This flank steak recipe cooks quickly and is loaded with juiciness and flavor. Plus, it’s super easy to make!
Flank steak is quick enough for an easy weeknight dinner, and also makes an awesome weekend entertaining meal. Use this method to make it perfect every time.
I know the thought of cooking steak at home might seem an intimidating task, but this recipe always turns out awesome—caramelized crust on the outside and a soft, pink inside that just melts in your mouth. In fact, the flavors in this flank steak recipe are so rich that you don’t even need to marinate the meat beforehand.
Perfect Flank Steak Recipe
- Author: Elizabeth Rider
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: serves 4
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Sear
- Cuisine: American
We’re keeping it simple with a flank steak recipe that guarantees juicy slices of meat in every bite. Get ready for your new favorite weeknight dish that’s good enough to entertain with. I plan on 1/4 to 1/3 pound of steak per person.
- 1-to-1.5 pounds of flank steak
- sea salt (or Kosher salt)
- freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil (or your oil of preference), for searing
For best results always bring meat to room temperature before cooking by letting it sit on the counter for 30-60 minutes.
- Pat the steak dry with paper towels and season with salt. Do this once with you bring it from the refrigerator, then again right before you cook it.
- Preheat a cast-iron pan to high heat and pepper both sides of the steak.
- Add 2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil, swirl around the pan and sear the steak for 6-8 minutes on the first side without touching it. It will smoke a little so turn your vent fan on. If it smokes too much turn the heat down to medium. The pan should be hot enough to create a brown crust in 6-8 minutes on the first side. If your meat is straight from the refrigerator it may take longer.
- Flip the steak over and cook for another 4-6 minutes, until the inside of the meat reaches 135°F – 145°F. It should be browned on both sides and pink in the middle.
- Rest the steak for 10 minutes before slicing it against the grain.
- Enjoy plain or top with fresh chimichurri sauce.
Step 5: Let it rest, then slice against the grain
Take your steak out of the pan and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing – you can tint it with tinfoil here to keep it warm but it’s not 100% necessary.
Note: Always slice against the grain for the most enjoyable texture. Flank steak is a tough cut of meat that cooks fast, so the way you slice it matters.
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How much flank steak do you need per person?
This guide is here to help you do the math. Start with a base estimate of 8 ounces of raw flank steak for each person you’ll be serving. After the meat is cooked, you should have about 5 ounces per person. You can round up or down depending on the circumstances, but we like to make sure there will be plenty of steak left over.
How many servings of lean meats should one have per day?
Ideally, each person consumes between 300 and 500 g of meat per week, which means a very small steak per day. This includes red and white meats such as chicken and fish, although they are less fatty.
How many ounces of steak should a person eat?
In general, 8 ounces of uncooked meat yields 6 ounces of cooked meat – the right portion for one person. Multiply 8 by the number of people you are serving, and you have the size of steak you should buy (in ounces). It’s difficult to compare steak sizes and plan the right portions for your guests if you want to mix up a few steak types.
How much is 8 ounces of flank steak?
8 ounces of raw flank steak should yield roughly 5 ounces of cooked meat. That’s a generous portion size, but it’s one we like to rely on. For one thing, this number makes it easier to buy meat in bulk. Since 8 ounces equals half a pound, you can just plan on buying 1 pound of flank steak for every 2 people on your guest list.