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Fire up the grill for flat iron steak! This thinner cut of beautifully marbled and full-flavored steak, combined with a profoundly savory marinade, is the perfect choice for your summer grilling season.
My family loves it when I bust out the grill to cook up some steaks and recently, I’ve been enjoying cooking the humble flat iron steak.
Like with my picanha steak or round steak, I like to keep the seasonings and marinade very simple to truly let the natural flavors of the steak shine. If you are new to cooking steaks, my flat iron steak recipe is a fabulous place to start.
Table of Contents
What is flat iron steak?
Flat iron steak, also known as top blade steak, butlers’ steak, and oyster blade steak, is a well-marbled, tender cut of beef that comes from the shoulder area of the cow. The name “flat iron” refers to its shape, which resembles an old-fashioned flat clothing iron.
Despite being a more affordable alternative to premium cuts, flat iron offers a similar taste and texture whether you sear it in a cast iron skillet, reverse-sear, or cook it on the grill.
Here are some reasons why you’ll love this recipe:
- Incredible texture. Like bavette and skirt steak, flat iron steak is a relatively thin cut with naturally mouthwatering meaty flavors that only get better when the meat is marinated and seared to perfection on a hot grill.
- Easy to prep in advance. You can whisk the marinade together and marinate the meat during the morning of your next summer gathering. Once it’s time to party, just toss the steaks on the grill and enjoy! We often do this before a big gathering, and it is such a time saver.
- Versatile. Make the steak the star of the show for dinner or do as we do and slice it up to use in a quesadilla, grilled cheese, or even on a pizza (seriously!).
Ingredients needed
This versatile steak uses a simple marinade, so besides some seasonings and oil, there isn’t much else needed to make. Here is what you’ll need:
- Flat iron steak. Look for steaks that are marbled with fat and have a consistent thickness. If you can find Wagyu flat iron, even better! This steak can be a little hard to find at some grocery stores to go straight to your local butcher.
- Olive oil. This is the base of the marinade. It acts as a natural tenderizer for the meat and prevents it from sticking to the grill grates. I tried this with butter and found it actually overcooked the exterior so try not to substitute it.
- Garlic cloves. Freshly minced to intensify the overall savory flavor profile of the beef. Do not use the dried kind.
- Smoked paprika. Adds a rich, distinctively smoky flavor.
- Salt and black pepper. To taste.
How to cook flat iron steak
What I love about this recipe is that there is no lengthy marinating time needed. A quick rest is all you’ll need for the flavors to stick to the meat.
Step 1- Make the marinade. Stir the olive oil, minced garlic, smoked paprika, pepper, and salt together in a small bowl.
Step 2- Marinate the steak. Place the steak in a shallow bowl or ziplock bag. Pour the marinade over top and massage it into the meat until fully coated. Set aside to marinate.
Step 3- Grill. Transfer the steak from the bowl with the marinade and onto a hot grill. Cook to medium-rare or your desired temperature.
Step 4- Rest, slice, and serve. Transfer the steak to a cutting board to rest for a few minutes. Afterward, slice it against the grain and serve.
Steak cooking time
Use a meat thermometer and this guide to make sure your steak is cooked exactly how you like it. Flat iron steak is best when it’s cooked to medium-rare or medium:
- Rare – 125ºF
- Medium-rare – 135ºF
- Medium – 145ºF
- Medium-well – 155ºF
- Well-done – 165ºF
Keep in mind that the steak will continue to come up to temperature as it rests, so it’s best to remove it from the grill when it’s 5 degrees away from your desired doneness.
Tips to make the best recipe
- Marinate for longer. I usually need just 30 minutes but this steak can be marinated for up to 8 hours. Place the meat and marinade in the fridge if you’re letting it marinate for longer than 30 minutes.
- Bring to room temperature. Place the steak on the counter for 20 to 30 minutes before grilling so it cooks more evenly.
- Always preheat the grill. Make sure the grill reaches between 450°F and 500°F so the steak sizzles as soon it hits the grill grates. If you use a grill pan and cook this stovetop, I like to use the largest burner so the pan is well heated at all times.
- Let the steak rest for at least 5 minutes after grilling. This way, the natural juices can be redistributed, making the meat extra juicy and flavorful.
- Slice against the grain. Slicing the steak against the grain is critical to shortening the meat fibers and giving you more tender slices. It’s also great if you are using it in other dishes like a steak salad.
Storage instructions
To store: Keep the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
To reheat: Reheat the steak in a baking dish with a splash of beef broth in a 250ºF oven until the internal temperature reaches 110ºF.
Frequently asked questions
While similar, flat iron and flank steak are cut from different parts of the cow. The flat iron steak comes from the shoulder blade and is known for its marbling and tenderness. Flank steak is cut from the abdominal muscles and is known for its bold, beefy flavor and lean texture.
If you can’t find flat iron steak, a few cuts offer similar taste and tenderness when grilled over high heat, such as chuck eye, skirt, flank, strip, or sirloin.
More steak recipes
- Sirloin Tip Roast– An impressive oven-roasted meat that turns out perfect every time.
- Tomahawk Steak– The most impressive looking steak that is so easy to make.
- Denver Steak– Perfect for weeknight dinners and cooks very quickly.
- Picanha Steak– The Brazilian style steak that has the BEST marinade.
- New York Strip Steak– My famous method of cooking steak perfectly.
- Flank steak– Versatile and always juicy.
Flat Iron Steak Recipe
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, smoked paprika, black pepper, salt, and minced garlic. Mix well to create a marinade.
- Place the flat iron steak in a shallow dish or resealable plastic bag. Pour the marinade over the steak, making sure it is evenly coated. Let the steak marinate for at least 30 minutes at room temperature, or refrigerate for up to 4 hours.
- Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
- Place the steak on the preheated grill. Cook for about 4-5 minutes per side for medium-rare doneness, or adjust the cooking time to your preferred level of doneness.
- Remove the steak from the grill and transfer it to a cutting board. Let the steak rest for 5 minutes before slicing against the grain.
