Do you cut flank steak before or after cooking?

To help tenderize flank steak, it is often marinated and cooked by grilling, stir-frying, broiling, or smoking. No matter the cooking method, with or without a marinade, for the most delicious results, you should always cut flank steak across the grain.

Can you cut flank steak before cooking?

This is important: once it’s cooked, cut flank steak into thin slices and against the grain and it will be tender to chew and not stringy. … But try to plan ahead because being able to marinate the meat for at least 4 hours prior to cooking will mean a more tender and flavorful result.

Is it better to cut meat before or after cooking?

As for cutting steak, doing so before cooking will not result in lost liquids, etc. How to cut When sizing meat for a certain pan size, be sure to cut across the grain. Meat fibers run in strands that can be tough and stringy if cut so they stay long.

Do I cut flank steak with or against the grain?

Learn how to properly slice a flank steak. Always cut diagonally, against the grain, to make your steak tender and appealing.

Should you poke holes in flank steak before marinating?

Yes, you should poke holes in steak. That way, marinades permeate it better. … When puncturing your steak with a fork, it ends up carrying some of the bacteria on the surface down in the meat. These bacteria would normally get killed when cooking.

How do you tenderize flank steak quickly?

ACID: Balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire sauce and lemon juice help tenderize the flank steak by breaking down lean muscle fibers. The trio also boast layers of rich and tangy flavor. SALT: Soy sauce acts as a brine, which increases the moisture capacity of the meat, helping it become juicer and more flavorful.

Do you have to marinate flank steak?

Flank steak is a lean, flavorful cut of meat that is probably best prepared marinated and cooked over a grill. But sometimes you just don’t have time to marinate the meat or deal with the grill. … Also, grilled meat should be marinated first. (For that see our grilled, marinated flank steak recipe.)

What can I use instead of flank steak?

Budget-friendly hanger steak serves as both a substitute for flank steak and a substitute for skirt steak. Also located on the underside of a cow, hanger steak is cut from the area near the loin. Hanger steak is similar to both flank and skirt steaks in that it benefits from marinating and also takes well to grilling.