What Is Flank Steak? Learn The Cut That’s Full Of Flavor

Flank steak is a lean cut of beef taken from the cow’s lower chest or abdominal muscles, near the hind legs. It has a strong taste and can be used in many different ways in the kitchen. This guide talks about flank steak, other names for it, and why it's a good choice for many meals. You'll also learn how to cook, buy, and store it, as well as find healthy seasonings that go well with this tender, cheap cut.

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What Is Flank Steak?

Flank steak is a flat, lean cut of beef that comes from the bottom of the cow's belly. It is famous for its strong beefy taste and long, visible grain. This meat can be tough if it's not cooked or cut right, but when it's done right, it gets tender, juicy, and full of flavor. It's cheap, quick to cook, and easy to use in a lot of different recipes, so many home cooks love it.

Where Flank Steak Comes From and Its Main Traits

Flank steak is not as tender as sirloin steak or tenderloin, but it is very tasty and works well in many dishes, like French steak frites, carne asada, and fajitas. Butchers often suggest that you marinate it before cooking it to make it more tender. It is a common choice for grilling or stir-frying because it is thin and has a strong flavor.

• Origin: It is cut from the cow's belly, just below the loin and plate section.

• Shape: A long, flat cut that weighs between one and four pounds per piece.

• Texture: It is lean, a little stringy, and has very little fat, which makes it firm to bite.

• Cooking Methods: Works best when cooked quickly over high heat, whether on a grill, in a pan, or broiled.

• Best Doneness: Medium rare makes it juicy and tasty.

• Slicing Tip: Always use a sharp knife to cut against the grain to keep the meat from being tough.

How to Prepare Flank Steak for the Best Flavor

Marinating flank steak and cooking it quickly will make it taste better. A simple mix of garlic powder, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and butter can add flavor and make meat taste better, and make it more tender. Let it sit after cooking before you cut it to keep the juices in.

• Marinade: Mix your favorite spices with garlic powder, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Marinate the steak for about an hour.

• Cooking: Sear or grill each side for 3–5 minutes on high heat, depending on thickness, then finish in a hot pan or oven until the desired doneness.

• Serving: Cut it thin and serve it with mashed potatoes, fries, or roasted vegetables.

• Resting Step: When the steak is medium rare, pull it out of the pan and let it sit for five minutes. Then, cut it into thin slices.

Is There Another Name for Flank Steak?

In French cuisine, the term ‘bavette’ may refer to flank steak or similar thin cuts from the abdominal region, and in Mexican cooking, it's called arrachera. It's a popular choice for carne asada and tacos. It is the same tasty cut that works well when cooked right, even though it has different names.

Regional and Culinary Names for Flank Steak

Flank steak may be called different things in grocery stores or on menus. Knowing the different kinds of cuts helps you pick the right cut for your recipe.

• Common Names: While sometimes sold under the label ‘London broil,’ that term technically refers to a cooking method rather than a specific cut.

• French Name: Bavette is often served with crispy fries.

• Spanish Name: Arrachera is often grilled for tacos or carne asada.

• Buying Tip: If you don't know, ask your butcher for "flank steak." It's flatter and leaner than brisket or skirt steak.

Difference Between Flank and Skirt Steak

Flank steak and skirt steak are alike, but they are not the same. The outside skirt steak and inside skirt steaks come from the plate section, and the flank steak comes from the belly.

• Flank Steak: Thicker, leaner, and beefier, with less fat.

• Skirt Steak: Skirt steak is thinner, has more intramuscular fat, and typically produces a richer flavor when grilled.

• Cooking Tip: Both of them taste best when cooked quickly on a hot grill or pan, about one minute. Always cut across the grain to make it more tender.

• Best Uses: When cut into small chunks, it tastes great in fajitas, tacos, or stir-fries.

Is Flank Steak a Good Cut of Meat?

Yes, flank steak is one of the best cuts for taste and value. It's easy to make, high in protein, and lean. Even though it's not as soft as tenderloin or sirloin steak, it can be very tasty if you use the right marinade and cook it the right way.

Why Flank Steak Is a Great Choice

Flank steak is a healthy and tasty choice because it has a lot of flavor with less fat. It's a common cut for recipes that are cooked on the grill or for quick dinners on weeknights.

• Flavor: Big, bold flavor that comes out when seasoned or marinated.

• Nutrition: Contains a lot of protein and not much fat—great for a balanced meal.

• Cooking Ease: Searing over high heat or pan frying works best to cook it quickly.

• Perfect Pairings: Goes well with fries, vegetables, or creamy mashed potatoes.

Tenderness, Affordability, and Preparation Tips

If you prepare this cut the right way, it will taste great and be a good deal. The difference between tough and tender meat is in the slicing and marinating.

• Tenderness: Cutting across the grain will shorten the muscle fibers, so always do this.

• Affordability: Not as expensive as other cuts, such as tenderloin or sirloin, but still tastes great.

• Cooking Tip: Before searing, soak in the marinade. Then, sear each side for about 3–4 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 130–135°F (medium rare).”

