Selecting beef is the grocery store can be an overwhelming task. So many different names? What do they all mean? And if you do muster up the strength to purchase something, then you are left with more questions at home. How do I cook this hunk of beef I just bought? Hopefully I can decrease your anxiety today by giving you some ideas of what to do with at least one beefy option – the flank steak.
What is a Flank Steak
A flank steak is a long and flat cut of meat. It comes from the abdominal area of the cow, located underneath the short loin. It can be a tough piece of meat if not cooked properly. But if cooked right and then sliced against the grain, then it can be one of the best things you ever ate! The nice thing about it too is that is it lean, so if for health reasons you need to avoid fatty things, flank is a better option than other fatty cuts of beef.
Broiling a Flank Steak?
The most common thing that I do with flank steak is broil it. I think the broiler is underused in most American kitchen. Everyone has one that has an oven. How many of us ever turn it on? A broiler in a way is an upside down grill.
Flank steak is the type of meat that needs to be cooked fast if you are using a dry cooking method. In your oven’s broiler all you need is 3-4 mintues per side and it’s dinner time. As said above it’s important to slice it against the grain (which is why I am saying it twice!). This makes it easier to chew, so more tender in your mouth.
Before I broil a flank steak, I always marinate first. Because of the way a flank steak is designed it makes for one of the best cuts of beef to marinate. I like to use some soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, olive oil, and garlic in my marinade. The flavors get into the meat so easily and provide a burst of flavor in your mouth. It will leave your guests saying “wow”!
If you run out of time to marinate, you can always try a dry rub with things like mustard powder, black pepper, salt, garlic powder, cumin, smoked paprika, onion powder, etc.
Flank Steak Makes Great Fajitas
Flank steak is also an option for fajitas. Slice thin against the grain (third time!) along with all of your favorite fajitas fixings is a great way to go. Sunny Anderson from Food Network has a recipe for flank steak fajitas you might want to check out.
Other Flank Steak Recipes
Below you will find a list of some recipes that I found around the World Wide Web that should give you enough flank steak options.
Rachel Ray’s Flank Steak Pinwheels
Blackened Flank Steak
Cuban Flank Steak
Slow Cooker Flank Steak Faijtas