Tender Ina Garten Marinated Flank Steak Recipe

Ina Garten’s Juicy Marinated Flank Steak Recipe That Wows

Sizzling, tender, and bursting with flavor, this Ina Garten marinated flank steak recipe promises a culinary adventure that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Bold marinades can turn an ordinary cut into an extraordinary meal.

The tangy blend of ingredients infuses each slice with remarkable depth and character.

Marinating isn’t just a cooking technique – it’s an art form that unlocks rich, complex flavors.

Weeknight dinners or weekend gatherings become memorable moments with this foolproof recipe.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike swear by these simple yet powerful ingredients.

You’ll want to fire up the grill and savor every single bite of this mouthwatering steak sensation.

Quick Recipe Overview

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 4

What to Prep for Ina Garten’s Marinated Flank Steak

For Marinade Base:
  • Olive Oil: Helps distribute flavors and creates smooth coating for the meat.
  • Soy Sauce: Provides deep umami and saltiness with rich, complex flavor profile.
  • White Vinegar: Tenderizes meat and adds bright, tangy undertone to marinade.
  • Lemon Juice: Enhances meat tenderness and brings fresh, zesty brightness.
For Flavor Enhancers:
  • Worcestershire Sauce: Delivers complex, savory depth with subtle fermented notes.
  • Dijon Mustard: Adds sharp, slightly spicy kick and helps emulsify marinade.
  • Garlic: Introduces robust, aromatic punch with classic savory essence.
  • Black Pepper: Delivers subtle heat and warm, earthy undertone.
For Main Protein:
  • Flank Steak: Lean, flavorful cut that absorbs marinades beautifully and develops rich caramelized exterior when grilled.

Tools You’ll Want for Marinated Flank Steak

  • Whisk: Essential for mixing marinade ingredients smoothly and evenly.
  • 9×13-inch glass baking dish: Perfect for marinating steak and ensuring even coating.
  • Outdoor grill: Key tool for cooking steak with delicious grilled flavor and char marks.
  • Tongs: Helpful for safely turning and removing steak from the grill.
  • Sharp knife: Needed for slicing the cooked steak against the grain after resting.

Cook Up Ina Garten’s Marinated Flank Steak Like a Pro

Cook Up Ina Garten’s Marinated Flank Steak Like a Pro

Marinade Magic

  • Flavor Fusion Creating a zesty liquid mixture that transforms ordinary steak into a culinary sensation by blending tangy and rich ingredients like oil, soy sauce, vinegar, and aromatic garlic.
  • Steak Bath Submerging the flank steak completely in the marinade, ensuring every fiber gets coated with incredible flavors. Let it soak in the refrigerator for several hours, allowing the liquid to work its tenderizing magic.
  • Grill Preparation Heating an outdoor grill to a sizzling medium-high temperature and lightly brushing the grates with oil to prevent sticking and create beautiful char marks.
  • Cooking Dance Placing the marinated steak on the hot grill, letting it cook for approximately 5 minutes on each side. Watch for a perfect golden-brown exterior that seals in the juicy interior.
  • Resting Moment Removing the steak from the grill and letting it relax for 5 minutes. This crucial pause allows the meat's juices to redistribute, ensuring each slice is succulent and full of intense flavor.

Marinade Tweaks for Ina Garten’s Flank Steak

  • Experiment with different acids like orange juice or balsamic vinegar to add unique flavor depths to your marinade.
  • Allow your grill to reach the perfect temperature before cooking to ensure beautiful sear marks and even cooking throughout the steak.
  • Always slice flank steak against the grain to guarantee tender, melt-in-your-mouth meat that's easy to chew and packed with flavor.
  • Transform remaining steak into delicious salads, tacos, or sandwiches by storing it properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Replace flank steak with skirt steak or hanger steak if unavailable, maintaining similar marinading and cooking techniques for equally delicious results.

Great Sides for Ina’s Marinated Flank Steak

  • Slice and Serve with Zesty Salad: Pair the flank steak with a crisp mixed green salad topped with cherry tomatoes and a light vinaigrette for a fresh, balanced meal.
  • Create a Hearty Steak Sandwich: Thinly slice the grilled steak and layer it on crusty ciabatta bread with arugula, caramelized onions, and a dollop of horseradish sauce.
  • Craft a Flavorful Steak Bowl: Arrange sliced steak over cilantro-lime rice, add roasted vegetables, and drizzle with a tangy chimichurri sauce for a satisfying one-bowl dinner.
  • Elevate Taco Night: Chop the steak into bite-sized pieces and serve in warm tortillas with fresh salsa, diced onions, and a squeeze of lime for a crowd-pleasing Mexican-inspired dish.

