Ina Garten Marinated Flank Steak Recipe

Ina Garten’s Quick & Flavorful Marinated Flank Steak Recipe

Marinated flank steak transforms ordinary dinners into extraordinary culinary experiences that dance across your taste buds.

This robust cut of meat absorbs incredible flavors through a carefully crafted marinade technique.

Tender and juicy, the steak promises a delightful meal that elevates home cooking to restaurant-quality standards.

Complex marinades work like flavor ambassadors, tenderizing tough muscle fibers while introducing remarkable depth to each bite.

The secret lies in balancing acidic components with rich, savory elements that penetrate deep into the meat’s structure.

Marinating isn’t just a cooking step; it’s a transformative process that turns simple ingredients into a memorable dining moment: get ready to impress.

Why You’ll Swoon for Ina Garten’s Marinated Flank Steak

Why You’ll Swoon for Ina Garten’s Marinated Flank Steak
  • Flavor-Packed Marinade Magic: The combination of soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard creates an incredibly rich and complex flavor profile that transforms an ordinary flank steak into a mouthwatering masterpiece.
  • Foolproof Grilling Technique: This recipe offers a simple, stress-free method for achieving perfectly cooked steak with minimal effort, making it ideal for both novice and experienced home cooks who want restaurant-quality results.
  • Versatile Meal Solution: The quick marinating process and simple grilling instructions make this dish perfect for weeknight dinners, weekend gatherings, or spontaneous cookouts, offering maximum flavor with minimal preparation time.
  • Tender Texture Triumph: Marinating the flank steak for 2-6 hours breaks down tough muscle fibers, ensuring a surprisingly tender and juicy cut of meat that melts in your mouth with every delicious bite.

Ingredients List for Ina’s Flank Steak Magic

Meat:
  • Flank Steak: Lean and flavorful cut perfect for grilling, best when marinated to enhance tenderness and taste.
Marinade Base:
  • Olive Oil, Soy Sauce: Provide moisture and deep umami flavor, help tenderize and season the meat.
  • Red Wine Vinegar: Adds tangy brightness and helps break down meat fibers.
  • Lemon Juice: Brings fresh acidity and helps tenderize the steak.
Flavor Enhancers:
  • Worcestershire Sauce: Complex, savory condiment that adds depth and richness.
  • Dijon Mustard: Provides sharp, tangy undertone and helps emulsify the marinade.
  • Garlic: Fresh cloves offer pungent, aromatic flavor that complements the meat.
  • Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and enhances overall seasoning.

Sizzling Steps to Ina Garten’s Flank Steak

Sizzling Steps to Ina Garten’s Flank Steak

Step 1: Prepare Flavor-Packed Marinade

Gather these ingredients:
  • Olive oil
  • Soy sauce
  • Red wine vinegar
  • Fresh lemon juice
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • Dijon mustard
  • Minced garlic
  • Freshly ground black pepper

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk all ingredients together until they form a smooth, well-blended marinade.

Step 2: Coat the Steak

Place the flank steak in a large glass baking dish. Pour the entire marinade over the meat, carefully turning the steak multiple times to ensure complete coverage. Ensure every inch of the steak is generously coated with the flavorful mixture.

Step 3: Marinate and Chill

Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Let the steak soak up the delicious flavors for a minimum of 2 hours, or ideally up to 12 hours for maximum taste infusion.

Step 4: Prepare the Grill

When you’re ready to cook, fire up the outdoor grill to medium-high heat. Lightly brush the grill grates with oil to prevent sticking and ensure beautiful grill marks.

Step 5: Remove and Drain

Take the steak out of the marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip off. Discard the used marinade to prevent any food safety issues.

Step 6: Grill to Perfection

Place the steak on the hot grill. Cook for approximately 5 minutes on each side, or until you achieve your preferred level of doneness. For medium-rare, look for a slightly pink center.

Step 7: Rest and Serve

Remove the steak from the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes. This crucial step allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a tender and juicy cut. Slice against the grain and serve immediately to hungry guests.

Pro Tip: For best results, use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature. Medium-rare is typically around 135°F, medium is 140°F.

Tricks to Perfect Your Flank Steak Just Like Ina

  • Customize Your Marinade: Experiment with the ingredient ratios to create a personalized flavor profile that matches your taste buds and culinary style.
  • Drain Carefully: Gently remove the steak from the marinade, letting excess liquid drip off to prevent burning and ensure beautiful grill marks.
  • Master the Grill Temperature: Aim for medium-high heat to achieve a perfect sear while keeping the inside juicy and tender.
  • Rest Before Slicing: Allow the steak to rest for 10 minutes after grilling, letting the juices redistribute and guaranteeing a more flavorful and tender bite.
  • Slice Against the Grain: Cut the flank steak perpendicular to the muscle fibers to create more tender, easier-to-chew pieces that melt in your mouth.

Keep That Flank Steak Tasty with These Storage Hacks

  • Vacuum Sealing: Shield your marinated flank steak from freezer burn by using a vacuum sealer. Press out all air before sealing to lock in flavor and prevent moisture loss, ensuring peak taste when you're ready to enjoy your meal.
  • Glass Container Storage: Transfer cooled steak to a sturdy glass container with a tight-fitting lid. Glass prevents odor absorption and maintains the meat's original flavor profile better than plastic alternatives, keeping your steak fresh and delicious.
  • Portioning Strategy: Divide leftover steak into individual serving sizes before storing. Smaller portions thaw faster, reduce waste, and make meal prep a breeze when you're craving a quick protein-packed lunch or dinner.

