Asian-inspired Marinated Flank Steak

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

This marinated flank steak is an Asian-inspired twist on the classic favorite. The marinade infuses flavor into the meat and ensures that it cooks up juicy and tender every time. Serve with grilled vegetables and rice for a complete meal.

Why You'll Love this Marinated Flank Steak

This Asian-inspired marinated flank steak is a unique recipe that will have your family and friends asking for more. The key to this dish lies in the marinade. Soy sauce, garlic, ginger, honey, fresh cilantro, and chili flakes mix together to create a flavor-packed combination. This marinade does double duty – it tenderizes the meat while infusing it with bold flavors.

Marinating the steak for 30 minutes (or up to 2 hours) ensures all those great flavors are absorbed into the meat. After letting the steak sit in this goodness, all that’s left to do is cook it up on a hot grill pan. The result is a tender, juicy steak with just the right amount of searing.

This recipe hits all the marks: easy, delicious, and unique. Serve this Asian-inspired marinated flank steak as part of an entrée or sliced on top of a salad for some added protein. Either way, you’ll love its bold flavor and quick cooking time.

Is this Recipe Healthy?

Flank steak is a healthy choice for those looking to increase their protein intake without consuming large amounts of saturated fat. Flank steak is lean and contains less than 3 grams of saturated fat per 3-ounce serving.

Flank steak is also an excellent source of protein, providing around 23 grams per 3-ounce portion. And it provides other essential vitamins and minerals, such as B vitamins, iron, zinc, and selenium. With its low fat content and wealth of nutrients, flank steak is a healthy addition to your diet.

How to Make Marinated Flank Steak

Peel and grate the ginger root and garlic cloves. Finely chop the fresh cilantro.
Combine the grated ginger, grated garlic, soy sauce, honey, cilantro, and chili flakes in a bowl. Mix well.
Put the flank steak and the marinade in a large Ziploc bag. Make sure to coat the steak with the marinade.
Close the bag and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes and up to 2 hours.
Once the steak is marinated, brush the grill pan with the cooking oil and heat. Cook the flank steak according to your liking. See estimated times in the tips below.
Slice the steak and serve with a side of rice, grilled veggies, and a salad.

Tips & Variations for Marinated Flank Steak

When it comes to marinating flank steak, there are some tips that will help you get the best results.

Trim off any visible fat from the steak before you marinate it.
Be sure to use light soy sauce. Regular soy sauce can overpower the other flavors and make the steak too salty.
You can marinate the steak in a bowl, but I like to use a Ziploc bag. It's an easier way to make sure the marinade coats the steak on all sides.
Don't be surprised by a color change. The longer you marinate the steak the darker its color will be.
Cooking time will depend on the thickness of your steak, but here are general timings: Rare 1 ½ minutes per side; Medium rare: 2 minutes per side; Medium 2 ½ minutes per side; Well done 4 to 5 minutes per side.

Side Suggestions

Marinated Flank Steak FAQs

What cuts of beef could I use instead of flank steak?

You could use other beef cuts, such as skirt steak, hanger steak, or flat iron steak. All of these cuts are more tender than flank steak and have a more intense flavor. Skirt steaks are perfect for grilling, while the hanger steak is great for pan-searing or skillet cooking. Flat iron steaks can be cooked in the oven, on a grill, or even in a slow cooker.

What are other ways to cook flank steak other than a grill pan?

You can cook flank steak in a variety of ways. You can cube it and grill it as kebabs. You can also pan-sear it in a cast iron skillet, cook it in the oven, or grill it on an outdoor grill. If you have an Instant Pot or slow cooker, flank steak can also be cooked at low temperatures for maximum tenderness.

How do I store leftovers of cooked flank steak?

If you have leftovers of cooked flank steak, the best way to store them is to wrap the steak in aluminum foil or place it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Bottom Line

This Asian-inspired marinated flank steak is an easy main dish. Whether you’re grilling your marinade-infused steak in a grill pan or on an outdoor grill, using this marinade will add layers of flavor. With its low saturated fat content and wealth of essential vitamins and minerals, marinated flank steak is an ideal addition to any healthy diet.

Asian-Inspired Marinated Flank Steak

Print Recipe

Juicy and super flavorful flank steak marinated in a delicious Asian-inspired marinade. Perfect flavor and cooked to perfection according to your liking.

Author: LINDSAY DELK
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Marinating time: 30 min to 2 hours
Cook Time: Depending on the thickness and your preference (see notes)
Total Time: 45 minutes minimum
Yield: 2 servings 1x
Category: Lunch/dinner/beef
Cuisine: Asian inspired

Ingredients

Scale

2 pounds flank steak
1 tablespoon neutral-tasting cooking oil

For marinade:

1 thumb fresh ginger
2 garlic cloves
4 tablespoons light soy sauce
2 tablespoons honey
a bunch of fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon chili flakes (optional)

Instructions

Peel and grate the ginger root and garlic cloves. Chop the cilantro finely.
Add the grated ginger and garlic into a bowl.
Add the soy sauce, honey, cilantro, and chili flakes to the bowl and mix well.
Put the flank steak inside a ziplock bag with the marinade, making sure to cover everything. Close and let marinate for 30 min minimum to 2 hours.
Once marinated, heat a grill pan and cook the flank steak according to your liking.
Serve sliced with a side of white rice, grilled veggies, a salad…

Notes

The longer you marinate the steak the darker the color it will be. I like to leave it marinating in a ziplock bag because it’s an easier way to make sure it's covered with the marinated on all its sides.

To cook it to your liking it will all depend on the thickness of your steak, but generally, these are the timings:

Rare: 1 ½ min per side

Medium rare: 2 mins per side

Medium 2 ¼ ins per side

Well done: 4-5 mins per side