Broiled Flank Steak Recipe - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

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In this easy flank steak recipe, the steak is rubbed in olive oil and spices, then broiled to a perfect medium rare.

This 30-minute recipe is ideal for a weeknight dinner, and the leftovers are perfect in a salad!

Broiled Flank Steak Recipe - Healthy Recipes Blog (1)

As much as I enjoy ribeye steak, New York steak, and picanha steak, those are usually reserved for special occasions.

When I cook everyday steaks, I almost always opt for cheaper cuts such as skirt steak, flat iron steak, London broil, and flank steak.

These cuts tend to be tougher, so you'll usually want to cook them briefly and then cut them across the grain. But they'll reward you with a robust beefy taste that the more expensive cuts do not have.

Jump to:
  • Ingredients
  • Variations
  • Flank Steak Instructions
  • Expert Tip
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Storing Leftovers
  • More Beef Recipes
  • Foodie Newsletter
  • Recipe Card
  • Let's Connect

Ingredients

You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this recipe. The exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:

Flank steak: Most cuts are around 2 lb. They come folded, and before cooking them, you unfold them. I usually get them at Costco or Whole Foods, but they are widely available in most grocery stores.

Olive oil rub: This tasty rub contains olive oil, minced fresh garlic, kosher salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. As you can see, I like to use Diamond Crystal kosher salt when I cook. If you use any other salt, you'll need to reduce the amount you use by half.

Broiled Flank Steak Recipe - Healthy Recipes Blog (2)

Variations

My favorite way to vary this recipe is to use different seasonings. So when I mix the olive oil rub, I sometimes add spices such as smoked paprika, chili powder, and ground cumin.

I don't recommend adding dried herbs, as those tend to burn under the broiler.

If you add more spices, you will need to add an extra tablespoon of olive oil.

Flank Steak Instructions

The detailed instructions for making this recipe are included in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of the steps:

  • Your first step is to line a rimmed baking sheet with foil (for easy cleanup), turn on the broiler, and place the baking sheet in the oven. You want it to be hot so that the steak cooks evenly without you needing to turn it.
  • For this recipe, you'll want to use an oven rack positioned 6 inches below the broiler unit. So not directly below - that would be too hot.
  • Now that the pan is heating up under the broiler, let's mix the rub! You'll grab a small bowl and use a small rubber spatula or a fork to stir together olive oil, minced garlic, kosher salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. (Photo 1).
  • Place the steak on a clean work surface. Locate the muscle fibers running through it (as shown in the video below). When it's cooked, you'll want to sever them when slicing the steak, and it's easier to spot them when the steak is raw.
  • Now, rub the olive oil mixture all over the steak (but focus more on the top when coating it). It's easiest to do this with your hands. (Photo 2).
  • Next, carefully remove the hot pan from the oven and place the steak in its center. Return the pan to the oven (again, 6 inches under the broiler unit), and broil the steak until it's browned and medium-rare, for about 8 minutes. (Photo 3).
  • Pull the pan out of the oven and transfer the steak to a cutting board with two large spatulas. Cover it loosely with foil and let it rest for 10 minutes, then slice it thinly across the grain, as shown in the video below. (Photo 4).
Broiled Flank Steak Recipe - Healthy Recipes Blog (3)

Expert Tip

Like all steaks and roasts, letting the meat rest before you slice it is important. If you cut into it immediately, juices will escape into the cutting board, and the steak will not be as juicy.

Even when resting it properly, you'll see that some of the juices have escaped into the cutting board. That's inevitable, but we want to do everything we can to minimize that, which means resting the meat before slicing it.

Recipe FAQs

What is a flank steak?

This cut of beef comes from the abdominal muscles of the cow. If you've ever eaten at a French bistro and been served "bavette," that's the French name for this cut.Broiled Flank Steak Recipe - Healthy Recipes Blog (4)

What is the best way to cook a flank steak?

Since this is a flavorful but tough and fibrous cut (and I'm referring to muscle fiber here), it's best to cook it quickly and minimally over high heat.
Alternatively, you can cook it low and slow, like I do when making homemade beef jerky.

What is "slicing against the grain?"

It simply means cutting a piece of meat in a way that severs its muscle fibers, making it easier to chew and digest.

How do you know which way the grain runs in meat?

It's best to examine the piece of meat when it's still raw - that's when it's easiest to identify the direction of the grain. You'll look for parallel lines of muscle fiber running down meat.

In some cuts, such as tri-tip, the grain runs in different directions. But in a flank steak, the muscle fibers are prominent and easy to spot, and they also tend to all run in the same direction, as I demonstrate in the video below.

What's the difference between a flank steak and a flat iron steak?

Both are thin cuts with great beefy flavor, and both should be cooked medium-rare to prevent them from being tough and chewy.

