Easy Recipe for Flank Steak Marinade (Grilled Flank Steak)

This Easy Recipe for Flank Steak Marinade is a family favorite! Marinated Flank Steak is perfect for summer grilling nights! Marinating flank steak will infuse the meat with tons of flavor and give you a tender and juicy piece of steak. Come learn how easy it is to marinate steak, what to serve with marinated flank steak, and my best tips for preparing (and freezing!) this marinade recipe.

Creating this Recipe for Flank Steak Marinade

We’ve had a bit of cold weather already, but it is warm again with highs in the 70’s and gorgeous grilling weather. I love to grill because the meals are usually pretty simple.

I have found that there typically aren’t a lot of pots and pans to clean up when the meal is made on the grill like tonight’s.

That is a nice bonus to those like me who love to cook, but find that the kitchen is constantly falling into a state of disarray, and often several times throughout the day.

Flank steak can be a little pricey, but I buy it in a 2-pack at Costco and it isn’t too bad. Actually come to think of it, I bought the peppers and potatoes at Costco also. We don’t do beef too often, but I like this one on the grill a lot. And I think it looks pretty.

What I love about this Flank Steak Marinade

Here are a few reasons why I love this marinating flank steak:

• Flavor! Marinating flank steak gives it so much more flavor that seasoning just before cooking.
• Marinades tenderize the meat.
• Slices up nicely for a main dish served with sides.
• Also goes great on a large green salad for a tasty steak salad entree.
• It is a great summer recipe when you want to do some grilling outside.

What do you like about marinating flank steak?

Tools Needed to Make this Great Flank Steak Recipe

You’ll need a few kitchen tools to prepare this recipe. Here’s what I recommend having on hand before getting started:

• Measuring Spoons and Cups: to measure the marinade ingredients with.
• Glass Measuring Cup or Bowl: to prepare the marinade in.
• Wire Whisk: to stir the marinade ingredients with.
• Resealable Plastic Bag: I like to place the meat and the marinade in a resealable plastic bag while it marinates.
• Gas Grill: we like to cook the meat outdoors on a hot grill.
• Instant-Read Thermometer: to take the internal temperature of the steak.
• Cutting Board: to let the cooked steak rest at room temperature on before cutting.
• Sharp Knife: to slice the steak.

Ingredients for Flank Steak Marinade

You’ll need the following ingredients to prepare this easy marinade recipe:

• Fresh Garlic Cloves
• Montreal Steak Seasoning
• Ground Cumin
• Chili Powder
• Worcestershire Sauce
• Red Wine Vinegar
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil

For the complete ingredient list and detailed instructions to make this great marinade, scroll to the bottom of this post for the FREE printable recipe card.

How to Make this Flank Steak Marinade Recipe

Making this Flank Steak Marinade is so easy! Just measure all of the ingredients into a gallon sized zip top bag, zip the bag, and shake it up to combine all of the ingredients.

After mixing the marinade up, then add the flank steak to the bag and coat it with the marinade. Then, zip the bag, removing as much air as possible without letting the marinade leak out.

I like the place the bag flat on a baking sheet and then transfer it to the refrigerator to marinate. The baking sheet helps keep the fridge clean in the even of any accidental leaks.

The above is simply a quick summary of our favorite flank steak marinade. Check out the full recipe in the free printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for all the detailed instructions.

Tips for Making the Best Grilled Flank Steak

If one side of the flank steak is thicker than the other, you can even them out by using a meat mallet to pound the thicker side. Meat without thickness variations will cook more evenly.

Before cooking the meat you should pat the meat dry with paper towels. Wet meat will not get a char on the grill, so you need to make sure it is dry.

For the best grill marks, don’t flip the meat too frequently. Flipping the meat too soon won’t allow a char to develop.

Use a meat thermometer to check the doneness according to your personal preferences.

For best results, let the steak rest for 5 – 10 minutes before slicing. This helps the meat retain its juices.

The best way to cut your flank steak is to slice against the grain of the meat as this produces a much more tender slice of meat!

Marinated Flank Steak FAQs

Got questions about how to make this recipe? Here are the answers to a few commonly asked questions. Feel free to leave any other questions in the comments on this post and I’ll respond with answers.

How Long Should You Marinate Flank Steak

You will want to let your flank steak marinate for at least 4 hours to get a some benefit from the marinade. I prefer to marinate my meat for 12-24 hours.

I think the easiest way to get the most out of the process is to prepare the marinade and place it in the fridge with the meat the night before you plan to cook it.

Then, in the morning, flip the bag to the opposite side facing up and redistribute the juices.

Can You Freeze Flank Steak Marinade?