Make-Ahead Tips for Flank Steak Storage

  • Refrigerate Wisely: Store marinated flank steak in an airtight container at the bottom of the refrigerator, preventing any potential drips on other foods. Keep raw meat sealed tightly to maintain freshness and avoid cross-contamination.
  • Freeze for Future Meals: Wrap cooked and cooled steak in freezer-safe plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Steak stays delicious for up to 3 months when properly sealed. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
  • Strategic Leftover Handling: Slice cold steak and layer in sandwiches, chop into salads, or dice for quick stir-fries. Consume refrigerated cooked steak within 3-4 days for optimal taste and food safety.
  • Reheat without Drying: Warm leftover steak gently in a skillet with a splash of beef broth or water. Cover the pan to retain moisture and prevent toughening. Heat just until warmed through to maintain tenderness and flavor.
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Tender Ina Garten Marinated Flank Steak Recipe

Tender Ina Garten Marinated Flank Steak Recipe


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4.9 from 28 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Ina Garten’s marinated flank steak delivers bold Mediterranean flavors with a perfect balance of herbs and zesty marinade. Grill marks and tender meat promise a memorable dinner that will satisfy guests seeking robust culinary experiences.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 flank steak (1 ½ lbs or 680 g)
  • ½ cup (120 ml or 4 fl oz) vegetable oil
  • ⅓ cup (80 ml or 2.7 fl oz) low-sodium soy sauce
  • ¼ cup (60 ml or 2 fl oz) red wine vinegar
  • 2 tbsps (30 ml or 1 fl oz) fresh lemon juice
  • 1 ½ tbsps (22 ml or 0.75 fl oz) Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ tsp ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Marinade Creation: Whisk extra virgin olive oil, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, and black pepper in a large bowl until completely blended and smooth.
  2. Marination Process: Submerge flank steak in glass baking dish, thoroughly coat with marinade by turning meat multiple times, then wrap tightly and refrigerate for 2-12 hours to enhance flavor penetration.
  3. Temperature Preparation: Remove steak from refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking, allowing meat to reach ambient temperature for uniform heat distribution.
  4. Grill Setup: Preheat outdoor grill to medium-high temperature (400-450°F), lightly oil grates to prevent meat from adhering during cooking.
  5. Cooking Technique: Remove steak from marinade, letting excess drip off, then place on hot grill. Cook 4-6 minutes per side, achieving desired doneness while developing robust external caramelization.
  6. Resting Phase: Transfer grilled steak to cutting board, let rest 5-7 minutes to redistribute internal juices and maximize meat’s tenderness and flavor profile.
  7. Serving Presentation: Slice steak against grain into elegant, thin strips, arranging artfully on serving platter for immediate consumption alongside complementary side dishes.

Notes

  • Marinate Wisely: Refrigerate steak between 2-12 hours for deep flavor penetration without breaking down meat proteins.
  • Temperature Matters: Remove steak from refrigerator 30 minutes before grilling to ensure even, consistent cooking throughout.
  • Grill Precision: Cook at medium-high heat (400-450°F) for 4-6 minutes per side, achieving perfect medium-rare doneness without overcooking.
  • Resting is Crucial: Let steak rest 5-7 minutes after grilling to redistribute internal juices, guaranteeing maximum tenderness and flavor retention.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
  • Method: Grilling
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Fat: 32 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 25 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 8 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 36 g
  • Cholesterol: 100 mg
Michael Reynolds

Michael Reynolds

Founder, Head Recipe Developer & Cuisine Specialist

Expertise

Recipe Development and Testing​, Modern American and European Cuisines​, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education and Workshops​

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and global cuisines.​

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts

  • Program: Diploma in Pastry Arts
  • Focus: Specialized education in baking and pastry, emphasizing artisanal bread, confections, and plated desserts.​

Michael Reynolds is the founder and head recipe creator at wd-50.com. With over 15 years of experience in the kitchen, he’s spent time working in top restaurants and now focuses on making great food easy for everyone at home.

Michael studied culinary arts at Johnson & Wales University and later trained in pastry at the Auguste Escoffier School. He knows his way around both savory meals and sweet treats.

At wd-50.com, his goal is to help you feel confident in the kitchen, whether you’re trying something new or cooking a favorite dish. He loves using fresh ingredients and simple steps that still bring out big flavors.

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