Ways To Use Flank Steak
- Burrito Bowl: Turn your burrito inside out and build a bowl with your favorite fillings, including chopped flank steak.
- Asian Salad: Swap the protein in your usual Chinese Chicken Salad with slices of flank steak instead.
- Plain and simple: Seared with salt and pepper, serve this alongside an elegant salad and a pour of homemade shallot mustard sauce.
- Curry: Stew flank steak and veggies in a fragrant coconut broth, curry paste, and fresh lemongrass for extra flavor.
Difference In Meat Structure
One big difference between the two is their grain structure, and how this can affect how you prepare the meat.
Flank steak has very clearly defined fibers. This gives us an easy job when it comes to trying to slice against the grain.
However, the fibers are quite close together, which means it can be difficult for added flavors like marinade to penetrate the meat fully.
Skirt steak also boasts a well defined fiber and grain structure, but the key difference is that the fibers arent quite as tightly knit. This means that the meat responds much better to marinades.
Is Broiling An Option
Yes! In fact, some people prefer broiling flank steak over other methods. 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 youll risk overdoing it, turning your beloved flanks into hockey pucks. Allow resting for about 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
Also Check: Steak In A Sack Menu
What Part Of The Cow It Comes From
Both cuts come from the side of the cow. Throughout the cows life, these areas work very hard. This results in both cuts being relatively tough and fibrous. The skirt steak comes from the plate primal. The outside variety is from the diaphragm while the inside variety is an abdominal muscle. The flank steak, as you mightve guessed, comes from the flank primal.
How To Prepare Skirt Steak
There are many ways to prepare skirt steak and they all depend on what you want the end results to be.
A marinade is a fan-favorite. You can make something simple, with spices, garlic, olive oil, and soy sauce. Then, leave the skirt steak overnight before cooking up your masterpiece.
For cooking methods, there are many options. If you have marinated your skirt steak, then you can sear it over high heat. The marinade will help break down the muscle fibers, leaving your steak more tender than you would expect. The high heat is important as skirt steak is a thin cut. It wont take long to cook it and instead you can have a crispier outside with a medium or rare inside that will really enhance its natural flavors. Once grilled, you can serve skirt steak with fajitas.
Another way to cook skirt steak is by slow cooking it. If you dont want to marinade your skirt steak, this is another good way to break down the muscle fibers. Cooking the steak for a long time at a low heat will help it retain its flavor while also making the tough cut of meat more tender. You can then serve the slow-cooked meat with a sauce for a yummy meal.
If you do decide to grill your skirt steak, always cut is against the grain. This will help increase the tenderness of the meat.
Also Check: Dubost Laguiole Ivory Steak Knives
A Final Thought About Skirt Steak Vs Flank Steak
When it comes to skirt steak or flank steak, its very difficult to choose a clear winner. Both cuts have an overwhelmingly robust beefy flavor which makes them equally popular. Steak lovers agree that although these two cuts are not that well known, they deliver a tenderness and juiciness thats right up there with the more well-known steak greats.
The facts that these two cuts are so interchangeable and affordable just add to the allure of adding them to your next barbecue!
Is Round Steak The Same As Flank Steak
Round steaks are not the same thing as flank steak, however, they can sometimes be used interchangeably, depending on where you shop.
While flat iron steaks may also be used as alternatives for flank steaks, many people find them too chewy when served without marinating.
If youre looking for where to buy flank food items such as London broil recipes or carne asada, round steaks are a good choice because they have a flavor similar to beef skirt steaks and flank steak food dishes without being so tough.
You May Like: Lindey’s Prime Steak House
Is Flank Or Skirt Steak Better For Tacos
flankSkirt steak
. Similarly, you may ask, which is more tender flank or skirt steak?
Skirt steak tends to be fattier than flank steak and works exceptionally well with marinades, which can help to make the meat more tender. Skirt has a more pronounced beefy flavor but tends to be a little tougher than flank steak.
Subsequently, question is, which is better flank or flat iron steak? Flank steak is very good on the grill and is often used for fajitas. The flat iron steaks are going to be more tender and flanks have a bit more chew . Flank steak is generally larger than flat irons, so if you want a larger serving or to serve a few people, flank would be the way to go.
Also Know, can I use skirt steak instead of flank?
The closest substitute is probably skirt steak. If they don’t have flank, they may not have skirt either. If you cut it thin enough, chuck would work.
What part of the cow does flank steak come from?
Flank steak. Flank steak is a cut of beef taken from the abdominal muscles or lower chest of the steer.
