This easy marinated lemon dijon flank steak recipe is pan seared in a cast iron skillet on the stovetop for three minutes per side.
Marinate flank steak in lemon juice, dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and Italian seasoning and make an optional pan sauce from the marinade.
What is Flank Steak?
Flank steak is a tough cut of beef from the cow's stomach / abdomen area. It's a lean meat that is generally affordable, lean, and tough. It also has a "strong" beef flavor.
Although the name "steak" makes one think that it's an actual steak, it is not. Flank steak is a big cut of meat that is best sliced across the grain and used in stir-fries, salads, fajitas, tacos, etc.
Having said that, this lemon dijon flank steak can be eaten as the main dish because the marinade tenderizes it.
How To Marinate Flank Steak For Tenderness
Marinating flank steak imparts flavor as well as making it more tender.
So, flank steak needs to be tenderized with either a marinade and/or by scoring the steak with a knife, and/or pounding it with a meat mallet.
Vinegar based ingredients for the marinade help break down the meat fibers. Lemon juice, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce all contain vinegar and help tenderize the flank steak in this recipe.
Having said that, don't marinate flank steak for too long or it will turn the meat mushy. This lemon dijon flank steak is marinated for at least 2 hours but not more than 24 hours.
How To Cook Flank Steak
Flank cook is easy to cook and also cooks fast.
- Bring a 12" skillet to medium high heat and add enough oil to lightly coat the pan.
- Add the flank steak and sear on the first side for around 3 minutes.
- Flip and cook on the second side for 2-3 minutes.
- Rest flank steak for 5 minutes before slicing.
- Slice thinly across the grain.
Serve flank steak as is or on tacos, fajitas, salads, or in stir-fries. Make an optional pan sauce from the recipe and marinade below.
Make a Pan Sauce From The Lemon Dijon Marinade
Lemon dijon flank steak can be eaten with an optional pan sauce from the marinade.
The pan sauce takes just a quick couple minutes to cook down while the flank steak rests for 5 minutes. Here's what you do:
- Add the rest of the marinade to the skillet after removing the steak.
- Bring to a simmer and any of the resting juices.
- If the sauce breaks (fat and liquid separates): Stir in ~ ¼ cup water while bringing to a simmer for a couple minutes.
Serving Suggestion
Serve Lemon Dijon Flank Steak with a simple side dish or over a fresh salad.
You May Also Like
Like big meaty cuts of beef like Flank Steak? Check out these classic beef short and back ribs and classic New York Strip Steak and perfect Beef Tenderloin.
Things In My Kitchen:
Here's a couple things in my kitchen that you'll see in the instructional video:
- 12" cast iron skillet - Made in the USA. Pre-seasoned. Has a hot handle. Affordable.
- 13" Splatter guard - Protect your stove, counters, and face from grease splatters!
- Teak wood cutting board - Sustainably harvested, easy on knives, got the juice grooves, and pretty.
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Easy Marinated Lemon Dijon Flank Steak
This easy marinated lemon dijon flank steak recipe is pan seared in a cast iron skillet on the stovetop for three minutes per side.
Marinate flank steak in lemon juice, dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and Italian seasoning and make an optional pan sauce from the marinade.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 (6 oz each) 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: International
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 ½ pounds flank steak
- zest of one lemon
- 1 large juicy lemon, juiced
- 2 Tbsp dijon mustard
- 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ½ tsp salt
- pinch black pepper
Instructions
- In a jar combine: lemon zest, lemon juice, dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Shake it up.
- Pour marinade over the steak and baste all around.
- Marinate for at least 2 hours. Flip once in the marinade at one hour.
- Remove marinated flank steak from refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking.
- Bring a 12" skillet to medium high and vegetable oil to lightly cover the bottom of the pan.
- Sear flank steak on one side for ~ 3 minutes.
- Flip and cook on the other side for 2-3 minutes.
- Rest 5 minutes on cutting board. Slice across the grain.
Make optional pan sauce:
- Add remaining marinade to the pan after the steak is removed. Bring to a simmer and drizzle over flank steak.
- If sauce breaks will resting meat, simply stir in ¼ cup of water and bring back to a simmer to bring it back together (see video).
Notes
- Don't want to smoke up your house? Cool, cook lemon dijon flank steak on the grill instead.
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