They come from different parts of the animal, though. Flank steak comes from the cow's abdomen and is relatively lean, while flat iron steak comes from the shoulder (chuck), has more marbling, and is more tender.

Serving Suggestions

This is a versatile main dish that pairs well with lots of sides.

I especially like to serve it with a salad since it cooks so fast under the broiler, and I can't use the oven to make anything simultaneously, nor do I have the time (or patience!) to cook something on the stove.

So I most often serve this steak with any of the following:

  • Asparagus salad
  • Creamy cucumber salad
  • Arugula salad
  • Broccoli salad
  • Tomato salad
  • Israeli salad
  • Caprese salad
  • Cucumber tomato salad
  • Cauliflower potato salad

This steak also pairs well with pickles, including quick refrigerator pickles and pickled red onions.

Storing Leftovers

You can keep the leftovers in the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to 4 days.

You can gently reheat them, covered, in the microwave at 50% power or chop them cold and add them to a salad. I sometimes use them in this Cobb salad instead of chicken.

Broiled Flank Steak Recipe - Healthy Recipes Blog (5)

More Beef Recipes

  • Steak Salad
  • Beef Kabobs
  • Reverse Sear Steak
  • Oven Brisket

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Recipe Card

Broiled Flank Steak Recipe - Healthy Recipes Blog (10)

4.99 from 74 votes

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Broiled Flank Steak Recipe

In this easy recipe, flank steak is rubbed in olive oil and spices, then broiled to medium-rare.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time8 minutes mins

Rest time10 minutes mins

Total Time28 minutes mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 275kcal

Author: Vered DeLeeuw

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh garlic minced
  • 2 teaspoons Diamond Crystal kosher salt or 1 teaspoon of any other salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 2 pounds flank steak

Instructions

  • Position an oven rack 6 inches below the broiler unit (so not directly below). Preheat the broiler to high (550°F).

  • Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with foil. Place it in the oven and allow it to heat up for about 5 minutes while you prepare the meat for broiling.

  • In a small bowl, stir together the olive oil, minced garlic, kosher salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Set the mixture aside.

  • Unfold the steak and place it on a cutting board or another work surface. Examine it and locate the meat fibers - later, when it's cooked, you'll want to cut across them.

  • Rub the steak all over with the olive oil rub.

  • Carefully, using oven mitts, remove the hot pan from the oven. Place the steak in the pan. Place the pan in the oven and broil until the steak is browned, about 8 minutes for medium-rare.*

  • Remove the steak to a cutting board. Loosely cover it with foil and let it rest for 10 minutes.

  • Slice the steak thinly against the grain, as shown in the video below. Serve immediately.

Video

Notes

  • *The USDA says that whole cuts of beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F (medium) with a 3-minute rest.
  • Like all steaks and roasts, it's important to let the meat rest before you slice it. If you cut into it right away, juices will escape into the cutting board, and the steak will not be as juicy.
  • Cutting against the grain means cutting a piece of meat in a way that severs its muscle fibers, making it easier to chew and digest. It's best to examine the steak when it's still raw - that's when it's easiest to identify the direction of the grain. You'll basically be looking for parallel lines of muscle fiber running down meat. In a flank steak, the muscle fibers are prominent and easy to spot, and they also tend to all run in the same direction, so they are easier to sever.
  • You can keep the leftovers in the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to 4 days. You can gently reheat them, covered, in the microwave at 50% power, or chop them cold and add them to a salad.

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Nutrition per Serving

Serving: 6oz | Calories: 275kcal | Protein: 31g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 484mg

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Cup measurements refer to the standard American cup, which is 240 milliliters. Most of my recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Nutrition info is approximate, and the carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Please read these Terms of Use carefully before using any of my recipes.

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More Meat Recipes

  • Beef Shanks
  • Ham Steak
  • Picanha Steak
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About the Author

Broiled Flank Steak Recipe - Healthy Recipes Blog (21) Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, and Country Living. Click to learn more about Vered.

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Comment

  1. sarah

    does a throw away pan work for the broiling?

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      If the disposable pan is made of aluminum foil, it should work:
      "Rather than always putting down a sheet of aluminum foil on a sturdy broiler pan, you can also use a disposable aluminum foil pan. Foil pans can be purchased inexpensively at supermarkets and then used as a standard broiler pan; there's no messy scrubbing or cleanup."
      https://www.livestrong.com/article/472492-can-i-cook-on-aluminum-foil-in-the-broiler/

      Reply

Broiled Flank Steak Recipe - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

FAQs

Is it better to broil or bake flank steak? ›

Flank steak is on the thinner side, so it doesn't take much time to cook. For medium-rare flank steak cooked under the broiler, it takes about 8-12 minutes, depending on the steak's thickness. If you like your steak cooked to medium or medium-well, use the oven instead of the broiler.

