What Is Flank Steak Where Does It Come From
The name gives it away. Flank steak comes from the flank of the steer below the loin and sirloin.
It sits in the abdominal area of the animal near the bottom. It helps the cow to twist and walk, so the muscle works A LOT. It is tough, lean and has long thick muscle fibers.
One end is about ¾ to one-inch thick tapering down to about 1/2 inch on the thinner end. Sometimes youll see some fat on the thinner end. The muscle sits in an area surrounded by fat, but itself is very lean.
Grilled Korean Marinated Flank Steak
August 6, 2020 | Beef
Finding ways to get creative with Korean flavors can be challenging these days as this food trend is very popular. I took some of my favorite flavor elements from Korean cuisine and paired them with a delicious American Wagyu Flank Steak from Snake River Farms. This recipe is easy, delicious and you can use slices of this meat for tasty lettuce cups. Now sit back, grab an ice cold Cass, and enjoy this post for Grilled Korean Marinated Flank Steak.
Tequila Marinated Flank Steak Fajitas On The Grill
Steak Fajitas are an amazing Tex-Mex dish perfect for a crowd. And the perfect meat for a fajita is flank steak. These Flank Steak Fajitas are marinated in tequila and soy and cooked over direct heat. This meal is savory and delicious. Sauté the peppers and onions alongside the meat in a cast iron skillet for ease.
Fajitas historically are influenced from cross border flavors between Texas and Mexico, or Tex-mex. Being from Arizona, this meal was a huge part of my own upbringing! Its a dish historically cooked over an open fire with flour or corn tortillas and a meat that is cooked over fire. Were bringing a number of these authentic flavors into our flank steak fajitas .
You May Like: Steak Eze Sams
Best Steak For Fajitas
Our go to is flank steak. Flank steak is a primal cut from beef that is lean, boneless, tender, and perfect for grilling over high heat. The flank steak has connective tissue that can be tough if just thrown on the grill. It takes on a marinade really well, and with the right amount of acid, breaks down slightly so when cooked and sliced correctly, ends up tender and flavorful. We use Snake River Farms Flank Steak for the rich flavor of American Wagyu beef.
Cut against the grains of flank steak for tender bites
When selecting a flank steak, purchase the entire flank, versus one that may be cut up as you want to season and grill the entire flank. Typically a flank steak will weigh between 2 and 2 ½ pounds.
Other cuts that are great for fajitas include:
- Hanger Steak Expensive but amazing
- Bavette Steak Lesser known but super flavorful
But when cooking for a crowd, flank steak is the easiest, and also easiest to find. When preparing the flank steak, remove any silver skin and fat pockets prior to the marinade step.
Other Names For Flank Steak
The flank steak goes by a number of different names depending on the Country and regional differences.
These are some of the more common names you’ll see:
- Jiffy steak – Named “Jiffy” due to the faster grilling time Again the meat is seared over high heat and served rare/medium-rare.
- London broil – Today, this more-so refers to the method of cooking as apposed to the type of meat. However, London broil originally referred to broiling flank steak in the oven.
- Bavette – French for “Bib.” This refers to its flat shape.
- Zabuton steak – In Japanese it refers to the shape of the steak, translating to “Little Pillow.”
It should be noted that due to the similar texture and different shapes of meat as they’re removed from the carcass, there has been a proliferation of names.
For instance, some resources will say “Arrachera” refers to flank steak – while this may be true depending on the region – direct translation from Spanish tells us that Arrachera is skirt steak.
Again, this same sort of thing is seen across the globe for any number of different cuts of meat.
Read Also: Steak Of The Month Club Butchers Market
What Is Flank Steak
Flank Steak is a part of the primal cuts of beef.
What are Primal Cuts? Primal Cuts are the first major cuts of beef that then become steaks and other cuts as the cow is broken down. Because of flank steaks location on the cow, it sees very little movement directly like a sirloin or brisket, which explains why it is so lean.
Flank comes from the base of the rib plate and belly area of the cow. You can see more here.
Chefs Tip: Use a marinade for flank steak. A marinate helps in making the cut more tender and adds incredible flavor.
How To Join & Choose Your Items
When ordering from Snake River Farms, you dont have to worry about being locked into a subscription of any kind. You can simply purchase your meats whenever is convenient for you. That means you can order whenever youre running low on your favorite meats and you can completely customize your order to your needs as well.
Theyve made it pretty simple to navigate their site and find what youre looking for because the shop is split into various categories, such as: American Wagyu, Kurobuta Pork, Northwest Beef, BBQ, and Dry-Aged Beef.
Read Also: Omaha Steaks Chicken Cordon Bleu Cooking Instructions
Snake River Farms Review Final Thoughts
This meat supplier markets some of the best American Wagyu beef in the United States. You can order their premium cuts while also enjoying a convenient and comfortable shopping atmosphere through their online platform.
