The ingredient: flank steak

3 flank steak recipes

Hallmark staff
Flank Steak Recipes @hallmarkstores @hallmarkstoresIdeas

Flank steak comes from the well-exercised belly muscles of the cow and is lower in fat than most other cuts. But because it’s so lean, this flat piece of meat needs special attention to keep it from toughening up when cooked. The most important tenderizing trick: Slice the meat across the grain to break up the long muscle fibers. You can also use marinades—especially those that feature acids like tomatoes or citrus—to tenderize the meat, or else cook it quickly until just medium rare on a grill, under the broiler or in a stir-fry.

We explore a range of possibilities for this versatile meat, from a butterflied and roasted flank steak stuffed with bacon, spinach and peppers, to an Asian-style stir-fry of steak and asparagus to an arugula salad topped with grilled steak.

Roasted Stuffed Flank Steak

Flank Steak Facts

Cooking time

To keep the meat as tender as possible, cook it fast, making sure to leave the inside pink.

Substitutions

You can also try our recipes with skirt or hanger steak, top round or tri-tip.

On the menu
  • United States: Flank steak is often sold as London broil, but the name refers to the cooking method, not the actual cut. Other cuts, such as top round, may also be labeled "London broil."
  • France: Bavette (or bavette de flanchet) is the French version of flank steak. The meat is quickly seared in a piping hot pan and served rare to keep the tenderness.
  • Mexico: Arrachera, a lime-juice-marinated grilled meat, was traditionally from northern Mexico. Today it is the usual filling for tacos and fajitas.
  • China: Flank steak is sold as "stir-fry beef" in Chinese markets and is used in dishes like Szechuan beef.
  • Argentina: Most steak in this beef-growing country, and especially flank steak, is served with a spicy green sauce called “chimichurri” (made of vinegar, oregano, parsley, garlic, chili pepper and olive oil).