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20 Flank Steak Recipes To Make For an Elevated (But Easy) Meal

Who’s craving some steak?

<p>Fred Hardy</p>

Fred Hardy

Believe it or not, steak meals go far beyond pricey filet mignon or a massive Tomahawk. In fact, flank steak, which is a popular cut of beef that comes from the cow's stomach muscles, is a very lean and relatively thin choice that’s not nearly as fatty as some other cuts. Additionally, this fast-cooking, affordable cut works well when marinated and cooked over high heat, which makes it tender and juicy. This means it's a great source of protein in dishes like tacos, sheet pan meals, stir-fries, and more.

So, are you ready for some flank steak recipes? This roundup includes a flank steak meal for any occasion, like a flavorful fajita steak salad or a steak stir fry with snap peas and bok choy, and since flank steak cooks quickly, many of these dishes come together in under an hour. Keep reading for some delicious inspiration!

Related: 15 Beef Tenderloin Recipes to Make When You Want to Treat Yourself

Smoky Flank Steak Tacos

Greg DuPree
Greg DuPree

Juicy, spice-rubbed flank steak and tomato salsa are packed into perfectly charred tortillas for a delicious dinner that’s ready in 30 minutes. Serve with a simple side salad and enjoy.

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Ginger Stir-Fry Beef With Green Beans

<p>Jennifer Causey</p>

Jennifer Causey

Flank steak thrives in a stir-fry, because the ingredients are cooked quickly over high heat. Here, the meat is joined by green beans, ginger matchsticks, and a thick, glossy sauce flavored with fresh soy sauce, sesame, and spicy chile-garlic combo. To complete the meal, serve everything over a mound of white or brown rice.

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Balsamic Steak With Radicchio and Pears

Antonis Achilleos
Antonis Achilleos

This flank steak dinner is cooked on the grill and delivers that beloved charred flavor. If you don’t have a grill, go ahead and use a grill pan. In this dish, juicy, sweet pears and bitter radicchio, both grilled, complement the rich steak and vibrant balsamic-shallot dressing. A sprinkling of funky blue cheese and a scattering of chives ties everything together.

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Grilled Chipotle Steak With Okra and Corn

<p>Fred Hardy</p>

Fred Hardy

In the market for another grilled dish? Give this 40-minute meal a try. Here, marinated flank steak teams up with okra and corn for a recipe that also boasts smokiness from adobo sauce, and brightness from lime and cilantro. You won’t be disappointed with this dish.

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Fajita Steak Salad

Greg DuPree
Greg DuPree

Flank steak is at its best when it’s well-flavored, and this recipe proves that. Here the meat is coated in fajita seasoning—a combination of chili powder and other spices like paprika, cumin, and garlic powder, among other things—before it’s even cooked. Once the steak is done, it’s served with grilled peppers and onions, as well as romaine and a tangy lime and sour cream dressing.

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Steak and Beet Salad With Cheddar and Pistachios

Greg DuPree
Greg DuPree

If you’re a fan of the classic beet and goat cheese salad, we suggest giving this similar dish a whirl. In this recipe, golden beets, crumbled aged white cheddar, and sliced flank steak come together to create a delightful dinner salad or hearty lunch option.

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Steak Stir-Fry With Snap Peas, Bok Choy, and Basil

Christopher Testani
Christopher Testani

There are endless combinations of ingredients when it comes to making a stir-fry. In this variation, flank steak is joined by healthy vegetables like bok choy, snap peas, and a sprinkling of scallions. Plus, fans of spicy food will be happy to know that this dish includes a hot red chili, which means the final result packs a punch.

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Beef and Bok Choy Stir-Fry

Jose Picayo
Jose Picayo

Soy sauce, rice vinegar, grated ginger, and brown sugar transform flank steak and vegetables into a scrumptious feast you can get on the table in 20 minutes. If you want some spice, feel free to add a red chilli or red pepper flakes to the mix.

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Flank Steak With Orange and Avocado Salsa

Sally Vargas
Sally Vargas

We love this steak and salsa combo because you can eat it solo, use it to fill tacos, or serve it over a pile of healthy salad greens. Plus, this dish feeds the whole family, and comes together in just 20 minutes. We suspect you’ll be making this recipe multiple times a year. 

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Related: 15 Classic Meatloaf Recipes For a Cozy Meal

Taco-Rubbed Flank Steak

<p>The Spruce / Ali Redmond</p>

The Spruce / Ali Redmond

Here, traditional Mexican taco seasonings such as chili powder, ground cumin, and cayenne pepper are rubbed into flank steak, which is then grilled or broiled. The result is a flavorful, tender steak that will thrive in tacos, grain bowls, or served alongside rice and beans.