It doesnt really matter if youre an avid meat consumer or if you eat meat from time to time. When you do, you deserve to enjoy high-quality products. Skimping or settling wont do you any favors. A good tasty meal requires great meat, and Snake River Farms can be the right provider for you.
Snake River Farms Review Ordering Meat Online
I must confess that this was my first time ordering meat online. Ive never done it before. So, the entire process was new and pretty interesting to me. Every step of the way, I was paying attention to not miss any detail of this experience.
The vendors website is quite intuitive and easy to use. You can browse through all their available meat cuts and place your order in just a matter of minutes, especially if you already know what type of meat youre in the mood for.
In the case of the American Wagyu Brisket, the Black Grade category, there are several available weight alternatives that range from 9-12 lbs. to more than 20 lbs., based on your needs and preferences. Regardless of your chosen meat weight, you will receive a full packer cut. That includes both the flat and the point.
The grade of the brisket ranges between BMS 6 and BMS 8 which are higher than the ones of USDA Prime. One important perk is the fact that the client can select the date for the delivery.
Also Check: Mcdonalds Steak Bagel Sauce Recipe
American Wagyu From Snake River Farms
Wagyu is also known under the name American style Kobe beef and is the result of cross-breeding Japanese Wagyu cattle with American breeds.
This meat is one of the best sellers from the Snake River Farms. If you are in a hurry you can find it all on this page.
You can find American Wagyu cuts like:
- Steaks
- Ribs
- Specialty items
According to its website, Snake River Farms is the premier producer of American Wagyu. They claim it is served in top-rated restaurants all over the world.
As you might know American Wagyu beef is a crossbreed between Japanese Wagyu and special selected continental breeds of cattle.
Where To Buy Flank Steak
As I mentioned above, Flank steak is almost never at the grocery store where I live and/or shop. Luckily, a number of online platforms sell flank steak. I’ve also personally tested these companies and can vouch for the quality of their meat.
With that said, it’s likely that the beef will be cheaper at your local supermarket. Snake River Farms sells American Waygu flank steak and Porter Road’s isn’t graded – however it is dry-aged.
Don’t Miss: Canada Steak Burger In Chula Vista
The Grades Of Srf Wagyu
Did you know that if you were to shop around for a bed mattress, manufacturers intentionally market different products names so that you cannot make direct comparisons. The same goes for SRF because they do not go directly with the BMS that the Japanese adhere to, and they have devised their labeling based on the BMS grading score.
Instead of A3 to A5 grade, SRF wants to be graded on good,gooder to goodestestest like criteria .
- USDA Choice: BMS 2 to 3
- SRF Silver: BMS of 4 to 5
- USDA Prime: BMS 4 to 5
- Wagyu A3: BMS of 3-4
- Wagyu A4: BMS of 5-7
- SRF Black: BMS of 6 to 8
- SRF Gold: BMS of 9+
- Wagyu A5: BMS of 8-12
Sustainable Packaging & Delivery
All items to be delivered will come frozen inside recyclable packaging, which is a thermal insulated bag. Inside the boxes, you can see an insulated foam liner and a lot of dry ice to make sure that your order will stay frozen.
So, you dont need to worry about spoilage if your filet mignon box sits outside your house for a few hours.
Our meat box even stayed on the porch for a couple of hours, as we were unable to pick it up immediately. When we opened it up, all of the items were completely frozen with dry ice and in good condition. Snake River Farms definitely offers one of the best meat delivery boxes on the market.
You May Like: Country Fried Steak Sam’s Club
What Is Snake River Farms
Snake River Farms is a company that sources high-quality American Wagyu cuts, prime rib, filet mignon, Kurobuta pork, and other premium roasts. Though their products arent quite cheap, you can notice the difference in texture and taste of their meats over their competitors.
Some say they are the place to be if you want to try anything that’s even tastier than USDA Prime steaks. The company was formed in 1968 as a small ranch and feed setup. Over time, they have expanded and developed a sustainable way to deliver great prime beef from the farm to your table.
- American Wagyu Beef & Kurobuta Pork
- Friendly customer support
- Higher than USDA Prime options
- Easy to navigate website
One Other Thing About Fat And Oils And Rape Not Being An Ideal Marketing Word
It takes an unnatural amount, about 23 kg of rapeseed to produce 10 L of canola oil.
Rapeseed oil is canola oil, and the only reason I go off on this tangent is about fat. Many think its just bad and you should not eat it, but like the other adage, moderation in all things. So if I am going to do something in moderation, it will be the occasional wagyu steak to Shake Shack burger because I do not plan on going with an Impossible burgers or a chickpea patty for healthy eating reasons. If people think all fat is bad, then you do you, and I will do me .
Don’t Miss: Omaha Steaks Dry Ice Disposal
Ordering Process: What Should You Expect
If youve never ordered beef online before, you may not know what to expect. These are perishable goods youre ordering, so you want to make sure youre as prepared as possible, especially when youre not sure whats going on.
