Grilled Flank Steak with Balsamic Marinade

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Grilled Balsamic Flank Steak couldn't be easier to make and it healthy, delicious, and a meal your family will love.

268 CAL 3g CARBS 13g FAT 33g PROTEIN 2
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This easy and healthy grilled balsamic flank steak is tender and juicy, thanks to the incredibly easy balsamic marinade. Learn how to grill it for dinner in under 25 minutes!

When you are in the mood for a grilled juicy piece of steak, this is the perfect recipe for you. It’s a favorite in our house along with this Blackened Steak and Steak Tacos.

The tantalizing balsamic marinade only has four simple ingredients, and it makes the steak oh so juicy. Not only does it add incredible flavor to the steak, but it tenderizes it too. Even though you can use any combination of herbs in this marinade, I love how the thyme pairs with balsamic vinegar.

Grilling flank steak is one of the quickest and easiest ways to prepare it for your healthy dinner. Keep reading, and I'll share more tips about how to grill the perfect steak - it's easier than you think!

Ingredients for balsamic grilled flank steak including raw steak, garlic, balsamic vinegar, thyme, salt, and pepper.

Key Ingredients For Grilled Balsamic Flank Steak

Even though these ingredients are pretty simple, here is a bit more information about them, including any substitutions you can make.

  • Steak: You can use any type of steak that you like but I went with flank steak. Just make sure you grill it to a safe cooking temperature.
  • Balsamic Vinegar: Vinegar tenderizes the meat, so don't skip this ingredient. You can use red wine vinegar in place of balsamic.
  • Olive Oil: Any type of oil will work in this marinade but I went with olive oil. Replace olive oil with avocado oil to enjoy those healthy fats.
  • Garlic: Always use fresh garlic cloves whenever you are making a marinade. Garlic powder or garlic salt won't have the same flavor.
  • Thyme: Fresh herbs are the best for marinating because they infuse the meat with a delicious flavor! Instead of thyme, use parsley or even rosemary.

What To Serve With Flank Steak

Potatoes are the most common side dish to serve with steak and with good reason. Creamy whipped potatoes with a bite of juicy steak- yum! Thankfully, I have a ton of potato recipes on here!

Honey roasted sweet potatoes will have the perfect amount of sweetness to compliment the acidity of the balsamic vinegar marinade. Or, keep the grill hot and make some easy grilled potatoes with your steak.

If you are trying to watch your carbs, then enjoy some garlic mashed cauliflower. It has the same texture as mashed potatoes but a fraction of the carbs. It is guilt-free!

Grilled vegetables are another perfect side dish option, especially because it means you won’t need to dirty any other pots or pans on the stove. Craving some cold? Make an arugula salad or fresh broccoli salad.

Recipe Tips And Ideas For Grilled Steak

Follow these tips to make sure that this flank steak turns out juicy every single time!

  • Slice the steak against the grain. This prevents it from being too chewy.
  • Use your favorite herbs with the balsamic vinegar in the marinade. If you have an herb garden, just pluck a few sprigs and add them to the steak.
  • Use an instant-read food thermometer to monitor the meat's temperature. This way, you will cook it to the perfect amount.
  • Kick up the flavor even more by adding some homemade steak seasoning.
  • If you are making this during winter months, follow this guide for how to cook steak instead of grilling it.

Grilled balsamic garlic flank steak sliced on a cutting board with salad in the background.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some questions I frequently get asked about by some readers…

How do you cut a steak against the grain?

To cut a flank steak nice and thin, cut against the grain. This means cutting across the width of the steak as opposed to the length of the steak. This simple step makes a huge difference when it comes to texture and will ensure a tender steak.

What is the safe cooking temperature of steak?

The safest cooking temperature for steak is 145 degrees F. There are different levels of doneness, depending on how pink you like your steak.

  • Medium Rare: Warm Red Center- 135 degrees F
  • Medium: Warm Pink Center- 145 degrees F
  • Medium Well: Slightly Pink Center- 150 degrees F
  • Well Done: Little Or No Pink- 160 degrees F

How do you store leftover steak?

The safest way to store leftover steak is in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh this way for up to one week.

Do not let the steak sit at room temperature for more than 2 hours. After 2 hours, bacteria will start to grow on food.

How long do you have to marinate flank steak?

The longer you allow the steak to marinate, the juicier and more tender it will become. I suggest marinating flank steak overnight. It is usually a tougher cut of meat, so that extra time will do good things.

How to make sure flank steak is tender?

There are two main ways to make flank steak more tender. The first is to marinate it with something that will tenderize the meat, like the vinegar in this recipe. The second way is to cut it very thin, against the grain. This makes the meat significantly more tender.

Sliced grilled flank steak served over greens with balsamic marinade on the side.

More Delicious Flank Steak Recipes You'll Love:

The Recipe
Grilled flank steak on a cutting board with a knife.

Grilled Flank Steak with Balsamic Marinade

268 CAL 3g CARBS 13g FAT 33g PROTEIN 2
PREP TIME: 30 Min
COOK TIME: 15 Min
TOTAL TIME: 45 Min
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Ingredients

US METRICS
  • 1.33 lbs. lean flank steak
  • 3 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 tsp. dried thyme (or more fresh)
  • 3/4 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

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1

Whisk together the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, garlic, and thyme. Alternatively, add those ingredients to a blender. Blend until smooth. Pour the balsamic marinade over the steak and allow to marinate for at least 30 minutes, ideally overnight in the fridge. The longer you marinate the steak, the more flavor it will be and it will also be more tender.

Raw flank steak in a glass container with balsamic marinade.
2

Season with steak well with salt and pepper. Grill for 6-8 minutes per side for medium or test with an instant read thermometer and cook until 135-145°F. Let the steak rest for at least 5 minutes and thinly slice to serve.

Grilled flank steak sliced thin on a cutting board.
3

To broil: Preheat the broiler and cook the steak for 6 minutes on the first side then flip and cook another 2-3 minutes for medium doneness or until an instant read thermometer reads 135-145°F.

Broiled flank steak with balsamic marinade on a baking sheet.
Nutritional Facts
Serving Size: 6 oz.
Amount Per Serving
Calories 268
Calories from Fat 116
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 13g
20%
Saturated Fat 5g
22%
Monounsaturated Fat 4g
0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
0%
Cholesterol 104mg
35%
Sodium 531mg
23%
Total Carbohydrate 3g
1%
Dietary Fiber 0g
1%
Sugars 2g
Protein 33g

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

The Nutritional Values provided are estimates only and may vary based on the preparation method.

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About the author Meet Kristen McCaffrey
Hi, I’m the cookbook author, recipe developer, and food enthusiast behind Slender Kitchen. I am obsessed with making healthy food that is easy to prepare and absolutely delicious. Meal planning is my secret weapon and I hope I can make meal time easier for you with our tried and tested recipes and foolproof meal plans. Learn More
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