Grilled Flank Steak with Garlic Marinade
Easy 30 min + 4 hr marinade 4 people Gas / Charcoal

Grilled Flank Steak with Garlic Marinade

Flank steak is one of the best value cuts at the grocery store — bold beefy flavor, lean, and ready in under 15 minutes on the grill. The catch is that it's tough if cooked or sliced wrong. Marinade and technique fix both. Here's the playbook.

Grill Wizard — Aussie pitmaster in MinnesotaBy The Grill Wizard · Aussie pitmaster, MN

Last Updated

First Published

FreshThis recipe was last reviewed on May 30, 2026.

Ingredients

  • 1.5 lbs flank steak
  • ⅓ cup soy sauce
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 6 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp red pepper flakes
  • Black pepper to taste

Step by Step

1

Whisk marinade and soak the steak

Combine all marinade ingredients in a zip-top bag. Add steak, press out the air, and refrigerate 4-12 hours. Don't go longer than 24 hours — the acid will start mushing the texture.

2

Bring to room temp

Pull the steak from the fridge 30 minutes before grilling. Drain marinade and pat dry — wet meat won't sear.

3

Get the grill ripping hot

Direct high heat — 500°F+. Flank steak cooks fast and benefits from intense surface heat to develop a crust before the inside overcooks.

4

Grill 4-5 minutes per side

Lay the steak across the grates. Don't move it. Flip once. Pull at 130°F internal for medium-rare. Total cook time is usually 8-10 minutes.

5

Rest 10 minutes — this is non-negotiable

Tent loosely with foil. Cutting too early lets all the juice run onto the cutting board.

6

Slice against the grain, thin

Look at the muscle fibers — they run lengthwise on flank. Slice perpendicular to those fibers, about ¼ inch thick. This breaks up the toughness completely.

Pro Tips

  • Slicing against the grain is THE most important step. Slice with the grain and even a perfectly cooked flank will be chewy.
  • Leftover flank steak is incredible cold on salads, in tacos, or in a banh mi sandwich.
  • Skirt steak is a great substitute — same technique, slightly more marbling, even more flavor.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Grilled Flank Steak with Garlic Marinade take to cook?
Total time is about 30 min + 4 hr marinade including prep and rest. It's a beginner-friendly recipe — no special technique required.
What grill do I need?
This recipe is written for a gas / charcoal. You can adapt it to other cookers — the main thing is matching the temperature and zone setup, not the brand of grill.
How many people does it serve?
4 people. Scale ingredients up or down proportionally for larger or smaller groups.
What's the single most important tip?
Slicing against the grain is THE most important step. Slice with the grain and even a perfectly cooked flank will be chewy.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Most BBQ recipes hold beautifully — you can cook it earlier in the day, wrap tightly in foil, and rest in a cooler (no ice) for up to 4 hours. The flavor often improves with the rest.

Keep Reading

You might also like

Masterbuilt Gravity Series 560
Review

Masterbuilt Gravity Series 560

Digital fan-controlled charcoal with WiFi — real charcoal flavor with pellet-grill convenience.

Read
Everdure HUB II Charcoal Grill
Review

Everdure HUB II Charcoal Grill

Heston Blumenthal's electric-ignition charcoal grill. Lit and ready to cook in 10 minutes — the charcoal grill that finally solves the lighting problem.

Read
Weber Summit Charcoal vs. Kamado Joe Classic III
Comparison

Weber Summit Charcoal vs. Kamado Joe Classic III

Weber's premium charcoal play vs. the kamado world's most refined cooker. Two paths to great charcoal flavor at premium prices.

Read
Crispy Grilled Chicken Wings
Recipe

Crispy Grilled Chicken Wings

Better than fried — charcoal-grilled wings with crackling skin and no deep fryer needed.

Read