• Serving Idea: After cooking, add spices and butter to make it taste better. Serve it with fries or vegetables that have been roasted.

What Is a Flank Steak Called in the Grocery Store?

Different labels and grades can make it hard to know which meat to buy. Flank steak is one of the best kinds of steak for people who want a tasty, lean cut. It's a single, flat cut of beef from the lower belly of the cow. It tastes great when properly seasoned and cooks quickly.

How Flank Steak Is Labeled and Sold

A lot of grocery stores call this cut "Flank Steak," but sometimes it's called "London Broil" instead. It is usually packaged fresh and sealed in a vacuum so it stays tender and juicy. It can also be sold as a ready-to-cook flat cut by butchers.

• Common Label: Most of the time, it's called "Flank Steak" or "London Broil," but it is sometimes called "Beef Flank."

• Packaging: Found in the fresh meat section, vacuum-sealed to keep it moist and tasty.

• USDA Grades: Prime, Choice, and Select are the best steaks, each with a different level of marbling and tenderness.

• Prime: It has the most marbling, which makes it very tasty and juicy. It's great for grilling or pan-searing.

• Choice: A little less fatty but still tender and great for making food every day.

• Select: Very lean; marinating makes it more tender and tasty.

• Buying Tip: If you aren't sure which cut of meat to get, ask your butcher for flank steak. It's thinner and has less fat than cuts like sirloin or brisket.

How to Choose the Best Flank Steak In-Store

Picking the right food is important for a tasty and filling meal. How fresh, how colorful, and how thick the item is can make a big difference. If you season this cut with just salt and pepper and cook it properly, it will be tender and taste good.

• Color: Pick the meat that is a little wet and bright red; this means it is fresh.

• Thickness: Choose a cut that has an even thickness so it all cooks at the same rate from the outside to the middle.

• Fat Content: Flank steak doesn't have much fat, but make sure the edges aren't dry or gray.

• Seasoning: Before searing or grilling, use just salt and pepper to bring out the natural flavor.

• Cooking Tip: Rest the steak for a few minutes after cooking it, then cut it thinly across the grain so that it is more tender.

• Serving Idea: For a healthy meal, only eat half of the steak and have roasted vegetables or a salad with it.

What Does Fully Healthy Offer for Mindful Meat Lovers?

Fully Healthy is an online retailer that specializes in foods free from common allergens such as gluten and dairy, and it used to be called ShopAIP. It's great for anyone who wants to avoid gluten, dairy, or artificial ingredients while still eating well. The site also has healthy seasonings that taste good on meat dishes like flank steak.

About Fully Healthy’s Mission and Focus

FullyHealthy.com makes it easy and stress-free to shop for healthy food. It unites small, trusted brands that care about quality ingredients and being open with customers.

• Mission: To provide a simple and trustworthy way for people to buy gluten-free foods that are also free of other allergens and follow the AIP diet.

• Focus: Supports people who want to eat healthy foods without ingredients they don't know are in the food.

• Brands: Has Bob's Red Mill, Coombs Family Farms, Date Lady, and other well-known brands.

• Goal: Help people find foods that are safe, healthy, and in line with their lifestyle.

AIP-Friendly Products That Pair Well With Flank Steak

The site sells AIP-compliant sauces, seasonings, and marinades that are great for making lean meats like flank steak taste better. These items help you make healthy food that tastes great.

• Products: AIP marinades, sauces, and spices that go well with meats cooked on the grill or in the oven

• Uses: Great for recipes that use flank steak that is cooked in the oven or seared in a pan.

• Flavor Tip: Add a little salt and pepper to get a clean, natural taste.

• Serving Idea: For a full meal, serve the steak with potatoes that are roasted or with vegetables.

• Health Focus: Made for people who want to stay healthy while still enjoying tasty food.

Final Thoughts

Flank steak is known for its strong beef flavor and relatively low fat content compared to other cut. With salt and pepper, this belly cut cooks quickly on the grill or in a pan and tastes great. Always marinate before cooking and cut across the grain to make it tender. For a full meal that shows how simple meat can be tasty and filling, eat it with fries, vegetables, or mashed potatoes.

FAQs

What Is The English Version Of Flank Steak?

The English version of flank steak is called the flat cut from the belly of the cow, known for its beefy flavor and lean meat used in food like steak frites and tacos.

What Is The Closest Substitute For Flank Steak?

The closest substitute for flank steak is skirt steak or sirloin steak because both one cut types have similar flavor and texture when cooked on a grill with salt and pepper.

How Do You Tenderize Flank Steak?

To tenderize flank steak, marinate it with lemon juice, garlic powder, and spices, then rest and slice across the grain to make the meat soft and easy to eat.

Is Flank Steak Expensive?

Flank steak is not expensive; it’s an affordable, best steak option that offers great flavor and value for half the price of tenderloin or other cuts.

Is Flank Steak Healthier Than Ribeye?

Yes, flank steak is healthier than ribeye because it has less fat, fewer calories, and is one cut of lean meat perfect for people who want to eat clean food.