Flat Iron Steak – What Is It And How To Cook It

Beef flat irons are derived from the feather muscle which is found in the chuck and blade sections of the animal. In the classic method, a much hotter pan or grill is used to cook the steak; the sides are sealed and rested well in a warm place after they are cooked.

External gristle from the muscle is removed leaving lean steak with a nice marbled texture

With the popularity of flat iron steaks gaining momentum, you can find them in more grocery stores as well as on restaurant menus as a more affordable alternative to more expensive steak; it is almost as tender as a tenderloin at a fraction of the cost.

The purpose of this guide is to tell you everything you need to know about flat iron steaks and how you can cook one yourself using proper technique, so that this could become your new favorite at home! 

What Is The Flat Iron Steak?

Originally, flat iron steaks were part of the blade roast’s top section. In the middle of the blade roast is a hard connective tissue; it is from this that flat iron steaks are born.

During the butchering process, the bottom section of the steak is made into a flat iron steak, while the remainder is a top blade steak.

Its appearance resembles the traditional metal flat iron, for which the meat received its name. An even thickness and rectangular shape characterize the flat iron steak. Tender, flavorful marbling adds to the taste and texture. The steak is suitable for many different recipes.

The Taste Of A Flat Iron Steak

Steaks like flat iron steak, or top chuck steak, have marbling to give them a rich, beefy taste. With ingredients such as herbs and black pepper, you can add extra flavor to the beef cut by marinating it.

This marinated steak will be mouthwatering, flavorful, and juicy for a hearty appetite, no matter what marinade you choose. The marinades that we show you are good examples of what you can cook with, because they will improve the taste of your steak when you taste it.

Where To Purchase Flat Iron Steaks

You need to think about your options available to you before you purchase the best flat iron steak to cook with. We have compiled a couple of our favorite places you really need to be getting your steak from the next time you decide to cook it. 

Holy Grail Steak is one of the best places you need to be purchasing your steak from. A number of ranches and farms partner up with them because of their passion and meticulous attention to detail for raising cattle.

We agree. They use only the best cuts of meat on their website and you can order online whenever you want. You can get everything from luxury wagyu flat iron to grass-fed prime cut flat iron steaks.

Another option that we recommend would be using Amazon Fresh, since they offer top quality steaks at very affordable prices while still delivering the flavor you expect from the more expensive top cut steaks. If you have never ordered food from Amazon before, you might want to consider it as an option now.

Lastly, if your butcher is staring indifferently at you when you ask for a flat iron steak, it may be that the name or the cut hasn’t caught on in your area.

You can ask for a top blade steak if you’re not successful requesting a flat iron steak. Make every effort to locate one and taste it if it is still unavailable. It might be the steak of your dreams.

How To Store Flat Iron Steaks

Flat iron steaks tend not to last too long in the refrigerator, so plan to cook them within three to five days of purchasing them. Be sure to wrap it well in the packaging without adding too much air.

Keeping the food for later use requires removing from the store packaging and resealing it in a freezer bag or butcher paper, sucking out any excess air. You can keep the steak for three to six months if you do this.

How to Cook Flat Iron Steak

Several hours before cooking, season your steak with spices. Rub your favorite spices onto the meat about 2-4 hours before grilling it for the best results.

Any dry spice mix that you prefer, like garlic powder, oregano, or cumin, can be used. A few pinches of each spice should be combined in a small bowl, and the mixture should be blended together.

Once your steaks have been spiced, rub them with clean hands and let them rest in the fridge until you’re ready to grill them. It is of course possible to simply add a few pinches of sea salt if you wish as your seasoning.

Many grocery stores and online retailers sell ready-made spice mixes for steak. In cases where you aren’t sure what to use, these are a good option.

After that, marinate your steaks in the sauce for at least an hour. Your steaks will be flavorful and juicy if you marinate them. Spices can be combined with oil, vinegar, and any other ingredients you like.

Everything has to be mixed together in a large bowl or plastic bag. If you are using a pre-made marinade, you can buy it at any grocery store. You can marinate your steak for at least one hour, or up to 12 hours.

Let the steaks rest at room temperature for an hour before cooking. Make sure that the steaks are kept somewhere away from children and pets in your kitchen.

Grilling cold meat on a hot grill can cause the meat to tear. The flat iron steaks can get too warm and become dangerous to eat if left out for more than one hour.

Prepare your grill for cooking by preheating it to about 600 °F. If you’re cooking steaks on a charcoal or gas grill, fire it up several minutes before you plan to cook them.

You’ll get a nice sear on the meat as the grill has time to get hot. Modern grills often come with thermometers, which can be very helpful. Even without one, you can still grill.

Just let the grill heat up for a bit before you start cooking. Don’t forget tongs for flipping the steaks, extra seasoning, if you wish to add it during cooking, and a clean plate for serving the steak.

Depending on your preference, you should grill the steak for two to five minutes on each side. Cook the steaks on the grill until done, about two minutes per side.

Whichever side you use first is not important. About 2 minutes per side is the recommended cooking time to get medium rare steaks. About 3-4 minutes is the recommended cooking time for medium steaks.

About five to six minutes per side is sufficient for well-done steaks. Make sure the steak is at the temperature you prefer using a meat thermometer. A medium-rare steak should be about 130°F, a medium steak 140°F and a well-done steak 160°F.

For the juices to redistribute, let the meat rest for 5 minutes. On a cutting board, let the steaks rest for about five minutes after they come off the grill.

A delicious, juicy steak will result from the juices settling throughout the steak. If you cut into your steak too soon, you might dry it out. Set a timer.

Keep the steak tender by cutting against the grain with a sharp knife. Let the steaks rest for 5 minutes before serving. Across a piece of meat, the muscle fibers are aligned in accordance with the grain.

A flat iron steak has a vertical line of muscle fibers. Rather than following the grain, cut them across horizontally in this case. You won’t end up with stringy steaks.

It is typical to slice flat iron steaks thinly when serving, but you may prefer to leave them whole. To store leftovers in the fridge for three to five days, place them in an airtight container.

Summary

As a result of reading this guide thoroughly, you should now understand what a flat iron steak is, and you should also know how to grill it according to the best method.

Even if you have never used a flat iron steak in the past, you will undoubtedly be considering it now because of the various options you have at your disposal.

Think about all the different marinades you might use when you cook your steak, and how delicious it will be with all the different flavors you’re going to get.

We have provided you with a list of a couple of places where you can try to purchase your flat iron steak and hopefully you will be able to cook it exactly as we have described.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Flat Iron Steak Good For You?

Protein and zinc are high in flat iron steak, as they are in most cuts of beef. Approximately 23 grams of protein and half of the recommended daily amount of zinc are present in a 3-ounce serving. In addition, it provides 15 percent of the recommended daily iron intake.

Is Flat Iron Steak Good?

Grilling this steak really brings out the rich flavor of the meat due to the high heat and short cooking time. A flat iron steak is very similar to any flat steak, so you will be able to use it in any recipe calling for skirt or flank steak.

A steak that has a nice amount of marbling is tender and is full of flavor as a result of the thick layers of marbling.