Remix Ideas for Ina’s Flank Steak Dish

  • Mediterranean Herb Infusion: Enhance the marinade by adding fresh rosemary, thyme, and oregano for a vibrant Mediterranean flavor profile that transforms the classic flank steak.
  • Spicy Asian Kick: Incorporate sriracha sauce, grated ginger, and a touch of honey to create a bold, sweet-heat marinade that brings an exciting Asian-inspired dimension to the dish.
  • Smoky Bourbon Marinade: Replace some vinegar with bourbon whiskey and add smoked paprika for a rich, deep flavor that adds complexity and a subtle smokiness to the steak.
  • Citrus Zest Upgrade: Mix in orange zest, lime juice, and a splash of tequila to brighten the marinade with a fresh, tangy character that cuts through the meat's richness.

One Last Bite of Flank Steak Brilliance

Culinary magic emerges from Ina Garten’s marinated flank steak, transforming an ordinary cut into an extraordinary meal.

Robust flavors dance across the palate, creating a symphony of taste that lingers long after the last bite.

Kitchen enthusiasts will discover this recipe provides a perfect balance of tangy and savory notes.

Grilling techniques blend seamlessly with the complex marinade, ensuring a mouthwatering experience for anyone seeking remarkable dinner inspiration.

Passionate cooks can elevate their meal preparation with this simple yet sophisticated approach to preparing steak.

Challenge awaits: grill this masterpiece, snap a delicious photo, share your culinary triumph on social media, and watch as fellow food enthusiasts applaud your gastronomic skills.

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Ina Garten Marinated Flank Steak Recipe

Ina Garten Marinated Flank Steak Recipe


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4.6 from 26 reviews

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

Description

Ina Garten’s marinated flank steak delivers rich, bold flavors from a perfectly balanced marinade. Juicy, tender meat promises a mouthwatering meal that will impress dinner guests and satisfy carnivore cravings with Mediterranean-inspired zest.


Ingredients

Scale

Meat

  • 1 (1 ½-pound) flank steak

Liquid Ingredients

  • ½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
  • ⅓ cup (80 ml) low-sodium soy sauce
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) red wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) fresh lemon juice
  • 1 ½ tablespoons (22 ml) Worcestershire sauce

Seasonings and Aromatics

  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Craft a robust marinade by vigorously blending extra virgin olive oil, premium soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, fresh lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, minced garlic cloves, and freshly cracked black pepper in a spacious mixing bowl until ingredients are thoroughly integrated.
  2. Transfer the flank steak into a 9×13-inch (23×33 centimeters) glass baking dish, ensuring ample space for marination.
  3. Methodically pour the prepared marinade over the steak, meticulously rotating the meat multiple times to guarantee comprehensive coverage, then hermetically seal with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours and a maximum of 12 hours for optimal flavor absorption.
  4. Approximately 30 minutes prior to cooking, extract the marinated steak from the refrigerator, allowing it to approach room temperature for even cooking.
  5. Ignite an outdoor grill to medium-high heat (approximately 400-450 degrees Fahrenheit or 204-232 degrees Celsius), and delicately brush the grate with a thin layer of cooking oil to prevent sticking.
  6. Carefully extract the steak from the marinade, permitting excess liquid to drip off, and responsibly discard the remaining marinade to prevent cross-contamination.
  7. Position the steak on the preheated grill, cooking for approximately 4-6 minutes per side, depending on thickness and desired doneness (medium-rare recommended).
  8. Once grilled, transfer the steak to a clean cutting board and allow it to rest for 5-7 minutes, enabling internal juices to redistribute and ensuring maximum tenderness.
  9. Slice the rested steak against the grain into thin, elegant strips and serve immediately with accompanying side dishes.

Notes

  • Customize the marinade by experimenting with different herbs and spices to match your personal flavor profile.
  • Draining excess liquid prevents soggy meat and helps achieve a perfect sear when grilling.
  • Precise temperature control guarantees the ideal texture and juiciness for your steak.
  • Always let the meat rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking to allow juices to redistribute evenly.
  • Keep leftover marinade sealed in the refrigerator for up to three days, perfect for future grilling adventures.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
  • Method: Grilling
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 530 kcal
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 450 mg
  • Fat: 39 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 25 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 3 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 42 g
  • Cholesterol: 85 mg
Julian Park

Julian Park

Co-Founder, Cuisine Researcher & Food Culture Writer

Expertise

  • Global Food Cultures & Culinary History
  • Regional Flavor Profiles & Cooking Techniques
  • Food Anthropology & Cultural Identity
  • Culinary Research & Narrative Writing
  • Street Food Traditions & Heritage Dishes

Education

The Institute of Culinary Education (ICE), Los Angeles, CA

  • Degree: Certificate in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Professional culinary techniques, global cuisine fundamentals, and real-world training in restaurant-style cooking and food presentation.

Julian Park is a natural storyteller at The Dream Café who blends hands-on culinary experience with a passion for exploring global food traditions. A graduate of The Institute of Culinary Education in Los Angeles, Julian combines professional technique with a love for cultural discovery, diving into how dishes reflect heritage, migration, and identity. 

His work spans everything from in-depth cuisine guides to reflections on everyday meals around the world. With a curious palate and a journal always close by, Julian helps readers connect with food in a way that feels so insightful and personal.

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