Juicy Flank Steak Marinade Recipe

Is a Marinade Necessary for Flank Steak?

One of the biggest reasons people avoid flank steak is because it tends to be tough and chewy. It comes from behind the cow’s belly and has long muscle fibers and little fat because it’s a lean cut. So a flank steak recipe requires a marinade if you want juicy and tender steak.

Besides giving the steak a beautiful depth of flavor, some kitchen science is involved. The marinade’s acidity (in this case, balsamic vinegar) helps tenderize the meat before it even hits the grill. 🤓

Recipe Ingredients

1. Flank Steak – About 1½ pounds of trimmed flank steak is what I used for this recipe. (Pro tip: Double or triple the recipe if you’re feeding a crowd!)
2. Dry Ingredients – Garlic, cilantro, oregano, black pepper, chili powder, and red pepper flakes add some herby goodness and a touch of heat. ❤️‍🔥
3. Wet Ingredients – Olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and soy sauce add umami to this tangy marinade’s base. Plus, these wet ingredients help bind the dry ingredients to the meat and spread their flavors.

How to Make Flank Steak Marinade

Marinating

1. Make the Marinade – Whisk the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, minced garlic, cilantro, oregano, black pepper, chili powder, and chili flakes (if using) in a small bowl. Or you can put the ingredients in a resealable plastic bag, seal it, and shake the bag to mix. 
2. Marinate the Steak – Pour your marinade over the steak, making sure it is evenly coated. Then, rub or press the marinade into the steak. (Photo 1)
3. Wait – Seal the bag or cover the dish with plastic wrap and place your marinating steak in the refrigerator for at least an hour or overnight for optimal flavor. (Photos 2)
4. Drain – When ready to grill or smoke, drain your skirt steak and use paper towels to pat dry. 

Grilling Instructions

5. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat 375-400°F (190-204°C ). Brush and oil the grill grates. 
6. Grill – Place your marinated flank steak on the hot grate and grill for 3-4 minutes per side for medium-rare to medium doneness with a nice crust. The cooking time might vary depending on the thickness of your flank steak. (You can use the same method to cook your steak in a cast iron skillet.)
7. Rest – Once done, take the steak off the heat and place it on a cutting board. Then let it rest for 10 minutes. 
8. Serve – Slice against the grain, and serve.

Smoking Instructions

5. Prep Smoker – Prepare your smoker according to the manufacturer’s instructions, preheating it to 225-250°F. 
6. Smoke – Place the flank steak directly on smoker grates and smoke for 75-90 minutes, or until the steak’s internal temperature reaches 110-115°F (44-47℃). Then remove the steak from the smoker and set aside. (Photos 3-4)
7. Sear – Increase the temperature to medium-high (450°F-500°F/205-260℃). Sear your flank steak for 2-3 minutes on each side (until it develops good grill marks or until you reach your desired). If cooking for a crowd, the best temperature is 135°F (58℃). 
8. Rest – Finally, remove the steak from the smoker and cover it with foil to keep it warm while letting it rest for 10-15 minutes so the juices redistribute. 
9. Serve – Slice it against the grain and serve with your favorite sides or use it for tacos. 👍

Recipe Variations

• Make it Sweeter: Feel free to adjust the seasonings according to your taste preferences. A touch of honey or brown sugar makes a slightly sweeter marinade.
• Spice it Up: If you like a spicier kick, increase the amount of chili flakes or add some cayenne pepper to the marinade. 💥
• Ingredient Swap: You can also swap out the wet ingredients to suit your taste. Other acidic options include lime, lemon, orange juice, red wine, and rice or apple cider vinegar. Other flavors you love, such as Dijon mustard or Worcestershire sauce, work great, too.
• Steak Swap: Use this marinade recipe as-is on another steak cut. It works great on skirt steak, kabob meat, or cuts from the round.

Tips and Tricks

• Use fresh ingredients. Whenever possible, use fresh ingredients in your marinade. Freshly squeezed citrus juice, minced garlic, and chopped herbs will impart vibrant flavors to the steak. 🌿
• When you’re ready to cook the steak, don’t forget to pat it dry with paper towels. The excess moisture on the steak’s surface can interfere with the searing and prevent a nice crust.
• Throw out any leftover marinade. I wouldn’t use a marinade as a sauce after draining the raw steak. It could contain harmful bacterias you don’t want to consume. But if you don’t want to waste it, simmer it to kill the bacteria and thicken it.

Make-Ahead Instructions

You can make your marinade a day or two before. And you can marinate your steak overnight (or around 12 hours) to cook the next day.

Flank steak tastes best hot off the grill, but you could make a couple of days ahead and reheat it later. If you take this route, don’t slice it immediately. Instead, reheat it slowly in your oven (about 250℉/120℃) until just heated through. That way, it will retain its juiciness.

Serving and Storage Instructions

Slice and serve marinated flank steak after it has rested. It makes a great dinner entree or sandwich.

Store leftover flank steak in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. And, yes, you can freeze it for 3-6 months.

To reheat it, see the instructions in the “Make-Ahead” section. Low and slow is key to avoiding toughness. Or you can eat chilled flank steak leftovers over a salad, which is totally delicious, IMO. 😉

FAQs

What Goes With Marinated Flank Steak

I love serving flank steak with beef-loving sides like grilled potato wedges or smoked baked potato. (Meat and potatoes for the win! 😜)

To balance out all that meaty/carby goodness, I usually serve up a couple of veggies too. And The good news is this cut of meat goes great with loads of vegetables. Try it with a tossed salad, smoked asparagus, or grilled yellow squash, my favorite steak sides!

More Beautifully Beefy Recipes to Try

1. Grilled Ribeye
2. Pellet Grill Tri Tip
3. Smoked Brisket Sliders
4. Smoked Sirloin Tip Roast
5. Smoked Meatballs

Conclusion

There you have it – the only flank steak marinade recipe you’ll ever need. Give it a go and see if you don’t absolutely love the elevated flavor and texture of your flank steak! And when you try it, don’t forget to leave me a comment below. 🥰