One of the most versatile cuts of steak you can buy is flank steak, and it tastes great no matter which way you decide to cook it. It’s often used for fajitas and other dishes which call for chopped steak. One common question when deciding how to cook your flank steak is, can it be cooked on the stove?
You can cook your flank steak on the stove, and very little equipment is required. Simply begin by heating your skillet and adding oil; while it’s heating up, pat your steak dry and season well. Add the steak to your skillet, cook for around two minutes on each side and serve with a garlic butter sauce.
🍜🔪 CLICK HERE TO SEE MY BEST KITCHEN TOOLS & APPLIANCES ⏲️🥘
How To Cook Flank Steak On The Stove
Skillet Flank Steak: Season Steak, on both sides. Let sit out of fridge 20 minutes before cooking to allow the middle to warm up. Heat pan with medium heat. Add oil and wait for the oil to start smoking. Turn the heat down just a little bit. Slap on steaks, cook for 3 mins, flip then add butter and thyme. Butter baste for the last 2 minutes. Let rest for 3 mins. Enjoy
Flank steak is an excellent choice of cut for a meal and can be used in various dishes. The flank steak is a cut taken from the cow’s loin and is generally very lean, making it slightly tougher than other cuts due to its little fat content.
As it has little fat, it’s often used in dishes such as fajitas and stews as it is excellent at soaking up sauce and marinade, ensuring that you’re left with a piece of meat that’s flavorsome.
Flank steak is an affordable cut from most butcher’s ships, making it a great option for a family dinner.
When cooking your flank steak, there are various options to choose from. As isn’t as tender as other cuts, you want to be careful not to overdo it.
Slow cooking, sous vide, and grilled are all excellent options; however, cooking it on the stovetop can result in the best texture if you simply follow the instructions below.
Step By Step Guide
When cooking your steak on the stovetop, you must ensure that you don’t overdo it, as this will result in a chewy and tough texture that most don’t enjoy.
However, if you cook it just right with your skillet, you’re left with an excellent cut of beef that is irresistible in fajitas or even on its own.
For our simple recipe, all that’s required is a cast iron or any skillet you have, flank steak, seasoning, oil, butter, garlic, and parsley. Begin by drying off the surface of your flank steak and season it well with salt and pepper on both sides.
After this, heat up your skillet on the stovetop medium to high heat and add your oil of choice. It’s better to use an oil such as canola as it has a high smoke point.
Once the oil has begun to simmer, it’s time to add your steak to the pan; use a pair of tongs for safety.
Allow the flank steak to sear on one side for two and a half minutes, flip it over and repeat the process.
This is aiming at a medium-rare finish on the steak. Additional time is required for a more well-done steak.
If you want to be precise about your desired finish with the steak, you can use a thermometer. Rare will come in at around 125 degrees F, the medium comes in at 145 degrees F, and well done will be around 160 degrees F.
Once you have cooked the steak to your liking, remove it from the pan and allow it to rest for 10 minutes. You can make a simple garlic butter sauce to accompany your dish as it rests.
Begin by adding your butter and allow it to melt before placing your garlic in the pan. The garlic will brown quickly, so keep an eye on it.
Once golden brown, remove your garlic butter sauce. Ensure that you cut your steak thin and against the grain.
Pour your garlic butter sauce over the top, add a little chopped parsley, and the steak can be enjoyed just like this.
Tips For Cooking Flank Steak
A few tips will help you ensure that your flank steak is cooked perfectly on the stovetop. We will list the most important tips below to make sure you have the best success with this thin and lean cut.
Don’t Overcook It – As the flank steak is a lean cut, you mustn’t overcook it on the stovetop because it will dry out fast, turning tough and chewy in the process. Cooking it to a medium finish is probably as far as anyone should go.
Cut Against The Grain – You want to ensure that you cut against the grain when serving your flank steak. This helps to break up the muscle fibers in the meat, ensuring that it is as tender as possible. On top of this, you’ll want to cut it thin, which ensures short muscle fibers, making it much easier to chew.
Use A Thermometer – If you want to ensure your steak is cooked perfectly to your preference, then using a thermometer is one of the easiest ways to ensure this.
