Marinated and grilled flank steak is a simple, yet incredibly flavorful way to prepare this cut of beef. The rosemary balsamic marinade is the perfect blend of savory with just a touch of sweetness that is all highlighted in the steak by char from the grill.

What is Flank Steak?

Flank steak is a long and thin cut of meat taken from the lower chest or abdomen of the steer. It is a versatile cut of steak that can be cooked in a variety of ways. Because it is a well-used muscle, it can often be a bit tough. Cooking this steak correctly (over high heat) helps to ensure that your meat comes out tender and moist.

Flank vs Skirt vs Marinade

While flank steak, skirt steak, and flap steak are all thin, flavorful cuts of beef, there are some key differences. Flank steak is wider and thicker than skirt steak, with a more intense beefy flavor. Skirt steak is long, thin, and chewy, with a robust taste that works well in stir-fry dishes. Flap steak, also known as sirloin tips, is a thin, relatively tender cut that is best marinated and grilled or pan-seared over high heat.

Other ways to ensure your flank steak isn’t tough include slicing against the grain (don’t forget about this) and cooking it at or below medium doneness. By doing these simple things, you’ll have a tasty steak ready to eat as-is or serve in fajitas or steak salads.

Grilled Flank Steak

As mentioned in the previous section, you can cook flank steak in many different ways, including roasting, boiling, grilling, braising, and more.

The muscle fibers in flank steak all run in a single direction, so this cut of beef is ideal for tenderizing with a marinade and grilling over high heat. I like to marinate to help tenderize and flavor the steak and then sear over scorching high-heat until medium rare.

Flank Steak Marinade

The key to any great flank steak marinade is including these 5 key elements- salt, sugar, acidity, oil, and seasonings. The salt and sugar help season the meat as well as increase the tenderness and juiciness of the meat. The acidity, such as lime juice or red wine vinegar, adds that tangy bite, and the olive oil helps to transfer all of that marinade into the meat itself. Finally, the seasonings like garlic, black pepper and Dijon mustard are there to really influence the overall flavor profile of the meat.

Here’s what you need to make this marinade:

This marinade covers all of those bases with balsamic vinegar for acidity, olive oil, salt, a little hit of sugar, and plenty of flavor from the rosemary, garlic, and black pepper. It really is the perfect balance of flavors that also helps tenderize the flank steak while it marinates. I recommend marinating for at least 2 hours, but this marinade is so balanced, you can push it up to 24 hours for maximum flavor and tenderness.

How to Grill Flank Steak

This flank steak recipe includes marinating in an aromatic rosemary balsamic marinate prior to a quick sear on a hot grill. Let’s get into the process. Here’s how to grill flank steak to complete and utter perfection.

Temperature Doneness Guide

I recommend using a meat thermometer (I love this simple digital thermometer) to monitor the steak as it is grilling. Pull the steak from the grill when it reaches your target temperature (I’m a medium rare gal myself). I do not recommend cooking the steak above medium. If it’s cooked past 145 degrees F, it tends to dry out and get tough.

Here are the target temps depending on your preferred doneness:

More Ways to enjoy flank

Ah, grilled flank steak. It’s fast, it’s easy, and it tastes completely amazing. It’s also affordable and makes for a great dinner option that’ll feed the entire family. This versatile cut works great in steak fajitas, on a hearty steak salad, or in flank steak tacos. Download the Hey Grill Hey app, and then access all the recipes below, and hundreds more.

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Grilled Flank Steak Recipe

Follow the recipe, and I’ll teach you the simple steps to marinate and cook flank steak at home. Hey Grill Hey is dedicated to help you make better BBQ, feed the people you love, and become a backyard BBQ hero. You can find more of my smoking and grilling recipes and videos on YouTube, Instagram, or our Facebook Page.

**This post was originally published in June 2018, but we recently updated it with more information and helpful tips. However, the recipe remains the same.