Grilled Flank Steak

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Easy grilled flank steak with a delicious marinade and an easy cilantro-parsley chimichurri. This grilled flank steak recipe includes a simple marinade, easy rub, and a delicious chimichurri sauce. Recipe from: chelseasmessyapron.com

Our go-to Grilled Flank Steak recipe involves marinating the steak in a specially crafted blend to boost flavor and tenderness, followed by a quick spice rub before grilling it just right. For an extra touch, we love adding the simple chimichurri herb sauce from this recipe.

Keep the grill going and pair Grilled Flank Steak with our favorite grilled Corn Salad.

A sizzling grilled flank steak with a drizzle of vibrant chimichurri sauce on top.

The Best Grilled Flank Steak

I’ve been making Grilled Flank Steak all summer for years, and it’s become a family favorite, always impressing anyone who tries it.

The process begins with a simple six-ingredient marinade. After marinating, we enhance the flavor with a four-ingredient spice rub. While this grilled flank steak is fantastic on its own, it reaches new heights when paired with an easy herb sauce, my personal twist on chimichurri. Since many ingredients are common between the marinade and the herb sauce, it’s a breeze to make both!

QUICK TIP

What is flank steak? Flank steak, from the cow’s lower abdominal area, is lean and contains tough fibers. It’s thicker and wider than skirt steak. Sometimes labeled as London Broil, Flank Steak Fillet, or Jiffy Steak, ask the butcher if in doubt. Substitute with flat iron, hanger, or skirt steak if flank steak is unavailable.

Step-by-step preparation of a flavorful marinade and rub, followed by grilling to perfection.

Ingredients

Steak & Marinade

  • Flank Steak: The main protein, offering a rich, beefy flavor.
  • Olive Oil: Helps to tenderize and add moisture to the grilled flank steak.
  • Garlic: Adds a robust, aromatic flavor to the marinade.
  • Red Wine Vinegar: Introduces acidity, balancing flavors and tenderizing the meat.
  • Honey and Soy Sauce: Honey adds sweetness while soy sauce brings saltiness and umami, creating a balanced marinade.
  • Pepper and Italian Parsley: Enhance the overall flavor profile of the marinade.

Quick Spices

  • Sea Salt, Ground Cumin, Ground Coriander Seed, Pepper: These spices create a flavorful crust on the steak, enhancing its taste and aroma.

Chimichurri

  • Garlic, Red Wine Vinegar, Lime Juice: Form the acidic and flavorful base of the sauce.
  • Cilantro and Parsley: These herbs add freshness and depth to the chimichurri.
  • Olive Oil: Balances the acidity and binds the sauce ingredients.
  • Oregano, Red Pepper Flakes, Honey: Add complexity, a bit of heat, and a touch of sweetness.

Creating homemade chimichurri sauce by mixing red wine vinegar, garlic, lime juice, fresh herbs, seasonings, and honey for a perfect finish.

How To Grill Flank Steak

  1. Marinate: Combine olive oil, garlic, red wine vinegar, honey, soy sauce, pepper, and parsley. Marinate the steak in this mixture for 1-6 hours.
  2. Prepare Chimichurri: Mix chopped garlic, red wine vinegar, lime juice, cilantro, parsley, olive oil, oregano, red pepper flakes, and honey. Season with salt and pepper and refrigerate.
  3. Grill Steak: Preheat the grill to high. Apply a quick spice mix of salt, cumin, coriander, and pepper to the steak. Grill each side for 4-5 minutes or to desired doneness.
  4. Rest and Slice: Let the grilled flank steak rest for 10 minutes, then slice thinly against the grain at a 45-degree angle.

QUICK TIP

How do you cook flank steak so it’s not tough? To cook tender flank steak: Preheat the grill for high-heat searing. Cut the steak against the grain at a steep diagonal after cooking for easier chewing. Slice at a 45-degree angle using a sharp knife. Monitor doneness with a meat thermometer.

Sliced grilled flank steak topped with flavorful chimichurri sauce.

How Long To Grill Flank Steak

Grill flank steak quickly at a high temperature (450 degrees F) for tender results. Cooking times vary by desired doneness:

  • Rare: 120-125°F
  • Medium-Rare: 135°F (about 8-10 minutes total)
  • Medium: 140°F (about 8-12 minutes total)
  • Medium-Well: 150°F (about 11-15 minutes total)
  • Well-Done: 160-175°F

Note: Remove the grilled flank steak from the grill about 5 degrees before the target temperature and let it rest under foil for carryover cooking. Adjust times for steak thickness and grill specifics.

More Recipes To Grill

FOLLOW ALONG! Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for the latest updates, recipes and content.