Yes you can freeze freshly prepared marinade! Do not ever try to reuse marinades be freezing the leftovers. This is not food safe.

Here is how I like to freeze marinade recipes:

1. Label a gallon sized freezer bag with date, contents, and instructions.
2. Prepare the marinade according to directions
3. Transfer the marinade to the freezer bag.
4. Transfer the meat to the freezer bag and coat with marinade. (Note: the meat should be fresh meat, not previously frozen and defrosted meat)
5. Zip the bag, removing as much air as possible without spilling the marinade.
6. Transfer the bag to the freezer, laying it flat so it won’t freeze in a weird shape.

Then, when you want to prepare the meat, remove it from the freezer and thaw it in the refrigerator. The meat will marinate while in thaws.

For me it usually takes about 24 hours to thaw in the fridge and I like to thaw it on a baking sheet to catch any leaking juices.

Can I Use Another Cut of Meat with this Flank Steak Marinade?

Sure! We happen to use this most often with flank steak because we purchase it frequently, but this is also a good marinade for skirt steak or hanger steak.

What Temperature Do You Grill Marinated Flank Steak?

We like to grill this recipe at medium-high heat, approximately 400 – 450 degrees F.

How Long Do You Grill Flank Steak?

Approximately 3 – 7 minutes per side, depending on how thick your flank steak is and your personal preference for degree of doneness.

What Temperature is Flank Steak Done At?

You can cook your flank steak according to your personal preferences. We prefer medium-rare steak.

Here are the temperature guidelines for doneness:

• RARE: 120 to 125°F for rare
• MEDIUM RARE: 130-140°F for medium rare
• MEDIUM: 145°F

Remove the meat from the grill at your preferred temperature. Then, place flank steak on a cutting board or platter to rest before slicing.

What to do with Leftover Flank Steak

Transfer leftovers to an airtight container in the refrigerator within an hour of serving. Leftovers will last in the refrigerator for up to 4 days when stored properly.

We like to use leftovers chopped up on tacos, in quesadillas, on a green salad for lunch, or in breakfast burritos.

What Goes Well With Marinated Flank Steak?

There are so many tasty side dishes to serve alongside this flank steak recipe! We like a variety of potatoes, side salads, pasta salads, and grilled or roasted vegetables. Here are a few ideas by category:

Potato Side Dishes to Serve with Marinated Flank Steak

• These Smokey Grilled Sweet Potato Fries are full of flavor. They’re super simple to whip up and contain only 4 ingredients!
• Summer Potlucks and BBQs don’t seem complete without a big bowl of this Classic Potato Salad. Creamy mayo, celery, onion, hard-boiled eggs, and of course plenty of potatoes make up this recipe.
• Rosemary and Garlic Roasted Potatoes are another great side dish to serve with marinated flank steak! You’ll never believe how easy these crispy rosemary potatoes are to make!
• When I’m grilling flank steak, I like to grill our sides at the same time (less mess in the kitchen!). One of my favorite sides to grill are these Foil Pack Herbed Potatoes.

Side Salads to Serve with Marinated Flank Steak

• Chopped lettuce, heirloom baby tomatoes, plenty of bacon, bleu cheese, and cubes of toasted bread make up this Bleu Cheese BLT Salad, a fun take on a classic BLT.
• This Zucchini Tomato Basil Salad with Lemon Basil Vinaigrette is a light and refreshing summertime salad to serve alongside this Marinated Flank Steak.
• Coleslaw is another great side salad. This recipe for Creamy Jalapeño BBQ Coleslaw has just a touch of heat added to it.
• This recipe for Watermelon Salad has a great combination of flavors that go so well with grilled flank steak – sweet and salty with a syrupy balsamic glaze and a touch of mint.
• Made with fresh green beans, minced shallot, and crumbled feta cheese, this Green Bean Pasta Salad is quick and easy to assemble. Serve this summer pasta dish cold or warm!

Veggies to Serve with Marinated Flank Steak

• These Grilled Baby Artichokes with Lemon and Garlic are the perfect way to dress up your favorite meat. They look great on the plate and are likely something your family hasn’t yet tried!
• Roasted Asparagus with Lemon Walnut Dressing will also taste great alongside this recipe for marinated flank steak.

Don’t see what you’re looking for here? You can always head over to check out the recipe index to look for more recipes.

Try this Recipe at Home!

Next time you’re looking for a marinade that gives your juicy steak great flavor, give this Easy Flank Steak Marinade a try!

Did you think it was the best flank steak marinade? Leave a comment below and give it a review for others to see what you thought of this great recipe.

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What is your favorite method of cooking flank steak?