What Is The Difference Between Flank Steak Vs Skirt Steak
Flank steak vs skirt steak looks at first glance, they are quite similar because they are all long pieces of meat. Both portions are lean versus steaks like ribeye or tenderloin and have a distinctly rich flavor. Because both cuts contain a lot of hardworking muscle, they can be quite chewy if prepared incorrectly.
Its striking difference is the cuts. If you love food and especially steak, youve probably heard of headlines like New York strip, loin, ribeye, but they represent only a small percentage of the meat you can get. from a cow that was well fed and cared for.
The lesser-known, well-prepared meats such as flank steak and skirt steak can be compared to the stars on steak restaurant menus without going bankrupt. Because flank and skirt are often used interchangeably, mainly because they are similar in appearance and people are unsure of the difference between them.
Also Check: Charleys Philly Steaks Corporate Office
How To Prepare Flank Steak For Baking Or Smoking
For this dish to retain its full flavor we recommend that you pre-cook your flank before you start baking. Here we will share with you our experience.
Lets start! You do not need to cut anything off the rib, as it is very lean and has very little fat. That means you can switch straight to marinating or rubbing.
The heavy fiber allows this cut to be nicely seasoned and can add more flavor and increase softness. You can also choose from seasoning rubs, including salt, to soften and flavor before baking.
There is also another way weve used to soften it. That is, you can use a mallet to soften your steak. Unlike dresses, the ribs are thick enough to make it an option.
What Is The Flank Steak
The flank steak is one of the most popular around. The flank is cut from the lower chest of the cow where the abdominal muscles are found. The presence of muscles in the lower chest of the cow makes the flank steak less tender than other types of steaks. The lower torso of the cow is also known as the belly area.
The flank steak is mainly sliced against the grain. Slicing it across the grain results in thin slices and tenderness. The main characteristics looked for in every type of stake are tenderness and flavor. In the case of the flank steak, it is more flavorful than it is tender. This makes the flank steak an ideal choice to marinate.
You May Like: Quaker Steak And Lube Application
The Best Substitute For Flank Steak Is Top Sirloin Steak
Top sirloin steaks make particularly tasty London broil because they arent extremely thin like traditional beef skirt steaks and therefore wont dry out when grilled quickly over high heat.
Top sirloins are also flavorful enough not to require marinades, though you may still want to use some spices such as garlic powder before cooking them in your pan or oven to add extra flavor.
Some recipes, however, call for marinating the meat before cooking. If youre looking for flank steak food recipes, top sirloins can be used as tasty alternatives.
> > You may also like: Where Is Cornstarch In The Grocery Store?< <
Overview And Location Of Skirt Steak
- Appearance: Long and thin.
- Meat vs fat content: Moderately meaty, higher fat than other cuts like filet mignon or porterhouse.
- Location: Center of cows belly, in the section referred to as plate, below the rib.
Skirt steak is part of a cows diaphragm, which isnt far from the abdominal muscle of a flank steak. Given the fact that the diaphragm powers the lungs, skirt steak is even tougher than flank meat.
Also Check: Bed Bath And Beyond Steak Knives
Skirt Steak Or Flank Steak
Most people go for flank even if it costs a little more. In return, they get a larger and tender beef cut that they can use for many bbq recipes. It has a lot of flavor and gives them more fond memories of grilling bbq.
Now that you already know the facts about flank vs. skirt steak, you can plan better for your next bbq. For sure, your guests will be impressed at what you will decide to do as long as you take note of the information here.
More Posts
What Is Flank Steak
Flank steak is taken from the bottom abdominal area of the cow. Being the abdominal, this means that it is rich in muscle content and full of tough muscle fibers.
What does mean for the meat though? Well this makes the cut of meat very lean, and tough.
It tends to be wider and thicker than skirt steak, and is definitely on the tough side. This toughness makes it especially important that its thinly sliced and cut against the grain.
It carries an intense and rich beef flavor. However it goes really well with marinades, which do help to tenderize it.
Cooking quickly and at high temperatures is the best way to get the most out of flank. It goes well grilled or seared, and even prepared as reverse seared flank steak.
Its usually sold as an entire muscle, and this will typically weigh around 2 pounds.
FLANK STEAK RECIPES
Don’t Miss: Laguiole Jean Dubost Stainless Steel Steak Knives
How To Cook Flank Steak And Skirt Steak
No matter what sort of grill you use, you can prepare flank steak and skirt steak easily.
- Simply preheat the grill to between 425 and 450°F.
- If youre using a charcoal grill, light the fire using a chimney starter and then put coals in the grill to warm. If you are using a gas grill, fire the burners and tune the temperature knobs to the proper settings.
- Searing may happen at 350°F or beyond, but the hotter the grill is, the more apparent the sear would be.