Grilled Flank Steak

5 from 9 votes
Here's our absolute favorite recipe for Grilled Flank Steak. This steak starts in a simple marinade and then gets a quick rub of spices before being grilled to perfection. If desired, top this delicious steak with simple chimichurri herb sauce included in this recipe.
A sizzling grilled flank steak with a drizzle of vibrant chimichurri sauce on top.
Print Recipe

Grilled Flank Steak

A sizzling grilled flank steak with a drizzle of vibrant chimichurri sauce on top.
5 from 9 votes
Here's our absolute favorite recipe for Grilled Flank Steak. This steak starts in a simple marinade and then gets a quick rub of spices before being grilled to perfection. If desired, top this delicious steak with simple chimichurri herb sauce included in this recipe.
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword grilled flank steak
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Marinating Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Chelsea Lords
Calories 1074kcal
Cost $19.75

Ingredients

Steak & Marinade

  • 1.5 - 2 pounds (907g) flank steak
  • 1/4 cup (52g) olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1/4 cup EACH: honey (84g) and soy sauce (65g)
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped Italian parsley

Quick Spices

  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon EACH: ground cumin, ground coriander seed
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Chimmichurri

  • 3-4 cloves finely chopped garlic
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 large lime (2 tablespoons juice)
  • 1/2 cup (30g) finely chopped cilantro (~1 full bunch)
  • 1/2 cup (33g) finely chopped fresh flat leaf parsley (~1 full bunch)
  • 1/2 cup (104g) good-quality olive oil
  • 3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • fine sea salt and freshly cracked pepper

Instructions

  • PREP: Remove flank steak from packaging and pat dry with paper towels. Place in a large resealable bag.
  • MARINADE: Combine the olive oil, minced garlic, red wine vinegar, honey, soy sauce, pepper, and 1 tablespoon coarsely chopped Italian parsley in a bowl. Whisk together and pour over the flank steak. Seal and place in the fridge for at least 1 hour and preferably 4-6 hours. Flip the steak in the bag halfway through the marinating time.
  • CHIMICHURRI SAUCE: I like to make the sauce at the same time I'm marinating the meat, because it gets more flavorful as it sits. In a large jar, add the finely chopped garlic cloves (2-3 cloves if sensitive to garlic, or 4 cloves for garlic lover!), red wine vinegar and freshly squeezed lime juice. Stir and set aside. Finely chop a bunch of parsley to get a full 1/2 cup, gently packed (you should use most, if not all of a good sized bunch; some stems are fine -- I just remove the bulk of large stems and then chop the rest). Chop the cilantro and measure to get a lightly packed 1/2 cup. Add the parsley and cilantro to the jar along with the olive oil, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, and honey. Season to taste with salt and pepper (I use 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper). Stir thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate while the meat marinates.
  • GRILL PREP: Preheat the grill to 450 degrees F. Once heated, clean the grill grates with a wire brush. Liberally oil the grill (I do this by drenching a paper towel in canola or vegetable oil and, holding tongs, rub the paper towel over the grill). This will ensure the meat doesn't stick to the grates and gets a great char (char = flavor!).
  • QUICK SPICES: Stir together 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander seed, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
  • STEAK: Remove from marinade and discard remaining marinade. Sprinkle half the rub on top of the steak. Place on fully heated grill (rub side down) and quickly sprinkle the rub on top. Close grill lid. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature is 130-135 degrees F for medium rare or 145 degrees for medium. (I use a meat thermometer here. My grill takes exactly 4 minutes per side at 450 degrees F.) Remove the steak from the grill to a cutting board. Tent with foil and allow to rest for 10 minutes. Once the steak has rested, slice it very thinly against the grain (See Note 1). Serve with chimichurri herb sauce.

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Slicing the steak: Find the fibers on the steak and determine how they are running along the steak. Once you find that grain, slice perpendicular (here's a visual). This will keep the meat juicier and much more tender. It's easier to chew when cut against the grain.

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 1074kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 87g | Fat: 65g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 40g | Cholesterol: 238mg | Sodium: 828mg | Potassium: 1737mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 4522IU | Vitamin C: 54mg | Calcium: 167mg | Iron: 9mg

We do our best to provide accurate nutritional analysis for our recipes. Our nutritional data is calculated using a third-party algorithm and may vary, based on individual cooking styles, measurements, and ingredient sizes. Please use this information for comparison purposes and consult a health professional for nutrition guidance as needed.

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?

I love hearing from you when you've made one of my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @ChelseasMessyApron or leave me a comment below.

More Recipes You'll Love

Bruschetta Chicken

35 mins

Bruschetta Chicken

Click the Bookmark Icon to Add to Your Favories

Chicken Gyros

2 hrs 45 mins

Chicken Gyros

Click the Bookmark Icon to Add to Your Favories

Cuban Mojo Chicken with a Citrus Avocado Salsa

30 mins

Cuban Mojo Chicken with a Citrus Avocado Salsa

Click the Bookmark Icon to Add to Your Favories

Flat Iron Steak

47 mins

Flat Iron Steak

Click the Bookmark Icon to Add to Your Favories

FREE BONUS

FREE BONUS

EASY MEAL SECRETS:
How to Make Mealtime Hassle Free!

5 secrets to easy, fast and delicious dinners.

[gravityform id="2" title="false" description="false"]

Leave a Comment:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




8 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This was amazing! I’m so happy I found your pin! I changed it a bit to accommodate my diet restrictions and wanted to share. I had 3 chicken breasts so I divided accordingly. Instead of beans and corn I put fresh spinach under the chicken and I seared the chicken a bit on the stove before placing on the rice and spinach. Sealed them with 2 pieces of foil to ensure seal that you talk about and put on indirect heat on the BBQ. AMAZING! Happy husband here 🙂

Never Miss a Recipe

[gravityform id="3" title="false" description="false"]