So how does Snake River Farms handle the order and delivery process? Its not as intimidating or complicated as you might think. Heres a quick rundown on how the whole process works.
Snake River Farms Review Shipping
The standard delivery fee is $9.99. Those who want their products to be shipped express or overnight will be required to cover a higher shipping fee.
Like I previously mentioned, all their meat comes in safe packages with dry ice. Someone has even noticed that the meat was still frozen after sitting outside for a while .
The company processes all their deliveries from Monday to Friday and clients receive their ordered products from Tuesday to Saturday. Saturday shipping comes at a slightly higher cost upgrade of $15.
This meat vendor offers 4 different shipping alternatives, each with its own cost:
- Standard delivery $9.99
- Express delivery $39.99
- Saturday shipping an upgrade of $15.
Before ordering any meat cuts, you should always double-check the price because, from time to time, they may change it.
- A note that offers you details regarding both meat thawing and freezing
- A complimentary insulated bag.
In my opinion and experience, you shouldnt worry about the fact that they ship frozen meat. Due to all the precaution measures the provider takes, the meat remains in an excellent state for hours before beginning to thaw out. In terms of packaging, I couldnt find any faulty characteristics.
Also Check: Did Mcdonald’s Discontinue Egg White Delight
What Does A Marinade Do
- It tenderizes protein the acid helps in breaking down the connective tissue making the steak even more tender.
- Adds flavor elements to the meat.
Is oil needed in a marinate? No. Too much oil in a marinate may cause the marinate to not incorporate with the steak. When using oil, be sure to be conservative and fully incorporate into the marinade .
Alternatives To Flank Steak
The best alternatives to flank steak are skirt and hanger steak. Of these options, the closest is skirt steak.
- Skirt steak – Comes from the plate primal. It has a striking similarity to flank steak It is long, flat, and thin – only with more fat.
- Hanger steak – Comes from the plate primal. There is only one on the entire animal. It quite literally hangs from the diaphragm of the steer. It resembles the flank steak in flavor and is one of the most tender cuts on the entire animal .
Skirt Steak pictured left – Hanger Steak pictured right
Like flank steak, both the skirt and hanger steak take well to marinades and can be substituted in recipes that call for flank steak quite easily. They are also cooked quite similarly – seared over high heat and served rare/medium-rare.
Also Check: Mcdonalds Steak Egg And Cheese Bagel Calories
My Personal Opinion About Snake River Farms Meat
There are so many options out there when it comes to online meat providers, that the process of choosing one and ordering your desired cuts could be overwhelming. But, if you want healthy and tasty beef sourced from grass-fed cattle, then Snake River Farms should be on your priority list.
I personally also love their dry-aged beef and Kurobuta pork. One interesting thing I recently found out is that not all the animals are fed with grass. Some of them receive grain and corn but thats not necessarily a bad thing.
The quality of all the providers cuts is very good so, if youre looking for complaints, you will have a hard time finding any serious ones. The companys meat is used to prepare delicious recipes by restaurants that have Michelin stars.
How Is Flank Steak Cooked
Flank steak takes well to marinades as it is a thin cut of meat. I personally like to use Flank steak for beef on a stick You can check out my recipe here.
My beef on a stick recipe
The most common cooking methods for flank steak include:
- Seared hot and fast on the grill
- Pan-seared in a skillet on high heat
- Braised in the oven
- In a slow cooker/crock pot
The most common dishes that use flank steak:
- Stir fry
Flank steak can be served as a stand-alone steak, however, it’s not very common.
You May Like: Mcdonald’s Steak Egg And Cheese Bagel Nutrition
My Opinion Of The Snake River Farms
With all the options and choices I think the Snake River Farms is a great choice for ordering grass-fed dry-aged beef.
My only personal small concern would be that their beef is not grass-finished but the beef is fed grain and corn. Although this might be no concern for many other people I prefer grass-finished.
The quality of all the meat is very good and I was not able to find any complaints about that. Many restaurants that hold Michelin mea t.
When I was trying to find out how the Snake River Farms steak was I only found very good results and especially their Wagyu steaks got some raving reviews for the way they looked and their taste.
I hope this article and my Snake River Farms reviews will help you decide if Snake River Farms is a good choice for ordering online beef and pork. You can find their website at the following link.
What Else Do They Call Flank Steak
One of the most common names for flank steak is London Broil.
Youll sometimes see it written that way in the grocery store or on a menu. However, stores also use top round as London Broil so you need to know what it looks like to be sure youre buying the right cut.
When in doubt, ask the person at the meat counter.
Two lesser known terms are Flank Steak Fillet and Jiffy Steak. If you happen to be in an ethnic market or out of the country, look for Bavette steak in French and Arrachera in Spanish.
Flank is prized by cooks and chefs around the world for its flavor and texture, so its available in most countries and hence due to language differences, under different names.
Also See
Recommended Reading: How Do I Track My Omaha Steaks Order