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Grilled Stuffed Flank Steak With Scallions, Ginger, and Teriyaki Glaze

J. Kenji López-Alt
J. Kenji López-Alt

If you like stuffed chicken, it’s time to try stuffed steak! In this recipe, a butterflied flank steak is packed with an aromatic scallion-ginger mixture and grilled over hot coals. It’s also served with a homemade teriyaki sauce, making it similar to beef negimaki. Don’t skip the step in which you butterfly the steak, because doing so allows you to stuff it more easily.

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Grilled Balsamic and Garlic Flank Steak

<p>Maxwell Cozzi</p>

Maxwell Cozzi

This grilled flank steak is paired with a punchy vinegar broth, which pulls double duty in that it adds flavor and makes the somewhat tough cut of meat more tender. Just make sure not to cook the steak past medium, or else it will be difficult to cut and chew.

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Caprese Salad With Grilled Flank Steak

By now you’re probably aware of Caprese salad, which is made with sliced mozzarella, fresh tomatoes, and basil. This version includes grilled flank steak, which adds more protein to the dish and makes it more filling. Drizzle the finished dish with high-quality balsamic vinegar and enjoy!

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Pan-Seared Flank Steak With Peaches and Dandelion Greens

Photographs: Vicky Wasik
Photographs: Vicky Wasik

Bitter greens and sweet peaches join pan-seared flank steak for a flavorful and balanced one-pan dinner that comes together in just 15  minutes. And if you’re wary of cooking with dandelion greens, don’t be! The sweet peach, tart lemon, and hot chilies all work in concert to mellow out the bitterness of the greens.

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Jamaican Jerk Flank Steak

<p>The Spruce / Maxwell Cozzi</p>

The Spruce / Maxwell Cozzi

Flavor is key when cooking with flank steak, and this recipe is about as flavorful as it gets. You’ll start by seasoning the steak with a marinade that includes a litany of blended spices and other ingredients, including lime juice, a Scotch Bonnet pepper, rum, and soy sauce. Then, you’ll grill the steak for about 15 minutes and boil the remaining marinade simultaneously. When the steak is done and rested, simply slice it and top it with the remaining marinade. Serve over rice and dig in!

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Grilled Balsamic Flank Steak With Peppers and Onions

Petrina Tinslay
Petrina Tinslay

If you’ve never cooked with flank steak before but want to give it a try, this is a good recipe to start with. Here, you’ll simply caramelize an onion on the grill and pile the slices atop the steak for a sweet main dish that’s excellent to serve in the summer.

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Jack Daniel's Flank Steak

<p>The Spruce / Nyssa Tanner</p>

The Spruce / Nyssa Tanner

Head to your bar cart for this recipe and grab a bottle of Jack Daniel's. The whiskey acts as a marinade and infuses the meat with all of its flavors while also making the steak more tender. Go ahead and score the steak using your knife, making a diamond pattern, in an effort to help the meat absorb the marinade better. After less than 30 minutes, dinner is served!

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Flank Steak Stir Fry With Asparagus and Red Pepper

Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer

Flank steak, asparagus, and red bell peppers join forces to create a flavorful midweek dinner that comes together in about 40 minutes. The highlight of this recipe is homemade sauce, which coats the meat and veggies. Luckily, it’s made with mostly pantry staples, including soy sauce, chili oil, and garlic.

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Related: 74 Quick and Easy Dinner Ideas to Add to Your Menu

Grilled Stuffed Flank Steak With Roasted Chilies and Pepper Jack Cheese

J. Kenji Lopez-Alt
J. Kenji Lopez-Alt

Steak and cheese works beyond a cheesesteak sandwich. In this recipe, flank steak is rubbed with a garlicky chili rub, then stuffed with roasted green chiles and pepper Jack cheese. To keep the steak from unraveling while it cooks, secure it with a combination of butcher's twine and wooden skewers.

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Citrus-Marinated Colombian Carne Asada

<p>The Spruce</p>

The Spruce

Who doesn’t love carne asada? The Colombian dish is a citrus-marinated skirt or flank steak that is cooked to perfection on a smoky grill. However, this recipe calls for making carne asada on a skillet, and is perfect for those who don’t own a grill or are short on time. Do yourself a favor and marinade the meat over night so it really sops up the bold flavors of the lime juice, cumin, chili powder, and more.

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