Grilled Irish Flank Steaks

By
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches is a grilling and barbecue expert. He has written two cookbooks.
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Updated on 06/12/21
Sliced Irish flank steak on plate with potatoes and salad.

sf_foodphto / Getty Images

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 16 mins
Total: 26 mins
Servings: 4 servings

Take a page out of the Irish's playbook by marinating flank steak in a stout beer, such as Guinness, before throwing it on the grill. As the name suggests, flank steak comes from the cow's flank. It's incredibly lean, so the cut of meat does best when it's braised in liquid to tenderize or marinated and then grilled quickly over high heat. Flank steak isn't a particularly expensive cut of meat, making it a good option for a budget-friendly weeknight dinner or a cookout in which you're preparing beef for a big group of people. It's also a thin cut of meat, which means that it grills quickly.

This particular recipe calls for marinating the flank steak in stout beer, which adds flavor to the meat. Don't worry—the beer, which is already fairly low in alcohol compared to wine or spirits, mostly evaporates during the cooking process. 

Ingredients

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. In a large plastic zip-top bag or plastic container with a tight lid, combine the steak, Dijon mustard, garlic, Guinness, salt, and pepper. Close the bag or container and shake it well to evenly distribute the marinade. 

  3. Place the marinating steak in the refrigerator for 2 hours. 

  4. Remove the steak from the fridge and let it come to room temperature while you prepare the grill. Set the grill to high heat, or about 450 F. 

  5. Grill the steak for 4 to 5 minutes for each side, double-checking the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. 

  6. Remove the steak from the grill, and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. 

  7. Enjoy!

Recipe Tips

  • Use an instant-read meat thermometer while grilling the steak. Cook the steak to 125 F for rare, 135 F for medium-rare, or 145 F for medium doneness. Because flank steak is so lean, don't cook it above medium doneness. 
  • If you plan to cut the steak into strips for serving, slice it against the grain: Cut it perpendicular to the long strands of muscle that's visible on the beef. 
  • Although flank steak can withstand marinade for longer than 2 hours, it might turn the meat grayish in color. While it's still safe to eat, the steak might not look as appetizing as beef that has been marinated for less time. 
  • Don't skip the resting period for the steak. These extra few minutes allow the juices within the beef to redistribute, ensuring that every bite is as juicy as the next. 
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
515 Calories
19g Fat
16g Carbs
67g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 515
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 19g 24%
Saturated Fat 8g 39%
Cholesterol 179mg 60%
Sodium 1388mg 60%
Total Carbohydrate 16g 6%
Dietary Fiber 1g 5%
Protein 67g
Calcium 118mg 9%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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