Flank Steak Is the Best Cut and All of These Recipes Prove It
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After cooking many, many steak dinners over the years, Ree Drummond is a bit of an expert when it comes to steak. Oh yeah, and she happens to live on a cattle ranch! But that's besides the point because steak just so happens to be her hubby's favorite food group. And while Ladd could happily eat just about any cut of steak, there's something about flank steak that makes it a weeknight favorite. "Flank steak is so delicious, and has so many applications," Ree says. "It's a great cut for stir fry, and it's also perfect for beef fajitas." Luckily, we've got variations on both those steak dinners and so much more in our round up of the best flank steak recipes.
Here, you'll see why flank steak is the perfect option for a weeknight dinner. Not only is it easy and quick to cook, but it's also one of the more affordable cuts of meat. The lean protein comes from the cow's lower abdominal muscle, so it tends to have a reputation for being on the tough side. But don't let that stop you! Flank steak is best when made with a quick marinade that helps to tenderize the meat (and of course give it flavor). You can grill it, sear it, or make it on a sheet pan, then slice it up for a hearty steak salad, a filling for tacos, or even served with your favorite potato sides. Read on for more flank steak recipes, including Ree's pepper steak, cheesesteak quesadillas, flank steak with cheesy waffle hashbrowns.
Grilled Flank Steak
This high heat from your grill makes this method perfect for a quick and easy steak dinner during the week. It'll cook up in a matter of minutes, then it's ready for slicing and serving with cowboy butter or grilled corn salad.
Get the Grilled Flank Steak recipe.
Flank Steak with Cheesy Waffle Hash Browns
This flank steak is topped with a bight, herby sauce made from a combination of chopped basil, mint, cilantro, and parsley, along with garlic and serrano chile pepper. But it's the cheesy hash browns made in a waffle iron that'll have your family going back for more!
Get Ree's Flank Steak with Cheesy Waffle Hash Browns recipe.
Chipotle Carne Asada Tacos
This chipotle marinade has a touch of sweetness from maple syrup and bold spice from ground cumin. It's sure to make your taco night even more flavorful! Just don't forget to serve it with your favorite taco toppings like pico de gallo and guacamole!
Get Ree's Chipotle Carne Asada Tacos recipe.
Pepper Steak
Pepper steak is all about cooking the steak quickly so it stays nice and juicy in the sweet and savory sauce. That's why you can easily swap the sirloin steak for flank steak in this weeknight recipe.
Get the Pepper Steak recipe.
Steakhouse Pizza with Blue Cheese
Bring the steakhouse home with this more casual take on a steakhouse dinner where everything is piled onto store-bought pizza dough. There's even spinach and blue cheese, just like at a steakhouse!
Get Ree's Steakhouse Pizza with Blue Cheese recipe.
Cheesesteak Quesadillas
This recipe takes less than 30 minutes to come together, but it will probably be even quicker if you choose to use flank steak! The quick cooking cut of meat is perfect for the cheesy twist on a Philly cheesesteak.
Get the Cheesesteak Quesadillas recipe.
Grilled Steak Wraps with Peanut Sauce
Between the creamy, savory peanut sauce and the fresh, colorful salad, these steak wraps are anything but boring! Swap the skirt steaks for flank steaks for an easy substitution.
Get Ree's Grilled Steak Wraps with Peanut Sauce recipe.
Beef Fajitas
These flank steak fajitas have all the fixin's, including sizzling peppers and onions, shredded cheese, salsa, and sour cream. Set it up like a fajita bar with tortillas for serving, and let your family build their own!
Get Ree's Beef Fajitas recipe.
Steak and Bacon Salad
We've all heard of meat-lover's pizza, but have you ever heard of meat-lover's salad? Well, now you have! This bed of greens is stopped with steak, bacon, and crispy onion rings! Just swap the strip steak for flank steak, and dinner is served.
Get Ree's Steak and Bacon Salad recipe.
Grilled Flank Steak with Corn and Radish Salad
We can't think of a better summer dinner when all you want to do is cook a quick steak on the grill (seasoned with smoked paprika and cumin) and enjoy the bounty of fresh corn in this corn and radish salad.
Get the Grilled Flank Steak with Corn and Radish Salad recipe at Feasting at Home.
Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli
You only need 20 minutes to make this quick and easy variation on beef and broccoli. It has all the sweet and savory flavor you know and love; plus, it's delicious when served over a bowl of fluffy rice!
Get the Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli recipe at Little Sunny Kitchen.
Carne Asada Nachos
Turn your flank steak carne asada into a big ole pile of nachos with lots of melted pepper jack cheese and your favorite toppings. It's a game day dish that you can also enjoy all year round.
Get the Carne Asada Nachos recipe at Chisel and Fork.
Five Spice Flank Steak
Chinese five spice packs a ton of flavor thanks to star anise, Szechuan peppercorns, fennel, cinnamon, and clove. Add a hoisin sauce that's sticky and sweet, and you'll have a grilled steak recipe that's hard to resist.
Get the Five Spice Flank Steak recipe at The Modern Proper.
Steak Fajita Salad
Everything you love about steak fajitas, but pile it onto a healthy salad! This is a quick, easy, and fresh recipe that even a cowboy would love.
Get the Steak Fajita Salad recipe at Spices in My DNA.
Mongolian Beef
This crispy beef recipe is just like the kind you might find at your favorite restaurant but it's surprisingly easy to make at home! The sauce is sweet, but not too sweet, and served with spicy peppers for those who can handle a bit of heat.
Get the Mongolian Beef recipe at The Woks of Life.
Pesto Steak
This grilled steak recipe starts with a marinade of honey and soy, but it's the fresh, peppery arugula pesto and creamy burrata that really sets it apart.
Get the Pesto Steak recipe at Platings and Pairings.
Marinated Flank Steak Tacos
This easy recipe for taco Tuesday uses a supermarket hack: fajita seasoning! It's a pre-made packet that makes it so simple to throw together during the week.
Get the Marinated Flank Steak Tacos recipe at Isabel Eats.
Ropa Vieja
This classic Cuban dish is made from shredded beef (in this case flank steak) that's slow cooked with peppers, tomatoes, and warm, smoky spices. You can serve with rice, beans, and tostones for a traditional Cuban meal.
Get the Ropa Vieja recipe at Immaculate Bites.
Grilled Flank Steak with Arugula
This bright, peppery arugula salad is so simple. All you need is shaved parmesan cheese, sliced red onions, and grilled flank steak!
Get the Grilled Flank Steak with Arugula recipe at Foodie Crush.
Sheet Pan Fajitas
We often think of fajitas as being a dish made in a sizzling skillet, but you can get the same results using just a sheet pan, too! It's simple, easy, and great for feeding a crowd.
Get the Sheet Pan Fajitas recipe at Grandbaby Cakes.
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