Flank steak is a beautiful cut of steak that is often used for dishes such as pepper steak, fajitas, and tacos.
This cut of meat is also relatively cheap, which makes it an even better choice for people who like to entertain guests.
However, if you would like to make your flank steak taste particularly delicious, you should consider marinating it beforehand.
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Is Marinating Flank Steak Necessary?
Although marinating flank steak is not necessary, it’s a great way to give it an extra boost of flavor.
Some people swear by marinating the steak for hours or even days, but this is not necessary.
You can get away with marinating it for 20 minutes to 2 hours before cooking, and some choose to do so while preparing other parts of their meal.
This cut is naturally a little tougher than others, meaning that without marinating it may not be as tasty as other cuts such as filet or sirloin.
However, that is to best expected with this cheaper cut of steak, which is why marinating it beforehand can help.
How To Choose A Marinate For Flank Steak
When choosing a marinade, be aware that an acidic liquid such as vinegar or lemon juice will dry out the meat if left on too long.
As a result, longer marinating times are not recommended because they can actually cause your flank steak to become too tough.
Instead, opt for a marinade that contains oil (such as olive or vegetable), wine, soy sauce, garlic, pepper, rosemary, and thyme.
These marinades will not cause the meat to get tough or dry out.
They are also incredibly delicious and will ensure your flank steak is tender, delicious and that your guests leave with a smile on their faces.
Why Marinating Flank Steak Can Be A Good Idea
Marinating steak is a great way to give it an extra boost of flavor, but not all marinades are appropriate for this cut.
The process of marinating breaks down the muscle fibers in the meat, which means that it becomes less chewy and more tender.
Some people claim that marinating flank steak for as little as 20 minutes can make a world of difference, and I tend to agree!
When you factor in other benefits such as making your steak taste fantastic and ensuring it is tender, it can be a great idea to marinate flank steak as part of your meal preparation.
It’s simple, easy to do, and doesn’t require much effort on your part.
So why not do everything you can to make this cut taste even better?
How To Marinate Flank Steak
The steps to marinating flank steak are pretty easy, simply follow these steps to ensure you get the best out of your marinade:
- Mix together all of the ingredients in a glass or non-reactive container.
- Add your flank steak, ensuring that it is completely covered by the liquid.
- Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or up to 24 hours, rotating every 6-8 hours if you choose to leave it in the fridge longer.
- When you’re ready to cook your steak, remove from marinade and pat dry with a paper towel before placing on a hot grill for about 4-5 minutes per side.
- Remove from heat and allow to rest for 5 minutes before cutting into the meat (or serving).
The best part about this process is that you can marinate your flank steak while preparing other parts of your meal.
For example, you may choose to marinate your meat overnight as part of your pre-dinner preparations and then cook it for dinner.
This way, not only do you get a delicious cut of beef but also save yourself some time!
Why Marinating Flank Steak Can Be A Bad Idea
If you marinate flank steak for too long, it can actually cause the meat to get tough.
This tends to be more of a problem with longer marinating periods of several hours or even days.
However, it’s still important to note that you should not marinate your steak for too long because it can dry out the meat and ruin it.
This is a particular problem when cooking flank steak as if overcooked it will become unpleasantly chewy and tough.
The key to marinating flank steak is to set a timer and ensure that you don’t allow it to marinate for too long.
Other Considerations
Keep in mind that marinating steak, even for just 20 minutes, can really enhance the flavor of your meat.
If you’re looking to create a great-tasting meal that is also healthy, then this is perfect as it allows you to prepare your meat ahead of time and eliminate one step from your cooking process.
It’s easy to do and you’ll likely have all of the ingredients and tools needed already handy in your kitchen at home.
There are few things that can compare to cooking a flavorful, juicy steak.
If you want to get the best out of your flank steak, try marinating it next time you prepare dinner!
It’s quick and easy but will massively improve the taste so is well worth doing.
What Marinating Flank Steak Does
Marinating flank steak produces a super moist and flavorful piece of meat that melts in your mouth – it’s almost like eating at a high-class steak restaurant!
Flank steak tends to be a very tough cut of beef, which means that it takes some work to make it taste awesome.
Marinating your flank steak works by using the acid contained in the marinade to break down the tough fibers of the meat.
This makes it much more tender and much easier to chew, making it perfect for anyone who doesn’t like chewing their food for too long!
It also helps lock in all of the juices, making it even more succulent and tasty than before.
Marinating flank steak also helps enhance the beef flavor of your meat so that you can enjoy a delicious cut without it being too overpowering or ‘beefy’.
This means that you get to enjoy all of the great flavors of this tender cut without it tasting too ‘beefy’ or too strong.
Conclusion
In conclusion, no you don’t need to marinate your flank steak.
However, I highly recommend it and this tough can be tough and chewy without marinating it.
So, make sure to marinate your flank steak for at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours.
Also, don’t marinate it for longer than 24 hours as this will dry out the meat.
Thanks for taking the time to read this post and I hope I’ve answered your question of “do you need to marinate flank steak?”
I hope that you have a great time cooking your new favorite piece of beef!