Flank steak is packed with beefy flavor but can be tough if not prepared correctly. This simple garlic soy marinade helps tenderize the meat while adding great flavor with a handful of everyday ingredients.
Whether you're making steak fajitas, tacos, salads, or serving it as a main dish, this easy flank steak marinade helps you get tender, juicy results every time.
⏱️ Quick Answer: How Long to Marinate Flank Steak
- Marinate for at least 2 hours for flavor.
- For the best tenderness, marinate 6 to 12 hours.
- Do not marinate longer than 12 hours or the vinegar may make the meat mushy.
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👉 TL;DR — Recipe Summary
What it is: A simple garlic soy marinade that adds flavor and tenderness to flank steak with everyday ingredients.
Why you'll love it: An easy marinade that helps tenderize flank steak and adds great flavor for grilling.
How to use it: Marinate for at least 2 hours for flavor, but 6 to 12 hours is best for tenderness. Then grill hot and fast, rest briefly, and always slice across the grain for the most tender results.
🐄 Ingredients
For the marinade:
- Olive oil — helps carry flavor and coat the steak.
- Garlic — adds bold savory flavor.
- Red wine vinegar — helps tenderize and balance the marinade.
- Soy sauce — adds salt and umami flavor.
- Honey — balances the savory flavors and promotes browning.
- Black pepper
For the steak:
- Flank steak
🤔 Do I Have to Marinate Flank Steak?
No, but I highly recommend it. Flank steak has great beef flavor but can be chewy because it is a lean cut with long muscle fibers.
A marinade helps add flavor and improve tenderness, making it easier to get juicy results when grilled and sliced across the grain.
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👨🍳 Quick Overview: How to Marinate and Grill Flank Steak
Mix the marinade in a 1-gallon ZipLock bag or non-reactive container.
Add the steak and refrigerate. Marinate for at least 2 hours for flavor. For tenderness, marinate for 6 to 12 hours.
Move the steak from the marinade directly to a preheated 550°F to 600°F grill. Discard the marinade.
Grill for 5 to 6 minutes per side to an internal temperature of 125°F to 130°F. Do not overcook. Remove from the grill and rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing thinly across the grain.
For more details, keep reading. See the Recipe Card below for complete instructions and to print.
✔️ Tips
- Marinate for at least 2 hours for flavor, but 6 to 12 hours is best for tenderness.
- Due to the vinegar, do not marinate longer than 12 hours or the texture may become mushy.
- Discard the marinade after use. It has been in contact with raw meat and is not safe to reuse.
- Use an instant-read thermometer and cook only to 125°F to 130°F before resting.
- Let the steak rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing.
- Always slice thinly across the grain for the most tender results.
❓ FAQs
Marinate for at least 2 hours for flavor, but 6 to 12 hours is best for tenderness. Because this marinade contains vinegar, do not marinate longer than 12 hours.
Yes. Because this marinade contains vinegar, marinating longer than 12 hours can make the texture mushy. For the best balance of flavor and tenderness, marinate for 6 to 12 hours.
This flank steak recipe can be cooked with a traditional sear-and-bake method.
1. Remove the steak from the marinade and pat off any excess.
2. Sear both sides in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat, then transfer to a 400°F oven.
3. Cook to an internal temperature of 125°F to 130°F for medium-rare. 4. Rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing across the grain.
More Marinades and Grilled Steak Recipes
For other ways to flavor steaks, check out simple beef kabob marinade or the more complex Steak Kabob Marinade. And don't miss the change of pace coffee steak rub.
Check out other grilled steak recipes, like Grilled Strip Steaks, Grilled Porterhouse Steaks, Grilled Filet, and Grilled Ribeye.
📖The Recipe Card
Marinade for Flank Steak
Ingredients
- 1½ - 2 pounds flank steak
- ⅓ cups olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic - minced or crushed
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- ⅓ cups soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons honey
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Start by trimming the flank steak of any visible fat.
- Mix the marinade in a 1-gallon ZipLock bag or non-reactive container. Add the steak and refrigerate. Marinate for at least 2 hours for flavor. For tenderness, marinate for 6 to 12 hours.
- Grill for 5 to 6 minutes per side to an internal temperature of 125°F to 130°F. Do not overcook. Remove from the grill and rest for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Slice thinly across the grain and serve hot over greens, in steak fajitas, tacos, or sandwiches.
Recipe Notes
Pro Tips
- Marinate for at least 2 hours for flavor, but 6 to 12 hours is best for tenderness.
- Due to the vinegar, do not marinate longer than 12 hours or the texture may become mushy.
- Discard the marinade after use. It has been in contact with raw meat and is not safe to reuse.
- Use a very hot grill. About 5 to 6 minutes per side is usually enough.
- Use an instant-read thermometer and cook only to 125°F to 130°F before resting.
- Let the steak rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing.
- Always slice thinly across the grain for the most tender results.
- Oven instructions are in the recipe post.
Your Own Private Notes
To adjust the recipe size:
You can adjust the number of servings above; however, only the amount in the ingredient list is adjusted, not the instructions.
Nutrition Estimate (may vary)
Editor's Note: Originally Published September 3, 2016. Updated with more focus on the marinade, refreshed photos, and a table of contents to help navigation.
Sandra says
This is how we cook flank . It's great for a crowd because you can get a pile of slices out of one steak. We buy ours at Costco. I usually buy my marinade in a package in the spice aisle but I will try yours next time. Home made is always better.
Pat Monahan says
This has to do w your retirement,, not the recipe, which I know will be excellent.
Congrats on your window into a new world. And thank you for all of your kind
And informative info. And YUM. I am so happy that you will still be around for
Those of us who only need a little bit of something to cook, to cheer us..
Very best wishes for a healthy and happy retirement!