What To Know
- Marinating flank steak in an acidic marinade, such as lemon juice or vinegar, can help to break down the connective tissue and make the steak more tender.
- The best way to cook flank steak is to grill it over high heat or braise it in a slow cooker.
- Some good recipes for flank steak include grilled flank steak with chimichurri sauce, slow cooker flank steak tacos, and flank steak stir-fry.
Flank steak is a cut of beef taken from the abdominal muscles of the cow. It is a long, flat steak with a coarse grain and a strong flavor. Flank steak is often used in stir-fries, fajitas, and other dishes where it is cooked quickly over high heat. But is flank steak tender or tough?
Understanding Flank Steak’s Toughness
Flank steak is generally considered a tough cut of meat due to its coarse grain and high connective tissue content. The connective tissue, which is made up of collagen and elastin, gives flank steak its chewy texture. When cooked slowly, the collagen breaks down and the steak becomes more tender. However, if flank steak is cooked quickly, the collagen does not have time to break down and the steak remains tough.
Factors Affecting Flank Steak Tenderness
Several factors can affect the tenderness of flank steak, including:
- Age of the cow: Flank steak from a younger cow will be more tender than flank steak from an older cow.
- Marbling: Marbling is the fat that runs through the meat. Flank steak with more marbling will be more tender than flank steak with less marbling.
- Cooking method: Flank steak should be cooked quickly over high heat or slowly over low heat. Cooking it slowly allows the collagen to break down and the steak to become more tender.
- Cutting technique: Flank steak should be cut against the grain to make it more tender.
Tips for Tenderizing Flank Steak
There are several things you can do to tenderize flank steak, including:
- Marinating: Marinating flank steak in an acidic marinade, such as lemon juice or vinegar, can help to break down the connective tissue and make the steak more tender.
- Pounding: Pounding flank steak with a meat mallet can also help to break down the connective tissue and make the steak more tender.
- Cooking slowly: Cooking flank steak slowly over low heat allows the collagen to break down and the steak to become more tender.
Is Flank Steak Always Tough?
While flank steak is generally considered a tough cut of meat, it is not always tough. If flank steak is cooked properly, it can be very tender and flavorful.
Cooking Flank Steak for Tenderness
To cook flank steak for tenderness, follow these tips:
- Marinate the steak for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Pound the steak with a meat mallet to break down the connective tissue.
- Cook the steak quickly over high heat or slowly over low heat.
- Cut the steak against the grain to make it more tender.
Recipes for Tender Flank Steak
Here are some recipes for tender flank steak:
- Grilled Flank Steak with Chimichurri Sauce
- Slow Cooker Flank Steak Tacos
- Flank Steak Stir-Fry
Questions We Hear a Lot
1. Is flank steak a good cut of meat?
Flank steak is a good cut of meat for grilling, stir-frying, and fajitas. It is a flavorful cut of meat, but it can be tough if not cooked properly.
2. How do you make flank steak tender?
You can make flank steak tender by marinating it, pounding it with a meat mallet, and cooking it slowly over low heat.
3. What is the best way to cook flank steak?
The best way to cook flank steak is to grill it over high heat or braise it in a slow cooker.
4. What are some good recipes for flank steak?
Some good recipes for flank steak include grilled flank steak with chimichurri sauce, slow cooker flank steak tacos, and flank steak stir-fry.
5. Can flank steak be cooked rare?
Flank steak can be cooked rare, but it is important to note that rare flank steak will be tough. If you prefer a more tender steak, cook it to medium-rare or medium.