What To Serve With Your Flank Steak
Your cooked flank steak can be enjoyed with a simple garlic and butter sauce; however, if you’d like to turn your steak into a gourmet meal, there are a few sides that you can serve with your meal. We will list a few of our favorites below:
Creamy Mash
Nothing quite pairs with steak as much as creamy mashed potatoes. This side is easy to make and full of flavor; only a few simple ingredients are necessary including salt and pepper, butter, and heavy cream.
Begin by peeling your potatoes; we recommend russet potatoes for this creamy mash dish. Remove any visible black spots or blemishes and cut them into uniform halves. Following this, place them into a large pot on high heat and bring them to a boil.
Once at the boil, reduce to medium heat and allow them to simmer for 15 or 20 minutes; you’ll know they are ready once the potatoes begin to fall apart.
After this, drain and add cooked potatoes to a mixing bowl along with heavy cream. If you don’t have heavy cream, you can easily substitute it for whatever milk you have in your home.
Mix together, add your butter, season with salt and pepper, and use a potato masher to achieve a smooth and soft consistency.
Once your perfect consistency is achieved, you can top it with chopped chives and parsley and serve it alongside your cooked flank steak.
Read also >> How to Cook Carrots on Stove? (Step By Step Guide)
Read also >> How to Cook Brown Rice on Stove (Incl. Video + Helpful Tips)
Roasted Broccoli With Parmesan
Roasted broccoli with parmesan is an excellent addition to your flank steak, full of flavor, and can be prepared in as little as 20 minutes.
Begin by preheating your oven to 425 degrees F, and five minutes before baking, add an oven pan to the oven to preheat it also.
In a large bowl, add frozen broccoli florets, drizzle them with a good amount of olive oil, and add salt and pepper, garlic powder, and red chili flakes if you dare. Give it a toss to ensure an even coating.
Remove your preheated oven tray using oven gloves, cover it with a thin layer of oil and pour your broccoli onto the dish. Sprinkle with as much parmesan as you desire and place in the oven for 20 minutes.
You’ll know the broccoli is ready when it begins to turn a light brown color around its edges and has a crisp consistency. Following this, it’s ready to serve alongside your flank steak.
Read also >> How to Cook Broccoli on the Stove (Step By Step Guide)
Read also >> How to Cook Asparagus on Stove? (Incl. Video + Recipe)
How To Store Leftover Flank Steak
If you have leftover steak, it can easily be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week. You want to ensure that your steak holds on to as much juice as possible, so kitchen vacuum bags are the best option. Alternatively, you can use saran wrap to cover your steak.
The meat should be stored flat in the fridge with plenty of room around it to ensure it stays cold.
If you want to ensure the juice doesn’t seep out and contaminate other products in the fridge, it’s best to store it on the bottom shelf.
Nutritional Facts Of Flank Steak
Flank steak, if eaten moderately, can have various nutritional and health benefits. It’s high in protein, and while it’s considered a low-value cut, ounce for ounce, it has more protein and fewer calories than a porterhouse or ribeye.
It has a nice amount of fat which is necessary for various bodily functions; it contains a good amount of potassium and sodium, both of which are electrolytes.
It has vitamins such as niacin, B6, B12, Phosphorus, zinc, and selenium, all of which are essential to normal body functions.
Skillet Flank Steak FAQs
How Can I Make Flank Steak More Tender?
You can make your flank steak tender by either braising or marinating it before cooking.
If you decide to marinate it with acids such as vinegar or citrus, this will help to break down the tough muscles in the meat and make it deliciously tender.
How Long Should I Cook Flank Steak?
As the flank steak is generally a slim cut of meat, you don’t want to cook it for too long or past a medium finish.
So, 2-4 minutes on each side is long enough and won’t result in a dry or chewy piece of meat.
How to cook Flank Steak – Skillet Flank Steak >> Check out the video below:
Conclusion
So, now you know how to cook flank steak on the stovetop, you’re ready to try it yourself. Just remember to follow the simple recipe laid out in this article, and you’ll have a tender and delicious flank steak in no time.
References
https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/quick_and_easy_pan_fried_flank_steak/