Spanish Flank Steak

This easy Spanish Flank Steak couldn't be more perfect. It's marinated in Spanish vinegar, herbs, and garlic and can be topped with a Spanish-inspired tomato salad or classic chimichurri. Serve it with some Balsamic Brussel Sprouts, Roasted Potatoes, or Roasted Mushrooms for a delicious meal. 

Growing up, steak and potatoes were a constant in our house. While this classic dish is always delicious, sometimes it's fun to get more creative with dishes like Carne Asada, Marinated Flank Steak, or Bistec Ranchero. 

Today I wanted to share a new creative recipe for steak, this super tasty Spanish Flank Steak.  Since flank steak is very lean, the key to making it juicy and delicious is the marinade.

This marinade uses Spanish sherry vinegar, lots of fresh garlic, olive oil, and herbs. The sherry vinegar ensures the steak comes out super tender and also adds to the Spanish flavor since sherry vinegar is made from Spanish sherry wine.  

To finish off the dish, there are two delicious options. The first is to make a simple tomato salad with cherry tomatoes, red onion, herbs, and more sherry vinegar. The second option is chimichurri, which is often served with steak in Spain and South America. 

Ingredients

Here is everything you need to make this Spanish-style flank steak.

• Flank steak: Flank steak is a lean, affordable cut of beef. This recipe works with almost any cut of beef that can be grilled or broiled including skirt steak, hangar steak, and sirloin steak.
• Spanish-inspired marinade: The base for this simple marinade is sherry vinegar, which is made from Spanish sherry wine. It is combined with olive oil, garlic, soy sauce, and herbs. The soy sauce adds umami flavor and salt. If you don't have sherry vinegar, make this with red wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar. 
• Salt and pepper: Salt and pepper are included in this ingredient list because steak really needs salt and pepper. When people complain that steak tastes bland, it usually needs salt. Kosher salt or sea salt is best. 
• Toppings: This steak is delicious on its own or with a quick tomato salad made with cherry tomatoes, red onion, and fresh herbs (think parsley, basil, or oregano).  It is also delicious with chimichurri or a Spanish steak sauce made with piquillo peppers.

How to Cook Spanish Flank Steak

1. Marinate the flank steak: Before cooking a flank steak, always marinade it. This helps to tenderize the meat before grilling. Pierce the steak all over with a fork. This also helps to tenderize it./ Then add the marinade. Leave this to marinade in a baggie or airtight dish with a lid for at least an hour but most often I let it marinate overnight.
2. Cooking flank steak: When it's time to cook the steak, grill it on medium heat for about 4-6 minutes on each side for medium-rare to medium. You can also broil flank steak for 4-5 minutes per side in the oven or make it on an indoor grill. Adjust the cooking time depending on how well-done you like your steak.
3. Let it rest:  Make sure to let the flank steak rest for 5-10 minutes so the juices can redistribute. 
4. Slice it thin against the grain: Then slice it into thin pieces against the grain. This is very important with flank steak or it can be tough.

What is flank steak?

Flank steak is a piece of beef that's taken from the...you guessed it...flank of the cow. The flank is below the loin and sirloin and is on the abdominal area near the bottom of the animal.

Because it's part of the abdominal region, it is a muscle that's used to help the cow walk, and therefore is used a lot. If a piece of muscle is used a lot, it becomes lean and tough with lots of muscle fibers.

That's why it is important to always marinate flank steak and cut it against the grain.

Flank Steak Temperature Guide

Flank steak also works well the next day or so in a variety of dishes.

• Rare: 4-5 minutes per side, cooked to 125°F
• Medium Rare: 5-7 minutes per side, cooked to 135°F
• Medium: 6-8 minutes per side, cooked to 145°F
• Medium Well: 7-10 minutes per side, cooked to 155°F
• Well: 8-11 minutes per side, cooked to 160°F (not recommended)

Since flank steak is very lean and can be tough, it is best to cook it medium-rare or medium. Well-done flank steak tends to be very chewy, although slicing it very thin can help with this if you like a well-done steak.

Recipes Ideas and Tips

There are lots of ways to personalize and customize this recipe and make it your own.

• Make it spicy: Add some spice to your steak marinade with red pepper flakes.
• Use fresh herbs: For more freshness, use your fresh parsley, oregano, rosemary, or thyme for the marinade.
• Add peppers: Many Spanish steak recipes also include peppers. Piquillo peppers are the most popular but roasted red peppers also will work. Fold some into the tomato salad or use them instead of tomatoes.

How can I use leftover Spanish flank steak?

Flank steak also works well the next day or so in a variety of dishes.

• Steak sandwiches: Slice the steak into thin pieces. Then pile it high on some crusty bread with fresh greens and some of the tomato salad or chimichurri. It's also tasty with melted cheese.
• Tacos: Even though this steak doesn't have Mexican flavors, it still works great as a taco with some pico de gallo or green salsa.
• Salads and grain bowls:  Use the leftover steak to make a salad or serve it over rice with lots of veggies for a tasty rice bowl.
• Steak and eggs: Consider cutting the steak into small pieces and adding it to scrambled or fried eggs for a yummy and protein-filled breakfast!