skillet or griddle on medium heat. Hover your hand over the skillet or grill a couple of inches to ensure that it is nice and hot.
  • Slowly lay the flank steak on skillet or griddle. Let it cook for about 3-4 minutes. Flip the flank steak and cook for another 3-4 minutes or until it reaches your preferred doneness (125F for rare - 130F for medium rare - 135F for medium).
  • Take the flank steak off the skillet and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Carve the steak into thin slices against the grain.
  • Serve.

Nutrition

Per serving:

Calories: 436kcalProtein: 48gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 136mgSodium: 1283mg

Nutrition Disclaimer

Flank steak recipe ultimate on the stove grill pan sear

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Flank steak recipe ultimate on the stove grill

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18 comments

  • Thanks. This info was very useful and easy to understand. will try it tonight.

    • Reply
  • The guidelines for prepping the steak and seasoning it were spot on. The resulting cook on the steak – I did mine for 5 minutes and 4 minutes per side – was exactly what I was looking for. Simple seasoning, a nice pan sear, and it was perfect alongside a simple salad for dinner. Thanks for this. As a note, I usually use a sprinkle of water to test the pan for the right temperature. When the pan is ready the water turns into drops that ball up and sizzle before they evaporate.

    • Reply
  • 5 stars
    Im someone who only has a griddle to work with and Im trying to learn to cook. Your instructions were so understandable compared to other sites. Thank you!

    • Reply
  • 5 stars
    My new favorite cut of beef! I’ve been trying different methods and 100% agree with what you’ve written here! I’m now an empty nester, learning how to cook for two. I cut the flank in half, freeze one half, cook the second half as described in a CAST IRON PAN! I love it over a mixed bed of rice and cauliflower rice w/ home-made yum-yum sauce… DE-LISH! Thanks for documenting the process!

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  • I am trying this today . Thank you

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  • 5 stars
    simple recipe, it was delicious and tender!

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  • 5 stars
    This was excellent very tender

    • Reply
  • To be honest I haven’t cooked my flank steak yet. I wanted to ask you, I like to marinate. So what what would you suggest that I use to marinate with? And how long would you suggest to let it marinate? I’m really a good cook, but that’s the only steak I’ve cooked before. I didn’t want to attempt to cook it because I didn’t know anything about that cut of meat. Plz help?Thanks Sissy..

    • Reply
  • Too hot in Phoenix to grill outside but I was craving carne asada. This worked perfectly inside, on my griddle. Thank you!

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  • 5 stars
    Thank you so much turn out great delicious

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  • Liked it although I grilled mine

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  • 4 stars
    This is my go to recipe when I want a steak salad.

    • Reply
    • Make it all the time. Marinating. Splurged, bought 1.5 lbs from Wholefoods this time. Trader Joes meat doesn’t appear as good. Basmati rice, fresh French bread. Little Ginger, Garlic, Sea Salt, Pepper, Olice Oil and Onion powder. Cook skillit. Let rest for sure. Delicious for steak sandwiches also.

      • Reply
  • 4 stars
    What a delicious dinner! My family is going to love this recipe! Love that you can make it in a pan for easy prep and clean up! https://www.kitchenask.com/

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  • 5 stars
    You’ve been PINKED! Your post was a hit on the Classy Flamingos Blog Party. Come by and pick up a badge this week at poinsettiadr.com You rock!

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  • Congratulations on the feature at Classy Flamingos. This really does look like the perfectly cooked flanked steak.

    • Reply
  • 4 stars
    Great post with tips and recipes. I have pinned this to try the next time I add flank steak to our menu. Thanks for sharing at #HomeMattersParty

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