Is flank steak a healthy cut of meat? ›

As a lean cut and excellent protein source, flank steak is a great choice for health-conscious people or those who strictly adhere to a low-fat diet. In this brief nutrition summary, we'll take a closer look at the nutritional content of this cut of meat so you can see how it can benefit your health.

What is the best method to cook flank steak? ›

Rub a flank steak with olive oil, season it with salt and pepper and slide it onto a foil-lined sheet pan for easy cleanup. Then just broil it until it's medium-rare, 6 to 8 minutes. No flipping needed.

What is a flat iron steak and how do you cook it? ›

Inventive butchers seam out the meat on either side of that sinew and divide those halves into individual, tender, well marbled steaks — Flat Iron steaks. This cut is great on the grill, broiled in the oven, pan-seared in a skillet, or even air fried.

Does broiling a steak make it tender? ›

Broiling is one of the best ways to prepare beef as it delivers a nice crispy crust while keeping the tenderness of the meat.

Is it better to pan sear or broil a steak? ›

Round these parts, we're partial to broiling steak for that perfect mix of seared outside and perfectly pink center. Broiling a steak locks in those flavorful juices with a quick, high heat sear. Finishing your broiled steak up in the oven will ensure a consistent doneness, all the way through.

Why do bodybuilders eat flank steak? ›

Flank. Taken from the abdominal muscles of the cow, this cut is one that often gets overlooked by carnivores. But with a gigantic 28g of protein per 100g of grilled flank, it should be a muscle-builder's go-to meat.

What is the unhealthiest cut of steak? ›

"Ribeye is one of the worst steaks to order," says Lisa Young, PhD, RDN, author of Finally Full, Finally Slim. "It is marbled with fat and full of saturated fat as well. This type of fat is unhealthy for the heart as it can raise your LDL 'unhealthy' cholesterol and can clog arteries."

Is steak good for losing belly fat? ›

While steak alone cannot specifically target belly fat loss, incorporating lean cuts as part of a balanced diet can contribute to overall weight loss, potentially reducing belly fat over time. Spot reduction is not possible, and a healthy diet combined with exercise is key.

Does flank steak get softer the longer you cook it? ›

If you're looking for a tender and flavorful way to cook flank steak, consider slow cooking. Slow cooking allows the meat to break down and become melt-in-your-mouth tender while infusing it with rich flavors.

How do you not overcook flank steak? ›

Broiling helps cook the steaks much like grilling would, which helps create crispiness around the edges without overcooking it. The trick is to only cook for about 5 minutes on each side to medium rare. Any further and you'll risk overdoing it, turning your beloved flanks into hockey pucks.

What goes well with flank steak? ›

20 Perfect Side Dishes for Steak
  • 01 of 20. Grilled Corn with Cotija and Quicos. ...
  • 02 of 20. Potatoes au Gratin. ...
  • 03 of 20. Citrus, Beet, and Arugula Salad with Halloumi Croutons. ...
  • 04 of 20. Baked Asparagus. ...
  • 05 of 20. Buttery Sautéed Mushrooms with Fresh Herbs. ...
  • 06 of 20. Salade Catalane. ...
  • 07 of 20. Lemony Chickpea Salad. ...
  • 08 of 20.
Feb 7, 2023

What's the difference between flank steak and flat iron steak? ›

Whereas the flat iron steak is cut from the chuck primal—the shoulder area of the cow—a flank steak is cut from the belly muscle, called the flank primal. They are both flavorful and tender, but the flank steak is leaner than the flat iron.

Why do people eat flat iron steak? ›

It's a very small part of the animal, but it is extremely tender and well marbled. The location on the animal gives the flat iron fantastic marbling for a bold beefy flavor, similar to a New York Strip, and the careful carving by our butchers results in a fork tender texture, like a filet mignon.

Is it better to fry or bake a steak? ›

Is it better to cook steak in pan or oven? Most steaks can cook in a pan to medium rare. Cooking some steaks in the oven could lead to overcooking or drying out. However, thick steaks like filet mignon may need some time in the oven, too, to ensure that they cook enough on the inside.

Is it best to bake or broil a steak in the oven? ›

If you prefer your steak to have a golden crisp on the outside and juicy on the inside, broiling your steak is best. Steak cooked in the oven provides a flavor-filled dining experience. Broiling your steak in the oven is quick and easy, with no grill necessary.

Should I use bake or broil? ›

Broiling focuses all of the heat on the surface of the food—if you're cooking a thicker cut of meat like a chicken breast, you run the risk of browning the outside without cooking the inside through. When cooking thicker cuts of meat or a dense casserole like lasagna, we will first opt for baking.

Does broiling steak make it crispy? ›

Yes. In order to get the deeply browned, crisp crust on both sides of the steaks, you should flip them every 2 to 4 minutes, until the meat registers 125 to 130 degrees Fahrenheit (for medium-rare). This will take between 6 and 16 minutes, depending on the strength of your broiler.

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