- Lay the steak on the grate when your grill has achieved the right temperature. Then, push it down hard to ensure that the overall cut contacts the grates.
- Depending on the thickness of your cut, you may just need to fry it for two minutes per side for the skirt steak. After two minutes, flip your pan and grill the other side for another two minutes.
- The procedure would be the same for flank steak. However, because the flank is thicker, cooking times will indeed be longer.
- Flank beef usually cooks for 3 or 4 minutes on each side on the grill for a nice medium rare brown.
- If you like the medium doneness, place your steak on the rack with a low heat for a few minutes longer.
Grill the steak
Skirt Steak Vs Flank Steak: Which One Is Best
Our team independently research, test, and recommend the best products. If you buy through our affiliate links we may earn a commission. Learn more
Many people are not sure what skirt steak and flank steak are, or even what differences they have. This blog post will tell you all about skirt steak vs flank steak so that you can decide which cut of meat would be best for your next barbecue!
You May Like: Trade East Canadian Steak Seasoning
Skirt Steak Vs Flank Steak: Who Is The Winner
When looking for a quick-cooking, inexpensive, but tasty, cut of beef to get dinner on the table fast or to serve as a crowd-pleaser at your next get together, two choices typically come to mind: flank stank and skirt steak. However, deciding which to choose can be confusing, partially because both steaks look similar in appearance. The number one mistake people make iwhen comparing skirt steak vs flank steak is that they think its the same thing. Dont make this mistake!
As it turns out, both cuts of beef are often used interchangeably in various recipes however, they do have some marked differences that affect their preparation. Therefore, to help you better understand both cuts of meat, we provide a breakdown of each steak as well as their similarities, which will enable you to see why skirt steak is sometimes used as a flank steak alternative, as well as their differences, which will help you determine the best steak for you.
Eating Healthy Should Still Be Delicious
Flank is the leanest of the two. It’s a good all-purpose beef cut, suitable for grilling, roasting, broiling, or sautéing. But because it’s so lean, it can be dry and tough if overcooked or sliced too thicklyit’s important to cook flank to no more than medium and slice it very thinly against the grain.
Skirt steak is often used in Mexican fajitas. It’s much more coarsely grained than flank and quite a bit fattier as well, but that extra marbling gives the meat a lovely richness when grilled hot and fast over a blazing fire or seared in a cast-iron pan . The skirt cut is long, and the grain runs across its narrow width. It’s extremely important to slice thinly against the graincut skirt with the grain and it’ll be too tough to swallow.
Read Also: Best Cuts Of Steak In Order
What Similarities Are There Between Skirt Steak And Flank Steak
Flank and skirt steak are actually so similar that its possible to substitute one for the other. Lets have a look at a few of the similarities:
- Both cuts are a more economical option to the more traditional cuts such as ribeye.
- Preparation is very similar since both cuts can be prepared in similar ways.
- With a similar taste, they can be substituted for each others recipes.
How Do You Cook Flank Steak
If you want to prepare the best possible flank steak that you can, then the grill is going to be your best friend.
You want to get it as hot as possible so that you can cook your steak quick and high. This will keep the middle from overcooking while giving you a nice crust so you get a tender steak.
You can cook this steak anywhere from rare to medium, though rare and medium-rare are likely going to give you the most tender bites.
The muscle fibers in a flank steak can be very strong, so part of the cooking process includes letting it rest for 10 minutes, lightly covered in tinfoil, and then carving thinly against the grain.
You will want to hold your knife at a 45-degree angle, called cutting on the bias, to give you the best results.
For a 1 inch thick piece of flank steak you will want to cook it on the grill for about:
- Rare: 8-11 minutes
- Medium-Rare: 9-12 minutes
- Medium: 10-13 minutes
There is a bit of overlap in the times since barbecue temperatures can vary and impact cooking times. Your best bet is to invest in a meat thermometer so that you can be sure you are preparing your steak to perfection.
Remember to sear your steak for 1-2 minutes in direct heat and then move it to a side of the barbecue that has indirect heat for the remainder of the cooking time.
An important tip to remember is that you should take the steak off the grill when it reads 5 degrees below its doneness temperature since it will continue cooking as it rests.
Read Also: Organic Grass Fed Ribeye Steak
Why Cut The Steak Against The Grain
You might have seen a lot of BBQ writers discuss cutting against the grain. This wont ruin the meat but will help keep it tender and make it easier to slice into thin slices.
Both flank and skirt are made up of very tough muscle fibers. The tough fibers can make eating and serving meat hard work when it is broken down. This is when you need to separate and break down these fibers more efficiently by cutting them into the grain.
This will help to break down the fibers and keep them as tender as possible.
