Best Flank Steak Tacos Recipe [2022] (Marinated + Grilled)

Flank Steak Tacos are ideal for nights when you want a flavorful, protein-packed meal that doesn’t require much effort.

Citrus flavors and garlic, along with a little heat and sweetness, all add up to a winning recipe!

It’s still grilling season, as you all know. Summer is still going on for (at least) another month, as tempting as it is to pack up the deck furniture and break out the slow cooker.

That’s not to say you can’t grill whenever you want — we’ve been known to bundle up and run from the house to the grill on a snow-covered deck in the dead of winter — but now is the time.

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WHAT IS FLANK STEAK?

Flank steak is a long, flat, and unusually shaped cut of meat. It has a strong beef flavor that works well in marinades.

This cut of meat must be cooked quickly and at high heat, or it will become dry and tough. In many recipes, skirt steak can be substituted for flank steak.

For maximum tenderness, both cuts of meat should be thinly sliced against the grain. Flank or skirt steak are both excellent for tacos and should be cooked to medium-rare.

HOW DO YOU MAKE FLANK STEAK TACOS?

1. Making these steak tacos is as simple as it gets! In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, citrus juices, and spices. I then transfer this to a large, sealable bag, followed by the steak and marinade.

2. I remove as much air as possible from the bag before sealing it. I swish the bag around a little to make sure the steak is completely covered.

3. I leave the steak in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to marinate, but you can also prepare this the night before and leave it soaking until ready to grill the next day.

4. When it’s time to cook, take the steak in its marinade to the grill, remove it from the bag with tongs, and place it on a medium-hot grill or grill pan. (Remove any leftover marinade.)

5. My ideal grilling time is about 8 minutes per side, but I like my steak a little pink in the middle. Cook yours for a longer or shorter period of time, depending on how you like your steak.

6. When it’s done, remove it from the grill and set it aside to rest if desired. Then cut it into thin strips and assemble your tacos. Dive in and wipe the juice off your chin. Repeat.

FLANK STEAK TACO MARINADE

Because the steak is the star of these tacos, we must ensure that it is as flavorful as possible before putting it on the grill.

You might think I’ve asked you to use every ingredient in your pantry if you look at the ingredient list for this marinade. Let’s take a look at the list of ingredients:

• Orange juice 
• Lemon juice and zest
• Lime juice and zest
• Garlic
• Worcestershire sauce 
• Brown sugar 
• Chipotle sauce or chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
• Paprika 
• Dried oregano 
• Ground cumin 
• Salt and pepper 
• Hot sauce of choice, optional
• Olive oil

To marinate your steak, combine all of the marinade ingredients in a mixing bowl. Cover your steak – either flank or skirt – with the marinade and place in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.

The longer it marinates, however, the more flavorful it will be, so leave it out all day or overnight if possible.

COOKING TIMES FOR GRILLING FLANK STEAK

Cook the flank to 125°F for rare, 135°F for medium rare, 145°F for medium, 155°F for medium well, and 165°F for well done.

Because it’s so simple and quick, this flank steak is always on the menu for lunches or dinners.

It delivers even with a quick dose of soy sauce and a sprinkle of Montreal seasoning while the BBQ grill heats up when time is of the essence.

WHAT CUT OF STEAK IS BEST FOR TACOS?

I enjoy grilling flank steak because it cooks quickly, is inexpensive, and tastes delicious.

If you can’t find flank steak, prefer skirt steak, or have one in your fridge or freezer that needs to be used up, skirt steak is a good substitute.

A hanger steak could also be used. Make do with what you’ve got — just keep in mind that each steak cut will require a different cooking time depending on your preferences.

HOW TO MAKE STEAK TACOS AHEAD?

For super-quick flank steak tacos, prepare the marinade the night before and store it in the refrigerator.

The next day, pour it over the flank steak before leaving for work, and the meat will be ready to go.

Although you must allow time for the marinade portion of the recipe, the good news is that once that hour is up, flank steak cooks in a flash. The steak cooks in under 10 minutes.

HOW TO COOK FLANK STEAK ON THE STOVE?

If you’re making these steak tacos in the winter or don’t want to grill, you can cook the flank steak on the stove.

A cast-iron skillet is ideal for cooking steak because it can reach and maintain higher temperatures more effectively than any other pan.

As with grilling, it is best to ensure that your skillet is very hot before placing the meat on it.

Remove the flank steak from the marinade and discard it before cooking it on the stove. Sear for 4-5 minutes on the first side.

Flip the steak with thongs and continue to flip until the interior meat is slightly less done than you want it when you eat it, 3-4 minutes for medium or 2-3 minutes for medium-rare.

Place the meat on a cutting board and cover loosely with aluminum foil for 7-10 minutes. Cut it on the bias, against the grain.

RECIPE TIPS

• For the best flavor, marinate for 8 hours.
• Cook the steak to medium rare, then thinly slice it against the grain.
• If you’re not sure how to tell when the steak is done, I recommend investing in a digital meat thermometer.
• Allow 10 minutes for the meat to rest before slicing.
• I used white corn tortillas, but flour tortillas are also an excellent choice.
• I recommend grilling the tortillas because it adds a nice layer of flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

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inspired by: https://www.lecremedelacrumb.com/flank-steak-tacos/